Spectral Noise Logging cheat sheet
1. Objectives
A passive acoustic logging technique that listens to
the sounds generated by fluid movement. Based on
the sound’s frequency, amplitude and depth, the
analyst can use noise logs to evaluate:
- Flow through perforations, SSDs, gas lift.
- Leaks in the tubulars, not limited to the inner string
- Flow through cement (channelling, microannulus)
- Sand movement
- Plug and packer sealing integrity
- Reservoir thickness and sound characteristics
2. Noise tools
The sound is measured using one or more
piezoelectric hydrophone, which converts acoustic
energy to an electric signal. Single hydrophone tools
are ~0.5 m long, while 2 hydrophone tools are ~ 0.8
m long. Multiple hydrophones allows to have a
frequency-dependent equalization, with different
gains for high and low frequency sounds.
The sound waves are digitalized by recording points
at evenly-spaced times and representing each point
with a number of bits. The sampling rate determines
the maximum frequency that the tool can measure
(Nyquist theorem). Commercial tools measure up to
12.8, 60 and 656 kHz.
Noise logging interpretation is based of frequency
structure of the sound. A Fourier transform computes
the amplitude for n frequencies.
The tool output consists of multiple amplitude curves
for n frequencies. Some tools also record the full
waveform, although its storage and transmission are
often limited by size and bandwidth limitations.
Sound is typically quantified using Sound Pressure
Level, calculated as 𝑆𝑃𝐿 (𝑑𝐵) = 20 log(𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 ). As the
𝑃 or jobs recorded in separate files, the spectrograms
𝑟𝑒𝑓
piezoelectric measures a voltage, a calibration factor
𝑚𝑉
is required ( ).
𝑃𝑎
3. Toolstring
- A single spectral noise tool may
suffice for short intervals.
- 2 spectral noise tools with 2 or 3
meter offset help to reduce the
number of station stops (see
section 4).
- Temperature is noise’s best
friend, as both can localize fluid
movement inside, through, and
behind the inner barrier.
- GR, CCL for depth control.
- Memory, battery/telemetry,
weight bars, etc.
- For leak detection and reservoir
characterization jobs, consider
flowmeters and fluid identification
tools.
4. Operations
In continuous passes the toolstring and cable scratch
the inners surface of the pipe generating high-
amplitude ‘road noise’. This is uncharacteristic of the
fluid movement and cannot be used for diagnosis
purposes. Therefore, noise logging operations consist
of several stationary data recordings along the
interval of interest.
It is common to record a continuous temperature pass
during the RIH for quantitative interpretation, and to
locate zones of interest for station stops.
Once TD is reached, record 30 sec stations with a
spacing given by the job’s objectives. Reduce the
spacing between stations for intervals of interest.
Having more than one noise tool in the toolstring helps
reducing the number of stations.
During the job the well must be operated in such a way
that the noise to be detected (i.e. channel, leak, etc.)
is active. This requires a ΔP to generate turbulence. The
flowing conditions must be designed to maximize the
sounds production, for example:
- Well flowing (controlled drawdown)
- Bleeding one or more annular
- Injecting through tubing
5. Data loading
Load OH logs from for depth correlation and
to complement the analysis. Define
(optional).
It is recommended to start from a single time-driven
file containing all stations and short intervals of cable
movement in between. Use to load raw noise
data in .las, .csv or .dlis. Noise and cable data can be
merged once loaded in Emeraude. If the data is not
identified, add the root mnemonic in .
If the noise data has been processed elsewhere and is
already versus depth, use the option.
Upon loading the stationary periods
are automatically identified based
on cable speed/depth. Stations can
be created and edited.
The spectral data consists of hundreds of amplitude
curves for different frequencies (upper track). This is
typically displayed as a spectrogram, showing the
various frequency bands with increasing index from
bottom to top, and the amplitude as colour.
6. Processing
All Noise processing options are available from the Well
Integrity tab . The steps typically include:
6.1 Stations identification
Stations are identified based on periods of constant
depth or zero cable speed. Stations are displayed in a
dedicated track. Spurious cable movement can lead to
breaks in the station definition (i.e. between S6 and S7
below). Click on the station to delete or interactively
edit it.
If a station was not automatically identified,
use the Create option to interactively define it
where necessary.
Use this option to manually edit and label
stations. Use
Reset stations
to re-launch the stations
definition and use
constraints on cable
speed, depth and duration.
6.2 Noise/cable synchronization
If the loaded noise data does not contain depth
information (only time), Emeraude will prompt the
load of cable depth.
Once both files are loaded, use the Time shift
option to synchronize noise and depth.
6.3 Versus depth spectrogram extraction
This option extracts a single representative
spectrum from each station. This can be
based on the Mean or Median along the
station, or an instantaneous ‘At time’ spectrum.
The beginning and end of
the station may include
road noise. Use the From-
To columns to exclude
these from the spectrum.
7. Results
The result of the spectral noise tool processing is one
or more versus depth spectrogram, depending on the
number of tools and extractions. The header of the
spectrogram shows the frequency bins, which can be
converted to actual frequencies by entering the
Sample index (right-click on each track):
The following statistics are automatically computed:
- Sound energy: the energy of a spectrum is
calculated as:
𝑁−1
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = ∑|𝑋[𝑘]|2
𝑘=0
Emeraude presents Normalized Energy, with respect
to the maximum energy, to avoid units’ issues.
- Spectral centroid: This is the centre of mass of a
spectral distribution and is a typical way to
characterize the pitch of a sound:
∑𝑁−1
𝑘=0 𝑘 ∗ 𝑋[𝑘]
𝐶𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑖𝑑 =
∑𝑁−1
𝑘=0 𝑋[𝑘]
From the Well Integrity tab it is possible
to access to the raw versus time data
and do new extractions with different
setting (i.e. filters). Access the versus
depth spectrograms to export data and
display frequencies versus depth.
7.1 Merging spectrograms
For toolstrings containing more than one noise tool,
can be merged into a
single one using .
Each spectrogram must
contain same number of
elements.
8. Noise interpretation
Sounds are pressure waves
travelling through media.
Downhole sounds are generated
mainly by turbulence, that creates
local pressure fluctuations.
The characteristic sound power of a source is given
by the pressure drops through the restriction and the
rate. Large ΔP*Q generate high noise amplitudes.
The spectrum frequency peak is related to the
kinematic viscosity (𝜈) and the characteristic scale of
turbulence (l) by 𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 ~ 𝑙𝜈2 . The smaller the conduit for
fluid flow, the larger the frequency. Wellbore fluid
movement produces noises up to 1 kHz. Flow through
restrictions like perforations, SSD, GLV, etc. produce
1-3 kHz noises. Cement and formation noises range
from 3kHz to +10 kHz.
Sound that propagates spherically follows:
𝑊
𝐼=
4 𝜋 𝑟2
Sound attenuates 6 dB as the distance doubles. But
also as it goes through walls it will reflect, refract,
diffract, etc. Low frequencies are transmitted more
easily through barriers than high frequencies.