What Does
Azimuthal Acoustic Measurement Mean?
Azimuthal acoustic measurement is used to derive information related to principal stress orientation and geological information. It is used as part of the bottom hole assembly (BHA) and facilitates time-lapse field stress and wellbore stability analysis.
The use of a real-time azimuthal acoustic measurement tool allows engineers to take measurements while drilling. The acoustic equipment feeds realtime readings back to the operators as drilling progresses.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Azimuthal Acoustic Measurement
As a well is drilled, the formation stresses and forces lose their equilibrium, transferring the forces originally exerted on the cylindrical volume of rock to the surrounding formation.
Formation stresses are very important for wellbore stability and the ability to predict borehole problems and implement corrective measures reduces the risk of wellbore failure. When using azimuthal acoustic measurements, principal stress orientations are collected from three separate sources: the borehole breakouts, compressional images, and acoustic anisotropy evaluation.
Engineers compare this data to the three-dimensional geomechanical model constructed by the existing offset geomechanics data. The use of careful calculations based on a geological survey combined with new technologies can help engineers adequately predict wellbore stability.