Ultrasonic Velocity and Attenuation Measurements in High Density Drilling Muds

摘要

A parameter critical to the depth of investigation of an MWD acoustic (ultrasonic) standoff measurement is the ultrasound absoprtion in the circulating drilling mud. Previous work demonstrated that ultrasound absorption increases with mud weight to the heaviest (14.0 lb/gal [1.68 g/cc]) mud tested. Continued attenuation increase in the heavier muds would greatly limit the performance of acoustic standoff gauges.