Patent ID: 8813869
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: E21B,G01V

Abstract:
1. A system for measuring and analyzing refracted acoustic energy comprising: a plurality of receivers mounted at a plurality of azimuths around the circumference of a downhole tool, the receivers being arranged to receive refracted acoustic energy from a downhole formation, wherein the refracted acoustic energy is responsive to acoustic energy transmitted from an acoustic source located coaxially with the plurality of receivers, and wherein the refracted acoustic energy is received using one or more of the receivers positioned offset from an axis of the downhole tool; and an analysis system in communication with the receivers and programmed to analyze measurements of the refracted acoustic energy to estimate information relating to an azimuthal direction relative to the downhole tool of an interface within the downhole formation, wherein the measurements of the refracted acoustic energy comprise arrivals times of the refracted acoustic energy at the plurality of receivers as a function of the plurality of azimuths of the receivers around the circumference of the downhole tool.