Patent ID: 6084826
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: E21B,G01V

Abstract:
A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool for use during drilling of a wellbore having a longitudinal axis in a formation having a reflecting interface, comprising:(a) a tool body;(b) a plurality of spaced apart transmitter arrays carried by the tool body, each said transmitter array containing a plurality of spaced apart transmitter elements circumferentially disposed about the tool body, each said transmitter element adapted to propagate acoustic energy into a formation surrounding the wellbore;(c) at least one receiver axially spaced apart from the plurality of transmitter arrays on the tool body, said receiver detecting acoustic energy traveling through the formation in response to the acoustic energy transmitted by said transmitter elements; and(d) a processor, said processor selectively activating a plurality of the transmitter elements to focus acoustic energy into the formation in a selected direction towards the reflecting interface and processing the responses of the receiver to determine a parameter of interest.