Accurate characterization of a formation in large boreholes is essential for well planning, placement, and oilfield development investments. In onshore Ecuador, the operator needed precise information about the geological formation to ensure proper well placement. However, most existing technologies are limited to analyzing drilling fluid type and hole size, and often do not account for borehole damage. To address this, SLB proposed the Retina at-bit imaging system.
The Retina at-bit imaging system generated high-quality, high-resolution images and gathered comprehensive data on the formation, including features such as dips, fractures, facies, and textures. This innovative hardware translated force measurements captured at the drillbit face into detailed borehole images. Clear variability in geological facies was observed, including conglomerates and both crossbedded sand and massive sandstones. These differences were identified through borehole images taken with the Retina system, which are the only measurements capable of revealing such details. As a result, the operator benefited from proper characterization of the reservoir.
