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Data Fusion for EM Telemetry
To facilitate the development of high-tech
drilling tools that will provide access to
increasingly deeper energy resources, the U.S.
Department of Energy, Office of Fossil
Energy, National Energy Technology
Laboratory’s Deep Trek project has collaborated
with San Antonio, Texas-based
E-Spectrum Technologies Inc. to develop an
innovative two-way EM telemetry system for
energy exploration applications. Based on the
culmination of 3 years of research and development
in the area of advanced EM telemetry
communications, E-Spectrum has successfully
tested the system in test wells and
operational drilling environments with successful
results. This data fusion-based EM
telemetry system provides an EM tool capability
that can benefit onshore and offshore oil
and gas exploration operations for conventional
and underbalanced drilling applications.
Data fusion receiver hardware platform
A key element of the new design is a datafusion
receiver, which enhances the system’s
ability to extract weak telemetry signals originating
thousands of feet below the earth’s
surface. This data-fusion receiver adapts
technologies used for interplanetary deep
space navigation and missile guidance systems
and makes them work in energy exploration
applications. Every element of the system's
design, from power efficiency to reliability,
has been optimized to extend operational
depth and improve noise immunity.
The data fusion receiver apparatus and algorithms
are patent-pending with awards anticipated
during the second quarter this year.
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