Fourier series expansion in a non-orthogonal system of coordinates for the simulation of 3D-DC borehole resistivity measurements

Abstract

We describe a new method to simulate 3D borehole resistivity measurements at zero frequency (DC). The method combines the use of a Fourier series expansion in a non-orthogonal system of coordinates with an existing 2D goal-oriented higher-order self-adaptive hp-finite element algorithm. The new method is suitable for simulating measurements acquired with borehole logging instruments in deviated wells. It delivers high-accuracy simulations and it enables a considerable reduction of the computational complexity with respect to available 3D simulators, since the number of Fourier modes (basis functions) needed to solve practical applications is limited (typically, below 10). Furthermore, numerical results indicate that the optimal 2D grid based on the 0th Fourier mode (also called central Fourier mode) can be employed to efficiently solve the final 3D problem, thereby, avoiding the expensive construction of optimal 3D grids. Specifically, for a challenging through-casing resistivity application, we reduce the computational time from several days (using a 3D simulator) to just 2 h (with the new method), while gaining accuracy. The new simulation method can be easily extended to different physical phenomena with similar geometries, as those arising in the simulation of 3D borehole electrodynamics and sonic (acoustics coupled with elasticity) measurements. In addition, the method is especially suited for inversion, since we demonstrate that the number of Fourier modes needed for the exact representation of the materials is limited to only one (the central mode) for the case of borehole measurements acquired in deviated wells.