RU2171480C2 - Process and gear for installation of electronic equipment under soft surface layer of ground - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: prospecting for fields of mineral resources and supervision of their exploitation. SUBSTANCE: geophone is permanently set in borehole, first series of seismic waves is generated and first series of seismic data is recorded. On passage of sufficiently long time interval during which state of field changes from moment of generation of first series of seismic waves second series of seismic waves is generated and second series of seismic data is recorded. Boreholes are drilled for installation of devices under surface of ground, device is sunk into borehole and is permanently anchored in it. Device for reception of seismic data includes element of geophone operating in X direction, element of geophone operating in Y direction, element of geophone operating in Z direction and case to house these elements which is permanently anchored in borehole. Complex of facilities to collect seismic information incorporates signal source, signal receiver permanently anchored in borehole, control unit which sends and receives information for mentioned above signal source and signal receiver and from them and facilities to transmit data from mentioned control unit and signal receiver and source and back. Complex of facilities for installation of equipment under surface of ground includes drilling equipment, aid to sink device into borehole and aid to anchor device in borehole permanently. EFFECT: increased accuracy and authenticity. 6 cl, 15 dwg

Description

Technical field
This invention relates to methods and devices for collecting vertical geological information for the purpose of exploration and monitoring the development of mineral deposits.

State of the art
Since the value of minerals, incl. oil and gas continues to grow, there is growing interest in methods for efficiently searching for all mineral resources in known mineral deposits and discovering new deposits. Information on the degree of depletion and distribution of minerals in the field allows for the application of the most effective technologies in specific field conditions. Accurate monitoring of the depletion of a given mineral deposit requires the resumption of accurate surveys over a long period of time. Considering also that differently located and connected seismic receivers give different results, seismic receivers must be placed and connected the same way for surveys conducted at different times.

 Known methods of seismic research, including the deployment of seismic receivers, such as geophones, in various places on the surface of the earth and taking measurements (see, for example, the USSR AS N 811163, G 01 V 1/00. 1979, UK patent N 2090406, G 01 V 1/00, 1981, as well as Prince Seismic Exploration, Geophysics Handbook, Moscow: Nedra, 1981). Upon completion of the survey, receivers are returned for subsequent use in another survey program. When conducting surveys in the ocean, water and a layer of silt usually quench rarefaction waves, so that they do not propagate in silt or water, where they could be received by a seismic device located there. This is also true for the soft layer of the earth's surface during ground surveys. Thus, the data obtained on the surface are not as accurate as the data obtained from the depth inside the borehole. If it is necessary to obtain survey data at a later time, then the receivers should be redeployed to the surface, and it is unlikely that they will be placed and connected in the same way as in the first survey.

 Therefore, to ensure accurate field surveys over time, it is necessary to repeat the location of seismic receivers and receive signals of both rarefaction and compression waves.

 There is also a known method for observing a developed field, including drilling an industrial borehole, introducing a three-dimensional geophone to collect data and removing the device from the borehole after completing measurements for mining (see, for example, US patent N 4969130 of November 6, 1990, IPC G 01 V 1/28). Three-dimensional geophone is capable of recording compression waves and rarefaction waves. This allows you to obtain information about lithography, porosity, type of fluid in the pores, pore shape, depth of compaction, anisotropic changes in pressure and anisotropic changes in temperature. However, if further measurements are to be taken, production must be stopped and the device reintroduced into the borehole. The position and connection of the geophone receiver will not be the same as before, and therefore will give distorted data compared with the originally obtained. Thus, even if this method detects waves and rarefaction and compression, it is difficult to compare the results of subsequent surveys due to the different position and connection of the geophone.

 A device for receiving seismic data is also known, which includes a housing mounted on the outer surface of the casing of the well, and sensors placed in this housing, such as geophones (see US patent N 4986350, E 21 V 47/00, E 21 V 47 / 12, G 01 V 1/00, 1991). A disadvantage of the known device is the low accuracy of the measurements, since the influences perceived by sensors (geophones) come from several directions at once, which makes it difficult to identify information about signals in certain specific directions.

 There is also known a method of installing devices under the surface of the earth, including drilling a well using drilling equipment and installing devices in this well (see, for example, US patent N 4969130, IPC G 01 V 1/28, 1990).

 The disadvantage of this method is the impossibility of obtaining accurate and reliable information from the installed device during observations for a long time, since with each new installation of the device distortions are introduced into its location.

 A known set of tools for installing instruments below the surface of the earth, including means for drilling a well, seismic sensors and means for installing seismic sensors in a well, as well as a set of tools for collecting seismic information, including a signal source, signal receivers, communication means and control unit (see, for example, US patent N 4969130, G 01 V 1/28, 1990). However, these complexes do not allow obtaining sufficiently accurate geological information about changes occurring in mineral deposits over a long period of time during their development, since they are designed for preliminary exploration and evaluation of deposits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the invention is the creation of methods and devices to obtain an accurate and reliable geological picture of a mineral deposit, taking into account the dynamics of changes occurring in the process of developing the field.

 To solve this problem, a method for monitoring industrial mineral deposits is proposed. One variant of this method includes the following operations: permanent installation of a geophon in a borehole, generation of a first series of seismic waves, reception by a geophone of a first series of seismic data, recording of a first series of data of said reception of a first series of seismic data, generating a second series of seismic waves after a sufficiently long period of time to change the state of the field since the generation of the first series of seismic waves, obtaining a second series of seismic data by a geophone and recording in a second series of seismic data of the indicated reception of the second series of seismic data.

 As seismic instruments can be used, for example, geophones, hydrophones, instruments for measuring pressure or electromagnetic measuring instruments. The specified operation of the permanent installation of the device may include drilling a well using drilling equipment, the introduction of the device into the borehole and the permanent fixing of the seismic device in the borehole.

 Another variant of the method for monitoring an industrial mineral deposit includes the following operations: drilling a non-industrial well below a soft layer of the earth using a drilling rig with a flexible drill pipe, installing a pipe in a drilled well, filling cement with the space between the outer surface of the installed pipe and the inner surface of the drilling wells, lowering for the first time an electronic device into an installed pipe, receiving the first series of data using an electronic device and removal of the electronic device from the pipe, and after a sufficiently long period of time to change the state of the field, from the moment of said lowering for the first time, the electronic device is lowered into the installed pipe for the second time and a second series of data is obtained using the electronic device.

 Filling said space with cement can be done by pumping cement down the pipe so that the cement exits the pipe from below and rises up along the walls of the well. In order to provide access to the upper part of the pipe, cement can be pushed down with a cork. As an electronic device, for example, a geophone, a temperature measuring device, a pressure measuring device, a hydrophone, a gravimetric resistance measuring device, a resistivity measuring device, an electromagnetic measuring device and a radiation dosimeter can be used.

 The invention also provides a method of installing devices below the surface of the earth. The method includes the following operations: drilling a borehole with drilling equipment, introducing the device into the borehole, and permanently securing the device in the borehole. The drilling operation is preferably carried out using a drilling rig with a flexible drill pipe. Drilling can also be performed using a high-pressure nozzle, or using a drill head driven by a downhole motor or from a drill string. A drilling operation may also include drilling a shallow borehole of large diameter, introducing a large diameter casing of a large diameter into a shallow borehole, filling the space between the outer surface of the casing of large diameter and the inner surface of the borehole with cement, and drilling a deep well of small diameter from the inside and below the shallow large diameter wells. The device can be attached to the drill pipe or to a pipe specially lowered into the well, and fixing the device in the well can be done by filling the drill hole with cement. In this case, cement is pumped down the pipe so that the cement exits from the bottom of the pipe and fills the space between the pipe and the borehole from the bottom of the pipe toward the top of the pipe. Fixing the device in the well can also be carried out by subsidence of the walls of the well. Drilling equipment can be left in the well or removed from it, for example, through the inside of the pipe. The device for the indicated introduction operation is selected from the group consisting of a geophone, a temperature measuring device, a pressure measuring device, a hydrophone, a gravimetric resistance measuring device, a resistivity measuring device, an electromagnetic measuring device and a radiation dosimeter.

 According to the invention, an apparatus for receiving seismic data is also provided. This device contains a geophone element that works in the X-direction, a geophone element that works in the Y-direction, a geophone element that works in the Z-direction, as well as a housing for the components of the geophone, which is permanently fixed in the borehole. The device body can be sealed, preferably with epoxy resin or glass, and attached to the pipe from the outside or from the inside.

 According to the invention also proposed a set of tools for collecting seismic information. The complex includes a signal source, a signal receiver, a control unit that sends and receives information to and from the signal source and the signal receiver, and data transmission means between the control unit and the signal receiver and the signal source, the specified signal receiver being permanently fixed in the borehole. The signal receiver may comprise a geophone element that works in the X-direction, a geophone element that works in the Y-direction, a geophone element that works in the Z-direction and a housing for said geophone elements, the housing may be sealed, for example, epoxy or glass. Said data transmission means can be made in the form of a cable passing from the indicated housing to the earth's surface, or in the form of an information transmitter to the earth's surface, said data transmission means being preferably sealed.

 The invention also provides a set of tools for installing devices below the surface of the earth, including drilling equipment for drilling a well, means for introducing the device into the borehole, and means for fixing the device in the borehole, said means for fixing the device in the borehole include means for permanently fixing the device in the well. The drilling equipment preferably includes a drill rig with a flexible drill pipe and a drilling module near the drill head that extends from the lower end of the pipe, the drill module driving the drill head. Said drilling equipment may also comprise means for rotating the pipe string connected to the drill head and rotating the drill head. The drill head can be replaced with a nozzle. Means for introducing and securing the device in the borehole may include a pipe to which the device is attached and through which cement is pumped to fill the borehole with cement, or include a pipe of said drilling rig with a flexible drill pipe. The specified drilling rig, the indicated means of introducing and securing the device in the borehole may include a pipe that has a drill head at the bottom and to which the device is attached, and through which cement is pumped to fill the borehole with cement. The specified device may include a geophone element in the X-direction, a geophone element in the Y-direction and a geophone element in the Z-direction and a housing structure for the specified elements of the geophone. The specified device may also optionally contain connecting means that transmit information received by the specified elements of the geophone.

List of drawings
For a better understanding of the present invention, the following is a description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like parts in each of several drawings are denoted by the same reference numbers and in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus in a vertical borehole;
FIG. 2 depicts the main provisions of the method of installing the device in a vertical borehole;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a drilling equipment with a flexible drill pipe;
FIG. 4a - 4d are cross-sectional views of a seismic device for use in a vertical borehole;
FIG. 4e is a cross-sectional view along the Z-axis of an instrument on an X-geophone;
FIG. 4f is a cross-sectional view along the Z-axis of the instrument on a Y-geophone;
FIG. 4g is a cross-sectional view along the Z axis of the instrument on a Z-geophone;
FIG. 5 depicts a diagram of an embodiment of attachment of a device to a pipe for insertion into a borehole;
FIG. 6 depicts a diagram of an embodiment of attachment of a device to a pipe for insertion into a borehole;
FIG. 7 depicts the main provisions of the method for monitoring an industrial field:
FIG. 8 is a diagram of an embodiment of the invention with a device attached outside the pipe and with a device attached inside the pipe; and
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the upper part of the pipe is removed.

 It should be noted, however, that the accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the content of the invention, which includes other equally effective embodiments.

Examples of specific embodiments of the invention
In FIG. Figures 1 and 2 show a cross-sectional view of the borehole (1) for a seismic instrument and the main provisions of the installation method of the instrument. The method includes drilling the first section (2) of the well to a depth of about 15 m. This first section (2) is relatively wider than the deeper second section (3) of the well, which also needs to be drilled. In this first section (2), a larger diameter casing (10) is installed (for example, 89 - 114 mm). The space between the casing (10) and the ground is filled with cement to permanently fix the casing (10) in place. Then, a section (3) of a smaller diameter (for example, about 61 mm) is drilled below the casing (10) of a larger diameter to a depth of about 210-300 m (this depth can be significantly greater under the condition of a certain environment around the borehole). Then, a seismic device (40) is attached to the pipe (30), and the pipe is inserted into the well (1). The end of the pipe (30) extends almost to the bottom of the well (1), and the device is attached to the pipe (30) at a depth of approximately 90 - 120 m (this depth can be changed in accordance with the desired version of the device). Then cement is pumped into the pipe (30) so that it flows down the pipe (30) and exits from the hole (31) below. First, concrete fills the space between the pipe (30) and the section (3) of a smaller diameter and surrounds the instruments (40), and then concrete fills the space between the pipe (30) and the casing (10) of a larger diameter. When the concrete solidifies, the device (40) is fixed in the borehole (1) constantly. In this way, devices can be installed both on land and in the open sea.

 In some soils, instruments can be fixed in the borehole by allowing the walls of the borehole to settle on the instrument. Over time, this will provide an excellent bond between the instrument and the surrounding rock due to the uniformity of material around the instrument.

 Since the cost of drilling equipment tends to decrease, it will be more advisable to attach the seismic device directly to the flexible drill pipe. The flexible drill pipe is then left in the borehole while the instruments are permanently fixed in the borehole. Concrete is pumped into the borehole through a flexible drill pipe, so that it flows up and around the devices, as in the previous embodiment. Like instruments, the drill head and engine are then permanently fixed in the borehole. This method is preferable when it is cheaper to leave the drilling equipment in the borehole than to pull it out. A high pressure water nozzle is a type of drilling equipment that can become inexpensive enough to be left in the borehole over time.

 In FIG. 3 shows drilling equipment with a flexible drill pipe. Drill 5 head (301) is driven by a downhole motor (302). The downhole motor (302) is powered by the pressure of the mud pump, which is created by the pump on the surface. A flexible drill pipe (305) connects the pump (304) to the downhole motor (302). As the borehole (306) is drilled deeper, the flexible drill pipe (305) is wound from the drum (307) through the wheel (308). Wheel 3 (308) is placed above the borehole (306) so that the flexible drill pipe can be lowered from the wheel (308) down into the borehole (306).

One example of drilling equipment (310) with a flexible drill pipe is the "Fleet Model 40-20 Coild Tubing Unit" manufactured by Vita International, Inc. This installation has the following characteristics:
Injection head performance: up to 18160 kg.

 Drive: planetary gearbox and chain final drive with hydrostatic drive.

 Speed: 66 m max.

 Brake system: the main brake is a wet-type fail-safe, the auxiliary brake is a pneumatic belt type.

 Uncoiler: manual / hydraulic system.

 Coupling system: Lebus grooves with multi-pass clamping rollers.

 Size range: up to 89 mm.

 Possibility of installation on a truck, trailer, slide.

 Hydraulic leveling and centering system.

 Mast: up to 9 m to the wellhead with the possibility of self-installation / removal of the storage / working drum.

 Additional equipment: winches, pumps, etc. at the request of the customer.

 Power equipment: diesel up to 200 hp

Hydraulics: injector and storage / working drums - hydrostatic system "Sunstrand", maximum pressure - 352 kg / cm ² .

Alignment, lifting, winding and lateral positioning: a conventional gear type pump with a maximum pressure of 21 1 kg / cm ² .

Accumulator / snare drum
Flange Diameter: 3048 mm
The outer diameter of the pipes: 60.3 mm; 50.8 mm; 44.5 mm; 38.1 mm; 31.8 mm; 25.4 mm;
Core diameter, respectively: 2438 mm; 2032 mm; 1829 mm; 1829 mm; 1829 mm; 1829 mm;
Capacity respectively: 900 m; 2135 m; 2928 m; 4270 m; 5795 m; 9150 m.

 Drum support for pipes: side frames with the possibility of opening the hydraulic actuator to ensure easy replacement of the drums.

Control:
A. Electrical control of the hydraulic system of the injection drum, storage drum and rotation (winding).

 B. Normal for lifting, leveling, centering, winches, etc.

 Installed in the control cabin of a truck or trailer. Remote control of system A is possible at a distance of 15 m.

 In FIG. 4a is a view along the Y axis of a seismic device (401) for permanent fixing in a borehole. This device contains three geophones: X-geophone (402), located with the possibility of receiving waves along the X axis, Y-geophone (403), located with the possibility of receiving waves along the Y axis, Z-geophone, located with the possibility of receiving waves along the Z axis A cable (405) passes through the device (401) to transmit data received by geophones. The device (401) also has a waterproof housing (406) that seals the cable (405) and the geophones (402), (403) and (404) located in it. The cable itself (405) is sealed in areas that exit the housing (406). Cable sections (405) inside the housing (406) are located at connecting points that connect to geophones. Thus, in order to provide a waterproof barrier for the entire device (401), where the cable (405) enters the housing (406) at both ends, seals (407) are made between the cable (405) and the housing (406). The internal seals also form a waterproof barrier between the housing (406) and the cable (405). Cable (405) and housing (406) can be sealed with glass, epoxy resin or o-rings, depending on the specific application.

 Other types of instruments are also possible. They include: a temperature measuring device, a pressure measuring device, a hydrophone, a gravimetric resistance measuring device, a resistivity measuring device, an electromagnetic measuring device, and a radiation dosimeter.

 In FIG. 4b, a view (405) and geophones (402), (403) and (404) are shown in a view along the X axis. In FIG. 4c, a case (405) and geophones (402), (403) and (404) are shown in a view along the Y axis. In FIG. 4d, the case (405) and geophones (402), (403) and (404) are shown in a view along the Z axis. In FIG. 4e, a cross-sectional view of an X-geophone is shown in a view along the Z axis. In FIG. 4f, a view along the Z axis shows a Y-geophone. In FIG. 4g, a view along the Z axis shows a Z-geophone. In FIG. 4e - 4g also show holes (411), (412) and (413) in the housing (406). Cable (405) runs right through and connects to each geophone in these holes.

 In FIG. 5 shows a variant of attachment of the device to the pipe. In this embodiment, a centering device (501) is mounted on the pipe (502), which is used to introduce the device. The centering device comprises upper and lower rings (504) and arcs (505) that extend between the hoops and connect them. Arcs (505) have some flexibility, and their outer diameter is larger than that of the rings (504), so that they can bend under the action of the walls of the borehole to prevent contact between the pipe and the walls of the borehole. From both ends of the device (503), a cable (506) leaves, which is attached to the pipe (502) using the upper and lower rings (504). The device (503) can be further attached to the pipe (502) by wrapping a waterproof tape around the device (503) and the pipe (502).

 In FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of attaching the device to the pipe. In this embodiment, two centering devices (601) and (604) attach the cable (606) to the pipe (602). There is no centering device around the device, but one centering device is above (601) and the other below (604). The device (603) can also be attached to the pipe (602) by wrapping a waterproof tape around the device (603) and the pipe (602).

 It should be noted that numerous devices can be attached to one pipe in different places. Numerous centering devices can also be attached in various places to protect the pipe from contact with the walls of the borehole. Centering devices should be attached every 3 m, even where there are no devices.

 In FIG. 7 depicts an operational flow chart of a method for monitoring a developed mineral deposit. The method consists in the permanent installation of a seismic device in the lower layers near the investigated field. This is accomplished by drilling a well using drilling equipment. Then, a seismic device, such as a three-dimensional geophone, is inserted into the borehole. Then the device is constantly fixed in the borehole by filling the borehole with concrete. This not only fixes the device in one position, but also connects the device to the lower layers. The connection allows you to perceive seismic waves traveling through the thickness of the rocks, because the device is really attached to the lower layers. The next step of the method is the generation of the first series of seismic waves. These waves are reflected in the layers and are received by the device. Data is recorded so that mineral developers receive information on the state of the field on time. Later, a second series of seismic waves is generated. This second series of data is also recorded for comparison with the first series of data.

 In this method, a seismic source can also be placed in a borehole adjacent to the borehole for receiving devices. This allows seismic waves to travel from the seismic source down to the lower layers, reflected back up to the source and received by receiving instruments without passing through the quenching soft surface layer of the earth.

 In FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of placing instruments inside a borehole. In this embodiment, the device (40) is attached outside the pipe (30), the pipe (30) is inserted into the borehole, so that the device (40) is located approximately in the middle of the borehole. The pipe (30) is permanently fixed in the borehole by pumping concrete below the center of the pipe (30), so that the concrete leaves the hole (31) in the lower part of the pipe (30). Then the concrete rises in the borehole (3) between the pipe (30) and the walls of the borehole, so that it surrounds the device (40). A plug (60) is then used to push the concrete down the pipe so that the inside of the pipe above the plug (60) is not filled with concrete. Then, a second device (50) is placed inside the pipe for measuring. This device (50) can be returned and reinserted whenever a measurement is necessary.

 A similar embodiment of the invention is to install the pipe without attaching it to the outside of the pipe (30) of the device (40). Cement is still removed from the inside of the pipe (30) with a stopper (60). In this embodiment, the devices are not permanently fixed in the borehole. On the contrary, the instruments are lowered into the pipe for measurements. After measurements, the instrument is removed for use elsewhere. Whenever a measurement is necessary, the instruments are simply lowered back into the pipe.

 In FIG. 9 shows a diagram of a device installation option below a soft surface layer of the earth. In this embodiment, the device (40) is attached outside the pipe (30), and the space between the pipe (30) and the walls of the borehole is filled with concrete, as well as the inside of the pipe (30). A feature of this embodiment is the separation of the upper part of the pipe (30). The pipe (30) and the borehole (3) are covered with earth from above. This protects the top of the pipe (30) from working as an antenna by isolating the device from vibrations generated on and above the surface of the earth. These vibrations lead to interference with the seismic measurements obtained by the instruments.

 It should be noted that the embodiments described above illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the content of the invention, which includes other equally effective embodiments.

Claims (6)

 1. A method of monitoring a developed mineral deposit, including installing a seismic device in a non-industrial borehole, generating a first series of seismic waves, obtaining a first series of seismic data using a seismic device, and recording a first series of data of a specified reception of the first series of seismic data after a sufficiently large time interval for changing the state of the field after the specified generation of the first series of seismic waves generating a second a series of seismic waves, obtaining a second series of seismic data using a seismic device and recording a second series of data of a specified reception of a second series of seismic data, characterized in that the seismic device is installed in the specified non-industrial borehole continuously and used to obtain the first and second of these series of seismic data .  2. A method of installing devices below the surface of the earth, including drilling operations using drilling equipment of a non-industrial well and introducing the device into a borehole, characterized in that the well is drilled to a depth below the soft layer of the earth's surface and above the lower layers, the signal from which must be received by the indicated device and moreover, after the introduction of the specified device into the borehole, it is fixed in the well constantly.  3. A device for receiving seismic data, including a housing permanently fixed in the borehole, in which a geophone is located, containing a geophone element that works in the X-direction, a geophone element that works in the Y-direction, and a geophone element that works in Z - direction, characterized in that the said housing is fixed in a non-industrial borehole drilled to a depth below the soft layer of the earth's surface and above the lower layers, the signal from which must be received by the indicated device.  4. A set of tools for collecting seismic information, including a signal source, a signal receiver installed in a non-industrial borehole, a control unit that sends and receives information to the specified signal source and the specified signal receiver and receives information from them, as well as data transmission media between said control unit and said signal receiver and signal source, characterized in that said signal receiver is permanently fixed in a non-industrial borehole, said well is drilled to a depth below the surface of the soft earth layer above the bottom layer, from which the signal to be received by said receiver.  5. A set of tools for installing devices below the surface of the earth, including drilling equipment for drilling a non-industrial borehole, means for introducing the device into the specified borehole, and means for securing the device in the specified borehole, characterized in that said drilling equipment is capable of drilling the specified non-industrial borehole wells to a depth below the soft layer of the earth's surface and above the lower layers, the signal from which should be received by the specified receiver, and the indicated means akrepleniya device in a borehole include means for permanent fastening device in the hole.  6. A method of monitoring developed mineral deposits, including operations for drilling a non-industrial well, installing a pipe in a borehole, filling the space between the outer surface of the specified installed pipe and the inner surface of the borehole with cement, lowering the electronic device for the first time into the specified installed pipe, obtaining the first series data using an electronic device and removing the electronic device from the specified installed pipe after a rather large lapse time interval for changing the state of the field from the moment of said lowering for the first time lowering the second time of the electronic device into the specified installed pipe and receiving a second series of data using the electronic device, characterized in that the drilling is carried out using a drilling rig with a flexible drill pipe, and the specified a non-industrial well is drilled to a depth below the soft layer of the earth's surface and above the lower layers, the signal from which should be received by the indicated device.

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