WO2010080355A2

WO2010080355A2 - Improved caliper logging using circumferentially spaced and/or angled transducer elements

Info

Publication number: WO2010080355A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/067851
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wei Han; Tsili Wang
Original assignee: Smith International Inc
Current assignee: Smith International Inc
Priority date: 2008-12-19
Filing date: 2009-12-14
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2011-06-19
Also published as: US20100154531A1; US8117907B2; WO2010080355A3

Abstract

A downhole tool includes circumferentially spaced and/or angled transducer elements. In one embodiment a standoff sensor has at least three piezoelectric transducer elements, at least a first element of which is configured to both transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. At least second and third of the elements are configured to receive ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first element in pitch catch mode. An electronic controller is configured to calculate a standoff distance from the ultrasonic waveforms received at the first, the second, and the third piezoelectric transducer elements. The controller may further be configured to estimate the eccentricity of a measurement tool in the borehole. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may improve borehole coverage and data quality and reliability in LWD caliper logging. In particular, the invention may advantageously reduce or even eliminate blind spots when logging eccentric bore holes.

Description

IMPROVED CALIPER LOGGING USING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED AND/OR ANGLED TRANSDUCER ELEMENTS

Inventors: Wei Han

5215 Riverstone Crossing Drive Sugar Land, TX 77479 Citizenship: USA

Tsili Wang 5922 Rose Bush Trail Katy, TX 77494 Citizenship: USA

FIELD OF THE EWENTION

The present invention relates generally to a downhole tool for making standoff and caliper measurements. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a downhole tool having at least one angled ultrasonic transducer. Another exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a standoff sensor including at least first, second, and third transducer elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Logging while drilling (LWD) techniques are well-known in the downhole drilling industry and are commonly used to measure various formation properties during drilling. Such LWD techniques include, for example, natural gamma ray, spectral density, neutron density, inductive and galvanic resistivity, acoustic velocity, and the like. Many such LWD techniques require that the standoff distance between the various logging sensors in the drill string and the borehole wall be known with a reasonable degree of accuracy. For example, LWD nuclear/neutron measurements utilize the standoff distance in the count rate weighting to correct formation density and porosity data. Moreover, the shape of the borehole (in addition to the standoff distances) is known to influence logging measurements.

Ultrasonic standoff measurements and/or ultrasonic caliper logging measurements are commonly utilized during drilling to determine standoff distance and therefore constitute an important downhole measurement. Ultrasonic caliper logging measurements are also commonly used to measure borehole size, shape, and the position of the drill string within the borehole. Conventionally, ultrasonic standoff and/or caliper measurements typically include transmitting an ultrasonic pulse into the drilling fluid and receiving the portion of the ultrasonic energy that is reflected back to the receiver from the drilling fluid borehole wall interface. The standoff distance is then typically determined from the ultrasonic velocity of the drilling fluid and the time delay between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic energy.

Caliper logging measurements are typically made with a plurality of ultrasonic sensors (typically two or three). Various sensor arrangements are known in the art. For example, caliper LWD tools employing three sensors spaced equi-angularly about a circumference of the drill collar are commonly utilized. Caliper LWD tools employing only two sensors are also known. For example, in one two-sensor caliper logging tool, the sensors are deployed on opposite sides of the drill collar (i.e., they are diametrically opposed). In another two-sensor caliper logging tool, the sensors are axially spaced, but deployed at the same tool face.

The above described prior art caliper LWD tools commonly employ either pulse echo ultrasonic sensors or pitch-catch ultrasonic sensors. A pulse echo ultrasonic sensor emits (transmits) ultrasonic waves and receives the reflected signal using the same transducer element. Pulse echo sensors are typically less complex and therefore less expensive to utilize. Pitch catch sensors typically include two transducer elements; the first of which is used as a transmitter (i.e., to transmit ultrasonic waves) and the other of which is utilized as a receiver (i.e., to receive the reflected ultrasonic signal). Pitch catch ultrasonic sensors are known to advantageously reduce, or even eliminate, transducer ringing effects, by substantially electromechanically isolating the transmitter and receiver transducer elements. They therefore tend to exhibit an improved signal to noise ratio (as compared to pulse echo sensors). The above described caliper logging tools generally work well (providing both accurate and reliable standoff determination) when the drill string is centered (or nearly centered) in a circular borehole. In such instances the transmitted wave is essentially normal to the borehole wall, which tends to maximize the reflection efficiency at the receiver. In many drilling operations (e.g., in horizontal or highly inclined wells) the drill string can be eccentered in the borehole. Moreover, in certain formation types the borehole may have an irregular (e.g., elliptical or oval) shape. In these operations the transmitted ultrasonic waves are sometimes incident on the borehole wall at a non-normal (oblique) angle, which can result in reduced ultrasonic energy at the receiver. In some cases there may be blind spots at which the reflected waves are undetected by the sensor. In such cases, a portion of the borehole wall is invisible to the standoff sensor. Since standoff measurements are essential to interpreting certain other LWD data, these blind spots can have significant negative consequences (e.g., especially in pay zone steering operations).

Therefore, there exists a need for an improved caliper LWD tool and/or a caliper tool utilizing improved standoff sensors, particularly for use in deviated (e.g., horizontal) well bores in which the drill string is commonly eccentered (e.g., on bottom). Such a tool and/or sensors may advantageously improve the reliability of caliper LWD measurements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses one or more of the above-described drawbacks of prior art standoff measurement techniques and prior art drilling fluid ultrasonic velocity estimation techniques. One aspect of this invention includes a downhole measurement tool having at least one angled ultrasonic standoff sensors. Another aspect of the present invention includes a downhole standoff sensor having at least three circumferentially spaced piezoelectric transducer elements. At least a first element is configured for use in pulse echo mode and therefore both transmits and receives ultrasonic energy. At least second and third elements are configured to receive ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first element in pitch catch mode. An electronic controller is configured to determine a standoff distance from the ultrasonic waveforms received at the at least first, second, and third piezoelectric transducer elements. The controller may further be configured to estimate the eccentricity of a measurement tool in the borehole, for example, from a difference or ratio between the ultrasonic energy received at the second and third transducer elements.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide several technical advantages. For example, exemplary embodiments of the invention may improve borehole coverage and data quality and reliability in LWD caliper logging. In particular, the invention may advantageously reduce or even eliminate the blind spots when logging eccentric bore holes. Since standoff measurements are critical to certain LWD data interpretation, the invention may further improve the quality and reliability of such LWD data.

In one aspect the present invention includes a downhole logging while drilling tool. The logging while drilling tool includes a substantially cylindrical tool body having a longitudinal axis and is configured to be connected with a drill string. At least one standoff sensor is deployed in the tool body. The standoff sensor is configured to both transmit ultrasonic energy into a borehole and receive reflected ultrasonic energy. The standoff sensor has a sensor axis which defines a direction of optimum signal transmission and reception. The sensor axis is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tool body and is further oriented at a non-zero angle relative to a radial direction in the tool body. The logging while drilling tool further includes a controller including instructions for determining a standoff distance from the reflected ultrasonic energy received at the at least one standoff sensor.

In another aspect, this invention includes a downhole logging while drilling tool. The logging while drilling tool includes a substantially cylindrical tool body having a longitudinal axis and is configured to be connected with a drill string. The tool further includes at least first, second, and third circumferentially spaced piezoelectric transducer elements. At least a first of the transducer elements is configured to both transmit ultrasonic energy into a borehole and receive reflected ultrasonic energy. At least a second and a third of the transducer elements are configured to receive the reflected ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first transducer element. The logging while drilling tool further includes a controller having instructions for determining a single standoff distance from the reflected ultrasonic energy received at the first, second, and third transducer elements.

In still another aspect, this invention includes a method for estimating downhole an eccentricity of a logging drilling tool. The method includes deploying a downhole tool in a subterranean borehole, the tool including an ultrasonic standoff sensor having at least three circumferentially spaced piezoelectric transducer elements, at least a first of the transducer elements being configured to both transmit ultrasonic energy into a borehole and receive reflected ultrasonic energy, at least a second and a third of the transducer elements being configured to receive the reflected ultrasonic energy originally transmitted by the first transducer element. The method further includes causing the first transducer element to transmit ultrasonic energy into the borehole, causing at least the second and the third transducer elements to receive the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first transducer element, and processing the received ultrasonic energy to estimate a degree of eccentricity of the downhole tool in the borehole.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of an offshore oil and/or gas drilling platform utilizing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 depicts one exemplary embodiment of the downhole tool shown on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 depicts, in circular cross section, a prior art arrangement deployed in a borehole.

FIGURE 4 depicts, in circular cross section, one exemplary embodiment of the present invention deployed in borehole.

FIGURES 5 A and 5 B depict, in circular cross section, other exemplary embodiments of the invention.

FIGURE 6 depicts, in circular cross section, still another exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIGURES 1 through 6, it will be understood that features or aspects of the embodiments illustrated may be shown from various views. Where such features or aspects are common to particular views, they are labeled using the same reference numeral. Thus, a feature or aspect labeled with a particular reference numeral on one view in FIGURES 1 through 6 may be described herein with respect to that reference numeral shown on other views. It will all be appreciated that FIGURES 1-6 are schematic in nature and are therefore not drawn to scale.

FIGURE 1 depicts one exemplary embodiment of a logging while drilling tool 100 in accordance with the present invention in use in an offshore oil or gas drilling assembly, generally denoted 10. In FIGURE 1, a semisubmersible drilling platform 12 is positioned over an oil or gas formation (not shown) disposed below the sea floor 16. A subsea conduit 18 extends from deck 20 of platform 12 to a wellhead installation 22. The platform may include a derrick 26 and a hoisting apparatus 28 for raising and lowering the drill string 30, which, as shown, extends into borehole 40 and includes a drill bit 32 and a logging while drilling tool 100 having an ultrasonic standoff sensor 120. Drill string 30 may further include substantially any other downhole tools, including for example, a downhole drill motor, a mud pulse telemetry system, and one or more other sensors, such as a nuclear or sonic logging sensor, for sensing downhole characteristics of the borehole and the surrounding formation.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the measurement tool 100 of the present invention is not limited to use with a semisubmersible platform 12 as illustrated in FIGURE 1. LWD tool 100 is equally well suited for use with any kind of subterranean drilling operation, either offshore or onshore.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, one exemplary embodiment of LWD tool 100 according to the present invention is shown deployed in a subterranean borehole. LWD tool 100 includes at least one standoff sensor 120 deployed in the tool body (drill collar) 110. hi the exemplary embodiment shown, LWD tool 100 is configured as a measurement sub, including a substantially cylindrical tool collar 110 configured for coupling with a drill string (e.g., drill string 30 in FIGURE 1) and therefore typically, but not necessarily, includes threaded pin 74 and box 72 end portions. Through pipe 105 provides a conduit for the flow of drilling fluid downhole, for example, to a drill bit assembly (e.g., drill bit 32 in FIGURE 1). As is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, drilling fluid is typically pumped down through pipe 105 during drilling. It will be appreciated that LWD tool 100 may include other LWD sensors (not shown), for example, including one or more nuclear (gamma ray) density sensors. Such sensors when utilized may be advantageously circumferentially aligned with standoff sensor 120. The invention is not limited in these regards.

With continued reference to FIGURE 2, it will be appreciated that standoff sensor 120 may include substantially any known ultrasonic standoff sensors suitable for use in downhole tools. For example, sensor 120 may include conventional piezo-ceramic and/or piezo-composite transducer elements. Suitable piezo-composite transducers are disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned U.S. Patent 7,036,363. Sensor 120 may also be configured to operate in pulse-echo mode, in which a single element is used as both the transmitter and receiver, or in a pitch-catch mode in which one element is used as a transmitter and a separate element is used as the receiver. Typically, a pulse-echo transducer may generate ring-down noise (the transducer once excited reverberates for a duration of time before an echo can be received and analyzed), which, unless properly damped or delayed, can overlap and interfere with the received waveform. Pitch-catch transducers tend to eliminate ring-down noise, and are generally preferred, provided that the cross-talk noise between the transmitter and receiver is sufficiently isolated and damped.

Although not shown on FIGURE 2, it will be appreciated that LWD tools in accordance with this invention typically include an electronic controller. Such a controller typically includes conventional electrical drive voltage electronics (e.g., a high voltage power supply) for applying waveforms to the standoff sensor 120. The controller typically also includes receiving electronics, such as a variable gain amplifier for amplifying the relatively weak return signal (as compared to the transmitted signal). The receiving electronics may also include various filters (e.g., pass band filters), rectifiers, multiplexers, and other circuit components for processing the return signal.

A suitable controller typically further includes a digital programmable processor such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller and processor-readable or computer-readable programming code embodying logic, including instructions for controlling the function of the tool. Substantially any suitable digital processor (or processors) may be utilized, for example, including an ADSP-2191M microprocessor, available from Analog Devices, Inc. The controller may be disposed, for example, to calculate a standoff distance between the sensor and a borehole wall based on the ultrasonic sensor measurements. A suitable controller may therefore include instructions for determining arrival times and amplitudes of various received waveform components and for solving various algorithms known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

A suitable controller may also optionally include other controllable components, such as sensors, data storage devices, power supplies, timers, and the like. The controller may also be disposed to be in electronic communication with various sensors and/or probes for monitoring physical parameters of the borehole, such as a gamma ray sensor, a depth detection sensor, or an accelerometer, gyro or magnetometer to detect azimuth and inclination. The controller may also optionally communicate with other instruments in the drill string, such as telemetry systems that communicate with the surface. The controller may further optionally include volatile or nonvolatile memory or a data storage device. The artisan of ordinary skill will readily recognize that the controller may be disposed elsewhere in the drill string (e.g., in another LWD tool or sub).

FIGURE 3, depicts in circular cross section, a prior art standoff measurement tool 50 deployed in a borehole. Prior art measurement tool 50 includes at least one standoff sensor 52 deployed on the tool body 51. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that embodiments including two or more standoff sensors deployed about the circumference of a downhole tool are also well known. Standoff sensor 52 is mounted conventionally in that the sensor axis 53 (the axis of maximum transmission and reflection efficiency) lies in the circular plane and passes through the geometric center 54 of the tool. Stated another way, the sensor axis 53 of a conventionally mounted standoff sensor 52 is aligned with a radius of the tool 50. Such mounting is referred to herein as "normally mounted."

As also shown on FIGURE 3, a conventionally mounted sensor 52 may not always be disposed to receive an obliquely reflected wave in a decentralized drill string. As shown (when the tool is decentralized) the transmitted ultrasonic waves 58 can be incident on the borehole wall 40 at a non-normal (oblique) angle, which can result in reduced energy at the receiver. In some cases there may be blind spots at which the reflected waves 59 go essentially undetected by the sensor. In such cases, a portion of the borehole wall is essentially invisible to the standoff sensor 52. Since standoff measurements are essential to interpreting some other types of LWD data (as described above), these blind spots can have significant negative consequences (e.g., especially in pay zone steering operations).

With reference now to FIGURE 4, LWD tool 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown (in circular cross section) deployed in a borehole. LWD tool 100 includes at least one angled standoff sensor 120 deployed in tool body 110. Standoff sensor 120 is configured for use in pulse echo mode and is angled such that the sensor axis 122 is oriented at a non-zero angle θ with respect to the tool radius 115. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, the angle θ may be in a range from about 5 to about 30 degrees. An angled standoff sensor 120 transmits an ultrasonic wave 125 at an angle such that the wave is reflected 126 approximately normally from the borehole wall 40 and is therefore received back at the sensor 120 (as shown in the exemplary embodiment on FIGURE 4). It will be appreciated that LWD tool 100 may include multiple angled sensors. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a standoff measurement tool in accordance with the invention includes three standoff sensors, at least two of which are angled, configured to minimize (or substantially eliminate) blind spots when the tool is eccentered in a borehole having a highly elliptical profile.

With reference now to FIGURES 5A and 5B, standoff measurement tools 200, 200' in accordance with the invention may also include angled standoff sensors configured for use in pitch catch mode. In the exemplary embodiments shown, measurement tools 200, 200' include at least one normally mounted transmitter element 220 and a plurality of angled receiver elements 230, 240. The transmitter 220 is typically configured to both transmit and receive ultrasonic energy in conventional pulse echo mode. Element 220 is also typically normally mounted in the tool body, although the invention is not limited in this regard. Receiver elements 230, 240 are typically angled in the same sense as standoff sensor 120 shown on FIGURE 4 (such that the sensor axis is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the tool radius). In use, transmitter 220 transmits ultrasonic energy 252 into the borehole annulus. The reflected waveform 254 may then be received at one or more of elements 220, 230, and 240.

In the exemplary embodiment 200 shown on FIGURE 5A, the transmitter 220 and receiver 230, 240 elements are deployed asymmetrically (e.g., both receivers are deployed on a common (the same) circumferential side of the transmitter). In such a configuration, the receiver 230 mounted in closer proximity to the transmitter 220 is typically angled less (e.g., an angle in the range from about 5 to about 20 degrees) than the receiver 240 that is more distant from the transmitter 220 (e.g., which may be angled in the range from about 15 to about 30 degrees). As depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown on FIGURE 5A, receiver elements 230, 240 are disposed to receive reflected waveform 254 when measurement tool 200 is eccentered in the borehole 40.

In the exemplary embodiment 200' shown on FIGURE 5B, the transmitter 220 and receiver 230, 240 elements are deployed symmetrically (e.g., receivers 230 and 240 are deployed on opposite circumferential sides of the transmitter 220). In such a configuration, the receivers 230, 240 are typically mounted at substantially the same angle (e.g., in the range from about 5 to about 30 degrees). Symmetric embodiments such as that shown on FIGURE 5B, tend to advantageously best eliminate blind spots irrespective of the degree of borehole eccentricity.

It will be appreciated that downhole tools 200 and 200' are not limited to embodiments including three transmitter and receiver elements. Alternative embodiments may include, for example, four, five, six, or even seven transmitter and/or receiver elements.

With reference now to FIGURE 6, another exemplary embodiment 300 in accordance with the invention is depicted in circular cross section. In the exemplary embodiment shown, measurement tool 300 includes at least one ultrasonic sensor 320 deployed in a tool body 310. Sensor 320 includes at least three piezoelectric transducer elements 322, 324, 326 and operates in both pulse echo mode and pitch catch mode as described in more detail below. While the exemplary embodiment shown includes only a single sensor 320, it will be appreciated that measurement tool 300 may include additional ultrasonic sensors circumferentially or axially spaced from sensor 320 (for example two or three of ultrasonic sensors 320). Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that sensor 320 may further include conventional barrier layer(s), impedance matching layer(s), and/or attenuating backing layer(s), which are not shown in FIGURE 6. The invention is not limited in these regards. It will also be appreciated that sensor 320 is not drawn to scale in FIGURE 6.

Piezoelectric transducer elements 322, 324, and 326 are mounted in a sensor housing 330, which is further mounted in the tool body 310. Piezoelectric transducer element 322 is preferably normally mounted (as described above with respect to sensor 52 in FIGURE 3). Transducer element 322 is further configured to both transmit and receive ultrasonic waves in a pulse echo mode. Transducer elements 324 and 326 are configured to receive ultrasonic waves from the borehole in pitch catch mode. In the exemplary embodiment shown, transducers 324 and 326 are deployed such that the transducer axes are parallel with the axis of element 322. The invention is not limited in this regard, however, as transducer elements 324 and 326 may also be angled relative to transducer element 322, for example, depending on expected operating conditions such as standoff values, borehole shape, and tool position in the borehole.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to sensor embodiments having three transducer (transmitter and receiver) elements. Additional transducer elements may be utilized. For example, alternative sensor embodiments may include four, five, six, and even seven transducer elements. The invention is not limited in this regard, so long as the sensor includes at least three transducer elements. The invention is also not limited to embodiments having a central transducer element (e.g., element 322) and outer receiver elements (e.g., elements 324 and 326). Nor is the invention limited to embodiments in which only a single element transmits ultrasonic energy.

With continued reference to FIGURE 6, one of the receivers (e.g., transducer element 324 in the exemplary embodiment shown on FIGURE 6) typically receive a stronger signal than the other receiver (transducer element 326 in the exemplary embodiment shown) when the measurement tool 300 is eccentered in a borehole 40. It will be appreciated that when the measurement tool 300 is eccentered in the opposite direction that the other receiver (transducer element 326) tends to receive the stronger signal. When the measurement tool 300 is approximately centered in the borehole 40, the angle of incidence of the transmitted ultrasonic wave is nearly normal to the borehole wall 40 such that transducer element 322 tends to receive the strongest signal, while receivers 324 and 326 tend to receive relatively weaker signals.

Measurement tool 300 further includes a controller configured to calculate a standoff distance from the reflected waveforms received at transducer elements 322, 324, and 326. The controller may be further configured to estimate tool eccentricity in the borehole from the reflected waveforms received at transducer elements 322, 324, and 326. When the tool is centered in the borehole, the reflected ultrasonic energy tends to be approximately symmetric about the transducer element 322 such that elements 324 and 326 received approximately the same ultrasonic energy. When the tool is eccentered in the borehole, the reflected ultrasonic energy is asymmetric about transducer element 322 such that one of the elements 324 and 326 receives more energy than the other. In such a scenario, the degree of eccentricity may be estimated based on the difference (or the normalized difference or the ratio) of the ultrasonic energy received at elements 324 and 326. In general, an increasing difference or ratio (indicating a more asymmetric reflected signal) indicates a greater eccentricity. By combining such measurements with a conventional tool face measurement, the direction of the eccentricity may also be estimated.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS I claim:

1. A downhole logging while drilling tool comprising: a substantially cylindrical tool body configured to be connected with a drill string, the tool body having a longitudinal axis; at least one standoff sensor deployed in the tool body, the standoff sensor configured to (i) transmit ultrasonic energy into a borehole and (ii) receive reflected ultrasonic energy, the standoff sensor having a sensor axis defining a direction of optimum signal transmission and reception, the sensor axis being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tool body, the sensor axis further being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to a radial direction in the tool body; a controller including instructions for determining a standoff distance from the reflected ultrasonic energy received at the at least one standoff sensor.

2. The downhole logging while drilling tool of claim 1 further comprising at least one logging while drilling sensor.

3. The logging while drilling tool of claim 2, wherein the logging while drilling sensor comprises at least one nuclear density sensor circumferentially aligned on the tool body with the standoff sensor.

4. The logging while drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the non-zero angle is in a range from about 5 to about 30 degrees.

5. The logging while drilling tool of claim I₃ comprising a plurality of standoff sensors, each of which has a sensor axis being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to a radial direction in the tool body.

6. A downhole logging while drilling tool comprising: a substantially cylindrical tool body configured to be connected with a drill string, the tool body having a longitudinal axis; at least first, second, and third ultrasonic sensors deployed in the tool body, at least the first of the ultrasonic sensors being configured to (i) transmit ultrasonic energy into a borehole and (ii) receive reflected ultrasonic energy from a borehole wall, at least a second and a third of the ultrasonic sensors being configured and disposed to receive the reflected ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic sensor; and a controller including instructions for determining a single standoff distance from the reflected ultrasonic energy received at the first, the second, and the third ultrasonic sensors.

7. The logging while drilling tool of claim 6, wherein the second and the third ultrasonic sensors are deployed on a common circumferential side of the first ultrasonic sensor.

8. The logging while drilling tool of claim 6, wherein the second and the third ultrasonic sensors are deployed on opposing circumferential sides of the first ultrasonic sensor.

9. The logging while drilling tool of claim 6, wherein the first, the second, and the third ultrasonic sensors have corresponding first, second, and third sensor axes defining directions of optimum signal transmission and reception, the second and the third sensor axes being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first sensor axis, the second and the third sensor axes further being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to a radial direction in the tool body.

10. The logging while drilling tool of claim 6, wherein the first, the second, and the third ultrasonic sensors have corresponding first, second, and third sensor axes defining a directions of optimum signal transmission and reception, the first sensor axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the tool body, the second and third sensor axes being substantially parallel with the first sensor axis.

11. A downhole logging while drilling tool comprising: a substantially cylindrical tool body configured to be connected with a drill string, the tool body having a longitudinal axis; an ultrasonic standoff sensor deployed in the tool body, the sensor including at least three circumferentially spaced piezoelectric transducer elements deployed in a common standoff sensor housing, at least a first of the transducer elements being configured to (i) transmit ultrasonic energy into a borehole and (ii) receive reflected ultrasonic energy from a borehole wall, at least a second and a third of the transducer elements being configured to receive the reflected ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first transducer element; and a controller including instructions for determining a single standoff distance from the reflected ultrasonic energy received at the first, the second, and the third transducer elements.

12. The logging while drilling tool of claim 11, wherein the second and the third transducer elements are deployed on a common circumferential side of the first transducer element.

13. The logging while drilling tool of claim 11, wherein the second and the third transducer elements are deployed on opposing circumferential sides of the first transducer element.

14. The logging while drilling tool of claim 11, wherein the first, the second, and the third transducer elements have corresponding first, second, and third sensor axes defining directions of optimum signal transmission and reception, the second and the third sensor axes being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the first sensor axis, the second and the third sensor axes further being oriented at a non-zero angle relative to a radial direction in the tool body.

15. The logging while drilling tool of claim 11, wherein the first, the second, and the third transducer elements have corresponding first, second, and third sensor axes defining a directions of optimum signal transmission and reception, the first sensor axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the tool body, the second and third sensor axes being substantially parallel with the first sensor axis.

16. The logging while drilling tool of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to estimate an eccentricity of the borehole from a difference or a ratio between the reflected ultrasonic energy received at the second transducer element and the reflected ultrasonic energy received at the third transducer element.

17. A method for estimating downhole an eccentricity of a logging while drilling tool during drilling, the method comprising:

(a) deploying a downhole tool in a subterranean borehole, the tool including an ultrasonic standoff sensor having at least three circumferentially spaced piezoelectric transducer elements, at least a first of the transducer elements being configured to (i) transmit ultrasonic energy into a borehole and (ii) receive reflected ultrasonic energy, at least a second and a third of the transducer elements being configured to receive the reflected ultrasonic energy originally transmitted by the first transducer element;

(b) causing the first transducer element to transmit ultrasonic energy into the borehole;

(c) causing at least the second and the third transducer elements to receive the ultrasonic energy transmitted in (b); and

(d) processing the ultrasonic energy received in (c) to estimate a degree of eccentricity of the downhole tool in the borehole.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein (d) further comprises computing a difference or a ratio between the ultrasonic energy received at the second transducer element and the ultrasonic energy received at the third transducer elements.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein an increasing difference or ratio indicates an increasing eccentricity.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein (b) further comprises causing a tool face sensor to make a substantially simultaneous tool face measurement and (d) further comprises processing the measured tool face to estimate a direction of eccentricity.