A time-domain electromagnetic tool is presented that is capable of quantifying four barriers individually and inspecting a fifth barrier qualitatively. The new tool uses time-domain electromagnetic (TEM) or pulsed-eddy-current technology, which has become a recognized technique for individual quantitative tubular-corrosion evaluation in multiannular well systems (multiple concentric tubulars) in recent years. The novelty of the tool is its ability to exploit the information-rich wide-band-pulsed excitation using three sensors that enhance the sensitivity to multiple barriers.

The TEM tool described in this paper belongs to the broad family of electromagnetic induction tools. Induction tools use a transmitter coil to generate a time-varying magnetic field that induces a time-varying electric field (and hence eddy currents) in the surrounding media.

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ISSN: 1944-978X (Online) ISSN: 0149-2136 (Print)