Abstract: A high accuracy self-adaptive hp-finite element method(FEM) is used to simulate resistivity logging-while-drilling(LWD) electric field distribution.The algorithm can choose optimal refinement and calculation strategy according to practical formation model and error estimation.Accurate approximations of electrical field can be obtained without an accurate solution in the entire computational domain.Self-adaptive hp-FEM method has an exponential convergence rate.It indicates that voltage phase difference and amplitude ratio curves between receiver coils are well matched with the layer model.It is helpful to interpretate resistivity LWD data.

Key words: resistivity LWD, electric field, self-adaptivity, hp-FEM, Maxwell's equation