ARRAY TEMPERATURE SENSING METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20080056639A1
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: MacDougall, Trevor, Taverner, Domino, Dunphy, James R., Grunbeck, John J., Daigle, Guy A., Jones, Richard T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,737,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/12
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/07 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/135 using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/35303 using a reference fibre, e.g. interferometric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/35316 using a Bragg gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/35354 Sensor working in reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/35387 using wavelength division multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/026 arrangements for monitoring a plurality of temperatures, e.g. by multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/3206 at discrete locations in the fibre, e.g. using Bragg scattering
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Methods and apparatus enable monitoring conditions in a well-bore using multiple cane-based sensors. The apparatus includes an array of cane-based Bragg grating sensors located in a single conduit for use in the well-bore. For some embodiments, each sensor is located at a different linear location along the conduit allowing for increased monitoring locations along the conduit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring a condition in a well-bore, comprising:

first and second sensors spaced along a length of an optical waveguide, wherein the first and second sensors are formed respectively within first and second enlarged outer diameter portions of the waveguide relative to an interconnecting portion of the waveguide between the sensors; and

a conduit surrounding the waveguide and spanning the length of the waveguide.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensors are responsive to temperature to enable measuring temperature at each of the first and second sensors.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising signal interface equipment coupled to the conduit positioned in the borehole, wherein the signal interface equipment is configured to receive responses from the optical sensors and determine temperatures along the borehole.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors spaced along a separate optical line from the waveguide, wherein the separate optical line is disposed within the conduit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of sensors spaced along a separate optical line from the waveguide, wherein the plurality of sensors spans a different location than the first and second sensors.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second enlarged outer diameter portions have respectively first and second reflective gratings disposed therein.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor includes a first mount that the first enlarged outer diameter portion is fixed in and the second sensor includes a second mount that the second enlarged outer diameter portion is fixed in.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounts are thermally conductive.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounts are secured to the conduit.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a metal plated tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a tin plated tube.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an interior of the conduit is sealed from an external surrounding environment to protect the waveguide from ingress of fluid and gas.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises an inner tube and an armor layer.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second enlarged outer diameter portions of the waveguide are metal plated.

15-21. -21. (canceled)

22. An apparatus for monitoring a condition in a well-bore, comprising:

a plurality of Bragg grating optical sensors disposed along a length of an optical waveguide, wherein the sensors are connected to one another by fiber portions of the waveguide having an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the sensors;

a protective tubing surrounding the length of the waveguide; and

an armor layer surrounding the protective tubing.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least one of the protective tubing and the armor layer are metal plated tube.

24. (canceled)

25. A method of surveying temperature in a borehole, comprising:

deploying a conduit surrounding a length of an optical waveguide defining a plurality of optical sensors disposed along the length into the borehole, wherein the sensors are connected to one another by portions of the waveguide having an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the sensors; and

determining temperatures along the borehole based on responses from the optical sensors.