METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOGGING A WELL USING A FIBER OPTIC LINE AND SENSORS

• US 20110139447A1
• Filed: 02/10/2011
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nigel Leggett, Rogerio Ramos
• Original Assignee: Nigel Leggett, Rogerio Ramos
• Inventors: Ramos, Rogerio, Leggett, Nigel
• Granted Patent: US 8,074,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/254.2
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/114 using light radiation
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/135 using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45129 Boring, drilling

Abstract

A system and method to log a wellbore, comprising a logging tool adapted to be deployed in a wellbore environment, the logging tool including at least one sensor for taking a measurement of the wellbore environment. The sensor is a fiber optic sensor and the system includes a fiber optic line in optical communication with the sensor. The data measured by the sensor is transmitted through the fiber optic line on a real time basis to the surface, where the data is processed into a real time display. In one embodiment, the fiber optic sensor is a passive sensor not requiring electrical or battery power. In another embodiment, a continuous tube with one end at the earth'"'"'s surface and the other end in the wellbore is attached to the logging tool and includes the fiber optic line disposed therein.

Claims

1. A casing collar locator adapted to detect casing collars disposed in a wellbore, comprising:

a fiber optic line carrying an optical signal;

a magnetic device adapted to become magnetically connected to a casing collar as the magnetic device passes the casing collar;

a modulator that is functionally connected to the magnetic device;

wherein the optical signal is modulated by the modulator when the magnetic device passes the casing collar.

2. The casing collar locator of claim 1, wherein the modulator is an optical interferometer.

3. The casing collar locator of claim 1, wherein the magnetic device brings the modulator into alignment with the fiber optic line when the magnetic device passes a casing collar and the optical signal is modulated when the modulator is in alignment with the fiber optic line.

4. The casing collar locator of claim 3, wherein:

a pulse is reflected through the fiber optic line each time the modulator becomes aligned with the fiber optic line; and

an acquisition unit receives the reflected pulse and thereby identifies the detection of the casing collar.

5. The casing collar locator of claim 1, wherein the optical signal is modulated by imparting a strain on the fiber optic line.

6. The casing collar locator of claim 5, wherein the modulator comprises a fiber-bragg grating incorporated on the fiber optic line.

7. The casing collar locator of claim 5, wherein the magnetic device comprises a permanent magnet and a coil.

8. The casing collar locator of claim 5, wherein the magnetic connection generates a voltage that causes a piezoelectric material mechanically coupled to the fiber optic line to constrict and strain the fiber optic line.

9. The casing collar locator of claim 1, wherein the modulator moves in relation to the fiber optic line to cause the modulation of the optical signal.

10. The casing collar locator of claim 9, wherein the magnetic device comprises a permanent magnet and a moving magnet and the moving magnet moves in relation to the permanent magnet when the magnetic device passes the casing collar.

11. The casing collar locator of claim 10, wherein movement of the moving magnet causes the movement of the modulator in relation to the fiber optic line.

12. The casing collar locator of claim 11, wherein the moving magnet is biased to a stationary position by a spring.

13. The casing collar locator of claim 11, wherein the modulator comprises a component having alternately placed black and white lines.

14. A method for identifying the location of casing collars disposed in a wellbore, comprising:

providing a magnetic device adapted to become magnetically connected to a casing collar as the magnetic device passes the casing collar; and

modulating an optical signal transmitted through a fiber optic line when the magnetic device passes the casing collar.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the modulating step comprises aligning a modulator with the fiber optic line when the magnetic device passes the casing collar.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the modulating step comprises imparting a strain on the fiber optic line.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the imparting step comprises creating a magnetic connection between the magnetic device and the casing collar when the magnetic device passes the casing collar;

and generating a voltage that causes a piezoelectric material mechanically coupled to the fiber optic line to constrict and strain the fiber optic line.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the modulating step comprises moving a modulator in relation to the fiber optic line.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the moving step comprises moving a moving magnet in relation to a permanent magnet when the magnetic device passes the casing collar.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising biasing the moving magnet to stationary position by use of spring.