Use of fiber optics in deviated flows
First Claim
1. A method for determining the cross-sectional distribution of fluids along a pipeline, comprising:
- measuring a temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of a pipeline using at least one fiber optic line; and
comparing the temperature profiles to determine whether different fluids are present in each of the levels; and
communicating the result of the comparison.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for determining the cross-sectional distribution of fluids along a pipeline, comprising:
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measuring a temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of a pipeline using at least one fiber optic line; and comparing the temperature profiles to determine whether different fluids are present in each of the levels; and communicating the result of the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for determining the cross-sectional distribution of fluids along a pipeline, comprising at least one fiber optic line adapted to measure a temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of a pipeline;
- and a heating element adapted to be deployed into the pipeline wherein the activation of the heating element enables the identification of the orientation of the at least one fiber optic line.
- View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Specification