Compaction monitoring system

• US 7,245,791 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shell USA Incorporated (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Shuck, Michelle Yvonne, Dria, Dennis Edward, Rambow, Frederick Henry Kreisler
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, TINA MEI SENG
• Application Number:
  US11/107,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20060233482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 385/12
• US Class Current: 385/12
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/007 Measuring stresses in a pipe string or casing for locating blocked portions of pipes E21B47/09
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/135 using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/165 by means of a grating deformed by the object
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/18 using photoelastic elements

Abstract

Methods for determining a preferred application of a plurality of transducers or sensors to a structure are disclosed for monitoring and imaging deformation of the structure as it is subjected to various forces.

Claims

1. A method for imaging deformation of an object comprising the steps of:

applying a plurality of transducers or sensors to the object at a preferred wrap angle;

detecting deformation of the object at each transducer or sensor; and

imaging the deformation detected at each transducer or sensor on a projection device, further comprising the steps of;

selecting a preferred wrap angle range;

determining a strain factor for at least one wrap within the preferred wrap angle range; and

determining the preferred wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined strain factor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of transducers or sensors are connected by an optical fiber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is cylindrical and each transducer or sensor detects axial and radial strain on the object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the deformation detected at each transducer or sensor is transmitted through at least one of a fiber optic, wired and wireless medium to the projection device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the deformation image is displayed as a wavelength response at each transducer or sensor and a corresponding transducer or sensor number.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring the wavelength response; and

detecting variations in the wavelength response at each transducer or sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the variations in the wavelength response are detected by variations in an amplitude for the wavelength response at each transducer or sensor.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein various types of deformation may be detected based upon the wavelength response.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the deformation comprises detecting the deformation in the direction of the preferred wrap angle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of transducers or sensors are provided in a selected wrap around the object.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least ten of the plurality of transducers or sensors are provided in a selected wrap around the object.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is an oilfield tubular structure.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is one of a drillpipe or a casing.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a cylindrical structure in a well bore.

15. A method of determining a preferred application of a plurality of transducers or sensors to a cylindrical structure for monitoring deformation of the structure comprising:

selecting a preferred wrap angle range;

determining a strain factor for at least one wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining a preferred wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined strain factor; and

determining the preferred application of the plurality of transducers or sensors to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of applying the plurality of transducers or sensors to the structure along a preferred application line.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumscribing the structure.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of determining the strain factor is based on a predetermined Poisson ratio for the structure and a predetermined strain for the structure.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined Poisson ratio for the structure is based upon the predetermined strain for the structure.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined Poisson ratio is between about 0.3 and about 0.5.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined strain for the structure is based upon a maximum strain the structure may encounter.

22. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

determining the strain factor for each wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range; and

determining the preferred wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one of the determined strain factors.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of determining the preferred wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range is based on a preferred strain factor range comprising a plurality of the determined strain factors.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of determining the preferred wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range is based on at least one of the plurality of determined strain factors within the strain factor range.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of selecting at least one of the determined strain factors based on a maximum transducer or sensor strain.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of selecting the strain factor range based on a maximum transducer or sensor strain.

27. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

determining the strain factor for a plurality of wrap angles within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining another preferred wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one of the determined strain factors; and

determining the preferred application of the plurality of transducers or sensors to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle and another preferred wrap angle.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

selecting the at least one determined strain factor based on a predetermined force to be applied to an area of the structure; and

selecting at least another one of the determined strain factors based on another predetermined force to be applied to at least one of the area of the structure and another area of the structure.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of applying the plurality of transducers or sensors to at least one of the area of the structure and another area of the structure based on at least one of the preferred wrap angle and another preferred wrap angle.

30. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of transducers or sensors are applied to one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the structure.

31. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of transducers or sensors are applied to the structure in at least one of a protective sheath and a protective sheet.

32. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of transducers or sensors are applied to one of a channel within the structure and integrally within the structure when it is formed.

33. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

introducing at least one of the plurality of transducers or sensors into an opening in a conduit;

positioning at least one of the plurality of transducers or sensors within the conduit; and

introducing a fluid into the opening in the conduit to at least partially solidify and secure at least one of the plurality of transducers or sensors within the conduit.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the conduit is positioned within the structure along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumferencing the structure.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the conduit is positioned on the structure along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumferencing the structure.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of the plurality of transducers or sensors is positioned within the conduit by at least one of a compressional force and tensional force.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein each of the plurality of transducers or sensors is independently powered.

38. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of transducers or sensors is coupled to another one of the plurality of transducers or sensors through a transmission medium capable of transmitting a signal.

39. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of transducers or sensors is wirelessly coupled to another one of the plurality of transducers or sensors.

40. The method of claim 15, wherein at least two of the plurality of transducers or sensors are provided in a selected wrap around the cylindrical structure.

41. The method of claim 15, wherein at least ten of the plurality of transducers or sensors are provided in a selected wrap around the cylindrical structure.

52. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of determining a preferred sensor spacing based on a preferred number of sensors and a predetermined length of fiber.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the preferred number of sensors is at least ten.

54. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred number of sensors.

55. The method of claim 33, wherein the preferred wrap angle range is between about 0°

and about 90°

.

56. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

determining the fiber strain for each wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range; and

determining the preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one of the determined fiber strain factors.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of determining the preferred wrap angle of the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range is based on a preferred fiber strain factor range comprising a plurality of the determined fiber strain factors.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of determining the preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range is based on at least one of the plurality of determined fiber strain factors within the fiber strain factor range.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of selecting at least one of the determined fiber strain factors based on a maximum fiber strain.

60. The method of claim 57, further comprising the step of selecting the fiber strain factor range based on a maximum fiber strain.

42. A method of determining a preferred application of an optical fiber to a cylindrical structure, wherein the optical fiber includes at least one sensor, comprising:

selecting a preferred wrap angle range for the optical fiber;

determining a fiber strain factor for at least one wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining a preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined fiber strain factor; and

determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle, wherein the step of determining the fiber strain factor is based on a predetermined Poisson ratio for the structure and an amount of predetermined strain for the structure.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein at least one sensor detects deformation of the structure.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of applying the optical fiber to the structure along a preferred application line.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and second imaginary reference line circumscribing the structure.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the predetermined Poisson ratio for the structure is based upon the predetermined strain for the structure.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the predetermined Poisson ratio is between about 0.3 and about 0.5.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein the predetermined strain for the structure is based upon a maximum strain the structure may encounter.

49. The method of claim 42, further comprising the step of determining a preferred number of wraps based on a predetermined axial length of the structure, a diameter for the structure and the preferred wrap angle.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the preferred number of wraps is at least eight.

51. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred number of wraps.

61. The method of claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

determining the fiber strain factor for a plurality of wrap angles within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining another preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least another one of the determined fiber strain factors; and

determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle and another preferred wrap angle.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising the steps of:

selecting at least one determined fiber strain factor based on a predetermined force to be applied to an area of the structure; and

selecting at least another one of the determined fiber strain factors based on another predetermined force to be applied to at least one of the area of the structure and another area of the structure.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising the step of applying the optical fiber to at least one of the area of the structure and another area of the structure based on at least one of the preferred wrap angles and another preferred wrap angle.

64. The method of claim 42, wherein the optical fiber is applied to one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of the structure.

65. The method of claim 42, wherein the optical fiber is applied to the structure in at least one of a protective sheath and a protective sheet.

66. The method of claim 42, wherein the optical fiber is applied to one of a channel within the structure and integrally within the structure when it is formed.

67. The method of claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

introducing at least one of a plurality of sensors into an opening in a conduit;

positioning at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit; and

introducing a fluid into the opening in the conduit to at least partially solidify and secure at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the conduit is positioned within the structure along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumferencing the structure.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the conduit is positioned on the structure along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumferencing the structure.

70. The method of claim 67, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is positioned within the conduit by at least one of a compressional force and tensional force.

71. The method of claim 42, wherein the structure comprises a screen assembly.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the screen assembly comprises multiple screen components.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein a plurality of sensors are applied to at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of one of the multiple screen components.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the plurality of sensors are applied to the exterior surface of one of the multiple screen components and the interior surface of another one of the multiple screen components.

75. The method of claim 72, wherein the plurality of sensors are applied to one of the multiple screen components in at least one of a protective sheath and a protective sheet.

76. The method of claim 72, wherein the plurality of sensors are applied to a channel within one of the multiple screen components.

77. The method of claim 72, further comprising the steps of:

introducing at least one of the plurality of sensors into an opening in a conduit;

positioning at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit; and

introducing a fluid into the opening in the conduit to at least partially solidify and secure at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the conduit is positioned within one of the multiple screen components along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumscribing the structure.

79. The method of claim 77, wherein the conduit is positioned on one of the multiple screen components along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumscribing the structure.

80. The method of claim 42, wherein the fiber comprises at least two of the plurality of sensors in a selected wrap around the cylindrical structure.

81. The method of claim 42, wherein the fiber comprises at least ten of the plurality of sensors in a selected wrap around the cylindrical structure.

82. A method of determining a preferred application of an optical fiber to a cylindrical structure, wherein the optical fiber includes at least one sensor, comprising:

selecting a preferred wrap angle range for the optical fiber;

determining a fiber strain factor for at least one wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining a preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined fiber strain factor; and

determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle, wherein the optical fiber is applied to the structure in at least one of a protective sheath and a protective sheet.

83. A method of determining a preferred application of an optical fiber to a cylindrical structure, wherein the optical fiber includes at least one sensor, comprising:

selecting a preferred wrap angle range for the optical fiber;

determining a fiber strain factor for at least one wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining a preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined fiber strain factor; and

determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle, further comprising the steps of;

introducing at least one of a plurality of sensors into an opening in a conduit;

positioning at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit; and

introducing a fluid into the opening in the conduit to at least partially solidify and secure at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the conduit is positioned within the structure along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumferencing the structure.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein the conduit is positioned on the structure along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumferencing the structure.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors is positioned within the conduit by at least one of a compressional force and tensional force.

87. A method of determining a preferred application of an optical fiber to a cylindrical structure, wherein the optical fiber includes at least one sensor, comprising:

selecting a preferred wrap angle range for the optical fiber;

determining a fiber strain factor for at least one wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining a preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined fiber strain factor; and

determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle, further comprising the step of determining a preferred number of wraps based on a predetermined axial length of the structure, a diameter for the structure and the preferred wrap angle.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the preferred number of wraps is at least eight.

89. The method of claim 87, further comprising the step of determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred number of wraps.

90. A method of determining a preferred application of an optical fiber to a cylindrical structure, wherein the optical fiber includes at least one sensor, comprising:

selecting a preferred wrap angle range for the optical fiber;

determining a fiber strain factor for at least one wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining a preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined fiber strain factor; and

determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle, further comprising the step of determining a preferred sensor spacing based on a preferred number of sensors and a predetermined length of fiber.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the preferred number of sensors is at least ten.

92. The method of claim 90, further comprising the step of determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred number of sensors.

93. A method of determining a preferred application of an optical fiber to a cylindrical structure, wherein the optical fiber includes at least one sensor, comprising:

selecting a preferred wrap angle range for the optical fiber;

determining a fiber strain factor for at least one wrap angle within the preferred wrap angle range;

determining a preferred wrap angle for the optical fiber within the preferred wrap angle range based on at least one determined fiber strain factor; and

determining the preferred application of the optical fiber to the structure based on the preferred wrap angle, wherein the structure comprises a screen assembly.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the screen assembly comprises multiple screen components.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein a plurality of sensors are applied to at least one of an interior surface and an exterior surface of one of the multiple screen components.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the plurality of sensors are applied to the exterior surface of one of the multiple screen components and the interior surface of another one of the multiple screen components.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the plurality of sensors are applied to one of the multiple screen components in at least one of a protective sheath and a protective sheet.

98. The method of claim 94, wherein the plurality of sensors are applied to a channel within one of the multiple screen components.

99. The method of claim 94, further comprising the steps of:

introducing at least one of the plurality of sensors into an opening in a conduit;

positioning at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit; and

introducing a fluid into the opening in the conduit to at least partially solidify and secure at least one of the plurality of sensors within the conduit.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the conduit is positioned within one of the multiple screen components along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumscribing the structure.

101. The method of claim 99, wherein the conduit is positioned on one of the multiple screen components along a preferred application line and the preferred wrap angle is formed between the preferred application line and one of a first imaginary reference line extending longitudinally along a surface of the structure and a second imaginary reference line circumscribing the structure.

102. A method for imaging deformation of an object comprising the steps of:

applying a plurality of transducers or sensors to the object at a preferred wrap angle;

detecting deformation of the object at each transducer or sensor; and

imaging the deformation detected at each transducer or sensor on a projection device, wherein detecting the deformation comprises detecting the deformation in the direction of the preferred wrap angle.

103. A method for imaging deformation of an object comprising the steps of:

applying a plurality of transducers or sensors to the object at a preferred wrap angle;

detecting deformation of the object at each transducer or sensor; and

imaging the deformation detected at each transducer or sensor on a projection device, wherein at least two of the plurality of transducers or sensors are provided in a selected wrap around the object.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein at least ten of the plurality of transducers or sensors are provided in a selected wrap around the object.