Determining a status in a wellbore based on acoustic events detected by an optical fiber mechanism

• US 8,020,616 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Greenaway, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): WRIGHT, GIOVANNA COLLINS
• Application Number:
  US12/192,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20100038079A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 166/254.2, 166/250.01, 166/250.15
• US Class Current: 166/254.2
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/008 Monitoring of down-hole pump systems, e.g. for the detection of "pumped-off" conditions
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/135 using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01H 9/004 using fibre optic sensors light guides per se G02B6/00, acousto-optical devices specially adapted for gating or modulating in optical wave guides G02F1/125
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/226 Optoseismic systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/52 Structural details

Abstract

A system for use in a well includes downhole equipment for positioning in the well, and an optical fiber for deployment in the well, the optical fiber to extend to a location of interest in the well in proximity of the downhole equipment. An analysis unit analyzes detected light signals returned from the optical fiber that has been affected by acoustic events generated by the downhole equipment and to determine a status in the wellbore based on the analyzing.

Claims

1. A system for use in a well, comprising:

downhole equipment for positioning in the well;

an optical fiber for deployment in the well, the optical fiber to extend at least to a location of interest in the well in a proximity of the downhole equipment, and

an analysis unit to analyze detected light signals returned from the optical fiber that has been affected by acoustic events generated by the downhole equipment and to determine a status in the wellbore based on the analyzing, wherein the analysis unit analyzes detected light signals from multiple points along the optical fiber'"'"'s length so as to determine a distributed profile representative of at least one condition along the optical fiber'"'"'s length; and

a seismic sensor operatively connected to a portion of the optical fiber, wherein the seismic sensor is to modify a characteristic of the optical fiber portion in response to detecting the acoustic events.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic events generated by the downhole equipment is due to vibration of the downhole equipment.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic events generated by the downhole equipment is due to particles in the wellbore impinging on the downhole equipment.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the analyzing involves comparing an acoustic signature corresponding to the detected light signals to at least one predefined limit to determine if a problem exists in the wellbore.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the analysis unit is to receive feedback regarding operating conditions in the wellbore, and to adjust the at least one predefined limit in response to the feedback.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the analysis unit is to analyze the light signals returned from the optical fiber in real time.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the detected light signals are detected Rayleigh backscattered light signals.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the optical fiber portion modified comprises a strain of the optical fiber portion.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the downhole component includes moving parts that cause vibration during operation.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber extends to at least two zones of interest to enable monitoring of conditions in the at least two zones based on detected acoustic events, wherein the downhole equipment is located in one of the at least two zones.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an acquisition unit that includes a light source and a light detector, the light source to transmit light pulses into the optical fiber, and the light detector to detect the light signals returned from the optical fiber.

12. A method of monitoring a condition in a wellbore, comprising:

receiving backscattered light signals from an optical fiber deployed into the wellbore, wherein the optical fiber has a portion for monitoring downhole equipment in the wellbore, and wherein the optical fiber portion has a characteristic that is modified in response to an acoustic event associated with the downhole equipment;

analyzing a signature derived from the received backscattered light signals, wherein the signature is representative of the acoustic event; and

providing information relating to a status in the wellbore based on the analyzing, wherein receiving the backscattered light signals comprises receiving the backscattered light signals that have been affected by strain imposed on the portion of the optical fiber by a seismic sensor.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

automatically adjusting additional equipment in response to an output based on the analyzing.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining background noise in the wellbore,

wherein analyzing the signature removes the background noise.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the backscattered light signals comprises receiving the backscattered light signals that have been affected by vibration of the downhole equipment.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the backscattered light signals comprises receiving the backscattered light signals that have been affected by acoustic waves generated by particles impinging upon the downhole equipment.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the backscattered light signals comprises receiving the backscattered light signals that have been affected by strain imposed on the portion of the optical fiber by a seismic sensor.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the seismic sensor comprises one of a hydrophone and accelerometer.