Determining a status in a wellbore based on acoustic events detected by an optical fiber mechanism
First Claim
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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, andan 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.
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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.
53 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for use in a well, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of monitoring a condition in a wellbore, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification