Sonic/acoustic monitoring using optical distributed acoustic sensing

• US 8,848,485 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2011
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Bostick, Francis X. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Ratcliffe, Luke
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baghdasaryan, Hovhannes
• Application Number:
  US13/106,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20110280103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 731/524.7, 181/102, 181/103, 181/105, 367/86, 367/35
• US Class Current: 367/35
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/107 using acoustic means
• 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 1/16 Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/44 using generators and receivers in the same well G01V1/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/46 Data acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/52 Structural details

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for performing sonic well logging within a wellbore based on optical Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) are provided. A sonic well logging system based on DAS may be capable of producing the functional equivalent of tens, hundreds, or even thousands of acoustic sensors. In this manner, the emplacement of the sonic well logging system based on DAS may not be nearly as complex or expensive as emplacing a sonic well logging system based on traditional methods. Furthermore, multiplexing may be simpler, downhole electronics need not be used, and the sonic well logging system may be used in extreme, high temperature environments.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing sonic well logging in a wellbore, comprising:

an acoustic energy source disposed between an outer surface of a borehole casing located in the wellbore and an inner surface of the wellbore, the acoustic energy source for generating acoustic signals in the wellbore, wherein the acoustic signals interact with the wellbore, a wellbore completion, or formations adjacent the wellbore to form transmitted, reflected, refracted, or absorbed acoustic signals; and

an optical waveguide for distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) disposed between the outer surface of the borehole casing and the inner surface of the wellbore, wherein the transmitted, reflected, or refracted acoustic signals affect light propagating in the waveguide.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the acoustic energy source and the waveguide is permanently emplaced in the wellbore.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic energy source and the waveguide are suspended in a cable in the wellbore.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the waveguide is wrapped in a spiral manner around at least a portion of the borehole casing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the waveguide is circularly wrapped around at least one circumference of the borehole casing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic energy source controller configured to control the acoustic energy source.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a DAS instrument configured to introduce optical pulses into the waveguide and/or to sense disturbances in the optical pulses propagating in the waveguide.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic energy source comprises a wireline-conveyed acoustic energy source.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acoustic energy source is removable.

10. A method comprising:

providing an acoustic energy source disposed between an outer surface of a borehole casing located in a wellbore and an inner surface of the wellbore;

providing an optical waveguide disposed between the outer surface of the borehole casing and the inner surface of the wellbore; and

performing distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) in the wellbore using the acoustic energy source and the optical waveguide.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the acoustic energy source is removable.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the acoustic energy source comprises a wireline-conveyed acoustic energy source.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein performing DAS comprises generating acoustic signals using the acoustic energy source, wherein the acoustic signals interact with the wellbore, a wellbore completion, or formations adjacent the wellbore to form transmitted, reflected, refracted, or absorbed acoustic signals and wherein the transmitted, reflected, or refracted acoustic signals affect light propagating in the waveguide.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein performing DAS in the wellbore comprises performing sonic well logging.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising monitoring properties of downhole formations adjacent the wellbore over time based on the sonic well logging.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling production or managing reservoirs based on the downhole formation properties.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the acoustic energy source and the waveguide is semi-permanently emplaced in the wellbore.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein performing DAS comprises:

introducing optical pulses into the waveguide; and

sensing disturbances in the optical pulses propagating through the waveguide.