Passive Acoustic Array for Wellbore Sand Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sand production in oil reservoirs leads to infrastructure damage and operational risks due to erosion and clogging issues, necessitating early and accurate detection methods.
Innovation Solution
A passive acoustic array system that uses model-based and learning-based frameworks to detect sand production in-situ by capturing and analyzing acoustic signals generated by sand movement, allowing for real-time classification of sand density, flow rate, and particle size without intrusive surface measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sand production is allowed to occur, then reservoir fluid production continues, but infrastructure damage and operational risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic array system performs preliminary detection of sand production before it causes infrastructure damage. By continuously monitoring acoustic signals from sand particles moving in the wellbore, the system enables early intervention measures to be taken, preventing erosion of downhole tubulars and surface equipment while maintaining production
2Measurement precision
If surface measurements are used to detect sand production, then detection capability is achieved, but the system becomes intrusive and less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic array acts as an intermediary between the sand production phenomenon and the detection system. Instead of directly measuring sand particles or intrusive surface measurements, the system uses acoustic signals as a mediator to detect sand production in-situ within the wellbore, providing accurate measurements without physical intrusion
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical/intrusive measurement methods with acoustic field-based detection. By using passive acoustic sensors to detect vibrations and sounds generated by sand particle movement, the system eliminates the need for physical contact with sand particles or intrusive surface measurement equipment
3Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used, then simple equipment is required, but detection accuracy and classification capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple acoustic sensors arranged in an array, each capturing different aspects of sand particle movement. This segmentation enables the system to analyze multiple acoustic signals simultaneously, improving classification accuracy for sand density, flow rate, and particle size while distributing the computational complexity across multiple sensor channels
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic array system performs multiple functions simultaneously: detecting sand presence, classifying sand properties (density, flow rate, particle size), and locating sand production zones. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated acoustic measurement system, avoiding the need for multiple separate detection devices
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides robust and accurate sand detection and classification, reducing the risk of infrastructure damage and operational shutdowns by enabling timely intervention and improving with retraining using verified data.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic signals generated by sand movement in the wellbore adjacent the tool
Data Source
AI summary
A passive array of acoustic sensors capture acoustic signals produced by sand movement. The array tool is deployed downhole where it passively listens for acoustic energy generated by sand movement in the well. Once acoustic signals are acquired, model-based frameworks are used to extract single and multiple sensor features from the acoustic signals. The extracted features are used as signatures to detect or classify the production of sand.