Distributed Optic Fiber Sensor for Well Production Data Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing well production data acquisition methods using production logging tools (PLT) face issues such as cable lifting, damage, and imprecise results due to clogging, requiring expensive and complex interventions with high manufacturing and operational costs, especially under high flow rates.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a slickline with a distributed optic fiber sensor to acquire distributed temperature and acoustic sensing data without a mechanical spinner, allowing data collection in producing zones and avoiding cable lifting, with a simplified data processing approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional production logging tools with mechanical spinners are used, then flow velocity measurement is obtained, but the tool can be lifted by high flow rates causing cable compression and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow velocity measurementVSAvoidcable integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spinner system with a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system using optical fibers. The DAS system measures flow velocity by detecting acoustic signals from fluid movement along the wellbore, eliminating mechanical moving parts that can be affected by high flow rates and cable lifting issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the flow measurement function from the traditional PLT tool assembly and implements it separately using distributed sensing along the cable length. This allows the cable to remain stationary while measurement points are distributed along its length, preventing cable lifting and compression problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If production logging tools are used under high flow rates, then production data is acquired, but the cable suffers compression and damage requiring fishing operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition capabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical PLT tool string with an optical fiber-based distributed sensing system. This eliminates the need for heavy tools and complex cable handling, allowing deployment through standard slicklines without risk of cable damage from high flow rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a slickline with distributed optic fiber sensor is used, then cable lifting is avoided and data acquisition is simplified, but the system must be deployed to the sump and lifted back

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable stabilityVSAvoiddeployment and retrieval time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a slickline that serves dual purposes: as the deployment mechanism for the optical fiber sensor and as the measurement medium itself. The slickline with embedded distributed sensing can be deployed using standard equipment and retrieved without specialized tools, reducing both cost and time compared to dedicated PLT deployments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables accurate and cost-effective well production data acquisition with minimal disturbance to fluid flow, providing precise allocation of production zones and fluid composition without the need for expensive equipment or complex processing, suitable for high flow rates.

Implementation Method 1

acquiring distributed temperature sensing data and distributed acoustic sensing data via the distributed optic fiber sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistributed temperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

acquiring distributed temperature sensing data and distributed acoustic sensing data via the distributed optic fiber sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistributed acoustic sensing:

Implementation Method 3

lowering a distributed optic fiber sensor in a well; acquiring distributed temperature sensing data and distributed acoustic sensing data via the distributed optic fiber sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP4575177A1A fluid production data acquisition method in a well and related data acquisition system

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH

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AI summary

The fluid production data acquisition method comprises : - lowering a distributed optic fiber sensor in a well (12); - acquiring distributed temperature sensing data and distributed acoustic sensing data via the distributed optic fiber sensor. Lowering of the distributed optic fiber sensor comprises deploying a slickline (40) containing the distributed optic fiber sensor in at least a producing zone (24A to 24D) of the well (12) to acquire the distributed temperature sensing data and distributed acoustic sensing data, and lifting back the slickline (40) after acquiring the distributed temperature sensing data and distributed acoustic sensing data.