Distributed Optical Fiber Sensing for Real-Time Fracture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying fracture hits in hydraulic fracturing operations are inaccurate and dependent on human expertise, and can only be performed after the fracking stage is completed, leading to delayed adjustments and suboptimal well completions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for processing distributed acoustic sensor data to detect acoustic energy from poroelastic fractures by iteratively identifying compression-tension-compression and tension-compression-tension features in strain rate data, allowing real-time detection of fracture hits and their locations based on correlated features along the sensing fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual identification of fracture hits is used, then measurement precision can be improved with engineer experience, but productivity decreases due to delayed analysis after fracking stage completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with automated computer processing systems that continuously monitor strain rate data, detect fracture hit patterns, and provide real-time alerts without requiring human intervention during the fracking operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-analysis of the strain rate data to automatically identify fracture hit characteristics, pattern recognition, and location determination without external human expertise, enabling autonomous real-time detection
2Productivity
If automated strain rate analysis is implemented, then productivity increases through real-time monitoring, but measurement precision decreases due to algorithm limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors strain rate data in real-time, compares detected patterns against established fracture hit characteristics, and provides feedback for algorithm refinement, maintaining high measurement precision while enabling real-time detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes fracture hit detection algorithms and pattern recognition criteria before the fracking operation begins, allowing the system to accurately identify fracture hits in real-time without requiring complex real-time decision-making
3Measurement precision
If post-stage analysis is performed, then measurement precision can be maintained with experienced engineers, but loss of time increases due to delayed adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and analyzes strain rate data throughout the entire fracking process without interruption, eliminating the need to wait for post-stage analysis and enabling immediate real-time adjustments to well completion
4Productivity
If distributed optical fiber sensing is deployed, then productivity increases through continuous monitoring, but device complexity increases due to data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous strain rate data into discrete fracture hit events and processing intervals, breaking down the complex continuous monitoring task into manageable segments that can be processed efficiently in real-time
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 confident real-time identification of fracture hits, enabling engineers to adjust hydraulic fracturing operations effectively, improving completion efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
detect acoustic energy generated by a poroelastic effect of fractures in an area or structure to be monitored
Implementation Method 2
detect acoustic energy generated by poroelastic fractures
Implementation Method 3
measure changes in the low-frequency strain caused by the poroelastic effects in the rock as the fractures open and close
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method of processing data obtained from distributed optical fiber sensors to detect acoustic energy generated by a poroelastic effect of fractures in a structure, such as a rock formation. The sensing fiber of an optical fiber distributed sensing system may be deployed in the vicinity of the region where fracturing is occurring, for example, along a well that is offset from a treatment well undergoing hydraulic fracturing. The DAS data obtained from along the sensing fiber is processed to measure changes in the low-frequency strain caused by the poroelastic effects in the rock as the fractures open and close. This measured strain rate data is iteratively processed at each instant time to identify fracture opening features (characterised as compression-tension-compression) that are correlated with fracture closing features (characterised as tension-compression-tension) as a function of depth, to thereby identify and locate fracture hits in the vicinity of the sensing fiber.