Downhole Optical Sensor Water Source Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack effective systems for determining the sources of water produced from different completion zones in hydraulic fracturing operations, which is crucial for monitoring and optimizing these operations, as well as understanding the relative permeabilities and physical structures of fractures.
Innovation Solution
A downhole optical sensor system using a fiber optic cable and optical sensing technology to detect concentrations of chemical species in produced fluids, allowing for the determination of the fraction of water originating from various sources, including fracturing fluid and formation water, by altering light based on analyte concentrations and using a computer to calculate the amount of water from each source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional production monitoring methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but the ability to determine water sources is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical sensor system as an intermediary measurement tool that detects chemical species concentrations in produced water. This intermediary device enables indirect determination of water sources by measuring tracer concentrations, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by providing accurate source identification through a specialized sensing mechanism rather than complex direct analysis methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or physical separation methods for water source identification with optical detection technology. By using optical sensors to detect chemical tracers and employing spectroscopic methods instead of mechanical filtration or physical separation, the system achieves precise water source determination while avoiding the complexity of multiple mechanical subsystems
2Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing operations are monitored without water source determination capability, then operational procedures remain simple, but optimization opportunities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting tracers into the fracturing fluid before the hydraulic fracturing operation begins. This pre-positioning of measurement targets allows for subsequent easy detection and identification of water sources during production, enabling optimization of fracturing operations without requiring complex real-time detection capabilities during the actual fracturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring tracer concentrations in produced water and using this information to determine water sources in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables operators to optimize fracturing operations based on actual water source data, such as adjusting injection rates or identifying which zones are contributing water, thereby improving productivity while managing the detection complexity through systematic data collection and analysis
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 monitoring and optimization of hydraulic fracturing operations by distinguishing between different water sources, providing insights into fracture permeabilities and structures, thereby improving operational efficiency and understanding of the completion zone.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor adapted to alter light passing through the optical sensor based on a concentration of a chemical species (analyte) in the produced fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed system for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes one or more downhole sensors that measure at least one analyte concentration in the downhole fluid, and a computer having analyte concentration characteristics for water from multiple sources. The computer uses the analyte concentration characteristics and the at least one analyte concentration measurement to determine an amount of water from at least one given source. A described method for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes associating with each of multiple sources of water a characteristic concentration of at least one analyte, obtaining measured concentrations of the at least one analyte with one or more downhole sensors, and deriving for at least one source of water a fraction of the downhole fluid attributable to that at least one source. The deriving may also be based upon measurements from distributed pressure and/or temperature sensors.