External Support Device for Distributed Wellbore Flow Profiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for measuring fluid flow in wellbores are limited to primary completion and require permanent deployment, which restricts their application and accuracy, especially in horizontal wells, and do not allow for concurrent seismic profiling or accurate depth calibration.
Innovation Solution
The development of an external support device that can temporarily attach data collection devices to a work string, enabling measurement of axial flow at various depths and positions within a wellbore, combined with distributed fiber-optic sensing for enhanced profiling and depth calibration, allowing for real-time data collection and integration with seismic data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent completion components are used for flow measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but adaptability and ease of deployment are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement capability into separate, modular flow sensors that can be independently attached to different work strings. Each sensor is a self-contained unit that can be deployed on demand rather than being permanently installed, enabling flexible adaptation to different well configurations and measurement needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static permanent installations to dynamic temporary attachments. Flow sensors can be attached and removed from work strings as needed, allowing the measurement system to adapt dynamically to different operational requirements, well types, and production stages.
2Measurement precision
If zonal isolation is employed for measurements, then flow data can be obtained, but device complexity and operational restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the flow measurement function from complex permanent completion systems with zonal isolation requirements. By using external flow sensors that attach to work strings, the measurement capability is separated from the complex well completion infrastructure, simplifying both deployment and operation while maintaining measurement quality.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If permanent measurement devices are installed, then continuous monitoring is possible, but loss of time for deployment and retrieval occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Flow sensors are pre-positioned on work strings before entering the wellbore. This preliminary attachment allows the sensors to be ready for immediate measurement upon deployment, eliminating the need for time-consuming installations downhole and enabling rapid deployment while maintaining continuous monitoring capability during the measurement window.
4Measurement precision
If conventional flow measurement systems are used, then basic flow data is obtained, but measurement precision and depth calibration accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges flow measurement with distributed fiber-optic sensing capabilities. By combining conventional flow sensors with advanced fiber-optic depth calibration and seismic profiling tools on the same work string, the system achieves both accurate flow measurement and precise depth calibration simultaneously, overcoming the limitations of separate conventional systems.
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
This solution provides more accurate and comprehensive flow data across the wellbore, enabling better production profile evaluation and differentiation between oil, water, and gas content without interrupting production, and allows for concurrent seismic profiling and depth calibration.
Implementation Method 1
distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and/or distributed temperature sensing (DTS) data
Implementation Method 2
distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and/or distributed temperature sensing (DTS) data
Implementation Method 3
correlate the flow data with data acquired from the fiber-optic cable and/or data acquired from geophones in the external support device
Data Source
AI summary
In the general context of oilfield equipment and, in particular, in the context of downhole tools, the systems and methods relate to characterizing flow in a wellbore using data collection devices, which may be temporarily attached on the outside of a work string to be run into the wellbore. More particularly, the systems and methods may be used for obtaining flow data at a plurality of different locations and correlated with wellbore depth for evaluation of production profiles of wellbores. A system may be provided that comprises a work string, multiple external support devices temporarily secured to an exterior of the work string at a plurality of different locations, and at least one data collection device such as a resistivity gauge, flow meter, and/or Doppler sensor, coupled to the external support devices. This data, once recovered on surface, could be incorporated into an overall production profile model of the well.