Fiber Optic Completion End Connectors for Continuous Zonal Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current well completion systems lack the capability for high-resolution data collection across multiple zones, as quartz-based and piezo-based sensors provide discrete spatiotemporal pressure and temperature data only at fixed locations, limiting analysis and requiring interventions for well performance evaluation.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a fiber optic cable across zonal inflow devices using feedthrough ports and packers, enabling continuous data collection of temperature and acoustic signals along the cable, allowing for enhanced data resolution and reducing the need for well logging interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If quartz-based and piezo-based electric sensors are installed at varying intervals, then discrete spatiotemporal pressure and temperature data are obtained, but data resolution is limited and analysis outside fixed locations requires modeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electric sensors (quartz-based and piezo-based) with fiber optic sensing technology. This substitution enables continuous distributed measurements along the fiber cable length, providing high-resolution temperature and acoustic data without the discrete point measurements limitations of conventional sensors, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic cable provides continuous sensing along its entire length rather than discrete point measurements. This continuity allows for high-resolution data collection at any location along the wellbore, eliminating the need for multiple sensors at varying intervals and providing uninterrupted temperature and acoustic signal monitoring
2Quantity of substance
If distributed pressure and temperature sensors are used, then more sensing locations are available, but a minimum distance between sensors is required which prohibits more than one or two discreet sensing locations per zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces discrete electric sensors with continuous fiber optic sensing, eliminating the minimum distance requirement between sensors. The fiber optic cable provides distributed sensing capability where measurements can be taken at any point along the cable length, enabling numerous sensing locations per zone with high spatial resolution without the spacing constraints of traditional sensor systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-based sensing (zero-dimensional) to distributed continuous sensing (one-dimensional along the cable length). This dimensional change allows infinite sensing locations along the fiber path, providing high spatial resolution and enabling detailed zonal analysis with multiple sensing points per zone without the limitations of discrete sensor spacing
Data Source
AI summary
A well system and a related method are discussed. The well system, in one aspect, includes a wellbore extending through a subterranean hydrocarbon producing zone, as well as production tubing located in the wellbore, the production tubing including a first inflow control valve configured to regulate a first inflow of hydrocarbons from the subterranean hydrocarbon producing zone into the production tubing. The well system, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a flange coupled to the production tubing and having a fitting positioned proximate a downhole end thereof, and a fiber optic cable installed within the wellbore, an end connector of the fiber optic cable coupled end to end with the fitting of the flange to fix the fiber optic cable relative to the first inflow control valve.