Fiber Optic Cable Hydrogen Absorption for Well Corrosion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wellbore inspection technologies are limited to snapshot measurements and require specific tools, leading to production downtime and inadequate detection of corrosion or damage in well elements, which hinders early prediction of failure and efficient maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A fiber-optic system using machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect corrosion through hydrogen absorption by a fiber-optic cable, providing continuous, real-time monitoring and prediction of remaining useful life by analyzing optical transmission losses across the wellbore elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional inspection tools are installed within the wellbore to detect corrosion or damage, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and production downtime occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidinspection tool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a fiber optic cable as an intermediary medium that is already present in the wellbore to detect corrosion. Instead of installing complex inspection tools, the fiber optic cable serves as a passive sensor that absorbs hydrogen from corrosion reactions, enabling detection through existing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical inspection tools with an optical detection system. The fiber optic cable uses optical properties (light transmission) to detect corrosion indirectly through hydrogen absorption, substituting mechanical measurement devices with an optical sensing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If traditional inspection processes are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to production downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion detection accuracyVSAvoidproduction downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber optic cable enables continuous monitoring of corrosion throughout the wellbore life without interrupting production. The system provides ongoing detection data as corrosion progresses, eliminating the need for periodic shutdowns for inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber optic cable is installed during well completion and remains in place to continuously monitor corrosion. The system serves itself by using the existing fiber optic infrastructure already deployed in the wellbore, eliminating the need for separate inspection operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If snapshot inspection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases as only brief period conditions are captured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection system simplicityVSAvoidcorrosion progression data

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber optic cable provides continuous detection of corrosion over time, capturing the progression of corrosion rather than just a snapshot. The system continuously monitors hydrogen absorption in the fiber optic cable, providing temporal data on corrosion rates and progression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 early detection of anomalies, reducing operational costs through targeted interventions and extended equipment life by allowing real-time corrosion management and efficient planning of well recompletions and plug and abandonment operations.

Implementation Method 1

A fiber-optic system using machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect corrosion through hydrogen absorption by a fiber-optic cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

analyzing optical transmission losses across the wellbore elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical transmission loss: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11795812B2Continuous assessment of well elements using fiber optics

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORP

AI summary

A well system includes a fiber-optic cable positionable downhole along a length of a wellbore. The well system further includes an opto-electrical interface to communicatively couple to the fiber-optic cable to monitor a gas released from a well element within the wellbore. Further, the well system includes a processing device and a memory device that includes instructions executable by the processing device. The instructions cause the processing device to detect hydrogen absorption by the fiber-optic cable within the wellbore and determining a location of deterioration of the well element using the detected hydrogen absorption by the fiber-optic cable.