Instrumented Inflatable Packer with Fiber Optic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic deployment methods in wellbores often result in imperfect coupling with the formation, limiting the effectiveness of distributed fiber optic sensing systems, particularly in applications requiring accurate deformation and stress measurements.
Innovation Solution
A packer assembly with an instrumented inflatable packer element made of elastomeric material reinforced with cables, incorporating fiber optic sensors that are inflated within the borehole to ensure good coupling and enable the detection of events such as deformation and acoustic signals, allowing for real-time data transmission to a surface processing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fiber optic is deployed as part of a wireline cable, then deployment is simplified, but coupling with the wellbore is imperfect
Solution Approach 1:
The packer assembly is divided into multiple inflatable packer elements that can be independently deployed and inflated within the wellbore. This segmentation allows the fiber optic sensor to be positioned at specific locations where it can achieve optimal coupling with the wellbore wall, while the overall deployment process remains simplified through the modular packer design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic sensor is pre-positioned within the packer assembly before deployment into the wellbore. The packer elements are inflated to their operational position in advance, ensuring that the fiber optic sensor achieves good coupling with the wellbore wall before actual sensing operations begin, thereby improving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If fiber optic is permanently deployed into wellbore, then coupling with formation is improved, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packer assembly uses inflatable packer elements that can dynamically adjust their position and sealing force within the wellbore. The elements can be inflated to achieve optimal coupling with the wellbore wall and deflated for removal or repositioning, providing a dynamic solution that achieves good coupling quality without requiring permanent deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The packer assembly acts as an intermediary device between the fiber optic sensor and the wellbore wall. It provides a mechanical interface that ensures good coupling through its inflatable elements while simplifying the overall deployment process compared to permanent installation methods, as the packer can be inserted and removed as needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distributed fiber optic sensing is used for all applications, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packer assembly with integrated fiber optic sensing is designed to serve multiple functions: it can detect deformation events, measure stress, monitor acoustic signals, and perform other sensing applications. This multi-functionality achieves versatility across different applications while maintaining a relatively simple device structure, as the same packer assembly can be used for various purposes by adjusting operational parameters.
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 reliable and accurate measurements of formation characteristics, including strain and pressure, enabling effective use of distributed fiber optic sensing in various applications like hydraulic fracturing and stress testing, by ensuring optimal coupling between the packer and the formation.
Implementation Method 1
Distributed fiber optic sensing systems can be used to provide information regarding the formation or borehole (ie pressure, temperature or strain)
Implementation Method 2
an optical source to launch optical pulses into the distributed fiber optic sensor; and a data acquisition system coupled to the distributed fiber optic sensor to detect backscattered optical signals generated by the distributed fiber optic sensor in response the launched optical pulses
Implementation Method 3
an inflatable section extending between a first end and a second longitudinal end, the inflatable section made of an elastomeric material reinforced with a plurality of reinforcement cables and operable to be inflated within a borehole
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method of evaluating characteristics of an earth formation, comprising deploying a packer assembly in a borehole penetrating an earth formation, the packer assembly comprising an instrumented inflatable packer element including fiber optic sensors; inflating the instrumented inflatable packer elements; detecting, using the fiber optic sensors, events occurring in the earth formation; and transmitting data corresponding to the detected events to a surface processing system. The disclosure also relates to a packer element and a instrumented packer assembly system. The disclosure may enable to derive formation characteristic in several configurations such as a stress test or a hydraulic fracturing configuration.