Methods and systems for testing, modeling and optimizing two-phase flow produced from a geothermal well
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional geothermal systems face challenges in characterizing and controlling two-phase fluid flow due to harsh high-temperature conditions that prevent the installation of measuring equipment, leading to difficulties in effectively managing resource depletion.
Innovation Solution
Deploy disposable fiber optic cables within the geothermal well to perform optical measurements, including temperature and pressure sensing, and use these measurements to generate data for a two-phase flow model that simulates and optimizes fluid production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measuring equipment is installed in the geothermal well, then flow characterization can be performed, but the harsh high-temperature conditions prevent installation and operation of the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/electronic measuring equipment with fiber optic sensing technology. Fiber optic cables use optical principles rather than mechanical components, allowing them to withstand the harsh high-temperature conditions (exceeding 350°C) that would damage traditional sensors. The fiber optic cables transmit light signals to measure temperature, pressure, and flow characteristics without being affected by the extreme thermal environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic cable acts as an intermediary between the harsh measurement environment and the sensitive detection equipment. The cable transmits optical signals through the high-temperature wellbore environment to surface-based interrogation systems, isolating the sensitive electronics from the harmful thermal conditions while still enabling precise measurements.
2Measurement precision
If fiber optic cables are deployed to measure temperature and pressure, then accurate flow characterization is achieved, but the complexity of deploying and analyzing optical measurements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic cable system performs multiple measurement functions simultaneously using the same infrastructure. A single deployed fiber optic cable can measure temperature along its entire length (distributed temperature sensing), pressure at specific points, and can detect acoustic signals from fluid flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement systems while achieving comprehensive flow characterization.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic cable creates a distributed array of virtual measurement points along the wellbore. Instead of installing multiple discrete sensors at different depths, the continuous fiber optic cable effectively copies the measurement capability at every point along its length, enabling distributed temperature and pressure profiling without proportional increases in physical hardware complexity.
3Reliability
If measuring equipment is installed to control two-phase fluid flow, then resource depletion can be limited, but the harsh conditions prevent effective installation and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical flow control valves and sensors with fiber optic-based measurement and control. Fiber optic cables can be deployed through the harsh wellbore environment to measure temperature and pressure profiles, which are then used to optimize choke settings and control two-phase flow. The optical measurement system provides reliable data for flow control without being damaged by the high-temperature conditions that would destroy mechanical components.
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 characterization and control of two-phase fluid flow, optimizing production by determining operating parameters for the wellhead choke, thereby enhancing resource management and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
using at least one disposable fiber optic cable deployed within the geothermal well to perform optical measurements within the geothermal well
Implementation Method 2
The optical measurements can include distributed temperature measurements that provide a temperature profile (i.e., temperature as a function of measured depth) of the geothermal well over time
Implementation Method 3
The optical measurements can also include distributed acoustic measurements that provide an acoustic profile (i.e., acoustic noise as a function of measured depth) of the geothermal well over time
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided that produce hot fluid from a geothermal well that intersects a geothermal reservoir, which involves using at least one disposable fiber optic cable deployed within the geothermal well to perform optical measurements within the geothermal well; and analyzing and/or processing the optical measurements to control and/or optimize production of hot fluid from the geothermal well. The at least one disposable fiber optic cable can be deployed within the geothermal well to a depth at or near the bottom of the geothermal well.