Multi-Sensor Workflow for Water Flow Evaluation in Casing Strings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating cement bonding and fluid flow in wellbores lack integration of measurements from multiple sensors, making it difficult to accurately identify and characterize annular flow paths between overlapping casing strings and between the casing and wellbore wall, especially in deep water applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of an integrated workflow method incorporating pulsed neutron sensors, distributed acoustic sensors (DAS), distributed Doppler sensors (DDS), and distributed temperature sensors (DTS) to provide direct and accurate measurements of cement bond quality and sheath characterization without requiring new tools or adaptations, allowing for the identification and characterization of fluid flow paths between casing strings and the wellbore wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensor systems are integrated to evaluate cement bonding and fluid flow, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor systems (acoustic sensors, temperature sensors, neutron sensors) into a single integrated evaluation workflow. The acoustic sensors detect fluid flow through cement interfaces, temperature sensors provide thermal data for flow characterization, and neutron sensors assess cement bonding quality. These measurements are merged into a unified analysis that identifies fluid flow paths and quantifies flow rates through multiple casing strings, resolving the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision through sensor integration while managing complexity through systematic data processing procedures
2Reliability
If distributed sensors are used to evaluate multiple casing interfaces, then detection coverage and reliability are improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to data integration challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wellbore evaluation into distinct measurement zones corresponding to different casing interfaces. Each interface (e.g., between first and second casing strings, between second casing and formation) is evaluated independently using the distributed sensor array. The acoustic sensors are positioned at specific depths to detect flow paths at each interface separately, allowing reliable evaluation of cement bonding and fluid flow at multiple locations without overwhelming data integration challenges, as each segment can be analyzed with standardized procedures
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 approach enhances the evaluation and characterization of cement sheaths, enabling more precise determination of fluid flow rates and locations, thereby improving the detection of potential leaks and contamination risks in hydrocarbon-producing zones.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a pulsed neutron log from a pulsed neutron sensor
Implementation Method 2
obtain fluid flow paths and a velocity of the fluid flow in the flow paths using a distributed acoustic sensor
Implementation Method 3
obtain a Doppler log using a distributed Doppler sensor
Implementation Method 4
obtain fluid flow paths and a velocity of the fluid flow in the flow paths using a distributed temperature sensor
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A distance of a water flow path and a velocity of the water flow is calculated using data obtained from both a pulsed neutron sensor and distributed acoustic sensors. The two distance and velocity values are compared to obtain a first calculated distance and velocity. The distance of the water flow path and the velocity of the water flow are calculated using the Doppler data obtained from distributed Doppler sensors. The distance and velocity values are compared with the first calculated distance and first calculated velocity to obtain a second calculated distance and velocity values. The distance of the water flow path and the velocity of the water flow are calculated using temperature data obtained from distributed temperature sensors. The distance and velocity values are compared with the second calculated distance and velocity to determine a distance of a cement interface, and a velocity of a water flow therein.