Seismic Well Integrity Testing for Deformation and Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing well integrity, such as Cement Bond Logs and Spectral Noise Logging, are inadequate in accurately identifying well deformation and fluid leakage, as they rely on acoustic measurements that may not fully capture the extent of cement quality and void space occupancy along the well casing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the deployment of seismic sensors and a vibrational source to generate and record seismic signals within the wellbore, processing these signals to create a graphical representation, which can identify wellbore deformation, casing damage, and cement issues by analyzing seismic data across frequencies from 10 Hz to 360 Hz.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Cement Bond Logs (CBL) are used to test well integrity, then the quality of cement's ability to occupy and seal void space can be measured, but the method cannot accurately identify well deformation and fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic testing system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it evaluates cement bond quality, detects wellbore deformation, identifies casing damage, and locates fluid leakage points. By using a single integrated seismic approach with sensors distributed along the wellbore, the system replaces multiple specialized tools (CBL, SNL, etc.) and provides comprehensive well integrity assessment in one operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional acoustic measurements that primarily assess cement bonding to seismic measurements that capture multi-dimensional wellbore conditions. By deploying sensors at multiple depths and using a vibrational source to generate seismic waves that propagate through the wellbore structure, the system obtains spatially distributed information about deformation, damage, and fluid movement that single-point acoustic measurements cannot provide.
2Loss of information
If Spectral Noise Logging (SNL) is used to identify fluid leakage, then acoustic signatures of cross-flow can be detected, but the method cannot fully assess cement quality and void space occupancy
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic testing system simultaneously detects fluid leakage through acoustic signature analysis and assesses cement quality through seismic wave propagation characteristics. By processing the seismic data to identify both passive acoustic events (indicating fluid movement) and active seismic responses (indicating cement bond quality), the system provides comprehensive well integrity information in a single operation.
3Reliability
If traditional acoustic measurement methods are used, then the well integrity can be tested, but the methods cannot comprehensively identify wellbore deformation, casing damage, and cement issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple detection capabilities into a single seismic testing operation: wellbore deformation detection through seismic wave velocity changes, casing damage identification through reflection patterns, and cement quality assessment through bond strength measurements. This multi-functional approach ensures comprehensive well integrity evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wellbore is divided into multiple discrete measurement zones with sensors deployed at specific depths. By segmenting the wellbore into test intervals and analyzing seismic responses from each zone independently, the system can localize and identify specific issues (deformation, damage, or cement problems) at precise depths along the wellbore.
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 provides a more comprehensive assessment of well integrity by generating detailed graphical representations that accurately depict wellbore conditions, enabling effective remediation and preventing fluid or gas movement.
Implementation Method 1
using the vibrational source to generate seismic signal that moves through the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
creating a seismic dataset by recording the seismic signal at the seismic sensors
Implementation Method 3
A well-cemented section of casing with all void space fully occupied and sealed will absorb the acoustic energy
Implementation Method 4
The acoustic detector is lowered at specifical intervals along the wellbore to passively record acoustic signatures
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for determining well integrity including deploying seismic sensors in a wellbore; attaching a vibrational source to well hardware; using the vibrational source to generate seismic signal that moves through the wellbore; creating a seismic dataset by recording the seismic signal at the seismic sensors; and processing the seismic dataset to make a processed seismic image. The processed seismic image may be displayed on a graphical display in order to identify well integrity problems such as wellbore deformation, well casing damage, or problems with cement.