Downhole Leak Detection via Virtual Sensor Array Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole leak detection methods using multiple sensors are costly and impractical, often resulting in inaccurate leak location identification due to sensor malfunctions and difficulty in deploying sensors in certain wellbore environments.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single physical sensor deployed along a retractable string, which performs frame decomposition to create a virtual sensor array, synchronizes signals, and computes a spatial spectrum to determine leak location using beamforming techniques, providing spatial resolution without the need for multiple sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed in a sensor array along production tubing, then leak detection accuracy is improved, but cost and device complexity increase proportionally with the number of sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual sensor array elements by processing signals from a single physical sensor. The virtual elements are computational copies that simulate the response of multiple physical sensors, allowing the system to achieve the measurement precision of a multi-sensor array while using only one physical sensor, thereby reducing cost and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of deploying multiple physical sensors with a signal processing system that creates virtual sensor elements through frame decomposition and beamforming techniques. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple physical sensor deployments while maintaining leak detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed in a sensor array, then more accurate leak location information is obtained, but difficulty in deploying sensors increases in certain wellbore environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses signal processing to create virtual copies of sensor elements through frame decomposition, eliminating the need to physically deploy multiple sensors in difficult wellbore environments. The virtual sensor array elements provide the same leak location accuracy as physical multi-sensor arrays would, without the deployment challenges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of multiple sensors (spatial resolution for leak location) and implements it through signal processing techniques rather than physical sensor arrays, removing the deployment complexity associated with installing multiple sensors in constrained wellbore environments.
3Device complexity
If a single physical sensor is used, then cost and deployment complexity are reduced, but spatial resolution for leak location is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the single physical sensor's one-dimensional measurement into a multi-dimensional virtual sensor array through frame decomposition and beamforming. By processing signals in the spatial frequency domain, the system achieves spatial resolution equivalent to multiple sensors without requiring multiple physical sensor elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple virtual sensor elements computationally from a single physical sensor's measurements. These virtual copies provide the spatial resolution needed for accurate leak location while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of using only one physical sensor.
4Reliability
If stationary sensors are deployed along cement, then leak detection is enabled, but accurate leak location information is not provided when sensors are not positioned proximate to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-position sensor system into a dynamic virtual array that can electronically focus and scan along the wellbore. The beamforming technique allows the system to dynamically adjust its sensing focus to any location, providing both reliable leak detection and accurate location identification without requiring physical repositioning of sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include leak detection systems and methods of downhole leak detection. In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining physical signals measured by at least one physical sensor traveling along a wellbore. The method also includes performing a frame decomposition operation on the physical signals of a first of the at least one the physical sensor to obtain a plurality of virtual signals associated with an array of virtual sensors, each virtual sensor of the array of virtual sensors being located at a virtual distance relative to the first physical sensor, the virtual distance corresponding to a physical distance. The method further includes synchronizing the virtual signals of the array of virtual sensors. The method further includes computing a spatial spectrum indicative of a location of a leak based on the synchronized virtual signals.