Virtual Sensor Array for Downhole Leak Detection
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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 environmental challenges, especially when stationary sensors are not deployed proximate to leaks.
Innovation Solution
A system employing a single physical sensor deployed on a retractable string, which travels along the wellbore to detect leaks using various types of sensors (hydrophone, optical fiber, or electromagnetic detectors) and generates a virtual array of sensors to determine leak locations based on signal strength, allowing for accurate 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 copies of the physical sensor by processing signals from a single physical sensor to generate multiple virtual sensor signals. These virtual sensors are positioned at different locations along the wellbore, effectively copying the sensing capability without requiring multiple physical sensors. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision through virtual sensor arrays while eliminating the proportional increase in device complexity and cost associated with deploying multiple physical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing as an intermediary between the single physical sensor and the leak detection function. By processing the physical sensor signals through specific algorithms, the system generates virtual sensor signals that simulate multiple physical sensors. This intermediary processing layer enables accurate leak detection without the need for multiple physical sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed in a sensor array, then leak location information accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in deploying and operating multiple sensors in challenging wellbore environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of the physical sensor through signal processing, generating multiple virtual sensor signals from a single physical sensor deployment. This eliminates the operational difficulty of deploying multiple physical sensors in challenging wellbore environments while maintaining accurate leak location information through the virtual sensor array.
Solution Approach 2:
The single physical sensor is made multi-functional through signal processing, enabling it to perform the function of multiple sensors simultaneously. The physical sensor collects signals that are then processed to create virtual sensor readings at multiple locations, making one sensor serve multiple purposes and eliminating the need for multiple sensor deployments.
3Ease of manufacture
If stationary sensors are deployed, then leak detection is possible, but measurement precision deteriorates when sensors are not positioned proximate to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static stationary sensor into a dynamic virtual sensor array that can effectively sense multiple locations. By processing signals from the stationary physical sensor, the system creates dynamic virtual sensor readings that correspond to different positions along the wellbore, enabling accurate leak location detection without requiring physical repositioning of sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the stationary sensor at different positions along the wellbore through signal processing. These virtual sensor copies maintain the ease of single sensor deployment while achieving the measurement precision of having sensors positioned proximate to leaks by effectively sensing multiple locations through the virtual array.
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 accurate and cost-effective leak detection by using a single physical sensor to generate a virtual array, overcoming the limitations of multiple sensor arrays and improving leak location accuracy and practicality in challenging wellbore environments.
Implementation Method 1
obtain physical signals detected by a physical sensor over a period of time while the physical sensor is traveling along a wellbore, wherein the physical signals are acoustic signals of a leak
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 detected by a physical sensor over a period of time while the physical sensor is traveling along a wellbore, wherein the physical signals are acoustic signals of a leak. The method also includes performing a sequence extraction operation on the physical signals of the physical sensor to obtain a plurality of virtual signals associated with an array of virtual sensors, wherein each virtual sensor of the array of virtual sensors is located at a respective virtual distance relative to the physical sensor. The method further includes determining a signal strength of the plurality of virtual signals. The method further includes determining a location of the leak based on the signal strength of the plurality of virtual signals.