Sensor Highway Limited

Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Baker Hughes Corporation

Glynn R Williams

Paulo S Tubel

Kurt A Hickey

Nigel Leggett

Michael H Johnson

Jeffrey John Lembcke

John W Harrell

Arthur H Hartog

David H Neuroth

Larry Verl Dalrymple

George Albert Brown

Kevin J Forbes

Christian Koeniger

A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.

Use of fiber optics in deviated flows

In a hydrocarbon production well, a control processorselectively sends light to each of one or more gas lift valvesto cause injection of an injection fluid (such as nitrogen gas) from a pressurised annulusinto a production fluid (hydrocarbon) in productiontubing, and/or to each of one or more inlet valves, to control the rate of flow of the hydrocarbon (oil). The control processorreceives feedback data from sensorsnear to each gas liftor inletvalve and otherwise provided in the well bore which measure pressure, temperature or flow rate. The sensors communicate by sensor fibre optic lineswhich run in the well bore. The control processorsends control signals by operating a laser light source to selectively to send laser light to each valvethrough valve operating light fibreswhich also run through the well bore. The valvesderive their motive power from the laser light using a photovoltaic cell arraywhich drives an actuatorwhich can be piezo electric, an electric motor or solenoid.

Fibre optic well control system

This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

Providing a light cell in a wellbore

This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforation device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

Method and apparatus of providing an optical fiber along a power supply line

Wellbores utilizing fiber optic-based sensors and operating devices

A heater cable is deployed in a well bore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or carried by the heater cable which is placed along a desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string is utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. The heater cable is heated above the temperature of the well bore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.

Method of using a heater with a fiber optic string in a wellbore

The present invention provides a heater cable (10) that may be deployed in a wellbore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or are carried by the heater cable. The heater cable carrying the fiber optics is placed along the desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string may be utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. In one aspect of this invention, the heater cable is heated above the temperature of the wellbore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.

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Winchester, United Kingdom

Glynn R Williams