AU2015270330A1 - Method and system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing fluid - Google Patents
Method and system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing fluid Download PDFInfo
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- AU2015270330A1 AU2015270330A1 AU2015270330A AU2015270330A AU2015270330A1 AU 2015270330 A1 AU2015270330 A1 AU 2015270330A1 AU 2015270330 A AU2015270330 A AU 2015270330A AU 2015270330 A AU2015270330 A AU 2015270330A AU 2015270330 A1 AU2015270330 A1 AU 2015270330A1
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- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 22
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 33
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000003345 natural gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims description 6
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011593 sulfur Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005678 Seebeck effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008595 infiltration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001764 infiltration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/005—Monitoring or checking of cementation quality or level
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B19/00—Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables
- E21B19/16—Connecting or disconnecting pipe couplings or joints
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/13—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like
- E21B33/14—Methods or devices for cementing, for plugging holes, crevices or the like for cementing casings into boreholes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/12—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
- E21B47/125—Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling using earth as an electrical conductor
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Quality & Reliability (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Testing Or Calibration Of Command Recording Devices (AREA)
- Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
Abstract
The system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing a fluid to be used, such as natural gas, comprises a tubing (20) in which the fluid to be used flows, a protective casing (60) disposed around the tubing (20) and a cement sheath (30) interposed between the casing (60) and a rock formation (70) through which the well extends. The system further comprises, outside the casing (60), between same and the cement sheath (30), a series of electronic units (110) distributed in predefined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing (60) and spaced apart axially along the casing (60). Each electronic unit (110) comprises a communication means (14) for the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit (110) or a surface terminal (100), a power supply unit (13) of the electronic unit (110) and at least one of the following elements: a) a detection unit comprising at least one sensor (11) for sensing a physical or chemical quantity and b) a signal processing unit (12).
Description
1 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AND MONITORING A WELL FOR EXTRACTING OR STORING FLUID1
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid such as natural gas, the well comprising a production column in which the operating fluid flows, protective casing arranged around the production column, and a cement sheath interposed between the casing and a rock formation through the well extends.
The invention also provides a method of operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, the monitoring including tracking the placing and the integrity of the cement protection barrier .
Prior art
The integrity of a well for extracting or storing a fluid such as a hydrocarbon or natural gas can be affected by the presence of voids while cement is being used to fill the annular gap situated between the casing of the extraction well and the surrounding rock, or indeed as a result of the cement aging. These two factors can give rise to unwanted stoppages of production, which, by their very nature, are not foreseeable, unless the integrity of the cement sheath is monitored regularly.
It is therefore desirable to be able to inspect the integrity of the cement sheath in reliable and effective manner in order to be able to predict stoppages of production and act appropriately to minimize the losses of production associated with stopping operation.
There exist probes and well-logging methods that enable a well to be inspected at a point in time. The +
Translation of the title as established ex officio. 2 state (cracks or voids) of the cement can thus be observed and poor quality cementing can be identified (i.e. places where the annular space is incompletely filled). A major drawback of that method is that it is intrusive and requires production to be stopped, since the probe needs to be inserted inside the casing, which involves removing the production column.
Indirect measurements are also known for detecting leaks, such as analyzing fluids or analyzing pressure outside the well, for example. Nevertheless, such indirect methods serve to confirm a problem but not to anticipate it.
Thus, logging and indirect measurements do not enable cement to be tracked over the long term, nor do they enable cementing to be inspected so as to provide a method that is suitable for anticipating production stoppages .
Proposals have already been made to disperse sensors in the cement sheath interposed between the casing and the well for extracting or storing fluid and the rock formation through which the well extends, for the purposes of inspecting the integrity of the cement sheath and of monitoring its aging. Nevertheless, acting in that way does not make it possible to guarantee that sensors are distributed in uniform manner within the cement sheath. Furthermore, the nanometric size of embedded sensors, as is required for incorporating the sensors in cement, prevents independent and non-wired sensors being electrically powered and being able to communicate among one another, as is necessary for them to operate.
Also known, from Document WO 2011/017415 A2 is a borehole fitted with temperature sensors and strain gauges distributed along the casing between the casing and the cement sheath, which sensors may be placed in successive horizontal planes or else arranged following a helical path. 3
Definition and object of the invention
The present invention seeks to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks and to make it possible to inspect in reliable and effective manner the proper placing and integrity of the cement sheath situated between a casing and a rock formation, in order to be able to predict stoppages of production in the well for extracting or storing fluid and to act accordingly in order to minimize production losses associated with stopping operation.
These objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by means of a system for operating and monitoring an extraction or storage well for an operating fluid such as a hydrocarbon, geothermal water, carbon dioxide, or natural gas, the well comprising a production column in which said operating fluid flows, a protective casing arranged around the production column via an annulus fluid, and a cement sheath interposed between the casing and a rock formation through which the well extends, the system being characterized in that it comprises, outside the casing, between the casing and the cement sheath, a series of electronic units distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing and spaced apart axially along the casing, each electronic unit comprising communication means enabling the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal, a power supply unit of the electronic unit, and at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, and b) a signal processor unit, and in that at least one electronic unit is arranged as a relay unit in which the communication means include means for receiving signals transmitted by surrounding electronic units and means for transmitting signals received from the surrounding electronic units and amplified by a signal processor unit. 4
Each detector unit may comprise a sensor corresponding to measuring a single type of physical or chemical magnitude.
Nevertheless, in a variant embodiment, each detector unit comprises a set of a plurality of sensors corresponding to measuring a plurality of different physical or chemical magnitudes.
The independent sensors making it possible to measure a physical or chemical magnitude in the volume of the cement sheath in order to inspect its integrity may in particular comprise ultrasound sensors, radar sensors, and/or terahertz sensors, and additionally temperature sensors and/or strain gauges.
Depending on the intended application, between one to eight electronic units are distributed around the casing in a common plane perpendicular to said casing.
In a preferred particular embodiment, the communication means comprises wireless communication means, such as radiowaves, electromagnetic waves, soundwaves, or surface currents.
Radio communication means for returning information by radio frequency in the cement sheath preferably make use of a frequency lying in the range 169 megahertz (MHz) to 2.4 gigahertz (GHz). This makes it possible to combine an antenna of reasonable size (of centimeter order) with range that is sufficient (of the order of about ten meters).
In another possible embodiment, the communication means comprise wired communication means.
The electronic units may be fastened directly on the casing by a mechanical connection, such as adhesive, soldering, or welding.
In a particular embodiment, the electronic units are put directly into contact with the casing, the electronic units and the casing then being covered by a protective polymer layer for protecting the electronic units and the 5 casing and for ensuring that the electronic units are held on the casing.
In another embodiment, the electronic units are arranged on a continuous strip that is adhesively bonded on a generator line of the casing and that is in contact with the cement sheath.
The invention makes it possible to arrange sensors at very precise locations along the casing.
In an embodiment, a first series of electronic units of a first type are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially at a large first mesh, and a second series of electronic units of a second are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially in a smaller second mesh.
By way of example, the electronic units including at least one detector unit are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially from one another by 10 centimeters (cm) to 10 meters (m).
The electronic units not including a detector unit may be arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially from one another by 5 m to 100 m.
In particular, the invention provides a system in which the detector units include at least one sensor selected from sensors of temperature, pressure, strain, or integrity, such as a sensor for sensing density, the presence of material, or the chemical environment, such as the presence of water or sulfur.
In a particular embodiment, the electronic units have thickness lying in the range 1 millimeters (mm) to 20 mm.
The power supply unit of each electronic unit comprises electrical energy storage means, such as a battery or a supercapacitor.
In particular, it is possible to use high temperature batteries, such as solid cathode lithium batteries having a capacity of about 10 watt hours (Wh) 6 to 50 Wh as a function of the data transmission protocol used, or indeed a system of micro fuel cells.
The power supply unit of each electronic unit may equally well comprise means for receiving energy, such as electromagnetic energy transmitted along the casing or mechanical or thermal energy collected by means of magneto-inductive, piezoelectric, or Seebeck transducers.
Thus, in a particular embodiment, at least one electronic unit arranged as a relay unit recovers energy from the surrounding medium in order to power the at least one detector unit comprising at least one sensor for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude and/or the at least one signal processor unit. Energy may also be obtained in particular by collecting thermal energy from the well by using the temperature gradient between the surrounding medium and the operating fluid.
The invention also provides a fabrication method for fabricating the casing of a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in: • providing a set of casing elements; • prior to inserting each casing element in the extraction well, fastening thereon a series of electronic units distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing and spaced apart axially along the casing, each electronic unit comprising communication means enabling the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal, a power supply unit of the electronic unit, and at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, and b) a signal processor unit, at least one electronic unit being arranged as a relay unit in which the communication means include means for receiving signals transmitted by surrounding electronic units and means for transmitting 7 signals received from the surrounding electronic units and transformed by a signal processor unit; and • fastening the casing elements together end-to-end to form the casing.
In this method of fabricating the casing of an extraction well, the step of fastening electronic units on the casing is performed on a generator line of the casing element by adhesive, soldering, or welding, and the electronic units are covered by a protective polymer layer .
The invention also provides a method of operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid such as a hydrocarbon, geothermal water, carbon dioxide, or natural gas, the method comprising the steps consisting in making a borehole in a geological formation, arranging a protective casing in the borehole, and interposing a sheath of cement between the casing and the geological formation, the method being characterized in that the casing is made in accordance with the above-defined fabrication method.
Brief description of the drawing
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear from the following description of particular embodiments given as examples, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section view of a well fitted with an operating and monitoring system of the invention; • Figure 2 is a section view on line II-II of Figure 1; and • Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the essential components of an example of an electronic unit suitable for being used in the operating and monitoring system of the invention. 8
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
Figure 1 shows an example of a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid such as a hydrocarbon, geothermal water, carbon dioxide, or natural gas, to which the invention is applicable. Figure 1 shows a vertical well, but the invention is equally applicable to a well that is inclined relative to the vertical.
Figure 1 shows a production column 20 in which the operating fluid flows, a protective casing 60 arranged around the production column 20 via an annulus fluid 25, and a cement sheath 30 interposed between the casing 60 and a rock formation 70 through which the well extends. Outside the casing 60, between the casing the cement sheath 30, a series of electronic units 110 are distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing 60 and spaced apart axially along the casing 60.
As shown diagrammatically in Figure 3, each electronic unit 110 comprises at least communication means 14 enabling the electronic unit 110 to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal 100, and a power supply unit 13 of the electronic unit together with at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor 11 for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude; and b) a signal processor unit 12.
An electronic unit 110 having only a detector unit of point a) is thus an independent unit arranged to take measurements of at least one physical or chemical magnitude and to transmit the taken measurements either to another electronic unit 110 acting as a relay for the measurements, or else to a surface terminal 100 that serves to collect and analyze the measurement data that has been measured.
An electronic unit having only a processor unit 12 of point b) is thus a relay arranged to receive data from other electronic units 110, in particular sensors of a 9 physical or chemical magnitude, and to forward the data either to another electronic unit 110 that also acts as a relay, or else to the surface terminal 100. The signal processor unit 12 serves to filter and transform signals it receives in order to preserve the quality of the forwarded signal. Such an electronic unit 110 also includes signal receiver means, such as an antenna suitable for the signal. For greater clarity, the electronic unit 110 suitable for relaying signals is referred to below as a relay unit.
The electronic units 110 may be arranged to comprise both a detector unit with a sensor 11 and a signal processor unit 12 in order to combine the functions of being a relay and of measuring physical or chemical magnitudes, as shown in Figure 3.
Each detector unit may have either a sensor 11 corresponding to a single type of physical or chemical magnitude, or else a set comprising a plurality of sensors 11 for sensing different physical or chemical magnitudes .
Figure 2 shows an assembly comprising a single electronic unit 110 situated in a given horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical casing 60, but this number could be different. Thus, in general manner, between one to eight electronic units 110 may be arranged around the casing 60 in a single plane perpendicular to the casing 60.
The communication means 14 associated with the electronic units 110 may comprise wireless communication means, e.g. using radiowaves, soundwaves, electromagnetic waves, or surface currents, or in another embodiment, they may comprise wired communication means.
Radio communication means for returning information by radio in the cement sheath preferably use a frequency lying in the range 169 MHz to 2.4 GHz. This makes it possible to combine an antenna of size that is reasonable 10 (of centimeter order) and a range that is sufficient (of the order of about ten meters).
The electronic units 110 may be fastened directly to the casing 60 or they may be arranged on a continuous strip 61 that is adhesively bonded to a generator line of the casing 60 and that is in contact with the cement sheath 30. In a particular embodiment, the sensors are fastened to a metal belt that is then closed and tightened around the casing 60.
The electronic units 110 may include transmission means 12 adapted to transmit the measurement signals from one to the next towards a base 100 situated at the surface of the ground.
The electronic units 110 may be fastened to the casing 60 by adhesive or they may be fastened to a flexible support surrounding the casing 60.
When the casing 60 is made of steel, the electronic units 110 may also be fastened to the casing 60 by welding or soldering.
In a preferred embodiment, the electronic units 110 are put directly into contact with the casing 60, the electronic units 110 and the casing 60 then being covered by a protective polymer layer 61 for protecting the electronic units and the casing while bending and conditioning the casing and during manipulations before and during laying of the casing, and also for holding the electronic units 110 on the casing 60.
The electronic units 110 typically include microcomponents in order to reduce the size of each electronic unit. Thus, the electronic units 110 typically present thickness lying in the range 1 mm to 20 mm. The electronic units 110 can thus be covered in a protective polymer layer 61.
Nevertheless, incorporating certain components, such as a battery for example, can lead to the electronic units 110 being thicker, e.g. having thickness up to as much as 50 mm. Under such circumstances, the casing 60 11 should include housings of size and depth corresponding to the electronic units 110 so that they are embedded in the casing prior to applying the protective polymer layer 61.
In a configuration that is advantageous, but not exclusive, a first series of electronic units 110, each having a detector element 11 for detecting a first type of physical or chemical magnitude, are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing 60 that are spaced apart axially at a large first mesh of length LI and in Figure 1 they are referenced as being the units 111, 112, 115, 116, and 118.
Under such circumstances, a second series of electronic units 110, each including a detector element 11 for detecting a second type of physical or chemical magnitude, are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing 60 that are spaced apart axially at a smaller second mesh of length L2 over at least a fraction of the height of the casing 60, and they are referenced in Figure 1 as being the units 113 and 114 situated level with the formation 40, and the units 116 and 117 situated level with the formation 50. It should be observed that units such as the unit 116 may be common to both meshes in which case they have detector elements 11 for detecting both the first and the second types of physical or chemical magnitude.
The electronic units 110 may be arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing 60 that are spaced apart axially from one another, e.g. in the range 10 cm to 100 m, however other ranges of values are possible depending on the applications.
Advantageously, the electronic units 110 having at least one detector unit are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing 60 that are spaced apart axially from one another in the range 10 cm to 10 m in order to create a sensor mesh suitable for detecting modifications in the cement sheath 30. In addition, the 12 mesh of sensors 11 may be modulated depending on the geological layers encountered. Thus, the mesh of temperature or pressure sensors may be adapted to the depth of the borehole, with the mesh becoming denser with increasing depth of the borehole.
In similar manner, electronic units 110 that do not have at least one detector unit, in particular the relay units, are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing 60 that are spaced apart axially from one another by a distance in the range 5 m to 100 m, i.e. at a larger mesh, but suitable for enabling the electronic units 110 to communicate with one another.
More generally, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, each sensor 11 has its own mesh, the relay units being arranged so that each sensor 11 can send data to the surface terminal 100. Whenever possible, the sensors and/or relays are grouped together in an electronic unit 110 in order to facilitate implementation.
The detector units comprise at least one sensor 11 selected from sensors for sensing the following physical magnitudes: temperature, pressure, strain, and integrity, such as the density or the presence of material in order to detect missing cement, chemical environment, such as the presence of water or sulfur, in order to detect infiltration of water or of elements that might affect the casing 60.
By way of example, the electronic units 113, 114 and 116, 117 may comprise a first series of detector units, each comprising a pressure sensor, and the electronic units 111, 112, 115, 116, and 118 may comprise a second series of detector units each comprising a temperature sensor.
Under such circumstances, the electronic units 113, 114 and 116, 117 of the first series may be arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing 60 that are spaced apart axially from one another by a length L2 lying in 13 the range 50 cm to 150 cm, and the electronic units 111, 112, 115, 116, and 118 of the second series may be arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing 60 that are spaced apart axially from one another by a length LI lying in the range 5 m to 15 m.
According to a particular characteristic, the detector units of the electronic units 110 are electrically powered by means for receiving energy, such as electromagnetic energy transmitted along the casing 60. Electrical power supply may also be obtained by collecting mechanical and thermal energy, e.g. by means of magneto-inductive, piezoelectric, or Seebeck effect transducers .
Thus, in a particular embodiment, at least one electronic unit arranged as a relay unit recovers energy from the surrounding medium in order to power at least one detector unit having at least one sensor for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude and/or at least one signal processor unit. Energy may also be obtained in particular by collecting thermal energy from the well and using the temperature gradient between the surrounding medium and the operating fluid.
In another embodiment, each electronic unit 110 has an independent battery or electrical power supply capacitors constituting the energy source 13.
The invention also provides a method of fabricating the casing 60 of a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, the method consisting in: • providing a set of casing elements; • prior to inserting each casing element in the extraction well, fastening thereon each casing element a series of electronic units 110 distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing 60 and spaced apart axially along the casing 60, each electronic unit 110 comprising communication means 14 enabling the electronic unit 110 to communicate with another electronic unit 110 or with a 14 surface terminal 100, a power supply unit 13 of the electronic unit 110, and at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor 11 for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, and b) a signal processor unit 12; and • fastening the casing elements together end-to-end in order to form the casing.
The casing elements are tubes, generally made of steel and having a length of 10 m, for example, and they are produced in a factory, with the complete casing thus being obtained by way of example by screwing these various elements together end to end. In the invention, these casing elements are fitted with electronic units 110 as defined above in the factory. The casing elements are then assembled while making the extraction well.
More precisely, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic units 110 are arranged on the casing 60 by temporary adhesive. Then the casing 60 and the electronic units 110 are covered by a protective polymer layer 61, which fastens the electronic units 110 on the casing 60. This layer 61 is selected so as to enable the sensors 11 to be used while enabling the electronic units 110 to be fastened to the casing 60.
The method also includes steps consisting in installing, outside the casing 60, between the casing and the cement sheath 30, a series of electronic units 110, comprising detector units and/or relay units, that are distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing 60 and spaced apart axially along the casing 60. Each detector unit comprises at least one sensor 11 for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, communication means 14 for signals coming from the sensor 11, a power supply unit 13, and where appropriate a signal processor unit 12 for processing signals from the sensor 11. Each relay unit comprises signal transmission means 14, a power supply unit 13, and where appropriate a unit 12 for processing 15 the relayed signals. Figure 3 shows an electronic unit 110 combining both the functions of a detector unit and the functions of a relay unit.
Claims (21)
1. A system for operating and monitoring an extraction or storage well for an operating fluid such as a hydrocarbon, geothermal water, carbon dioxide, or natural gas, the well comprising a production column (20) in which said operating fluid flows, a protective casing (60) arranged around the production column (20) via an annulus fluid (25), and a cement sheath (30) interposed between the casing (60) and a rock formation (70) through which the well extends, the system being characterized in that it comprises, outside the casing (60), between the casing and the cement sheath (30), a series of electronic units (110) distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing (60) and spaced apart axially along the casing (60), each electronic unit (110) comprising communication means (14) enabling the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit (110) or with a surface terminal (100), a power supply unit (13) of the electronic unit (110), and at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor (11) for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, and b) a signal processor unit (12), and in that at least one electronic unit (110) is arranged as a relay unit in which the communication means (14) include means for receiving signals transmitted by surrounding electronic units (110) and means for transmitting signals received from the surrounding electronic units (110) and transformed by a signal processor unit (12).
2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that each detector unit comprises a sensor (11) corresponding to measuring a single type of physical or chemical magnitude .
3. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that each detector unit comprises a set of a plurality of sensors (11) corresponding to measuring a plurality of different physical or chemical magnitudes.
4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one to eight electronic units (110) are distributed around the casing (60) in a common plane perpendicular to said casing (60).
5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said communication means (14) comprises wireless communication means, such as radiowaves, electromagnetic waves, soundwaves, or surface currents .
6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said communication means (14) comprise wired communication means.
7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic units (110) are fastened directly on the casing (60) by a mechanical connection, such as adhesive, soldering, or welding.
8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it further includes a protective polymer layer (61) for protecting the electronic units (110) and the casing (60) and for ensuring that the electronic units (110) are held on the casing (60).
9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electronic units (110) are arranged on a continuous strip that is adhesively bonded on a generator line of the casing (60) and that is in contact with the cement sheath (30).
10. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a first series of electronic units (Ill, 112, 115, 116, 118) of a first type is arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing (60) that are spaced apart axially at a large first mesh (LI), and a second series of electronic units (113, 114, 116, 117) of a second is arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing (60) that are spaced apart axially in a smaller second mesh (L2).
11. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electronic units (110) including at least one detector unit are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing (60) that are spaced apart axially from one another by 10 cm to 10 m.
12. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electronic units (110) not including a detector unit are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing (60) that are spaced apart axially from one another by 5 m to 100 m.
13. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the detector units include at least one sensor (11) selected from sensors of temperature, pressure, strain, or integrity, such as a sensor for sensing density, the presence of material, or the chemical environment, such as the presence of water or sulfur.
14. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the electronic units (110) have thickness lying in the range 1 mm to 20 mm.
15. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the power supply unit (13) of each electronic unit (110) comprises electrical energy storage means, such as a battery or a supercapacitor.
16. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the power supply unit (13) of each electronic unit (110) comprises means for receiving energy, such as electromagnetic energy transmitted along the casing (60) or mechanical or thermal energy collected by means of magneto-inductive, piezoelectric, or Seebeck transducers .
17. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one electronic unit (110) arranged as a relay unit recovers energy from the surrounding medium in order to power said at least tone detector unit comprising at least one sensor (11) for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude and/or said at least one signal processor unit (12).
18. A fabrication method for fabricating the casing of a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in: • providing a set of casing elements; • prior to inserting each casing element in the extraction well, fastening thereon a series of electronic units (110) distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing (60) and spaced apart axially along the casing (60), each electronic unit (110) comprising communication means (14) enabling the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit (110) or with a surface terminal (100), a power supply unit (13) of the electronic unit (110), and at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor (11) for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, and b) a signal processor unit (12), at least one electronic unit (110) being arranged as a relay unit in which the communication means (14) include means for receiving signals transmitted by surrounding electronic units (110) and means for transmitting signals received from the surrounding electronic units (110) and transformed by a signal processor unit (12); and • fastening the casing elements together end-to-end to form the casing.
19. A fabrication method according to claim 18, characterized in that the electronic units (110) are fastened on a generator line of the casing element by adhesive, soldering, or welding.
20. A fabrication method according to claim 18 or claim 19, characterized in that the electronic units are covered by a protective polymer layer.
21. A method of operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid such as a hydrocarbon, geothermal water, carbon dioxide, or natural gas, the method comprising the steps consisting in making a borehole in a geological formation, arranging a protective casing (60) in the borehole, and interposing a sheath of cement (30) between the casing (60) and the geological formation, the method being characterized in that the casing (60) is made in accordance with any one of claims 18 to 20.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR1455078 | 2014-06-04 | ||
| FR1455078A FR3021992B1 (en) | 2014-06-04 | 2014-06-04 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AND MONITORING A FLUID EXTRACTION OR STORAGE WELL |
| PCT/FR2015/051469 WO2015185859A1 (en) | 2014-06-04 | 2015-06-03 | Method and system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing fluid |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2015270330A1 true AU2015270330A1 (en) | 2017-01-12 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| AU2015270330A Abandoned AU2015270330A1 (en) | 2014-06-04 | 2015-06-03 | Method and system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing fluid |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20170096888A1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP3152396B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2015270330A1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR112016028339B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2950627A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR3021992B1 (en) |
| PL (1) | PL3152396T3 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2704416C2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2015185859A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110905403A (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2020-03-24 | 中冶集团武汉勘察研究院有限公司 | Construction method of large-diameter groundwater environment monitoring well |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10519761B2 (en) * | 2013-10-03 | 2019-12-31 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | System and methodology for monitoring in a borehole |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1110808A (en) * | 1965-02-23 | 1968-04-24 | Halliburton Co | Method of locating cement tops |
| US6125935A (en) * | 1996-03-28 | 2000-10-03 | Shell Oil Company | Method for monitoring well cementing operations |
| GB2340520B (en) * | 1998-08-15 | 2000-11-01 | Schlumberger Ltd | Data acquisition apparatus |
| US6408943B1 (en) * | 2000-07-17 | 2002-06-25 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Method and apparatus for placing and interrogating downhole sensors |
| US7168487B2 (en) * | 2003-06-02 | 2007-01-30 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Methods, apparatus, and systems for obtaining formation information utilizing sensors attached to a casing in a wellbore |
| US7455106B2 (en) * | 2005-09-07 | 2008-11-25 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Polymer protective coated polymeric components for oilfield applications |
| GB0900446D0 (en) * | 2009-01-12 | 2009-02-11 | Sensor Developments As | Method and apparatus for in-situ wellbore measurements |
| WO2011017415A2 (en) * | 2009-08-05 | 2011-02-10 | Shell Oil Company | Systems and methods for monitoring cement quality in a well |
| US20130199798A1 (en) * | 2012-02-03 | 2013-08-08 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Temporary protective cover for operative devices |
| WO2013142484A2 (en) * | 2012-03-19 | 2013-09-26 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Apparatus and method for remotely determining the structural intergrity of a well or similar structure |
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2014
- 2014-06-04 FR FR1455078A patent/FR3021992B1/en active Active
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- 2015-06-03 RU RU2016151426A patent/RU2704416C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2015-06-03 BR BR112016028339-2A patent/BR112016028339B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2015-06-03 CA CA2950627A patent/CA2950627A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-03 US US15/315,872 patent/US20170096888A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-06-03 EP EP15733792.4A patent/EP3152396B1/en active Active
- 2015-06-03 AU AU2015270330A patent/AU2015270330A1/en not_active Abandoned
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- 2015-06-03 PL PL15733792T patent/PL3152396T3/en unknown
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110905403A (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2020-03-24 | 中冶集团武汉勘察研究院有限公司 | Construction method of large-diameter groundwater environment monitoring well |
| CN110905403B (en) * | 2019-12-09 | 2021-07-09 | 中冶集团武汉勘察研究院有限公司 | Construction method of large-diameter groundwater environment monitoring well |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP3152396B1 (en) | 2018-11-14 |
| US20170096888A1 (en) | 2017-04-06 |
| RU2016151426A3 (en) | 2018-11-09 |
| RU2016151426A (en) | 2018-07-10 |
| EP3152396A1 (en) | 2017-04-12 |
| RU2704416C2 (en) | 2019-10-28 |
| FR3021992A1 (en) | 2015-12-11 |
| PL3152396T3 (en) | 2019-04-30 |
| FR3021992B1 (en) | 2019-08-16 |
| BR112016028339B1 (en) | 2022-05-03 |
| WO2015185859A1 (en) | 2015-12-10 |
| CA2950627A1 (en) | 2015-12-10 |
| BR112016028339A2 (en) | 2017-08-22 |
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