WO2012128900A2 - Extended temperature fiber optic cable design - Google Patents
Extended temperature fiber optic cable design Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012128900A2 WO2012128900A2 PCT/US2012/026948 US2012026948W WO2012128900A2 WO 2012128900 A2 WO2012128900 A2 WO 2012128900A2 US 2012026948 W US2012026948 W US 2012026948W WO 2012128900 A2 WO2012128900 A2 WO 2012128900A2
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- gel
- optic cable
- fiber optic
- interior region
- optical fiber
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 120
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 title description 2
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000009974 thixotropic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 11
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000002168 optical frequency-domain reflectometry Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000004642 Polyimide Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 229920001721 polyimide Polymers 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005056 compaction Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005305 interferometry Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004696 Poly ether ether ketone Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002480 mineral oil Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000010446 mineral oil Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002530 polyetherether ketone Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acrylate Chemical compound [O-]C(=O)C=C NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
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- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
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- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 94
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- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 6
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- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
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- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
- H04B10/25—Arrangements specific to fibre transmission
-
- 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
- E21B47/13—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 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency
- E21B47/135—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 by electromagnetic energy, e.g. radio frequency using light waves, e.g. infrared or ultraviolet waves
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
- G02B6/4483—Injection or filling devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4415—Cables for special applications
- G02B6/4427—Pressure resistant cables, e.g. undersea cables
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/46—Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables
- G02B6/50—Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts
- G02B6/504—Installation in solid material, e.g. underground
Definitions
- Various downhole drilling and completion processes employ fiber optic cables to provide transmission of optical signals between a surface location and a downhole location.
- Most fiber optic cables used downhole include an optical fiber encased within a tube. Shear forces between the tube and the optical fiber and other stresses can affect the efficiency of light transmission through the optical fiber. Therefore, a viscous gel is generally applied between the optical fiber and the tube in order to protect the fiber from environmental concerns, to prevent damage from microbending conditions and to help reduce the forces applied during spooling and deployment. The viscous gel thereby reduces non- target stresses on the optical fiber.
- these gels can oxidize at temperatures experienced in dowhole environments.
- the downhole temperatures can exceed the gel flashpoint, thereby limiting the usefulness of fiber optic cables downhole.
- the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for providing optical transmission over a gel filled fiber optic cable with reduced strain at downhole temperatures.
- the present disclosure provides a fiber optic cable including a tube having an interior region; an optical fiber disposed in the interior region of the tube; a gas in the interior region; and a gel in the interior region, wherein the gel is configured to reduce stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel.
- the present disclosure provides a method of transmitting a signal in a downhole environment, the method including: providing a fiber optic cable formed by disposing an optical fiber in an interior region of a tube, providing a gas in the interior region, and providing a gel in the interior region to reduce stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel; disposing the fiber optic cable in the downhole environment at a temperature greater than a service temperature of the gel; and transmitting the signal over the optical fiber.
- the present disclosure provides an apparatus for transmitting a signal in a downhole environment, the apparatus including: a fiber optic cable disposed in the downhole environment and including a tube having an interior region, an optical fiber disposed in the interior region of the tube, a gas in the interior region, and a gel in the interior region, the gel configured to reduce a stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel; and a transmitter coupled to a first end of the fiber optic cable configured to transmit a signal into the optical fiber.
- the present disclosure provides a method of producing a fiber optic cable for use in a downhole environment, the method including:
- a tube having an interior region disposing an optical fiber in the interior region of the tube; filling the interior region with an inert gas; and displacing a selected volume of the inert gas from the interior region with a gel configured to reduce stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the inert gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel.
- the present disclosure provides a fiber optic cable for use in a downhole environment, including: a tube having an interior region; an optical fiber disposed in the interior region of the tube; an inert gas in the interior region configured to extend a lifetime of the optical fiber coating and/or optical fiber.
- FIG. 1 shows an exemplary oil production system suitable for using the exemplary methods and apparatus described herein;
- FIGS. 2A-B show cross-sections of exemplary fiber optic cables of the present disclosure
- FIG. 3A shows an exemplary embodiment of a fiber optic cable of the present disclosure
- FIG. 3B shows an alternate embodiment of the fiber optic cable of the present disclosure
- FIGS. 4 and 5 show graphs of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable constructed as in FIG. 3A and including a composed of a silicone gel and inert gas in an interior region of the fiber optic cable;
- FIG. 6 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable constructed as in FIG. 3 A and having an interior region 25% filled with a LAI 000 gel;
- FIG. 7 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable constructed as in FIG. 3 A and having an interior region 50% filled with a LAI 000 gel;
- FIG. 8 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable constructed as shown in FIG. 3B;
- FIGS. 9A and 9B show mass loss curves for hydrocarbon gel R1849 in argon and air, respectively, in an the exemplary fiber optic cable of the present disclosure.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B show mass loss curves for silicone gel 55-L in argon and air, respectively, in an exemplary fiber optic cable of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 1 shows an exemplary oil production system 100 suitable for using the exemplary methods and apparatus described herein.
- the exemplary production system 100 of FIG. 1 includes a tubular 102 in wellbore 120 in optical communication with surface electronics via fiber optic cable 104.
- Fiber optic cable 104 can include a plurality of sensors 106 and can be constructed and deployed using the exemplary methods disclosed herein. Each of the plurality of sensors 106 is configured to provide an optical signal upon interaction with a light propagating in the fiber optic cable 104.
- the fiber optic cable 104 is wrapped around the surface of the tubular 102 and each of the plurality of sensors 106 is thereby attached at a particular location to tubular 102.
- a change in a parameter, such as strain or temperature, at the particular location is therefore detected by the sensor attached at or near the particular location, which thus provides a signal corresponding to the detected change in parameter.
- These signals can be processed at surface electronics to obtain the parameter such as, for example, a strain, a temperature or a deformation of the tubular.
- Fiber optic cable 104 is coupled at the surface location to an interrogation unit 108.
- the interrogation unit 108 can include a light source (not shown), typically a laser for providing light to the sensors via fiber optic cable 104, and circuitry for obtaining signals resulting from interaction of the light with the plurality of sensors 106.
- Interrogation unit 108 can be coupled to a data processing unit 110 and in one aspect transmits obtained signals to the data processing unit.
- the data processing unit 110 receives and processes the measured signals from the interrogation unit 108 to obtain a parameter, such as a measurement of wavelength, strain or temperature at the tubular.
- data processing unit 110 includes at least one memory 115 having various programs and data stored therein, a computer or processor 113 accessible to the memory and configured to access one or more of the programs and/or data stored therein to obtain the parameter, and a recording medium 117 for recording and storing the obtained parameter.
- the data processing unit 110 can output the parameter to various devices, such as a display 112 or the recording medium 117.
- the exemplary fiber optic cable disclosed herein is described with respect to a production system 100 in FIG. 1.
- the exemplary production system 100 is a sub- sea oil production system including sensors at a tubular 102 at a sea bottom location 125 in communication with surface electronics (i.e., interrogation unit 108) located at a sea platform 127 at sea level 126.
- the fiber optic cable can be used with a system deployed at a land location.
- Other systems suitable for using the fiber optic cable disclosed herein can include an oil exploration system, an oil production system, a measurement-while-drilling tool, and a wireline logging device, among others.
- the fiber optic cable disclosed herein can be used to propagate signals related to such processes as Real Time Compaction Monitoring (RTCM), Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS), optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR), Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometry (EFPI), and telemetry, for example.
- RTCM Real Time Compaction Monitoring
- DTS Distributed Temperature Sensing
- OFDR optical frequency domain reflectometry
- EFPI Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometry
- telemetry for example.
- FIG. 2A shows a cross-section of an exemplary fiber optic cable of the present disclosure.
- Fiber optic cable 200 includes a tube 206 having an interior region 204 through which one or more optical fibers 202 are provided.
- the tube can be made of stainless steel 316, stainless steel 304, Alloy 825, Alloy 625 or other common downhole metals or metal alloys.
- the tube typically has a larger thermal expansion (-5-20 ppm/C) than the optical fiber, typically a fused silica optical fiber (- 0.55 ppm/C).
- the metal tube expands more than the optical fiber and exerts stresses on the optical fiber, which can ultimately cause the fiber to break and cause a system failure.
- EFL excess fiber length
- EFL is defined by the percentage of excess fiber loaded into the metal tube during construction to relieve induced stresses directly related to the differing thermal coefficient of expansions of each material of the fiber optic cable.
- shear stress can be caused by normal motion of the optical fiber with respect to the tube during implementation and use. These stresses can affect the quality of signals propagating through the optical fiber, cause signal attenuation, or result in residual strain.
- a gel fills the interior region 204 and couples the tube 206 to the one or more optical fibers 202.
- the gel is a thixotropic gel that is viscous under normal conditions, but becomes less viscous over time when stressed.
- Thixotropic gel provides a freedom of motion (i.e., slip) of the one or more optical fibers 202 with respect to tube 206 and thereby protects the one or more optical fibers from stresses and maintains signal quality.
- Exemplary thixotropic gels can be silicone based or hydrocarbon based.
- An inert gas and/or a mostly inert gas is introduced into the interior region 204 alongside the gel.
- FIG. 2B shows a cross-section of an alternate fiber optic cable embodiment.
- Fiber optic cable 210 includes an inner tube 216 having an interior region 214 through which one or more optical fibers 212 are provided.
- the inner tube 216 can be encapsulated by an outer tube 220 wherein a jacket is disposed in the annular region between inner tube 216 and outer tube 220.
- An outer encapsulation may maintain the outer tube 220 to provide the fiber optic cable 210.
- fiber optic cables are typically used in environments in which the temperature exceeds a service temperature of a cable-filling gel.
- a flashpoint of a material is a temperature above which the material can be made to ignite in air. A chemical change typically occurs when a gel transitions through its flashpoint.
- FIG. 3 shows an exemplary fiber optic cable 300 of the present disclosure.
- the fiber optic cable includes a tube 301 and an optical fiber 303 therein.
- An interior region 305 between the optical fiber 303 and the tube 301 is filled with thixo tropic gel 307 and an inert or mostly inert gas 309.
- Typical inert gases used in the exemplary fiber optic cable include Argon (Ar) and Helium (He), for example.
- a typical mostly inert gas can include Nitrogen (N 2 ), for example.
- optical fiber 303 is disposed in the tube 301.
- Interior region 305 is filled with an inert gas 309 or mostly inert gas and thixotropic gel 307 is provided in the interior region having the inert or mostly inert gas therein.
- the gel displaced a selected volume of the gas to achieve a selected volumetric ratio of gas to gel.
- Seals 312 and 314 are provided at each end to seal the interior region 305 from an outside environment including air, thereby sealing the gel and the inert gas and/or mostly inert gas within the interior region.
- Various thixotropic gels can be used, including the exemplary gels disclosed above.
- a volumetric ratio of inert gas to thixotropic gel can be selected by an operator to compensate for the thermal expansion of the gel in the metal tube.
- a flashpoint of a material is a temperature above which the material can be made to ignite in air.
- the cable gel typically losses its thixotropic qualities, in an inert gas environment, the gel can maintain its thixotropic qualities at temperatures above its maximum service temperature and below its flashpoint.
- a fiber optic cable composed of the gel and an inert gas in its interior region can be operated at temperatures above the maximum service temperature and below the flashpoint of the gel without losing signal quality.
- FIG. 3B shows an alternate embodiment of the fiber optic cable of the present disclosure.
- the alternate fiber optic cable 320 includes optical fiber 323 disposed in a tube 321.
- the optical fiber 323 has two coatings of a polyimide materials or one fully cured polyimide material.
- the first coating 325 is a polyimide having a lower glass transition temperature than the second polyimide outer coating.
- the exemplary fiber optic cable 320 does not have a gel filling an interior region of tube 321. However, the fully cured polyimide coating or high glass transition outer polyimide coating do not stick to the tube wall and provide slip between the optical fiber and the tube.
- FIGS. 4-8 show attenuation graphs for various embodiments of the present invention.
- FIG. 4-7 show graphs of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable constructed according to the method described with respect to FIG 3A.
- FIG. 8 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable constructed according to the method described with respect to FIG. 3B.
- the fiber optic cable is cycled between a room temperature and various elevated temperatures. During a time interval from 0 hours to about 500 hours, the fiber optic cable is cycled between room temperature and 300°C.
- the fiber optic cable is cycled between room temperature and 325°C.
- the fiber optic cable is cycled between room temperature and 350°C.
- Room temperature attenuation curve 402 represents the attenuation of a 1550 nm signal propagating through the fiber at room temperature.
- Elevated temperature attenuation curve 404 represents the attenuation of a signal propagating through the fiber at the elevated temperatures of 300°C, 325°C and 350°C.
- Attenuation curve 402 is between about 0.2 dB/km and about 0.28 dB/km.
- attenuation curve 404 is between about 0.2 dB/km and about 0.22 dB/km and is therefore substantially the same as attenuation curve 402.
- attenuation curve 404 is between about 0.26 dB/km and about 0.31 dB/km and is also substantially the same as attenuation curve 402.
- FIG. 5 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable including a CoreBrightTM optical fiber and an interior region filled with silicone gel and an inert gas.
- Attenuation is along the y-axis in dB/km and time is along the x-axis in hours.
- the fiber optic cable is cycled between a room temperature and respective temperatures of 300°C, 325°C and 350°C in the same manner as for the exemplary fiber optic cable of FIG. 4.
- Room temperature attenuation curve 502 represents the attenuation of a 1550 nm signal at room temperature and curve 504 represents the attenuation of a 1550 nm signal at the elevated temperatures of 300°C, 325°C and 350°C.
- Attenuation curve 504 is between about 0.19 dB/km and about 0.24 dB/km, and the attenuation curve 504 is between about 0.19 dB/km and about 0.21 dB/km. Attenuation is therefore higher at room temperature than the attenuation at 300°C during this time interval. From about 500 hours to about 675 hours (cycling to 325°C), attenuation curve 504 is between about 0.21 dB/km and about 0.31 dB/km and attenuation curve 502 is about 0.21 dB/km to about 0.28 dB/km.
- Attenuation curve 504 is at about 0.30 dB/km the attenuation of curve 502 is at about 0.2 dB/km. Attenuation at 350°C is therefore lower at the attenuation at room temperature during this time interval.
- FIG. 6 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for a standard fiber optic cable with a CoreBrightTM optical fiber wherein the volume of the interior region is 25% filled with a gel, such as LAIOOO and the remaining volume is filled with an inert gas. Attenuation is along the y-axis in dB/km and time is along the x-axis in hours.
- the fiber optic cable is cycled between a room temperature and 300°C for about 900 hours.
- the flashpoint of LAIOOO is about 260°C. Therefore, the fiber optic cable is operated above the flashpoint of LAIOOO.
- Room temperature attenuation curve 602 represents the attenuation of a 1550 nm signal at room temperature and elevated temperature attenuation curve 604 represents the attenuation of a 1550 nm signal at 300°C. Attenuation curve 604 remains at about 0.3 dB/km over the 900 hours therefore relatively low signal attenuation. In contrast, attenuation curve 602 rises to a maximum of about 2.7 dB/km, representing a high signal attenuation.
- FIG. 7 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for a standard fiber optic cable with a CoreBrightTM optical fiber wherein the volume of the interior region is 50% filled with a gel, such as LAIOOO, and the remaining volume is filled with an inert gas. Attenuation is along the y-axis in dB/km and time is along the x-axis in hours. The fiber optic cable is cycled between a room temperature and 300°C for about 900 hours.
- Curve 702 represents the attenuation of a signal at room temperature and curve 704 represents the attenuation of a signal at 300°C. Attenuation curves 702 and 704 show behavior similar to attenuation curves 602 and 604 of FIG. 6, respectively.
- FIG. 8 shows a graph of signal attenuation over time for an exemplary fiber optic cable constructed as shown in FIG. 3B. Attenuation is along the y-axis in dB/km and time is along the x-axis in hours. The fiber optic cable is cycled between a room temperature and 300°C for about 750 hours. Curve 802 represents the attenuation at room temperature and curve 804 represents the attenuation at the elevated temperatures of 300°C. Attenuation curve 802 is at about 0.42 dB/km and attenuation curve 804 is at about 0.24 dB/km. Therefore, signal attenuation lower at 300°C than at room temperature. [0025] FIGS.
- FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate mass loss curves 901 and 903 with respect to temperature in argon and air atmosphere, respectively, for a hydrocarbon gel R1849, used as a gel in a fiber optic cable of the present disclosure.
- Mass loss % (TG%) is shown along the y-axis and temperature is shown along the x-axis.
- the mass loss curves are similar in both atmospheres.
- the onset of mass loss occurs at a temperature between 375- 380°C and experiences a rapid mass loss at about 430°C and ending at ⁇ 500°C.
- a final residue content of 3.8 % wt. and 2.8 % wt is found in argon and air atmosphere, respectively.
- FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate mass loss curves 1001 and 1003 with respect to temperature in argon and air atmosphere, respectively for silicone gel 55-L used as a gel in a fiber optic cable of the present disclosure.
- silicone gel 55-L experiences mass loss at higher temperatures.
- Gel 55-L exhibits multi-stage mass loss patterns between 470°C and 650°C. A final residue content of 1.5-2.0% wt. is found.
- the present disclosure provides a fiber optic cable including a tube having an interior region; an optical fiber disposed in the interior region of the tube; a gas in the interior region; and a gel in the interior region, wherein the gel is configured to reduce stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel.
- the fiber optic cable can further includes one or more seals configured to seal the gel and the gas within the interior region.
- the gel is thixotropic in the presence of at least one of an inert gas and a mostly inert gas at a temperature substantially near the flashpoint of the gel.
- the gel can be one of a hydrocarbon gel, a silicone gel, a fluoropolymer gel, a mineral oil, for example.
- the gel reduces attenuation of a signal propagating along the optical fiber by reducing the stress on the optical fiber.
- the gas can be at least one of: (i) Argon; (ii) Helium; (iii) Nitrogen (N 2 ); and (iv) air.
- the fiber optic cable can be used to transmit a signal for one of: (i) Real-Time Compaction Monitoring (RTCM); (ii) Distributed
- the fiber optic cable further can also be used in at least one of: (i) an oil exploration system; (ii) an oil production system; (iii) a measurement-while-drilling tool; (iv) a wireline logging device; and (v) a telemetry device.
- a ratio of gel to gas in the interior region can be in the range of 0%-100%.
- the present disclosure provides a method of transmitting a signal in a downhole environment, the method including: providing a fiber optic cable formed by disposing an optical fiber in an interior region of a tube, providing a gas in the interior region, and providing a gel in the interior region to reduce stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel; disposing the fiber optic cable in the downhole environment at a temperature greater than a service temperature of the gel; and transmitting the signal over the optical fiber.
- the stress on the optical fiber can be due to any of: a shear stress, thermal expansion of the metal tube; and cable manufacture, for example.
- the gas can be provided in the interior region to reduce oxidation of the gel.
- the fiber optic cable can be operated above the flashpoint of the gel.
- the present disclosure provides an apparatus for transmitting a signal in a downhole environment, the apparatus including: a fiber optic cable disposed in the downhole environment and including a tube having an interior region, an optical fiber disposed in the interior region of the tube, a gas in the interior region, and a gel in the interior region, the gel configured to reduce a stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel; and a transmitter coupled to a first end of the fiber optic cable configured to transmit a signal into the optical fiber.
- the fiber optic cable further can include one or more seals configured to seal the gel and the gas within the interior region.
- the gel can be configured to reduce stress on the optical fiber to reduce a signal attenuation of the optical fiber.
- the gel can be a hydrocarbon gel, a silicone gel, a thixotropic gel, a fluoropolymer gel, or a mineral oil, for example.
- the gas can be at least one of: (i) Argon; (ii) Helium; (iii) Nitrogen (N 2 ); and (iv) air.
- the fiber optic cable can be used for Real-Time Compaction Monitoring (RTCM); Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS); Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR); and Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometry (EFPI), for example.
- RTCM Real-Time Compaction Monitoring
- DTS Distributed Temperature Sensing
- OFDR Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry
- EFPI Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometry
- the fiber optic cable can also be used in least one of: (i) an oil exploration system; (ii) an oil production system; (iii) a measurement- while- drilling tool; (iv) a wireline logging device; and (v) a telemetry device.
- the present disclosure provides a method of producing a fiber optic cable for use in a downhole environment, the method including: providing a tube having an interior region; disposing an optical fiber in the interior region of the tube; filling the interior region with an inert gas; and displacing a selected volume of the inert gas from the interior region with a gel configured to reduce stress on the optical fiber in the presence of the inert gas at a temperature substantially near a flashpoint of the gel. The method further includes sealing the gel and the inert gas within the interior region.
- the present disclosure provides a fiber optic cable for use in a downhole environment, including: a tube having an interior region; an optical fiber disposed in the interior region of the tube; an inert gas in the interior region configured to extend a lifetime of the optical fiber coating and/or optical fiber.
- the coating of the fiber can be at least one of: (1) polyimide; (2) acrylate; (3) silicone; (4) poly-amide; (5) fluoropolymer; (6) polyether ether ketone (PEEK); (7) metal; (8) carbon; and (9) ceramic.
- the cable can be encapsulated using at least one of: (1) plastic; (2) fluorpolymer; (3) metal; (4) wire; (5) glass; (6) gel; (7) liquid; and (8) gas.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
- Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)
- Measuring Temperature Or Quantity Of Heat (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12759914.0A EP2689281B1 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2012-02-28 | Extended temperature fiber optic cable design |
CA2830969A CA2830969C (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2012-02-28 | Extended temperature fiber optic cable design |
BR112013024264-7A BR112013024264B1 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2012-02-28 | fiber optic cable with increased temperature |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/053,851 US8942527B2 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2011-03-22 | Extended temperature fiber optic cable design |
US13/053,851 | 2011-03-22 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2012128900A2 true WO2012128900A2 (en) | 2012-09-27 |
WO2012128900A3 WO2012128900A3 (en) | 2012-11-15 |
Family
ID=46877451
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2012/026948 WO2012128900A2 (en) | 2011-03-22 | 2012-02-28 | Extended temperature fiber optic cable design |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8942527B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2689281B1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112013024264B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2830969C (en) |
NO (1) | NO2787922T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012128900A2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111549832A (en) * | 2020-05-08 | 2020-08-18 | 河海大学 | Energy pile test system and method based on high-precision distributed optical fiber monitoring |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2017082904A1 (en) | 2015-11-12 | 2017-05-18 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Enhanced data and power wireline |
CN106124414A (en) * | 2016-08-24 | 2016-11-16 | 马鞍山市安工大工业技术研究院有限公司 | A kind of highly sensitive optical fiber EFPI sensor and preparation method thereof |
US10338336B1 (en) * | 2018-01-08 | 2019-07-02 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Fiber optic cable for inhibiting breaching fluid flow |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7865044B2 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2011-01-04 | Sensornet Limited | Sensing system using optical fiber suited to high temperatures |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1575134A (en) | 1977-03-11 | 1980-09-17 | Smiths Industries Ltd | Fibre-optic cable |
GB2197497A (en) * | 1986-11-13 | 1988-05-18 | Stc Plc | Optical fibre cable |
JPH04295810A (en) | 1991-03-25 | 1992-10-20 | Hitachi Cable Ltd | Coated optical fiber for high temperature |
US6909220B2 (en) * | 1994-04-19 | 2005-06-21 | Applied Elastomerics, Inc. | High strain tear resistant gels and gel composites for use as artificial muscle actuators |
US6404961B1 (en) | 1998-07-23 | 2002-06-11 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Optical fiber cable having fiber in metal tube core with outer protective layer |
US6913079B2 (en) * | 2000-06-29 | 2005-07-05 | Paulo S. Tubel | Method and system for monitoring smart structures utilizing distributed optical sensors |
US20050236161A1 (en) | 2004-04-23 | 2005-10-27 | Michael Gay | Optical fiber equipped tubing and methods of making and using |
KR100617745B1 (en) | 2004-05-31 | 2006-08-28 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Optical fiber cable |
US7724998B2 (en) * | 2007-06-28 | 2010-05-25 | Draka Comteq B.V. | Coupling composition for optical fiber cables |
US7769251B2 (en) * | 2007-11-12 | 2010-08-03 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Hydrocarbon monitoring cable with an absorbing layer |
-
2011
- 2011-03-22 US US13/053,851 patent/US8942527B2/en active Active
-
2012
- 2012-02-28 CA CA2830969A patent/CA2830969C/en active Active
- 2012-02-28 WO PCT/US2012/026948 patent/WO2012128900A2/en active Application Filing
- 2012-02-28 EP EP12759914.0A patent/EP2689281B1/en active Active
- 2012-02-28 BR BR112013024264-7A patent/BR112013024264B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2012-11-30 NO NO12855173A patent/NO2787922T3/no unknown
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7865044B2 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2011-01-04 | Sensornet Limited | Sensing system using optical fiber suited to high temperatures |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See also references of EP2689281A4 |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111549832A (en) * | 2020-05-08 | 2020-08-18 | 河海大学 | Energy pile test system and method based on high-precision distributed optical fiber monitoring |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2830969A1 (en) | 2012-09-27 |
US8942527B2 (en) | 2015-01-27 |
NO2787922T3 (en) | 2018-03-10 |
CA2830969C (en) | 2016-08-16 |
EP2689281B1 (en) | 2017-11-29 |
BR112013024264B1 (en) | 2020-12-01 |
BR112013024264A2 (en) | 2018-06-19 |
WO2012128900A3 (en) | 2012-11-15 |
EP2689281A4 (en) | 2014-10-15 |
EP2689281A2 (en) | 2014-01-29 |
US20120243881A1 (en) | 2012-09-27 |
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