Embodiments described herein generally relate to determining a stuck pipe location and, more specifically, to embodiments for utilizing a fiber optic sensor to determine a stuck pipe location.
Current procedures to determine a stuck pipe location include traditional pipe stretch calculations and/or electric line/wireline free-point logging tool. In these conventional processes utilizing a wireline free-point logging tool, the tool will be deployed to known free-pipe depth and record baseline reading while manipulating/moving the pipe. The tool is typically a magnetic or electromagnetic device that will be deployed to a plurality of other depths and will check the readings at these depths to compare with a baseline free-pipe reading. On each reading, the pipe has to be manipulated and/or moved. After a stuck pipe depth is confirmed, the tool is pulled out to surface and pipe the recovery job will proceed.
Embodiments for determining a stuck pipe location include determining that a pipe is stuck in a wellbore due to an obstruction; deploying a fiber optic stuck pipe location detector inside the pipe, activating a first fiber optic sensor to detect a baseline reading, and manipulating the pipe. Some embodiments include detecting micro-noises caused by the stretching of the pipe, acquiring data related to the micro-noises from the first fiber optic sensor, and determining a location of the obstruction by comparing the baseline reading with the data related to the micro-noises. Some embodiments include recovering the pipe at a predetermined point around the location of the obstruction while leaving the first fiber optic sensor inside the pipe.
In another embodiment, a method for stuck pipe detection includes determining that a pipe is stuck in a wellbore due to an obstruction, deploying a fiber optic stuck pipe location detector inside the pipe at a first end of the pipe, where the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector includes a first fiber optic sensor, a ballast, and a computing device, and where deploying the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector inside the pipe includes allowing gravity to pull at least a portion of the first fiber optic sensor until at least one of the first fiber optic sensor or the ballast reaches a second end of the pipe. In some embodiments, once deployed, the first fiber optic sensor may passively rest inside the pipe without use of a securing mechanism. In some embodiments, the method includes activating the first fiber optic sensor to detect a baseline acoustic reading and a baseline temperature reading inside the pipe, manipulating the pipe by imparting at least one of tension, compression, or torsion to the pipe, and detecting, by the first fiber optic sensor, micro-noises caused by manipulating the pipe. Similarly, some embodiments include acquiring, by the computing device, data related to the micro-noises from the first fiber optic sensor, where acquiring includes at least one of the following: wirelessly acquiring the data or acquiring the data via a memory acquisition, determining a location of the obstruction by comparing the baseline acoustic reading, the baseline and the baseline temperature reading with the data related to the micro-noises, and recovering the pipe at a predetermined point around the location of the obstruction.
In yet another embodiment, a method includes determining that a pipe is stuck in a wellbore due to an obstruction and deploying a first fiber optic sensor inside the pipe at a first end of the pipe. In some embodiments, deploying the first fiber optic sensor inside the pipe includes allowing gravity to pull at least a portion of the first fiber optic sensor until the first fiber optic sensor reaches a second end of the pipe, and once deployed, the first fiber optic sensor passively rests inside the pipe without use of a securing mechanism. Some embodiments include activating the first fiber optic sensor to detect a baseline reading inside the pipe, manipulating the pipe by imparting at least one of tension, compression, or torsion to the pipe, and detecting, by the first fiber optic sensor, micro-noises caused by manipulating the pipe. In some embodiments, the method includes acquiring data related to the micro-noises from the first fiber optic sensor, determining a location of the obstruction by comparing the baseline reading with the data related to the micro-noises, and recovering the pipe at a predetermined point around the location of the obstruction.
These and additional features provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.
The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the disclosure. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to determining a stuck pipe location. Some embodiments include a distributed sensing device, such as a fiber optic sensor or plurality of fiber optic sensors (such as a first fiber optic sensor, a second sensor, and/or a third fiber optic sensor) that monitor temperature and/or acoustic data and provides real time information along the wellbore from surface (e.g., a first end) to the bottom of the pipe (e.g., a second end). In some embodiments, separate fiber optic sensors may be utilized for temperature and acoustics. However, some embodiments may be configured to utilize a single fiber optic line for both types of sensing.
As will be understood, the fiber optic sensor effectively provides sensors throughout the entire length of the fiber optic line. Fiber optic sensors can be deployed into the stuck pipe by any of a plurality of methods such as electricline, slickline, coiled tubing, dropping probe method, etc. Based on fiber optic work principle, distributed fiber optic sensors can be utilized to detect stuck pipe location.
One embodiment of the workflow provided herein may include starting up fiber optic deployment and analyzer equipment. The fiber optic deployment and analyzer equipment may also be part of a fiber optic stuck pipe location detector, the fiber optic sensor, and/or a computing device. The fiber optic sensor may be constructed of a fiber optic line. In some embodiments, a ballast is also included. The workflow may additionally include deploying the fiber optic sensor and/or fiber optic line inside the stuck string/pipe to the bottom of the stuck pipe. Once the fiber optics are deployed to the second end of the pipe and laid down along the inner part of the pipe, embodiments may record a measurement to get baseline reading of acoustic, pressure, and/or temperature along the stuck pipe. Embodiments may additionally manipulate (e.g., pick up, slack off, rotate, etc.) the pipe. This manipulation may cause stretching of the pipe. As such, the embodiments may analyze the changes in acoustic, pressure, and/or temperature readings and locate the stuck pipe based on those changes. Embodiments may rig down the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector and proceed to the next pipe recovery job based on a defined stuck pipe location.
Due to the sensitivity of the fiber optic sensors, small changes in environment (such as pipe stretch) will be detected by the acoustic sensors of the fiber optic line. As an acoustic sensor, the fiber optic line acts as a microphone along the wellbore/pipe. When the pipe moves, the sensitive acoustic sensor picks up the sound from the stretching pipe. Depending on downhole condition, a stuck pipe condition could change by time. Stuck pipes could occur at multiple depths and stuck point can change due to environment changes. If the fiber optic line can be kept inside the pipe while deploying a pipe cutter, it can provide real time measurement just before making the cut to ensure the pipe is cut at the free pipe above the stuck point.
Utilizing fiber optic technology provides advantages in horizontal wellbore in which the risk of stuck pipe is higher. In current solutions, the free-point logging tool may not be able to reach a horizontal section unless a pumping down method is applied. In many cases pumping down may not work due to plugged string. If the free point logging tool manages to reach a horizontal section, multiple trips have to be performed in different depths to provide different reading comparisons with free pipe baseline reading. Utilizing the fiber optic technology of this disclosure, the fiber optic line will only be deployed once to the horizontal section. Once fiber optic is deployed, the pipe may be manipulated to get the reading and by following the above mentioned procedure, the acoustic sensors in the fiber optic can identify the stuck point location. Accordingly, embodiments provided herein are configured for the use of distributed acoustic and temperature measurements (sensing) to determine the stuck pipe of a pipe string in the sub-surface (inside a deep oil and gas well). The systems and methods for determining a stuck pipe location incorporating the same will be described in more detail, below.
Referring now to the drawings,
While many current solutions require inaccurate and delicate electromagnetic sensors that must be moved to varying heights within the pipe 102 to approximate the location of the obstruction 108, embodiments described herein may utilize a fiber optic stuck pipe location detector 110 to determine the location of a stuck pipe, such as the pipe 102. The fiber optic stuck pipe location detector 110 may include a fiber optic sensor 112 (or more than one) and a computing device 114 that are coupled together via a network 116.
The network 116 may be any configured as any wide area network (such as PSTN, mobile network, the internet, satellite network, etc.), local network (such as wireless fidelity, local area network, etc.) and/or any peer to peer network (such as a ZigBee, near field communication, a wired connection, etc.). The computing device 114 may include any personal computer, server, tablet, mobile computing device, dedicated computing device, etc. for performing the functionality provided herein. As such, the computing device 114 includes a memory component 140 that stores sensing logic 144a and determining logic 144b. The sensing logic 144a may be configured to cause the computing device 114 to interpret signals from the fiber optic sensor 112. The determining logic 144b may cause the computing device 114 to utilize that data to determine a location of the obstruction 108, as described in more detail below.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be understood that while the computing device 114 from
In block 552, the fiber optic sensor 112 and/or the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector 110 may take a real time measurement. The real time measurement may include an acoustic measurement and/or a temperature measurement. In block 554, a baseline may be determined for the measurement. In block 556, the pipe 102 may be manipulated. As discussed above, the pipe 102 may be manipulated by tension, compression, and/or torsion. In block 558, the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector 110 may measure changes in the sensor readings. In block 560, a position of the obstruction 108 may be determined from the readings.
In block 654, the fiber optic sensor 112 may detect a baseline acoustic reading, and/or a baseline temperature reading. In block 656, the pipe 102 may be manipulated by imparting at least one of tension, compression, or torsion to the pipe 102. In block 658, micro-noises may be detected, where the micro-noises are a result of stretching of the pipe 102. In block 660, data related to the micro-noises may be acquired (such as wirelessly and/or via a memory acquisition) from the fiber optic sensor 112. In block 662, a location of the obstruction 108 may be determined. In block 664, the pipe 102 may be recovered around the location of the obstruction 108, while leaving the fiber optic sensor 112 inside the pipe 102.
The memory component 140 may store operating logic 742, the sensing logic 144a, and the determining logic 144b. Each of these logic components may include a plurality of different pieces of logic, each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware, and/or hardware, as an example. A local interface 746 is also included in
The processor 730 may include any processing component operable to receive and execute instructions (such as from a data storage component 736 and/or the memory component 140). As described above, the input/output hardware 732 may include and/or be configured to interface with speakers, microphones, and/or other input/output components.
The network interface hardware 734 may include and/or be configured for communicating with any wired or wireless networking hardware, including an antenna, a modem, a LAN port, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) card, WiMAX card, mobile communications hardware, and/or other hardware for communicating with other networks and/or devices. From this connection, communication may be facilitated between the computing device 114 and other computing devices.
The operating logic 742 may include an operating system and/or other software for managing components of the computing device 114. As discussed above, the sensing logic 144a may reside in the memory component 140 and may be configured to cause the processor 730 to interpret signals from the fiber optic sensor 112. The determining logic 144b may be configured to cause the processor 730 to utilize the data from the sensing logic 144a to determine a location of the obstruction 108.
It should be understood that while the components in
Additionally, while the computing device 114 is illustrated with the sensing logic 144a and the determining logic 144b as separate logical components, this is also an example. In some embodiments, a single piece of logic may provide the described functionality. It should also be understood that while the sensing logic 144a and the determining logic 144b are described herein as the logical components, this is also an example. Other components may also be included, depending on the embodiment.
As illustrated above, various embodiments for determining a stuck pipe location are disclosed. These embodiments allow for a single manipulation of the stuck pipe to determine the location of the stuck pipe. Additionally, embodiments described herein utilize the fiber optic sensor to sense the micro-noises caused by stretching of the pipe, while applying tension, compression, or torsion. These embodiments do not need any additional supportive mechanisms on the surface (such as a winch, reel, etc.). A ballast may be used to assist gravity in deploying the sensor down the pipe. This also allows a user to cut the fiber at the coupling with the stuck pipe at the surface and utilize a memory acquisition unit or real-time wireless transmission to the decoding unit for reporting sensor results.
One or more aspects of the present disclosure are described herein. A first aspect of the present disclosure may include a method for stuck pipe detection comprising: determining that a pipe is stuck in a wellbore due to an obstruction; deploying a fiber optic stuck pipe location detector inside the pipe at a first end of the pipe, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector comprises a first fiber optic sensor and a computing device, wherein deploying the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector inside the pipe comprises allowing gravity to pull at least a portion of the first fiber optic sensor until the first fiber optic sensor reaches a second end of the pipe, and wherein, once deployed, the first fiber optic sensor passively rests inside the pipe without use of a securing mechanism; activating the first fiber optic sensor to detect a baseline acoustic reading and a baseline temperature reading inside the pipe; manipulating the pipe by imparting at least one of tension, compression, or torsion to the pipe, wherein manipulating the pipe causes a stretching of the pipe; detecting, by the first fiber optic sensor, micro-noises caused by the stretching of the pipe; acquiring, by the computing device, data related to the micro-noises from the first fiber optic sensor, wherein acquiring includes at least one of the following: wirelessly acquiring the data or acquiring the data via a memory acquisition; determining a location of the obstruction by comparing at least one of the following: the baseline acoustic reading or the baseline temperature reading with the data related to the micro-noises; and recovering the pipe at a predetermined point around the location of the obstruction while leaving the first fiber optic sensor inside the pipe.
A second aspect of the present disclosure includes the first aspect, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector is deployed utilizing at least one of the following: electricline, slickline, coiled tubing, or dropping probe method.
A third aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the first and/or second aspects, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector comprises a ballast attached to the first fiber optic sensor to facilitate deployment of the first fiber optic sensor to the send end of the pipe.
A fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the first through third aspects, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector further comprises a second sensor, and wherein the method further comprises: deploying the second sensor into the pipe; and utilizing the second sensor to detect the location of the obstruction.
A fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes the any of the first through fourth aspects, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector further comprises a third fiber optic sensor, and wherein the method further comprises: deploying the third fiber optic sensor into the pipe; and utilizing the third fiber optic sensor to detect the location of the obstruction.
A sixth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the first through fifth aspects, wherein the first fiber optic sensor detects acoustic changes, wherein the second sensor detects temperature changes, and wherein the third fiber optic sensor detects temperature changes.
A seventh aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the first through sixth aspects further comprising: deploying a pressure sensor inside the pipe; determining a baseline pressure, wherein determining the location of the obstruction includes comparing the baseline pressure to a second pressure reading.
An eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for stuck pipe detection comprising: determining that a pipe is stuck in a wellbore due to an obstruction; deploying a fiber optic stuck pipe location detector inside the pipe at a first end of the pipe, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector comprises a first fiber optic sensor, a ballast, and a computing device, wherein deploying the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector inside the pipe comprises allowing gravity to pull at least a portion of the first fiber optic sensor until at least one of the first fiber optic sensor or the ballast reaches a second end of the pipe, and wherein, once deployed, the first fiber optic sensor passively rests inside the pipe without use of a securing mechanism; activating the first fiber optic sensor to detect a baseline acoustic reading and a baseline temperature reading inside the pipe; manipulating the pipe by imparting at least one of tension, compression, or torsion to the pipe; detecting, by the first fiber optic sensor, micro-noises caused by manipulating the pipe; wirelessly acquiring, by the computing device, data related to the micro-noises from the first fiber optic sensor; determining a location of the obstruction by comparing the baseline acoustic reading and the baseline temperature reading with the data related to the micro-noises; and recovering the pipe at a predetermined point around the location of the obstruction.
A ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes the eighth aspect, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector is deployed utilizing at least one of the following: electricline, slickline, coiled tubing, or dropping probe method.
A tenth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the eighth and/or ninth aspects, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector further comprises a second sensor, and wherein the method further comprises: deploying the second sensor into the pipe; and utilizing the second sensor to detect the location of the obstruction.
An eleventh aspect includes any of the eighth through tenth aspects, wherein the fiber optic stuck pipe location detector further comprises a third fiber optic sensor, and wherein the method further comprises: deploying the third fiber optic sensor into the pipe; and utilizing the third fiber optic sensor to detect the location of the obstruction.
A twelfth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the eighth through eleventh aspects, wherein the first fiber optic sensor detects acoustic changes, wherein the second sensor detects pressure changes, and wherein the third fiber optic sensor detects temperature changes.
A thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the eighth through twelfth aspects, deploying a pressure sensor inside the pipe; determining a baseline pressure, wherein determining the location of the obstruction includes comparing the baseline pressure to a second pressure reading.
A fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the eighth through the thirteenth aspects, wherein manipulating the pipe comprises stretching the pipe.
A fifteenth aspect includes a method for stuck pipe detection comprising: determining that a pipe is stuck in a wellbore due to an obstruction; deploying a first fiber optic sensor inside the pipe at a first end of the pipe, wherein deploying the first fiber optic sensor inside the pipe comprises allowing gravity to pull at least a portion of the first fiber optic sensor until the first fiber optic sensor reaches a second end of the pipe, and wherein, once deployed, the first fiber optic sensor passively rests inside the pipe without use of a securing mechanism; activating the first fiber optic sensor to detect a baseline reading inside the pipe; manipulating the pipe by imparting at least one of tension, compression, or torsion to the pipe; detecting, by the first fiber optic sensor, micro-noises caused by manipulating the pipe; acquiring data related to the micro-noises from the first fiber optic sensor; determining a location of the obstruction by comparing the baseline reading with the data related to the micro-noises; and recovering the pipe at a predetermined point around the location of the obstruction.
A sixteenth aspect includes the fifteenth aspect, wherein the first fiber optic sensor is deployed utilizing at least one of the following: electricline, slickline, coiled tubing, or dropping probe method.
A seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure includes the fifteenth and/or sixteenth aspects, wherein the first fiber optic sensor is coupled to a ballast attached to facilitate deployment of the first fiber optic sensor to the send end of the pipe.
An eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the fifteenth through seventeenth aspects, further comprising: deploying a second sensor into the pipe; deploying a third fiber optic sensor into the pipe; and utilizing the second sensor and the third fiber optic sensor to detect the location of the obstruction.
A nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the fifteenth through the eighteenth aspects, wherein the first fiber optic sensor detects acoustic changes, wherein the second sensor detects pressure changes, and wherein the third fiber optic sensor detects temperature changes.
A twentieth aspect of the present disclosure includes any of the fifteenth through the nineteenth aspects, deploying a pressure sensor inside the pipe; determining a baseline pressure, wherein determining the location of the obstruction includes comparing the baseline pressure to a second pressure reading.
While particular embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, although various aspects have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. Accordingly, it is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the embodiments shown and described herein.
It should now be understood that embodiments disclosed herein include systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable mediums for determining a stuck pipe location. It should also be understood that these embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.