1. Field of Invention
The present disclosure relates to in-situ down-hole acoustic measurements in a production wellbore for determining composition and chemical properties of multi-phase fluids in the wellbore, where the multi-phase fluid measurements are based on chemometric correlations that exist between multi-phase fluid properties and the fluid acoustic properties of sound speed, bulk modulus and acoustic impedance.
2. Description of Prior Art
Fluids produced from a subterranean formation flow into a wellbore that intersects the formation, where the fluids are typically directed to the surface within production tubing. The fluids often are made up of a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, and where the hydrocarbons sometimes are a mixture of liquid and gas. Analyzing properties and/or composition of the produced fluid generally yields useful information about the formation with regard to hydrocarbon production. Further development of the formation for hydrocarbon production is usually driven by the fluid property information obtained. Further, estimates of production capacity, producing zones, production rates, and expected operational life of the wellbore are also sometimes generated based on wellbore fluid analysis. Systems for analyzing downhole production fluid properties are typically disposed at the surface, where the fluid is analyzed at a pressure and temperature that are different from when downhole. Downhole systems often include multlple sensors each of which provides a measurement for one of several fluid properties that is combined to estimate downhole oil volume fractions.
Described herein are embodiments of a method and system for estimating properties of a production wellbore fluid. One example of a method of analyzing a fluid within a wellbore includes providing a sensor that is made up of a housing, a resonant cavity in the housing, a diaphragm, and an electroactive material coupled with the diaphragm. The method further includes disposing the sensor in the wellbore, flowing fluid in the wellbore through the cavity, generating acoustic waves in the cavity by oscillating the diaphragm over a range of frequencies, measuring electrical admittance across the electroactive material for the range of frequencies, obtaining shifts in the resonant frequencies of the electrical admittance spectra due to changes in fluid properties by comparing the shifted admittance spectra with a reference admittance spectra obtained without the fluid in the cavity, and estimating a property of the fluid by substituting the values of the resonant frequency shifts in the electrical admittance spectra into an estimator equation developed chemometrically using fluids having known properties. The fluid admittance spectra can include magnitude values, real values, and imaginary values. Examples of the electroactive material are one or more of an electroactive polymer and a piezoelectric stack. The method can further include providing electricity to the electroactive material, and wherein the step of estimating shifts in resonant frequencies of admittance involves measuring a chance in electrical admittance across the electroactive material. In an example, the estimator equation was derived by simulating flowing a series fluids with known properties through the cavity, simulating oscillating the diaphragm over a range of frequencies, obtaining a known fluid admittance spectra for each of the series of fluids by obtaining simulated values of admittance through the electroactive material for each of the fluids with known properties and at selective values within the range of frequencies, estimating differences between maximum values in each of the known fluid admittance spectra with maximum values in the reference admittance spectra, conducting a statistical multi-dimensional regression analysis to identify estimator functions and algebraic relations. The fluid properties estimated can be multi-phase composite fluid sound speed, fluid density, and bulk modulus. From these multi-phase composite properties, estimates can be made for downhole fluid volume fractions, gas-oil-ratio (“GOR”), API, live-oil density, live-oil sound speed, and live-oil compressibility. The method further includes acoustic measurements that are simultaneous and congruent (i.e. measurement of the same sample of fluid at the same time) with respect to each other, thus providing a true measure of the bulk composite fluid sound speed and acoustic impedance that have correlations with compositional and chemical properties of the fluid.
An alternate method of analyzing a fluid within a wellbore includes flowing a portion of the fluid into a resonant cavity, creating standing waves in fluid in the cavity with a diaphragm that is oscillated by a piezoelectric stack, oscillating the diaphragm over a range of frequencies, measuring electrical admittance across the piezoelectric stack for the range of frequencies, obtaining shifts in the resonant frequencies of the electrical admittance spectra due to changes in fluid properties by comparing the shifted admittance spectra with a reference admittance spectra obtained by oscillating the diaphragm with the piezoelectric stack with the cavity being empty, obtaining differences of maximum values of magnitude, real values, and imaginary values between the fluid admittance spectra and the reference admittance spectra, and estimating properties of the fluid by substituting the differences into an estimator equation developed chemometrically using fluids having known properties. The method can also include providing electricity to the piezoelectric stack, and wherein the step of estimating shifts in resonant frequencies of admittance involves measuring a change in electrical admittance across the piezoelectric stack. The cavity is optionally provided in a downhole tool, the method further involving disposing the downhole tool within the wellbore. In one example, the diaphragm includes a disk portion mounted on a stem, and wherein the disk portion projects into the cavity during the step of oscillating. In an example, the fluid flowing to the cavity is directed through an inlet channel, and wherein fluid exits the cavity through an exit channel having substantially the same dimensions as the inlet channel.
Also disclosed herein is a fluid measurement system for analyzing fluid within a wellbore and which includes a sensor assembly that has a main body, a resonant cavity in the main body in communication with fluid ambient to the sensor assembly, a piezoelectric stack in the main body that is selectively oscillated over a range of frequencies when energized, and a diaphragm coupled to an end of the piezoelectric stack and disposed in the cavity, so that the diaphragm oscillates in the cavity when the piezoelectric stack is actuated. Also included with the fluid measurement system is a processor in communication with the sensor assembly that, selectively receives data representing an electrical admittance spectra that is defined by monitoring a voltage and current across the piezoelectric stack over the range of frequencies when a fluid being monitored is in the cavity, selectively receives data representing a reference admittance spectra that is defined by monitoring an electrical admittance across the piezoelectric stack over the range of frequencies when the cavity is empty, selectively obtains differences of maximum values of magnitude, real values, and imaginary values between the fluid-shifted electrical admittance spectra and the reference admittance spectra, and selectively estimates properties of the fluid by substituting the differences into an estimator equation developed chemometrically using fluids having known properties. In an example, the chamber has a generally cylindrical cross section and with a diameter that transitions radially inward away from the diaphragm. Optionally, the diaphragm includes a disk like member with upper and lower surfaces that project axially away from the piezoelectric stack with distance radially outward from a center of the diaphragm. In one alternative, the piezoelectric stack projects generally transverse to an axis of the main body and the cavity is radially offset from the axis. Channels are optionally formed through the body at ends of the cavity, wherein the channels have substantially the same dimensions. In an embodiment, the channels are formed along a path that intersects the diaphragm.
Some of the features and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The method and system of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which embodiments are shown. The method and system of the present disclosure may be in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In an embodiment, usage of the term “about” includes +/−5% of the cited magnitude. In an embodiment, usage of the term “substantially” includes +/−5% of the cited magnitude.
It is to be further understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed illustrative embodiments and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation.
Some algorithms have been developed to perform chemometric analyses on multi-phase fluids based on bulk fluid sound speed measurements to estimate properties such as volume fraction of the continuous and dispersed phases in the fluid medium. These methods though rely on a prior knowledge of the mass density of the continuous and dispersed phases of the flow, and have been developed primarily for surface separation systems, common within the oil and gas extraction industry. None of these approaches are applicable to in-situ downhole applications as the mass densities of the components of the flow are not generally known and are only estimable from surface “dead oil” properties that do not account for effects such as downhole pressure, temperature, and gas-saturation. Examples of a method and system described herein for estimating fluid properties acoustically examines fluids in a specific and congruent manner. That is, estimating a fluid property based on a single measurement giving the density, sound speed, and bulk modulus of the composite fluid being analyzed.
Shown in a partial side sectional view in
An example of an acoustic transducer 46 is shown transversely mounted within main body 34 and having one end that projects into cavity 40. Acoustic transducer 46 includes a piezo-electric stack 48, which is an elongate member transversely projecting from a lateral side of main body 34 and to proximate cavity 40. Piezo-electric stack 48 can be a single monolithic element made up of piezo-electric material (i.e. whose volume changes in response to an application of electrical potential), or a series of elements of piezo-electric material stacked together to form the stack 48. Embodiments exist wherein any type of electrically responsive material is substituted for the piezo-electric stack 48, such as an electroactive polymer. An opening 49 is shown (
Still referring to
Referring now to
In an example of operation, as the diaphragm 58 is being oscillated along a range of frequencies, the electrical admittance across piezo-electric stack 48 (
In one non-limiting example, a statistical analysis model was created by obtaining simulated values of the fluid admittance spectra, as described above, for a number of different fluids having known densities and known sound speeds. In this example, a data set of frequency shift triplets (i.e. differences in real, imaginary, and magnitude peak frequencies) was developed for a set of 32 unique fluid acoustic property combinations. More specifically, the data set simulated “calibration fluids”, where each calibration fluid had a different sound speed, and different fluid density. In this example, the values of sound speed ranged from about 500 m/s to about 1500 m/s, and the values of the fluid density ranged from about 500 kg/m3 to about 1250 kg/m3. The analytical data was incorporated in a series of multi-regression statistical analyses to determine intrinsic characteristic functions and corresponding algebraic relations that would predict cavity fluid bulk acoustic properties that correspond to the shifts in electrical admittance spectra resonant frequency of the sensor assembly 24 illustrated in
A set of live-oil properties estimator equations was developed from chemometric analyses of a virtual borehole fluid properties data set developed from the widely adapted Batzle-Wang empirical relations (Batzle & Wang, 1992) for gas-saturated oil and brine fluids, and the Urick density model (Urick, 1947) coupled with the Woods equation for compressibility to calculate multi-phase bulk fluid properties. The predictive accuracy of the estimator equations was evaluated from an independent virtual borehole fluid data set of 11,130 fluid samples developed using the Batzle-Wang, Urick, and Woods relations employed in development of the original virtual data set. The developments are described and the estimators defined in the form of algebraic functions.
Applying the statistical analysis technique described above, estimator equations were developed that correlate functions of measured admittance spectra (
The present invention described herein, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. For example, the piezo-electric stack 48 (or other electrically responsive material) and diaphragm 58 could be contained wholly within the opening 49. Optionally, the diaphragm 58 can be a membrane that sets on the lower surface of the recess 36 and only enters the cavity 40 during an expansion stroke of the piezo-electric stack 48. Moreover, alternative configurations of the cavity 40 include a dome like shape, or one where its diameter is constant along its entire height. These and other similar modifications that develop appropriate resonant cavity characteristics will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of the present invention disclosed herein and the scope of the appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4117716 | Simon | Oct 1978 | A |
5348002 | Caro | Sep 1994 | A |
6135234 | Harris et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6250131 | Pauley | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6709856 | Matsumoto | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6938470 | DiFoggio et al. | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6971259 | Gysling | Dec 2005 | B2 |
7152460 | Gysling et al. | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7380438 | Gysling et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
7523640 | DiFoggio et al. | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7661302 | Gysling | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7748265 | Reid et al. | Jul 2010 | B2 |
8032311 | DiFoggio | Oct 2011 | B2 |
8061186 | Gysling | Nov 2011 | B2 |
8085156 | Schumacher et al. | Dec 2011 | B2 |
8175822 | Baron et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8396676 | Zozulya et al. | Mar 2013 | B2 |
8612154 | Hsu | Dec 2013 | B2 |
8640529 | Sinha | Feb 2014 | B2 |
8794062 | DiFoggio et al. | Aug 2014 | B2 |
8824240 | Roberts et al. | Sep 2014 | B2 |
8850879 | Swett | Oct 2014 | B2 |
9038443 | Pace | May 2015 | B1 |
20020100327 | Kersey et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020178803 | Pelletier | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020178805 | DiFoggio | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20040236512 | DiFoggio | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20050247119 | DiFoggio | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20060277979 | Fitch | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070129901 | DiFoggio | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070157737 | Gysling et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070159625 | DiFoggio | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070261486 | Fallet | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20080030729 | DiFoggio | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080034798 | Bergman | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080215245 | Reittinger | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20090101432 | Hsu | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090110982 | Yoon | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090165547 | Steinsiek | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090173158 | Gehring | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20100116035 | Anderson | May 2010 | A1 |
20110232374 | Gehring | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20120055262 | Sinha | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120069708 | Swett | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120239301 | Kischkat | Sep 2012 | A1 |
20120285232 | Swett | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20130063000 | Swett | Mar 2013 | A1 |
20140182363 | Potyrailo | Jul 2014 | A1 |
20150331132 | Gao | Nov 2015 | A1 |
20160108729 | Li | Apr 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
WO2014078471 | May 2014 | WO |
Entry |
---|
International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2016/030586; International Filing Date May 3, 2016; dated Sep. 1, 2016 (pp. 1-17). |
International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Nov. 7, 2017, for related pct application, PCT/US2016/030586. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20160326866 A1 | Nov 2016 | US |