US 10,444,065 B2Granted

Determining structural tomographic properties of a geologic formation

AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company

InventorsHoward K. Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Frode Hveding, Daniele Colombo

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A variable-frequency light source is configured to emit a light beam and modulate a frequency of the light beam. A fiber optic cable is attached to the variable frequency light source. The fiber optic cable is configured to receive the light beam at an inlet and pass the light beam to an exit. Multiple optical detectors are attached to the fiber optic cable. Each of the optical detectors is configured to detect a specified frequency of light that is backscattered through the fiber optic cable. An actuation mechanism is attached to the fiber optic cable. The actuation mechanism is configured to deform the fiber optic cable in response to a stimulus.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

directing a modulating frequency light beam with a variable frequency light source along a fiber optic cable placed within a borehole;
inducing a deformation in the fiber optic cable with a subsurface detection device that is responsive to a specified stimulus;
detecting a backscatter of multiple frequencies within the fiber optic cable with a plurality of optical detectors attached to the fiber optic cable, each of the optical detectors configured to detect a specified frequency of light;
and
determining physical property of a geologic formation in which the borehole is formed in response to detecting the backscatter of multiple frequencies;
wherein inducing a deformation in the fiber optic cable comprises:
expanding a hydrophilic gel in response to a moisture content within the borehole;
and
inducing the deformation within the fiber optic cable with the expanded hydrophilic gel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/286,916Filed 27 Feb 2019 · division
Priority: 6 Dec 2017
Published: US 2019/0170570 A127 Jun 2019
Granted: 15 Oct 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

G01H 9/004
Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means: using fibre optic…
E21B 41/0085
Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00: adaptations of electric power generating means for use in boreholes
E21B 47/12
Survey of boreholes or wells: means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the…
G01D 5/35358
Sensor working in reflection: using backscattering to detect the measured quantity

Family

Application15/833,782Parent of this division · filed 6 Dec 2017
US 2019/0195682 A1Pre-grant publication · published 27 Jun 2019
US 10,330,526 B1Parent of this division
US 2019/0170570 A1Published application
US 10,444,065 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.