Identifying tubing leaks via downhole sensing
OwnerLawrence Camilleriinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique facilitates detection of tubing leaks. The technique provides early detection of tubing leaks based on downhole sensing in a borehole, e.g. a wellbore. For example, a downhole sensor or sensors may be positioned to obtain downhole measurements of desired parameters, such as flowing pressure and flow rate. The downhole sensing may be used to identify departures from baseline parameters. Monitoring of those departures enables early detection of tubing leaks.
Claims19
A method of downhole monitoring, comprising:
- locating a tubing string in a borehole;
- providing a flow of fluid through the tubing string;
- positioning a sensor along the tubing string to obtain data related to the flow of fluid;
- obtaining data related to the flow of fluid;
- and
- based on the data related to the flow of fluid, determining a sloped change of the inverse of the rate-normalized pressure difference to provide a unique indicator of a tubing leak.
A method of detecting a tubing leak in a well, the method comprising:
- obtaining data related to a flow of fluid through a tubing string deployed in the well;
- and
- processing the data to detect the tubing leak by identifying a rate-normalized pressure drop and a change in a derivative of an inverse of the rate-normalized pressure drop.
A system for detecting a tubing leak in a well, the system comprising:
- at least one sensor disposed along a tubing string deployed in the well;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- receive data from the at least one sensor;
- process the data to identify a rate-normalized pressure drop and a change in a derivative of an inverse of the rate-normalized pressure drop;
- and
- output information indicative of the tubing leak to a user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.