Tubing-encased cable

#This section is intended to provide relevant background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the described embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light and not as admissions of prior art.

#In producing wells, it is desirable to determine if adjustments can be made to maintain or increase production. This is referred to as managing a well and such a well management system with permanently installed sensors to monitor well conditions, and controls which can be adjusted from the surface, may be referred to as an intelligent completion system. In the management of wells, particularly producing wells, it is important to obtain downhole well data to manage and control the production of hydrocarbons over the life of the well. The sensors and controls are operably connected to surface controls via a wired connection such as a tubing-encased cable. The wired connection supplies power and provides a communication path for the sensors and controls.

#Embodiments are described with reference to the following figures. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. The features depicted in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale. Certain features of the embodiments may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

#FIG. 1 depicts an elevation view of a well system, according to one or more embodiments;

#FIG. 2 depicts a cross sectional view of a tubing-encased cable, according to one or more embodiments;

#FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a well system 100 employing a multi-sensor monitoring system positioned in a multi-zone wellbore according to one or more embodiments. As shown, a wellbore 102 with multiple zones 104 of interest isolated by packers 106 or other isolation devices for sealing the annulus between a production string 108 and wellbore 102 is formed in the subterranean formation 110. A monitoring system is deployed in the wellbore 102 having electrical devices 112 operably connected to a tubing-encased cable 120. The electrical devices 112 may be downhole permanent gauges, such as pressure or temperature gauges installed along the production string 108. The electrical devices 112 may also be any suitable electrical device deployed downhole, including but not limited to a flow control system, a sensor, or sensor network.

#The tubing-encased cable 120 may be positioned inside the production string 108 or in the annular space outside the production string 108. The tubing-encased cable 120 may also be positioned outside casing (not shown) positioned in the annular space between the outside casing (not shown) and the formation 110 in the wellbore 102.

#The electrical devices 112 (e.g., pressure and temperature sensors) may be directly welded to the tubing-encased cable 120 as further described herein with respect to FIG. 4. This allows the electrical devices 112 and the tubing-encased cable 120 to be welded before being delivered to the well, which in turn avoids the time consuming process of connecting the electrical devices 112 and the cable 120 at the well site. Welding also provides a high reliability, pressure tight permanent connection between the cable 120 and the electrical device 112.