Apparatus and method for enhancing remote sensor performance and utility

Apparatus for sensing one or more physical parameters at a remote location, comprising:

• a first tubing containing a communication cable and a sensor in communication therewith, the sensor being located within the tubing proximate the remote location;
• a second tubing having a first end in fluid communication with the first tubing proximate the sensor, and a second end;
• a reservoir containing a barrier fluid, the reservoir having a first opening in fluid communication with the second end of the second tubing, and a second opening in fluid communication with the remote location;
• and
• a gel plug disposed within the second tubing between the first tubing and the reservoir, the gel plug comprising a volume containing a gel selected to chemically isolate the barrier fluid from fluids within the first tubing.

Apparatus for sensing one or more physical parameters at a remote location, comprising:

• a first tubing containing a communication cable and a sensor in communication therewith, the sensor being located within the tubing proximate the remote location;
• a second tubing having a first end in fluid communication with the first tubing proximate the sensor, and a second end;
• a reservoir containing a barrier fluid, the reservoir having a first opening in fluid communication with the second end of the second tubing, and a second opening in fluid communication with the remote location;
• and
• a fluid motive apparatus for passing fluid into the first and second tubings, and a fluid volume measuring device configured to measure the volume of fluid passed into the first and second tubings by the fluid motive apparatus.

Apparatus for sensing one or more physical parameters at remote locations, comprising:

• a first tubing containing a communication cable and a plurality of sensors in communication therewith, each said sensor being located within the tubing proximate a respective remote location;
• and
• a plurality of fluid barrier sensing sections, each said fluid barrier sensing section comprising:
• a second tubing having a first end in fluid communication with the first tubing proximate one of the sensors, and a second end;
• and
• a reservoir containing a barrier fluid, the reservoir having a first opening in fluid communication with the second end of the associated second tubing, and a second opening in fluid communication with the associated remote location.

A fluid barrier for isolating a sensor contained within a tubing from an environment at a location proximate the sensor, comprising:

• a fluid conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the tubing proximate the sensor, and a second end;
• a first reservoir having a first opening in fluid communication with the remote location, and a second opening in fluid communication with the second end of the fluid conduit, the first opening being distal from the second opening, the first reservoir containing a first fluid having a first specific gravity;
• and
• a second reservoir disposed within the fluid conduit between the first reservoir and the tubing, the second reservoir having first and second openings for connecting to the fluid conduit, the first opening of the second reservoir being distal from the second opening of the second reservoir, the second reservoir containing a second fluid having a second specific gravity different than the first specific gravity.

Method for chemically isolating a sensor from a location at which a parameter is to be measured by the sensor, the location being in a fluid environment, comprising:

• emplacing within a tube a sensor in signal communication with a communication cable, the sensor being located within a section of the tube proximate the location at which the parameter is to be measured;
• placing in fluid communication with the section of the tube containing the sensor a fluid reservoir, the fluid reservoir further being placed in fluid communication with the fluid environment;
• isolating the tube to prevent passage of fluid out of the tube;
• and
• passing a first fluid into the tube to cause the fluid to flow into the fluid reservoir.

Apparatus for sensing one or more physical parameters at a remote location, comprising:

• a first tubing containing a communication cable and a sensor in communication therewith, the sensor being located within the tubing proximate the remote location;
• a second tubing having a first end in fluid communication with the first tubing proximate the sensor, and a second end;
• and
• a reservoir containing a barrier fluid, the reservoir having a first opening in fluid communication with the second end of the second tubing, and a second opening in fluid communication with the remote location,
• wherein the cable and sensor are adapted to be moved from a first location to a second location through the first tubing.

Apparatus for sensing one or more physical parameters at a remote location, comprising:

• a first tubing containing a communication cable and a sensor in communication therewith, the sensor being located within the tubing proximate the remote location;
• a second tubing having a first end in fluid communication with the first tubing proximate the sensor, and a second end;
• and
• a reservoir containing a barrier fluid, the reservoir having a first opening in fluid communication with the second end of the second tubing, and a second opening in fluid communication with the remote location,
• wherein the sensor comprises an optical fiber sensor.

A method of sensing one or more physical parameters at a remote location in a well, comprising:

• deploying a cable and sensor through a conduit extending into the well, wherein deploying the cable and sensor comprises deploying the cable and sensor from a first location to a second location in the conduit;
• providing a barrier fluid assembly containing a barrier fluid;
• and
• isolating well fluids from fluid in the conduit with the barrier fluid.