Well integrity monitoring system

Abstract

Improved methods and apparatuses for directly monitoring well casing strain and structural integrity are disclosed that allows for monitoring of potentially damaging strain from any orientation or mode and over long stretches of well casing. In a preferred embodiment, optical fiber sensors are housed within a housing and attached to the exterior surface of the casing. The sensors may be aligned parallel, perpendicular, or at an appropriate angle to the axis of the casing to detect axial, hoop, and shear stresses respectively. The sensors are preferably interferometrically interrogatable and are capable of measuring both static and dynamic strains such as those emitted from microfractures in the well casing. Analysis of microfracture-induced acoustics includes techniques for assessment of relatively high frequencies indicative of the presence of microfractures. Assessment of the timing of the arrival of such acoustics at various sensors deployed along the casing further allows for the location of strain to be pinpointed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.