Controlling well operations based on monitored parameters of cement health

A well monitoring system, comprising:

• at least one optical waveguide which senses at least one physical parameter of cement lining a wellbore in real-time;
• an optical interrogation system optically connected to the at least one optical waveguide;
• and
• a control system which controls operation of well equipment in direct response to the sensed parameter received from the optical interrogation system, whereby damage to the cement is automatically minimized.

A well monitoring system, comprising:

• at least first and second optical waveguides which sense at least one parameter of cement lining a wellbore;
• an optical interrogation system optically connected to the at least first and second optical waveguides;
• and
• a control system which controls operation of well equipment in response to information received from the optical interrogation system, wherein strain in the cement is imparted to the first optical waveguide, and wherein the second optical waveguide is isolated from the strain in the cement.

A well monitoring system, comprising:

• at least first and second optical waveguides which sense at least one parameter of cement lining a wellbore;
• an optical interrogation system optically connected to the at least first and second optical waveguides;
• and
• a control system which controls operation of well equipment in response to information received from the optical interrogation system, wherein the optical interrogation system detects Brillouin backscatter gain resulting from light transmitted through the first optical waveguide, and wherein the optical interrogation system detects Raman backscatter resulting from light transmitted through the second optical waveguide.

A well monitoring system, comprising:

• at least first and second optical waveguides which sense at least one parameter of cement lining a wellbore;
• an optical interrogation system optically connected to the at least first and second optical waveguides;
• and
• a control system which controls operation of well equipment in response to information received from the optical interrogation system, wherein the optical interrogation system detects coherent Rayleigh backscatter resulting from light transmitted through the first optical waveguide, and wherein the optical interrogation system detects Raman backscatter resulting from light transmitted through the second optical waveguide.