Manipulation of multi-component geophone data to identify downhole conditions
AssigneeWeatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
InventorsBrian Rochford, John Arbeau, Jim Rangel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for using multi-component geophones and/or multi-component geophone arrays to measure flow-induced acoustic energy produced in wellbores are provided. With the use of the multi-component geophones, the measured acoustic energy may be resolved into its directional components. The computed directional energy components may be mathematically compared to numerically highlight ambient flow conditions (e.g., leaks in casing or other conduit, points of fluid entry/exit/restrictions between the casing and the formation). The use of an array of multi-component geophones allows for the use of geophone move-out curves to further identify acoustic energy source locations.
Claims38
A method for determining a presence of fluid flowing in an annulus between a lateral surface of a wellbore and a conduit disposed in the wellbore, comprising:
- measuring directional noise components at a plurality of locations in the wellbore using one or more multi-component geophones, wherein the measuring comprises measuring a vertical noise component and at least one horizontal noise component at each of the locations;
- and
- determining the presence of the fluid in the annulus based on the measured directional noise components, wherein determining the presence of the fluid comprises detecting a higher horizontal noise component measured at one of the locations compared to corresponding horizontal noise components measured at other locations in the plurality of locations.
A processing system for determining a presence of fluid flowing in an annulus between a lateral surface of a wellbore and a conduit disposed in the wellbore, the processing system comprising a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to:
- receive directional noise components measured by one or more multi-component geophones at a plurality of locations in the wellbore, wherein the directional noise components comprise a vertical noise component and at least one horizontal noise component at each of the locations;
- and
- determine the presence of the fluid in the annulus based on the received directional noise components, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the presence of the fluid by detecting a higher horizontal noise component measured at one of the locations compared to corresponding horizontal noise components measured at other locations in the plurality of locations.
A system for determining a presence of fluid flowing in an annulus between a lateral surface of a wellbore and a conduit disposed in the wellbore, comprising:
- one or more multi-component geophones configured to measure directional noise components at a plurality of locations in the wellbore, wherein the directional noise components comprise a vertical noise component and at least one horizontal noise component at each of the locations;
- and
- a processing unit configured to determine the presence of the fluid in the annulus based on the measured directional noise components, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the presence of the fluid by detecting a higher horizontal noise component measured at one of the locations compared to corresponding horizontal noise components measured at other locations in the plurality of locations.
A method for determining a source of fluid entering an annulus between a lateral surface of a wellbore and a conduit disposed in the wellbore, comprising:
- measuring directional noise components at a plurality of locations in the wellbore using one or more multi-component geophones, wherein the measuring comprises measuring a vertical noise component and at least one horizontal noise component at each of the locations;
- and
- determining the source of the fluid entering the annulus based on the measured directional noise components, wherein determining the source comprises determining a direction to the source at each of the locations based on a comparison of the vertical and horizontal noise components.
A processing system for determining a source of fluid entering an annulus between a lateral surface of a wellbore and a conduit disposed in the wellbore, the processing system comprising a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to:
- receive directional noise components measured by one or more multi-component geophones at a plurality of locations in the wellbore, wherein the directional noise components comprise a vertical noise component and at least one horizontal noise component at each of the locations;
- and
- determine the source of the fluid entering the annulus based on the received directional noise components, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the source by determining a direction to the source at each of the locations based on a comparison of the vertical and horizontal noise components.
A system for determining a source of fluid entering an annulus between a lateral surface of a wellbore and a conduit disposed in the wellbore, comprising:
- one or more multi-component geophones configured to measure directional noise components at a plurality of locations in the wellbore, wherein the directional noise components comprise a vertical noise component and at least one horizontal noise component at each of the locations;
- and
- a processing unit configured to determine the source of the fluid entering the annulus based on the measured directional noise components, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the source by determining a direction to the source at each of the locations based on a comparison of the vertical and horizontal noise components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.