Patent · US Active

Downhole thermal anomaly detection for passive ranging to a target wellbore

US10947839B2 · kind B2 · utility

49Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 7, 2014
Grant dateMar 16, 2021
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 24, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V9/005
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method can include measuring temperature along a relief wellbore, thereby detecting a temperature anomaly in an earth formation penetrated by the relief wellbore, and determining a location of an influx into a target wellbore, based on the temperature anomaly detecting. A thermal anomaly ranging system for use with a subterranean well can include a temperature sensor in a relief wellbore that penetrates an earth formation, the temperature sensor detecting a temperature anomaly in the formation, and the temperature anomaly being caused by an influx into a target wellbore. Another method can include measuring optical scattering in an optical waveguide positioned in a relief wellbore, thereby detecting a temperature anomaly in an earth formation penetrated by the relief wellbore, and determining a location of an influx into a target wellbore, based on the temperature anomaly detecting.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.