Use of fiber optics in deviated flows
US6997256B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/103
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.