Fiber optic cable for distributed acoustic sensing with increased acoustic sensitivity

US9255836B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC · US

Inventors

• Domino Taverner · Bethany, US
• John J. Grunbeck · Northford, US
• James Dunphy · South Glastonbury, US
• Edward M. Dowd · Madison, US
• Andrew S. Kuczma · Clinton, US
• Francis X. Bostick, III · Houston, US
• David Labella · Higganum, US
• Mark Baker · Wallingford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2011
• Grant date: Feb 9, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 27, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01V2210/1429
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for performing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) using fiber optics with increased acoustic sensitivity are provided. Acoustic sensing of a wellbore, pipeline, or other conduit/tube based on DAS may have increased acoustic sensitivity through fiber optic cable design and/or increasing the Rayleigh backscatter property of a fiber's optical core. Some embodiments may utilize a resonant sensor mechanism with a high Q coupled to the DAS device for increased acoustic sensitivity.