Field Cases of Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation Diagnostics Using Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Measurements and Analyses

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu M Molenaar ◽  
Barbara E. Cox
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation

Fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing of microseismicity, strain and temperature during hydraulic fracturing

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. D11-D23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Karrenbach ◽  
Steve Cole ◽  
Andrew Ridge ◽  
Kevin Boone ◽  
Dan Kahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Data Set ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Fiber Optic Technology ◽  
Physical Effects ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Temperature Strain

Hydraulic fracturing operations in unconventional reservoirs are typically monitored using geophones located either at the surface or in the adjacent wellbores. A new approach to record hydraulic stimulations uses fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). A fiber-optic cable was installed in a treatment well in the Meramec formation to monitor the hydraulic fracture stimulation of an unconventional reservoir. A variety of physical effects, such as temperature, strain, and microseismicity are measured and correlated with the treatment program during hydraulic fracturing of the well containing the fiber and also an adjacent well. The analysis of this DAS data set demonstrates that current fiber-optic technology provides enough sensitivity to detect a considerable number of microseismic events and that these events can be integrated with temperature and strain measurements for comprehensive hydraulic fracture monitoring.

Capturing Glacier-Wide Cryoseismicity With Distributed Acoustic Sensing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Walter ◽  
Patrick Paitz ◽  
Andreas Fichtner ◽  
Pascal Edme ◽  
Wojciech Gajek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Flow Line ◽  
Ground Deformation ◽  
Sensor Coverage ◽  
Mountain Glacier ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Glacier Ice ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Ice Sheet Dynamics

<p>Over the past 1-2 decades, seismological measurements have provided new and unique insights into glacier and ice sheet dynamics. At the same time, sensor coverage is typically limited in harsh glacial environments with littile or no access. Turning kilometer-long fiber optic cables placed on the Earth’s surface into thousands of seismic sensors, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) may overcome the limitation of sensor coverage in the cryosphere.</p><p>First DAS applications on the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and on Alpine glacier ice have highlighted the technique’s superiority. Signals of natural and man-made seismic sources can be resolved with an unrivaled level of detail. This offers glaciologists new perspectives to interpret their seismograms in terms of ice structure, basal boundary conditions and source locations. However, previous studies employed only relatively small network scales with a point-like borehole deployment or < 1 km cable aperture at the ice surface.</p><p>Here we present a DAS installation, which aims to cover the majority of an Alpine glacier catchment: For one month in summer 2020 we deployed a 9 km long fiber optic cable on Rhonegletscher, Switzerland, and gathered continuous DAS data. The cable followed the glacier’s central flow line starting in the lowest kilometer of the ablation zone and extending well into the accumulation area. Even for a relatively small mountain glacier such as Rhonegletscher, cable deployment was a considerable logistical challenge. However, initial data analysis illustrates the benefit compared to conventional cryoseismological instrumentation: DAS measurements capture ground deformation over many octaves, including typical high-frequency englacial sources (10s to 100s of Hz) related to crevasse formation and basal sliding as well as long period signals (10s to 100s of seconds) of ice deformation. Depending on the presence of a snow cover, DAS records contain strong environmental noise (wind, meltwater flow, precipitation) and thus exhibit lower signal-to-noise ratios compared to conventional on-ice seismic installations. This is nevertheless outweighed by the advantage of monitoring ground unrest and ice deformation of nearly an entire glacier. We present a first compilation of signal and noise records and discuss future directions to leverage DAS data sets in glaciological research.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Investigation of the Effects of Surrounding Media on the Distributed Acoustic Sensing of Helically-Wound Fiber-Optic Cable with Application to the New Afton Deposit, British Columbia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepidehalsadat Hendi ◽  
Mostafa Gorjian ◽  
Gilles Bellefleur ◽  
Christopher D. Hawkes ◽  
Don White
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Analytical Model ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Incident Angle ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Straight Fiber

Abstract. Fiber optic sensing technology has recently become popular for oil and gas, mining, geotechnical engineering, and hydrogeology applications. With a successful track record in many applications, distributed acoustic sensing using straight fiber optic cables has become a method of choice for seismic studies. However, distributed acoustic sensing using straight fiber optic cables is not able to detect off-axial strain, hence a helically wound cable design was introduced to overcome this limitation. The helically wound cable field data in New Afton deposit showed that the quality of the data is tightly dependent on the incident angle (the angle between the ray and normal vector of the surface) and surrounding media. We introduce a new analytical two-dimensional approach to determine the dynamic strain of a helically wound cable in terms of incident angle in response to elastic plane waves propagating through multilayered media. The method can be used to quickly and efficiently assess the effects of various materials surrounding a helically wound cable. Results from the proposed analytical model are compared with results from numerical modeling obtained with COMSOL Multiphysics, for scenarios corresponding to a real installation of helically wound cable deployed underground at the New Afton mine in British Columbia, Canada. Results from the analytical model are consistent with numerical modeling results. Our modeling results demonstrate the effects of cement quality, and casing installment on the quality of the helically-wound cable response. Numerical modeling results and field data suggest that, even if reasonably effective coupling achieved, the soft nature of the rocks in these intervals would result in low fiber strains for the HWC. The proposed numerical modeling workflow would be applied for more complicated scenarios (e.g., non-linear material constitutive behaviour, and the effects of pore fluids). The results of this paper can be used as a guideline for analyzing the effect of surrounding media and incident angle on the response of helically wound cable, optimizing the installation of helically wound cable in various conditions, and to validate boundary conditions of 3-D numerical model built for analyzing complex scenarios.

scholarly journals Detection of Leak-Induced Pipeline Vibrations Using Fiber—Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 2841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavol Stajanca ◽  
Sebastian Chruscicki ◽  
Tobias Homann ◽  
Stefan Seifert ◽  
Dirk Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Broadband Noise ◽  
Gas Pipeline ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
System Sensitivity ◽  
Spectral Integration ◽  
Detection Approach ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Pipeline Vibration

In the presented work, the potential of fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) for detection of small gas pipeline leaks (<1%) is investigated. Helical wrapping of the sensing fiber directly around the pipeline is used to increase the system sensitivity for detection of weak leak-induced vibrations. DAS measurements are supplemented with reference accelerometer data to facilitate analysis and interpretation of recorded vibration signals. The results reveal that a DAS system using direct fiber application approach is capable of detecting pipeline natural vibrations excited by the broadband noise generated by the leaking medium. In the performed experiment, pipeline vibration modes with acceleration magnitudes down to single μg were detected. Simple leak detection approach based on spectral integration of time-averaged DAS signals in frequency domain was proposed. Potential benefits and limitations of the presented monitoring approach were discussed with respect to its practical applicability. We demonstrated that the approached is potentially capable of detection and localization of gas pipeline leaks with leak rates down to 0.1% of the pipeline flow volume and might be of interest for monitoring of short- and medium-length gas pipelines.

Hydraulic Fracturing Diagnostics Utilizing Near and Far-Field Distributed Acoustic Sensing DAS Data Correspondences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinghui Wu ◽  
Robert Hull ◽  
Andrew Tucker ◽  
Craig Rice ◽  
Peter Richter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Fracture Propagation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Far Field ◽  
Distributed Temperature Sensing ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Multiple Fibers

Abstract Distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS) has been utilized in unconventional reservoirs for hydraulic fracture efficiency diagnostics for many years. Downhole fiber cables can be permanently installed external to the casing to monitor and measure the uniformity and efficiency of individual clusters and stages during the completion in the near-field wellbore environment. Ideally, a second fiber or multiple fibers can be deployed in offset well(s) to monitor and characterize fracture geometries recorded by fracture-driven interactions or frac-hits in the far-field. Fracture opening and closing, stress shadow creation and relaxation, along with stage isolation can be clearly identified. Most importantly, fracture propagation from the near to far-field can be better understood and correlated. With our current technology, we can deploy cost effective retrievable fibers to record these far-field data. Our objective here is to highlight key data that can be gathered with multiple fibers in a carefully planned well-spacing study and to evaluate and understand the correspondence between far-field and near-field Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data. In this paper, we present a case study of three adjacent horizontal wells equipped with fiber in the Permian basin. We can correlate the near-field fluid allocation across a stage down to the cluster level to far-field fracture driven interactions (FDIs) with their frac-hit strain intensity. With multiple fibers we can evaluate fracture geometry, the propagation of the hydraulic fractures, changes in the deformation related to completion designs, fracture complexity characterization and then integrate the results with other data to better understand the geomechanical processes between wells. Novel frac-hit corridor (FHC) is introduced to evaluate stage isolation, azimuth, and frac-hit intensity (FHI), which is measured in far-field. Frac design can be evaluated with the correlation from near-field allocation to far-field FHC and FHI. By analyzing multiple treatment and monitor wells, the correspondence can be further calibrated and examined. We observe the far-field FHC and FHI are directly related to the activities of near-field clusters and stages. A leaking plug may directly result in FHC overlapping, gaps and variations in FHI, which also can be correlated to cluster uniformity. A near-far field correspondence can be established to evaluate FHC and FHI behaviors. By utilizing various completion designs and related measurements (e.g. Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS), gauges, microseismic etc.), optimization can be performed to change the frac design based on far-field and near-field DFOS data based on the Decision Tree Method (DTM). In summary, hydraulic fracture propagation can be better characterized, measured, and understood by deploying multiple fibers across a lease. The correspondence between the far-field measured FHC and FHI can be utilized for completion evaluation and diagnostics. As the observed strain is directly measured, completion engineering and geoscience teams can confidently optimize their understanding of the fracture designs in real-time.

scholarly journals Localization of Transient Events Threatening Pipeline Integrity by Fiber-Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (15) ◽  
pp. 3322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria-Teresa Hussels ◽  
Sebastian Chruscicki ◽  
Detlef Arndt ◽  
Swen Scheider ◽  
Jens Prager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Optical Fiber Sensor ◽  
Pressure Waves ◽  
Fast Time ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Damage Scenarios ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Transient Events ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Pipe integrity is a central concern regarding technical safety, availability, and environmental compliance of industrial plants and pipelines. A condition monitoring system that detects and localizes threats in pipes prior to occurrence of actual structural failure, e.g., leakages, especially needs to target transient events such as impacts on the pipe wall or pressure waves travelling through the medium. In the present work, it is shown that fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) in conjunction with a suitable application geometry of the optical fiber sensor allows to track propagating acoustic waves in the pipeline wall on a fast time-scale. Therefore, short impacts on the pipe may be localized with high fidelity. Moreover, different acoustic modes are identified, and their respective group velocities are in good agreement with theoretical predications. In another set of experiments modeling realistic damage scenarios, we demonstrate that pressure waves following explosions of different gas mixtures in pipes can be observed. Velocities are verified by local piezoelectric pressure transducers. Due to the fully distributed nature of the fiber-optic sensing system, it is possible to record accelerated motions in detail. Therefore, in addition to detection and localization of threatening events for infrastructure monitoring, DAS may provide a powerful tool to study the development of gas explosions in pipes, e.g., investigation of deflagration-to-detonation-transitions (DDT).

scholarly journals Real Time Measurement of Airplane Flutter via Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Aerospace ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Ezzat G. Bakhoum ◽  
Cheng Zhang ◽  
Marvin H. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Optical System ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Time Measurement ◽  
Fiber Optic Cable ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Real Time Measurement ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Mechanical Disturbances ◽  
New System

This research group has recently used the new technology Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for the monitoring and the measurement of airplane flutter. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first such use for this new technology. Traditionally, the measurement of airplane flutter requires the mounting of a very large number of sensors on the wing being monitored, and extensive wiring must be connected to all these sensors. The new system and technology introduced in this paper dramatically reduces the hardware requirements in such an application: all the traditional sensors and wiring are replaced with one fiber optic cable with a diameter of 2 mm. An electro-optical system with the size of a desktop PC monitors simultaneously one or more of such fiber optic cables and detects/characterizes any mechanical disturbances on the cables. Theoretical and experimental results are given.

scholarly journals Rose Parade Seismology: Signatures of Floats and Bands on Optical Fiber

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 2395-2398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Wang ◽  
Ethan F. Williams ◽  
Martin Karrenbach ◽  
Miguel González Herráez ◽  
Hugo Fidalgo Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Fiber ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Abstract The 2020 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, was recorded by the Pasadena distributed acoustic sensing array, which utilizes the underground telecom fiber optic cables as sensors. The floats and bands generate remarkable broadband seismic signatures that can be captured at meters’ resolution.

Fluid pressure sensing with fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 1018-1023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Becker ◽  
Thomas Coleman ◽  
Christopher Ciervo ◽  
Matthew Cole ◽  
Michael Mondanos
Keyword(s):  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Pressure Sensing ◽  
Acoustic Sensing ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing
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