Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention include a fiber optic seismic sensing system for permanent downhole installation. In one aspect, the present invention includes a multi-station, multi-component system for conducting seismic reservoir imaging and monitoring in a well. Permanent seismic surveys may be conducted with embodiments of the present invention, including time-lapse (4D) vertical seismic profiling (VSP) and extended micro-seismic monitoring. Embodiments of the present invention provide the ability to map fluid contacts in the reservoir using 4D VSP and to correlate micro-seismic events to gas injection and production activity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/838,021 filed Aug. 13, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/801,076 filed Mar. 15, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,999 issued Aug. 14, 2007, which claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/454,839 filed Mar. 14, 2003. Each of the aforementioned related patent applications is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods for in-well seismic sensing using fiber optic accelerometers. Embodiments of the present invention also are directed to apparatus and methods for in-well seismic sensing using optical hydrophones. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Installing permanent seismic sensors in a wellbore to detect the movement of fluids over time in a surrounding reservoir would represent a significant advance in reservoir management, and is considered by many as a key element for instrumented oilfields. As companies focus more on maximizing recovery in existing and future fields, improved production and reservoir management is becoming increasingly important. 
         [0006]    Conventional borehole seismic techniques, such as vertical seismic profiling (“VSP”), have been utilized for many years. VSP typically involves suspending an array of geophone sensors temporarily in the wellbore on a wireline, while actuating a seismic source at the surface. The sound waves generated by the source penetrate the earth and are reflected by rock and fluid interfaces, with the reflected signals being picked up by the geophones. As the surface source and/or geophone array is moved, a different set of reflections is received, helping to build up a seismic image of the subsurface in the vicinity of the well. Compared with normal seismic surveys which have both source and sensors at the surface, the result is a more detailed image of the reservoir, in which the distance that can be ‘seen’ from the wellbore is roughly determined geometrically by the depth of the well and the sensor locations. A variation on this theme is to locate the seismic source in a nearby wellbore rather than on the surface. Both of these methods are typically referred to as “active” monitoring. 
         [0007]    Additional information can be gathered using conventional downhole seismology by “passive” monitoring in which no seismic source is used. Instead, the downhole sensors detect the natural seismicity of the reservoir and near-well region, for example, the “microseismic” signals emitted by rock formations as they are compacted and crack. Such passive monitoring has been used, for example, to verify the sinking of seabeds during gas extraction, and more generally to detect fluid movement through formations. 
         [0008]    Another type of seismic downhole sensor which is currently utilized is a hydrophone. Hydrophones are used in a number of applications involving sensing acoustic pressures in fluidic media (e.g., liquid). 
         [0009]    While seismic data can be actively or passively gathered using wireline-deployed geophones or hydrophones, seismic readings can only be taken periodically and require well intervention, perhaps requiring the cessation of fluid flow (i.e., production or injection) in the well. Moreover, while permanent geophone arrays have been deployed in relatively shallow wells, they are unsuitable for deeper deployments because their complexity and associated electronics cannot withstand the high temperatures and pressures encountered downhole for long periods of time. Downhole components must be adequately secured in place in the wellbore and must survive and consistently perform for as long as 20 years. 
         [0010]    By contrast, optical sensors, such as optical fiber-based sensors, are significantly more resilient and have no moving parts or electronics to potentially be damaged by the downhole environment. Optical sensors have been deployed in wells to detect pressures, temperatures, distributed temperatures, flow rates and even phase fractions. 
         [0011]    There is therefore a need for a seismic system which may be permanently deployed in a well which is more resilient and resistant to damage due to the downhole environment. There is also a need for a seismic system which is suitable for permanent, deep deployments. Additionally, there is a need for a seismic system deployable in a well which can withstand high temperatures and pressures downhole for long periods of time. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a fiber optic seismic sensing system for permanent downhole installation. In one embodiment, a multi-station, multi-component system is deployed to conduct seismic reservoir imaging and monitoring in a well. In one aspect, at least two types of permanent seismic surveys may be conducted by use of embodiments of the present invention, including time-lapse (4D) VSP and extended micro-seismic monitoring. Embodiments of the present invention possess the ability to map fluid contacts in the reservoir using 4D VSP and to correlate micro-seismic events to gas injection and production activity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an embodiment of a permanent optical seismic sensing system of the present invention on production tubing. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates an embodiment of the permanent optical seismic sensing system of  FIG. 1  in the deployed position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  shows a side view of an in-well seismic station having a clamp mechanism and a sensor mechanism. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  shows an exploded view of the clamp mechanism and sensor mechanism of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of a permanent optical seismic sensing system of the present invention on production tubing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Embodiments of the present invention include an optical seismic sensing system for gathering both active and passive seismic data that can be installed permanently in-well to collect seismic data and/or fluid movement data on demand. Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-channel, multi-component, fiber optic seismic sensing system for in-well applications. 
         [0020]    Embodiments of a downhole seismic sensor system using optical sensing technology (e.g., optical fibers) of the present invention provide improved information about fluid migration on a permanent basis without the need for periodic well intervention and without the use of less reliable downhole electronic devices. 
         [0021]    The following references are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: F. Bostick “Field Experimental Results of Three-Component Fiber-Optic Sensors,” 70th Annual International Mtg., Society of Exploration Geophysicists, August 2000; D. Gysling &amp; F. Bostick, “Changing Paradigms in Oil and Gas Reservoir Monitoring—The Introduction and Commercialization of In-Well Optical Sensing Systems,” Optical Fiber Sensor Conference, May 2002; and M. Eriksrud, “Fiber Optic Sensing Technology—In-well and Deepwater Applications,” Demo 2000 Annual Conference, November 2000. 
         [0022]    According to embodiments of the present invention, a seismic array has a plurality of seismic stations interconnected by inter-station cables. In  FIG. 1 , a seismic array  55  having six stations  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  40  is shown deployed in a wellbore  50 , which has been drilled down to a subsurface production zone and is equipped for the production of petroleum effluents. A splitter  29  may be used to couple the stations  31 - 35  and  40  to a surface data acquisition unit  25  using optical cables  27 ,  27 A, and  27 B. 
         [0023]    Typically, the wellbore  50  includes a casing  30  coupled to the surrounding formation  15  by cement. Sensors of the seismic stations are typically coupled to the formation via the casing. For example, various methods may be utilized to deploy the seismic stations within the casing and couple the sensors thereof to the casing (e.g., various clamping mechanisms described below. Various methods may also be utilized to deploy the seismic stations downhole. Particular embodiments described herein will refer to seismic stations deployed downhole on production tubing  10  lowered into a cased wellbore. For example, the seismic stations may be affixed to production tubing  10  at the surface, before the production tubing  10  is lowered into the cased well. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, the seismic array  55  having six stations  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  and  40 , each station  31 - 35 ,  40  having three components (“3-C”), is deployed on production tubing  10 , the production tubing  10  deployed down a monitor well, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Although six stations  31 - 35  and  40  are shown in  FIG. 1 , any number of stations may be utilized in embodiments of the present invention. The six stations  31 - 35 ,  40  are preferably deployed at locations approximately 400 meters down the well, and, more specifically, five 3-C stations  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  are preferably deployed above the reservoir for walkaway VSP imaging. Two of these stations are active during micro-seismic monitoring survey as well. A sixth 3-C station  40  is deployed solely for micro-seismic monitoring and is positioned a few hundred meters lower than the rest of the array  55  so that the sixth station  40  is located nearer to the reservoir than the remainder of the array  55 . The depth locations for the permanent seismic stations  31 - 35  and  40  are preferably derived from conventional wireline feasibility tests conducted in advance of the permanent installation. 
         [0025]    In a preferable embodiment, the full fiber optic array  55  is installed sequentially along with the production tubing while it is lowered into the well. Following the well completion, the fiber optic system may be tested to confirm functional performance. Subsequently, the VSP surveys may be completed using the same acquisition parameters and energy source equipment as those used in the conventional wireline feasibility studies. 
         [0026]    The seismic system  70  preferably used for the present invention is a fiber optic multi-channel system in which no electronics components or electrical power are required beyond the surface instrumentation, as shown by the optical circuit in  FIG. 1 . The surface data acquisition unit  25  provides the light source for the in-well array  55  and handles the manipulation of the downhole sensor signals. 
         [0027]    The downhole sensor signals may optionally be multiplexed using advanced optical techniques adapted from the telecommunications and defense industries for oil and gas applications. The fiber optic sensors within the seismic system preferably contain fiber Bragg gratings (“FBGs”) that reflect a narrow wavelength band of light having a central wavelength. The signals may be multiplexed by time division multiplexing (“TDM”), wavelength division multiplexing (“WDM”), or mixtures thereof. If each sensor has a different reflection wavelength, the reflected signals may be easily detected using WDM techniques. In contrast, if each sensor has the same reflection wavelength, reflected signals can be resolved in time using TDM techniques. One or more of the signals may, in lieu of multiplexing, be conveyed through separate optical cables connected to each of the stations  31 - 35 ,  40 . The data are output in analog or digital format for interfacing to conventional seismic recording systems. 
         [0028]    One or more sensors (not shown) are disposed within each station  31 - 35 ,  40 . The one or more sensors may include one or more accelerometers. The sensor utilized within each station  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , and  40  may be a three-component optical accelerometer specifically designed for permanent in-well seismic applications, shown generally in  FIGS. 1-2 , an example of which is disclosed in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/266,716 entitled “In-Well Seismic Sensor Casing Coupling Using Natural Forces in Wells,” filed Oct. 6, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the three-component accelerometer includes both on-axis and off-axis fiber optic accelerometers, as are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/410,634, entitled “Highly Sensitive Accelerometer,” filed Oct. 1, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,033 issued Jun. 10, 2003, and Ser. No. 10/068,266, entitled “Highly Sensitive Cross Axis Accelerometer,” filed Feb. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,891,621 issued May 10, 2005, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The three-component accelerometers are also preferably configured in a fixed, three-axis orthogonal orientation (X, Y, and Z). The accelerometers (not shown) may be arranged to measure acceleration from acoustic waves in any of three orthogonal axes and can transmit respective sensing light signals indicative of static and dynamic forces at their location on the optical fiber. 
         [0029]    Permanent installation may be achieved by use of an active clamp mechanism  150  shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  clamped to the production tubing  10  which deploys the accelerometer housing out against the well casing  30 , as is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/678,963, entitled “Clamp for In-Well Seismic Station,” filed Oct. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,818 issued Oct. 24, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The clamp mechanism  150  is capable of coupling to production tubing  10  for deployment in the well and is actively capable of acoustically coupling a sensor with the casing  30  of the well. The clamp mechanism  150  is capable of releasing the sensor mechanism towards the casing when subjected to a predetermined pressure within the well or when subjected to fluid in the well for a predetermined amount of time. 
         [0030]    Generally, the clamp mechanism  150  includes a sensor component  250  which, once released from a body  160  of the clamp mechanism  150  is substantially acoustically decoupled from the body  160 . The sensor component  250  may be used as one or more of the seismic stations  31 - 35  and  40  and may include the 3-C sensors described above or may include multiple 3-C sensors disposed within more than one of the seismic stations, e.g., two, 3-C sensors. 
         [0031]    The sensor component  250  is decoupled from the production tubing  10  and coupled to the formation  15  by biasing mechanisms  130   a  and  130   b,  which may be springs. The biasing mechanisms  130   a - b  push carrier mechanisms  100   a  and  100   b  having mounted sensor component  250  away from the body  160  towards the casing  30 . In a preferable embodiment, the carrier mechanism  100   a  has two contact points P 1  and P 2  for coupling to the casing  10 , while the carrier mechanism  100   b  has one contact point P 3  for coupling to the casing  10 . Additional aspects of one embodiment of the clamp mechanism  150  are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/678,963, incorporated by reference above. 
         [0032]    In addition to deployment by the clamp mechanism  150 , deployment of the accelerometer may also be achieved by housing the accelerometer in a mandrel (not shown) coupled to the production tubing  10 , in which case the mandrel naturally or passively couples to the well casing  30 , as is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/266,716 entitled “In-Well Seismic Sensor Casing Coupling Using Natural Forces in Wells,” filed Oct. 6, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The device achieves high sensitivity, large dynamic range, broad bandwidth, and high quality directional response within a short, 25-mm diameter package and is designed for continuous operation at 1000 bar and 175° C. 
         [0033]    As disclosed in the incorporated references, the optical sensors may be based on Bragg grating technology which operates by sensing strain in the optical fiber (or other type optical waveguide) within the accelerometers. Light reflected back along the fiber at specific wavelengths may be translated into the parameter being measured (e.g., seismic signals impinging on the sensors). For some embodiments, the optical sensors may be interrogated interferometrically, in which changes to a length of fiber between a pair of gratings (caused by the measurand) may be detected as phase changes between signals reflected thereby. For seismology purposes, the parameter of interest to be sensed is acceleration, which is caused by slight movements of the earth as excited by seismic waves traveling therethrough. As alluded to earlier, the disclosed and incorporated accelerometers within the stations  31 - 35  and  40  comprise three separate discrete accelerometers, each of which detects acceleration along three mutually, substantially perpendicular axes. Such accelerometers are capable of sensing micro-G&#39;s or nano-G&#39;s, and hence are extremely sensitive. At this level of sensitivity, high-frequency events such as the cracking of rock can be detected, enabling microseismic signals to be sensed and located and allowing an image of the reservoir near the well to be determined. 
         [0034]    Methods for deployment of the array  55  are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/266,715 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Transporting, Deploying, and Retrieving Arrays Having Nodes Interconnected by Sections of Cable,” filed Oct. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,601 issued May 2, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This completion design allows for easy access through the production tubing  10  to the reservoir for logging tools. In some embodiments, fiber optic cabling  27  carries three optical fibers to link the stations  31 - 35  and  40  of the sensor array  55  together and to link the array  55  to seismic recording devices  25  residing nearby the well. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, each 3-C sensor station  31 - 35 ,  40  is attached to the production tubing  10  using the active deployed clamp mechanism  150  incorporated earlier (U.S. application Ser. No. 10/678,963, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,818), and shown in  FIG. 2 . This clamp mechanism  150  couples the sensors to the casing  30  while substantially decoupling the sensors from the production tubing  10  and from cable-borne noise and further allows the sensor station  31 - 35 ,  40  to readily pass by any gaps that can occur at the casing connections. A multi-finger caliper run may be conducted prior to the installation to evaluate the inside surface of the casing  30  for unexpected conditions. In another embodiment which is not shown, multiple sensors are housed within one clamp mechanism  150  and deployed to couple to the formation  15  by the clamp mechanism  150  simultaneously or at separate times. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment of the present invention, referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the deepest station  40  is deployed first, followed by the shallower remaining stations  31 - 35  of the multi-station array  55 . The deployment system incorporated earlier (described in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/266,715, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,601) allows the contiguous array  55  to be serially guided onto the tubing while simultaneously allowing for tubing connections and the installation of cable protectors. Similar to standard downhole gauge installations, a cable protector (not shown) may be installed at each tubing joint. Strategically positioned, standard tubing centralizers (not shown) may be also installed to ensure optimal sensor coupling and to minimize the risk of the seismic array  55  becoming lodged in the wellbore  50 , a precaution thought prudent given that the production tubing  10  may be required to penetrate the casing  30  just inside the reservoir. 
         [0037]    For some embodiments, the production tubing  10  may be secured at the wellhead by means of a tubing hanger, and the fiber optic cable  27  penetrates the hanger via a cable pressure seal to a wellhead junction box. The in-well fiber optic cable  27  is terminated at the box and an optical surface cable  27  is routed to the surface instrumentation  25 , which may be housed in a lab cabin positioned near the wellhead. 
         [0038]    For some embodiments, the sensor signals output from the fiber optic instrumentation  25  are interfaced in analog form to a conventional seismic recording system. Alternatively, the sensor signals may be utilized in digital form. If available, comparisons can be made to field data previously acquired with a conventional wireline VSP tools to determine if substantially similar data results from a Z-axis trace acquired with a conventional geophone VSP tool and a Z-axis trace from one of the fiber optic stations  31 - 35  or  40 , after converting the data into a common domain, e.g., velocity or acceleration. Additionally, comparisons of shot gathers of a common receiver (conventional three-component geophones) versus shot gathers consistent with embodiments of the present invention (three-component fiber optic accelerometers), the accelerometers located at approximately the same depth as the geophones, can be made to determine if substantially similar data results from the accelerometers after integrating the accelerometer data to the data obtained by the conventional geophones. 
         [0039]    The disclosed system and techniques are expected to benefit all oil/gas wells, but are especially expected to benefit certain more difficult wells where in-well seismology is difficult or presently not feasible. For example, in offshore wells, higher frequencies of conventional surface seismic signals are attenuated as they pass through the soft seabed, a condition also experienced in desert locations, leaving only the ‘broader range’ view that is generated by lower frequencies, around 30-50 Hz. By contrast, the disclosed in-well seismic system  70  enables higher frequency signals, typically 80-100 Hz or more, to reach the downhole sensors, providing a higher resolution assessment of the reservoir close to the wellbore  50 . Deep wells in reservoirs lying below salt formations, such as those encountered in the Gulf of Mexico, should similarly benefit from the disclosed techniques. Seismic signals are scattered by salt formations, making imaging of deep reservoirs difficult; therefore, in-well surveys should deliver much clearer images. Procuring clean images below gas formations is also problematic, and again optical in-well seismic surveys could reveal much needed data for such reservoirs, such as detection of the movement of water injection fronts that are indicative of how fast a well should be produced. 
         [0040]    Embodiments of the present invention thus demonstrate the operation and functionality of a permanent installation of a multi-station, multi-component fiber optic seismic system  70  in a wellbore. A distributed array  55  of fiber optic sensors could be readily deployed on production tubing  10  in a cased hole  50  with minimal impact to the well. Embodiments of the present invention allow VSP to be conducted with good coupling of the sensors to the formation and high-quality sensor performance. The fiber optic system  70  of the present invention allows 4-D imaging and continuous monitoring for the purpose of better understanding the dynamic behavior of the oil and production and storage operations. 
         [0041]    In an alternate embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a seismic fiber optic sensor system  80  may be utilized on production tubing  10  for VSP. The fiber optic system  80  includes a seismic sensor array  85 . The seismic sensor array  85  includes one or more fiber-optic based hydrophones  45 , for example the fiber-optic based hydrophones shown and described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 10/796,569 filed on Mar. 9, 2004, having Attorney Docket Number WEAT/0471.P1, entitled “High Pressure and High Temperature Acoustic Sensor,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,369,716 issued May 6, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, may be used to sense acoustic pressures in fluidic media (i.e., gas or liquid). The optical hydrophone disclosed in WEAT/0471.P1 is deployable in harsh environments where fluidic media possesses high temperature, high pressure, and/or potentially caustic chemicals. The hydrophone includes a housing having a diaphragm and a sensing mandrel. The housing is filled with an internal fluid, and the diaphragm separates the internal fluid in the housing from the fluidic media. The sensing mandrel senses the acoustic pressure transmitted to the internal fluid through the diaphragm. The sensing mandrel is preferably tubular and composed of a polymer having a coil of optical fiber wound and bonded to its outer surface. 
         [0042]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a seismic array  85  is disposed on production tubing  10  by one or more clamping mechanisms or other comparable methods of ultimately coupling the seismic array  85  to the production tubing  10 . The seismic array  85  shown in  FIG. 4  includes six stations  31 - 35 ,  40 , each having one or more optical sensors (preferably accelerometers) therein, as well as a hydrophone  45 . Preferably, each seismic station  31 - 35 ,  40  includes three optical sensor components (not shown), most preferably orthogonally arranged as described above. The clamping mechanism or other method is capable of decoupling the optical accelerometers and the optical hydrophone  45  from the production tubing  10  and coupling the accelerometers and the optical hydrophone  45  to the formation therearound (e.g., by placing the accelerometers and the optical hydrophone  45  into physical contact with the casing  30 ). Typically, the hydprophone does not require mechanical coupling to the formation, but is coupled via well fluid. As a result, the hydrophone may be less susceptible to mechanical vibration of the tubing during injection/production and may, therefore, not require any special clamping mechanism. While  FIG. 4  shows the hydrophone deeper than the accelerometers, it may actually be collocated with the accelerometers. 
         [0043]    The optical hydrophone  45  is coupled to the surface data acquisition unit  25  by an optical cable  27 C through the splitter  29 . As described above, the signals may be multiplexed by TDM, WDM, or mixtures thereof, or in the alternative, multiple optical cables running directly to the surface data acquisition unit  25  may be connected to each station  31 - 35 ,  40  as well as to the hydrophone  45 . 
         [0044]    The arrangement of  FIG. 4  is especially advantageous for acquiring useful horizontal well data. Whether in horizontal wells or vertical wells, the arrangement of  FIG. 4  permits achievement of wavefield separation where the traditional procedures fail, due to lack of differential moveout by portioning acquired data into three high-resolution wavemodes—P-wave, S-wave and tubewave, all of which contribute to an improved interpretation of the prospect. 
         [0045]    Although only one optical hydrophone  45  is shown in  FIG. 4 , a plurality of optical hydrophones may be employed within the wellbore  50 . Additionally, any number of seismic stations  31 - 35 ,  40  for housing accelerometers may be utilized in the seismic array  85 , and the stations  31 - 35 ,  40  may include any number of accelerometers therein. 
         [0046]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.