Multiannuli Solution Uses Intelligent Pipe for Real-Time Monitoring
Authors: Carpenter Chris 
Published: April 2023

_

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 211546, “Intelligent Pipe: A Multiannuli Monitoring Solution,” by Francois-Xavier Bulard, Vallourec; Emmanuel Tavernier, OpenField Technology; and Lucas Kling, Vallourec. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

_

The authors describe a multiannular monitoring solution that measures pressure and temperature for each well annulus. These key parameters are captured by sensors based on microelectromechanical-system technology. A transmission methodology is used that allows power supply and data retrieval even for annuli beyond the B annulus. All electronic elements of the solution will be qualified through an international recommendation protocol [Advanced Well Equipment Standards (AWES)] that consists of a series of mechanical and long-term tests to ensure that the system will survive for 20 years at 125°C. The solution could be used in all storage applications, especially those related to the energy transition.

Introduction

The initial goal of the intelligent-pipe solution was to add functionality to tubulars by embedding miniaturized sensors into the pipe body. The secondary objective was to monitor the pipe’s environment to properly characterize well loads and compare them to its strength resistance. The main application of the solution was then to monitor annulus conditions in real time during the whole life of the well and to anticipate any leakage or annular-pressure-buildup issue that could not be monitored currently on subsea wells.

A tubular design was developed to incorporate pressure and temperature sensors without affecting the integrity of the pipe. The design was verified by a testing protocol performed by an in-house testing laboratory. This protocol consisted, first, of finite-element analysis (FEA) performed on different tubular designs with the objective of optimizing the different shapes of the grooves created to incorporate the sensors. The second steps included physical tests performed on a specimen inside test frames that confirmed that the tubular integrity was not affected after several pressure and axial load cycles, even when applying maximum pipe-resistance loads.

This mechanical test qualification demonstrated that the monitoring mandrel was able to withstand the constraints observed in a well. The qualification level achieved was the same as that achieved on the premium pipe connection.

Much of the complete paper is dedicated to the development of the permanent solution; this synopsis focuses on the system’s pilot deployment and its global system qualification.

First Deployment in a Deepwater Subsea Well

The operator’s objective was to monitor several annuli of a subsea well to determine the effect of completion operations. This characterization was completed before the well-production phase. The main outputs of the pilot were annuli trapped pressure and temperature.

The pilot was defined initially in two stages. The first was to monitor the B and C annuli conditions (pressure and temperature) immediately after casing deployment. The second was to do so again after running completions and various stimulation operations. A secondary objective was to retrieve historical sensor data, pressure, and temperature records from the time of sensor deployment to data-retrieval operation.