Patent Publication Number: US-2019170955-A1

Title: Fiber-Optic Strength Member Components for Use in Outer Strength Member Layers

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/686,326, filed Aug. 25, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to systems and methods for protecting an optical fiber within a downhole cable, seismic cable, or other cable, while reducing a loss of signal quality on the optical fiber. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as an admission of any kind. 
     Producing hydrocarbons from a wellbore drilled into a geological formation is a remarkably complex endeavor. In many cases, decisions involved in hydrocarbon exploration and production may be informed by measurements from downhole well-logging tools that are conveyed deep into the wellbore. The measurements may be used to infer properties and characteristics of the geological formation surrounding the wellbore. Thus, when a wellbore is investigated to determine the physical condition of a fluid within the wellbore, a gas within the wellbore, or the wellbore itself, it may be desirable to place a cable with associated measurement tools and/or sensors within the wellbore. 
     Such measurement tools and/or sensors may include one or more optical fibers, which may provide high-speed electromagnetic interference (EMI) immune telemetry to a data processing system coupled to the end of the cable. To reduce a chance of potential damage to the optical fibers, the one or more optical fibers may be housed within protective structures in the cable core. Such protection may result in a loss of signal quality from the optical fibers, however, since the cable core is relatively isolated from changes in the wellbore environment due to armor wire strength members which surround and/or protect the cable core. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     In one example, a cable includes a cable core and a number of armor wire strength members that surround the cable core. A first armor wire strength member of the armor wire strength members includes a first optical fiber. 
     In another example, a method includes inserting a first optical fiber into a space shaped into one or more wires, enclosing the space to enclose the first optical fiber in an optical-fiber-containing structure, and extruding a first polymer tube over the optical-fiber-containing structure. 
     In another example, a cable includes a first group of wire members and a second group of wire members disposed circumferentially around a center of the cable. The first group may be a first radial distance from the center of the cable and the second group may be a second, farther, radial distance from the center of the cable. A first wire member of the second group of wire strength members contains a first optical fiber. 
     Various refinements of the features noted above may be undertaken in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in any combination. The brief summary presented above is intended to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a wellbore logging system and cable that may obtain data measurements along the length of the wellbore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a cross-sectional view of the cable of  FIG. 1 , which illustrates an optical fiber cable contained within an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that surrounds a cable core, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a cross-sectional view of a marine cable, which illustrates the optical fiber cable contained within the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that surrounds a marine cable core, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber-containing circular structure of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing circular structure that includes air as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing circular structure that includes a silicon polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing circular structure that includes a UV-curable polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure of  FIG. 5  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure of  FIG. 6  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure of  FIG. 7  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber-containing grooved structure of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing grooved structure that includes air as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing grooved structure that includes a silicon polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing grooved structure that includes a UV-curable polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure of  FIG. 13  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure of  FIG. 14  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure of  FIG. 15  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure that includes air as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure that includes a silicon polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure that includes a UV-curable polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure of  FIG. 21  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure of  FIG. 22  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure of  FIG. 23  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 27  is a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure that includes air as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure that includes a silicon polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure that includes a UV-curable polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure of  FIG. 29  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure of  FIG. 30  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 34  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure of  FIG. 31  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 35  is a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber-containing capped structure of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure described in  FIG. 35 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing capped structure that includes air as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 38  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing capped structure that includes a silicon polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 39  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing capped structure that includes a UV-curable polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 40  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 37  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 41  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 38  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 42  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 39  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 43  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 37  that includes an adhesive bonded cap piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 44  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 38  that includes an adhesive bonded cap piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 39  that includes an adhesive bonded cap piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 46  is a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 47  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure described in  FIG. 46 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 48  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing plugged structure that includes air as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing plugged structure that includes a silicon polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing plugged structure that includes a UV-curable polymer as filler material, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 51  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 48  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 52  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 49  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 53  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 50  that includes an exterior polymer layer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 54  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 48  that includes a crimped plug wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 55  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 49  that includes a crimped plug wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 56  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 50 , a crimped plug wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 57  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 48  that includes a welded plug wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 58  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 49  that includes a welded plug wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 59  is a cross-sectional view of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 50  that includes a welded plug wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 60  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing circular structure of  FIG. 8  encased by a snug fitting exterior metallic tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 61  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure of  FIG. 16  encased by a snug fitting exterior metallic tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 62  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure of  FIG. 24  encased by a snug fitting exterior metallic tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 63  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure of  FIG. 32  encased by a snug fitting exterior metallic tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 64  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 40  encased by a snug fitting exterior metallic tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 65  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 51  encased by a snug fitting exterior metallic tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 66  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing circular structure of  FIG. 8  encased a loose-fitting exterior metallic tube, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 67  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing circular structure of  FIG. 8  encased by a polymer jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 68  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure of  FIG. 16  encased by a polymer jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 69  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure of  FIG. 24  encased by a polymer jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 70  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure of  FIG. 32  encased by a polymer jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 71  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 40  encased by a polymer jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 72  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 51  encased a polymer jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 73  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing circular structure of  FIG. 8  encased by a served wire jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 74  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure of  FIG. 16  encased by a served wire jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 75  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure of  FIG. 24  encased by a served wire jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 76  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure of  FIG. 32  encased by a served wire jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 77  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing capped structure of  FIG. 40  encased by a served wire jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 78  is a cross-sectional view of an optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member that includes the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure of  FIG. 51  encased by a served wire jacket, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would still be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     With this in mind,  FIG. 1  illustrates a well-logging system  10  that may employ the systems and methods of this disclosure. The well-logging system  10  may be used to convey a downhole tool  12  or other weight through a geological formation  14  via a wellbore  16 . The downhole tool  12  may be conveyed on a cable  18  via a logging winch system  20 . Although the logging winch system  20  is schematically shown in  FIG. 1  as a mobile logging winch system carried by a truck, the logging winch system  20  may be substantially fixed (e.g., a long-term installation that is substantially permanent or modular). Any suitable cable  18  for well logging may be used. The cable  18  may be spooled and unspooled on a drum  22  and an auxiliary power source  24  may provide energy to the logging winch system  20  and/or the downhole tool  12 . 
     The cable  18  may additionally contain one or more optical fibers embedded within the cable core or armor wire strength members of the cable  18 , which may collect data (e.g., such as temperature, pressure, strain, seismic activity, or other desired parameters) regarding the interior condition of the wellbore  16 . The one or more optical fibers may transmit the data to the logging winch system  20 . 
     The downhole tool  12  and/or cable  18  may provide logging measurements  26  to a data processing system  28  via any suitable telemetry (e.g., via electrical signals pulsed through the geological formation  14  or via mud pulse telemetry). The data processing system  28  may process the logging measurements  26  which may indicate certain properties of the wellbore  16  (e.g., temperature, pressure, strain, seismic activity, or other desired parameters) that might otherwise be indiscernible by a human operator. 
     To this end, the data processing system  28  thus may be any electronic data processing system that can be used to carry out the systems and methods of this disclosure. For example, the data processing system  28  may include a processor  30 , which may execute instructions stored in memory  32  and/or storage  34 . As such, the memory  32  and/or the storage  34  of the data processing system  28  may be any suitable article of manufacture that can store the instructions. The memory  32  and/or the storage  34  may be ROM memory, random-access memory (RAM), flash memory, an optical storage medium, or a hard disk drive, to name a few examples. A display  36 , which may be any suitable electronic display, may provide a visualization, a well log, or other indication of properties in the geological formation  14  or the wellbore  16  using the logging measurements  26 . 
       FIG. 2 a    is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the cable  18 . The cable  18  may house a cable core  40 , which may be circumferentially surrounded by one or more armor wire strength members  42 . The armor wire strength members  42  may be served (e.g., coiled helically) around the cable core  40 , extend longitudinally along the length of the cable core  40 , or be disposed about the cable core  40  in any fashion suitable to surround the cable core  40 . The armor wire strength members  42  may physically protect the cable core  40  and may provide additional rigidity to the cable  18 . In addition, the armor wire strength members  42  may support the weight of the cable  18  and alleviate strain on the cable core  40 . 
     The cable core  40  may include one or more signal cables  44 . The signal cables  44  may include internal wires  46  disposed within protective structures  48 . The internal wires  46  may include sensors (e.g., one or more optical fibers  50 ), copper wires, or any other suitable wires desired within the cable  18 . The internal wires  46  may transmit instructional signals or electrical power to a component coupled to the end of the cable  18  (e.g., the downhole tool  12 ). The one or more optical fibers  50  within the cable core  40  may sense internal conditions of the wellbore  16  and relay data regarding the internal conditions to the data processing system  28 . The protective structures  48  may encase the internal wires  46  and physically protect the internal wires during operation of the cable  18 . Although the one or more optical fibers  50  may be less susceptible to physical damage when housed in the cable core  40 , the signal quality of the one or more optical fibers  50  may be diminished in such a configuration. To achieve a better signal to noise ratio in regard to the parameters being monitored (e.g., temperature, pressure, seismic profiling, or others), the one or more optical fibers  50  may be located near the outside perimeter of the cable  18 . By disposing the one or more optical fibers  50  within one or more optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 , the one or more optical fibers  50  may be disposed about the perimeter of the cable  18  while still receiving physical protection through the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 . The optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52  may additionally be disposed within the cable core  40  of the cable  18 . Each optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member  52  may house an optical-fiber-containing structure  54  that includes the one or more optical fibers  50 . The optical-fiber-containing structure  54  may be circumferentially encased by a thin polymer layer  56 . The thin polymer layer  56  may additionally be encased by a protective shield  58  (e.g., seam welded tube, thick polymer layer, metallic wires). 
       FIG. 2 b    is a cross sectional view of a marine cable  55 . The marine cable  55  may include the cable core  40 . The cable core  40  may include the one or more signal cables  44 . The signal cables  44  may include the internal wires  46  disposed within the protective structures  48 . The internal wires  46  may include the sensors (e.g., the one or more optical fibers  50 ), copper wires, or any other suitable wires desired within the marine cable  55 . The internal wires  46  may transmit instructional signals or electrical power to a component coupled to the end of the marine cable  55  (e.g., the downhole tool  12 ). The protective structures  48  may encase the internal wires  46  and physically protect the internal wires during operation of the marine cable  55 . Although the one or more optical fibers  50  may be less susceptible to physical damage when housed in the cable core  40 , the signal quality of the one or more optical fibers  50  may be diminished in such a configuration. To achieve a better signal to noise ratio in regard to the parameters being monitored (e.g., temperature, pressure, seismic profiling, or others), the one or more optical fibers  50  may be located near the outside perimeter of the marine cable  55 . By disposing the one or more optical fibers  50  within the one or more optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 , the one or more optical fibers  50  may be disposed about the perimeter of the marine cable  55  while still receiving physical protection through the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 . The optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52  may be disposed within a shielding layer  57  of the marine cable  55 . The shielding layer  57  may additionally be encased by a protective outer layer  59 . The optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52  may additionally be disposed within the cable core  40  of the marine cable  55 . 
       FIGS. 3-78  illustrate various methods of assembly and/or embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing structure  54  of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 .  FIG. 3  is a method  60  of assembly for an optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a  of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 . The optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a  and various embodiments thereof are shown in  FIGS. 5-10 . Block  64  relates to  FIG. 4 . The optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a  may include two semicircular (or more than two partially circular) profile steel wires  62 , which encase the one or more optical fibers  50 . The example of  FIGS. 3-10  show two semicircular profile steel wires  62  of substantially equal dimensions, but in some embodiments, one of these may cover greater than a half-circle and another less than a half-circle. In other embodiments, more than two steel wires  62  may have partially semicircular profiles that collectively form a circular shape. In still other embodiments, the steel wires  62  may form a non-circular or oval shape. For the sake of brevity, the steel wires  62  are discussed as being semicircular, but it should be appreciated that any suitable dimensions are contemplated by this disclosure. The semicircular profile steel wires  62  may include galvanized improved plow steel, stainless steel, high carbon steel, or any suitable alloy. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5-7 , which relate to block  66  of  FIG. 3 , when the two semicircular profile steel wires  62  encase the one or more optical fibers  50 , a gap  68  may form between them. The gap  68  may remain empty (e.g., filled with air  70 ), filled with a soft silicone polymer  72 , or filled with a UV-curable polymer  74  that may be hardened using UV-radiation  76 , as shown by  FIGS. 5-7 , respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the gap  68  may be filled with any other suitable filler material. The one or more optical fibers  50  may be encased by a filler material (e.g., air  70 , soft silicone polymer  72 , UV-curable polymer  74 ) before being disposed between the two semicircular profile steel wires  62 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8-10 , which relate to block  67  of  FIG. 3 , the thin polymer layer  56  may be extruded over the embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a  depicted in  FIGS. 5-7 , as shown in  FIGS. 8-10  respectively. The thin polymer layer  56  may encase the optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a  to maintain the position of the semicircular profile steel wires  62 . In another embodiment, the semicircular profile steel wires  62  may be bonded together via an adhesive (e.g., bonding glue, welding, or other) before being encased by the thin polymer layer  56 . 
       FIG. 11  is a method  90  of assembly for an optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b  of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member  52 . The optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b  and various embodiments thereof are shown in  FIGS. 13-18 . Block  96  relates to  FIG. 12 . The optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b  may include a steel wire  92 , in which a longitudinal channel  94  may extend along the length of the steel wire  92 . The one or more optical fibers  50  may be disposed within the longitudinal channel  94  of the steel wire  92 . The steel wire  92  may include galvanized improved plow steel, stainless steel, high carbon steel, or any suitable alloy. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 13-15 , which relate to block  98  of  FIG. 11 , when the one or more optical fibers  50  are disposed within the longitudinal channel  94 , the gap  68  may form between them. The gap  68  may remain empty (e.g., filled with air  70 ), filled with the soft silicone polymer  72 , or filled with the UV-curable polymer  74  that may be hardened using UV-radiation  76 , as shown by  FIGS. 13-15  respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the gap  68  may be filled with any other suitable filler material. The one or more optical fibers  50  may be encased by a filler material (e.g., air  70 , soft silicone polymer  72 , UV-curable polymer  74 ) before being disposed within the longitudinal channel  94  of the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b.    
     Turning now to  FIGS. 16-18 , which relate to block  100  of  FIG. 11 , the thin polymer layer  56  may be extruded over the embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b  depicted in  FIGS. 13-15 , as shown in  FIGS. 16-18  respectively. The thin polymer layer  56  may encase the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b  to maintain the position of the one or more optical fibers  50  within the longitudinal channel  94  of the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b.    
       FIG. 19  is a method  110  of assembly for an optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c  of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member  52 . The optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c  and various embodiments thereof are shown in  FIGS. 21-26 . Block  116  relates to  FIG. 20 . The optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c  may include a shaped steel wire  112 , in which a hollow region  114  extends longitudinally along the length of the shaped steel wire  112 . The one or more optical fibers  50  may be disposed within the hollow region  114  of the shaped steel wire  112 . The shaped steel wire  112  may include galvanized improved plow steel, stainless steel, high carbon steel, or any suitable alloy. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 21-23 , which relate to block  118  of  FIG. 19 , when the one or more optical fibers  50  are disposed within the hollow region  114 , the gap  68  may form between them. The gap  68  may remain empty (e.g., filled with air  70 ), filled with the soft silicone polymer  72 , or filled with the UV-curable polymer  74  that may be hardened using UV-radiation  76 , as shown by  FIG. 21-23  respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the gap  68  may be filled with any other suitable filler material. The one or more optical fibers  50  may be encased by a filler material (e.g., air  70 , soft silicone polymer  72 , UV-curable polymer  74 ) before being disposed within the hollow region  114  of the shaped steel wire  112 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 24-26 , which relate to block  120  of  FIG. 19 , the thin polymer layer  56  may be extruded over the embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c  depicted in  FIGS. 21-23 , as shown in  FIGS. 24-26  respectively. The thin polymer layer  56  may encase the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c  to maintain the position of the one or more optical fibers  50  within the hollow region  114  or the optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c.    
       FIG. 27  is a method  130  of assembly for an optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d  of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 . The optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d  and various embodiments thereof are shown in  FIGS. 29-34 . Block  132  relates to  FIG. 28 . The optical-fiber-containing multichannel strength structure  54   d  may include a channeled steel wire  134 , wherein channels  136  extend longitudinally along the length of the channeled steel wire  134 . Although three channels  136  are shown in the illustrated embodiment, the channeled steel wire  134  may include 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more channels  136 . The one or more optical fibers  50  may be disposed within the channels  136  of the channeled steel wire  134 . The channeled steel wire  134  may include galvanized improved plow steel, stainless steel, high carbon steel, or any suitable alloy. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 29-31 , which relate to block  138  of  FIG. 27 , when the one or more optical fibers  50  are disposed within the channels  136 , gaps  68  may form between them. The gaps  68  may remain empty (e.g., filled with air  70 ), filled with the soft silicone polymer  72 , or filled with the UV-curable polymer  74  that may be hardened using UV-radiation  76 , as shown by  FIG. 29-31  respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the gaps  68  may be filled with any other suitable filler material. The one or more optical fibers  50  may be encased by a filler material (e.g., air  70 , soft silicone polymer  72 , UV-curable polymer  74 ) before being disposed within the channels  136  of the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d.    
     Turning now to  FIGS. 32-34 , which relate to block  140  of  FIG. 27 , the thin polymer layer  56  may be extruded over the embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d  depicted in  FIGS. 29-31 , as shown in  FIGS. 32-34  respectively. The thin polymer layer  56  may encase the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d  to maintain the position of the one or more optical fibers  50  within the channels  136  or the optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d.    
       FIG. 35  is a method  150  of assembly for an optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e  of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52 . The optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e , and various embodiments thereof, are shown in  FIGS. 37-45 . Block  152  relates to  FIG. 36 . The optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e  may include a cap piece  154  and a channeled steel wire  156 , in which a channel  158  extends longitudinally along the length of the channeled steel wire  156 . The one or more optical fibers  50  may be disposed within the channel  158  of the channeled steel wire  156 . The cap piece  154  may subsequently be coupled to the channeled steel wire  156 . The cap piece  154  and/or the channeled steel wire  156  may include galvanized improved plow steel, stainless steel, high carbon steel, or any suitable alloy. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 37-39 , which relate to block  160  of  FIG. 35 , when the one or more optical fibers  50  are disposed within the channel  158 , the gap  68  may form between them. The gap  68  may remain empty (e.g., filled with air  70 ), filled with the soft silicone polymer  72 , or filled with the UV-curable polymer  74  that may be hardened using UV-radiation  76 , as shown by  FIG. 37-39  respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the gap  68  may be filled with any other suitable filler material. The one or more optical fibers  50  may be encased by a filler material (e.g., air  70 , soft silicone polymer  72 , UV-curable polymer  74 ) before being disposed within the channel  158  of the optical-fiber-containing capped strength member  54   e . After the desired filler material is applied, the cap piece  154  may be disposed upon the channeled steel wire  156  to encapsulate the one or more optical fibers  50 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 40-42 , which relate to block  162  of  FIG. 35 , the thin polymer layer  56  may be extruded over the embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e  depicted in  FIGS. 37-39 , as shown in  FIGS. 40-42  respectively. The thin polymer layer  56  may encase the optical-fiber-containing capped strength structure  54   e  to maintain the position of cap piece  154  in relation to the channeled steel wire  156 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 43-45 , showing additional embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e  shown in  FIGS. 37-39  respectively, the cap piece  154  may be coupled directly to the channeled steel wire  156  via an adhesive  164  (e.g., bonding glue, welding, or other) as shown in  FIGS. 43-45 . In this embodiment, the thin polymer layer  56  is obsolete, such that the overall size of the optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e  may be decreased. 
       FIG. 46  is a method  170  of assembly for an optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member  52 . The optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f , and various embodiments thereof, is shown in  FIGS. 48-59 . Block  172  relates to  FIG. 47 . The optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  may include a plug wire  174  and a receptor wire  176 , in which a channel  178  extends longitudinally along the length of the receptor wire  176 . The receptor wire  176  may include an upper end portion  156  which may house the plug wire  174  and a lower end portion  182  which may house the one or more optical fibers  50 . The one or more optical fibers  50  may be placed within the lower end portion  182  of the receptor wire  176  and the plug wire  174  may be placed within the upper end portion  156  of the receptor wire  176 , such that the plug wire  174  and receptor wire  176  may encapsulate the one or more optical fibers  50 . The receptor wire  176  may include a flat section  184 , which may facilitate manufacturing of the embodiment. The plug wire  174  and/or the receptor wire  176  may include galvanized improved plow steel, stainless steel, high carbon steel, or any suitable alloy. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 48-50 , which relate to block  186  of  FIG. 46 , when the one or more optical fibers  50  are disposed within the channel  178 , the gap  68  may form between them. The gap  68  may remain empty (e.g., filled with air  70 ), filled with the soft silicone polymer  72 , or filled with the UV-curable polymer  74  that may be hardened using UV-radiation  76 , as shown by  FIG. 48-50  respectively. Additionally or alternatively, the gap  68  may be filled with any other suitable filler material. The one or more optical fibers  50  may be encased by a filler material (e.g., air  70 , soft silicone polymer  72 , UV-curable polymer  74 ) before being disposed within the channel  178  of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  After the desired filler is applied, the plug wire  174  may be disposed upon the upper end portion  156  of the receptor wire  176  to encapsulate the one or more optical fibers  50 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 51-53 , which relate to block  188  of  FIG. 46 , the thin polymer layer  56  may be extruded over the embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  depicted in  FIGS. 48-50 , as shown in  FIGS. 51-53  respectively. The thin polymer layer  56  may encase the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  to maintain the position of plug wire  174  in relation to the receptor wire  176 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 54-56 , showing additional embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  shown in  FIGS. 48-50  respectively, the plug wire  174  may be press fit into the receptor wire  176  via a crimping force  190 . The crimping force  190  may compresses the upper end portion  156  of the channel  178  within the receptor wire  176 , such that the plug wire  174  may be permanently coupled to the receptor wire  176 . In this embodiment, the thin polymer layer  56  may be obsolete, such that the overall size of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  may be decreased. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 57-59 , showing additional embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  shown in  FIGS. 48-50  respectively. The plug wire  174  may be directly coupled to the receptor wire  176  via an adhesive  192  (e.g., welding, bonding glue, or other). In this embodiment, the thin polymer layer  56  is obsolete, such that the overall size of the optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  may be decreased. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 60-65 , showing various embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52  of  FIG. 2  ( 52   a ,  52   b ,  52   c ,  52   d ,  52   e ,  52   f  respectively). Supplementary support structures may be coupled with the optical-fiber-containing structures  54  to provide additional strength, protection, and/or rigidity to the various embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing structures  54 .  FIGS. 60-65  relate to embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a , optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b , optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c , optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d , optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e , and optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  respectively. Each embodiment may be encased by the thin polymer layer  56 . In addition, the thin polymer layer  56  of each embodiment may be circumferentially enclosed by a seam welded tube  58   a , which may fit tightly about the thin polymer layer  56 . The seam welded tube  58   a  may physically protect the thin polymer layer  56 , the optical-fiber-containing structure  54 , and/or the one or more optical fibers  50  disposed within the seam welded tube  58   a.    
     Turning now to  FIG. 66 , showing another embodiment of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength member  52   g . In this embodiment, the seam welded tube  58   a  may be loosely disposed about the thin polymer layer  56  and the optical-fiber-containing circular strength structure  54   a . An annular gap  202  may exist between the seam welded tube  58   a  and the thin polymer layer  56 . Although the embodiment shown composes the optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a , the seam welded tube  58   a  may also be disposed loosely about any other embodiment of the core  54 , such as the optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b , optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c , optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d , optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e , optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f , or others. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 67-72 , showing various embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52  of  FIG. 2  ( 52   h ,  52   i ,  52   j ,  52   k ,  52   l ,  52   m  respectively). Supplementary support structures may be coupled with the optical-fiber-containing structures  54  to provide additional strength, protection, and/or rigidity to the various embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing structures  54 .  FIGS. 67-72  relate to embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a , optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b , optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c , optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d , optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e , and optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  respectively. Each embodiment may be encased by a thin polymer layer  56 . In addition, the thin polymer layer  56  of each embodiment may be circumferentially enclosed by a thick polymer jacket  58   b . The thick polymer jacket  58   b  may be compression-extruded over the thin polymer layer  56  of the various embodiments. The thick polymer jacket  58   b  may physically protect the thin polymer layer  56 , optical-fiber-containing structure  54 , and/or the one or more optical fibers  50  disposed within the thick polymer jacket  58   b.    
     Turning now to  FIGS. 73-78 , showing various embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing armor wire strength members  52  of  FIG. 2  ( 52   n ,  52   o ,  52   p ,  52   q ,  52   r ,  52   s  respectively). Supplementary support structures may be coupled with the core  54  to provide additional strength, protection, and/or rigidity to the various embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing structure  54 .  FIGS. 73-78  relate to embodiments of the optical-fiber-containing circular structure  54   a , optical-fiber-containing grooved structure  54   b , optical-fiber-containing C-shaped structure  54   c , optical-fiber-containing multichannel structure  54   d , optical-fiber-containing capped structure  54   e , and optical-fiber-containing plugged structure  54   f  respectively. Each embodiment may be encased by a thin polymer layer  56 . In addition, the thin polymer layer  56  of each embodiment may be circumferentially enclosed by one or more metallic wires  58   c  (e.g., wire jacket). The metallic wires  58   c  may be served (e.g., cabled helically) over the thin polymer layer  56 . In another embodiment, the metallic wires  58   c  may extend longitudinally along the exterior surface of the thin polymer layer  56 , or in any suitable fashion to cover the exterior surface of the thin polymer layer  56 . The metallic wires  58   c  may physically protect the thin polymer layer  56 , optical-fiber-containing structure  54 , and/or the one or more optical fibers  50  disposed within the casing of metallic wires  58   c.    
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. The disclosed embodiments are suitable for any cable application requiring optical fiber sensors near the outer circumference of a cable, such as wireline cables, wireline cables with partially for fully jacketed strength members, and marine seismic cables. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.