| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this thesis was to gain an overview of fields of application of fiber optic technology in reservoir monitoring, how such a measurement system is operated, and challenges that can occur.
For automated and integrated processes in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons, the information available before, during, and after operations is of great value. Where to place wells and templates, at which rate and when production and injection is to take place are just a few of the decisions in such processes. Fiber optic technology which is common in reservoir monitoring tools in a production well, is also used for seismic and monitoring of the subsurface and pipelines along the seabed. Fiber optic measurement systems are of great value thanks to real-time data, which are an advantage in decisions to be made on short notice.
By implementing fiber optic sensing elements along a wellbore, from the reservoir section and up to the surface, well intervention operations, testing of downhole safety equipment, well integrity assurance, and an active reservoir management on drainage and injection strategies can be optimized and profitability maximized. With in-well fiber optics already in place, they can be used for various operations. From cementing a liner, reservoir monitoring, and fluid characterization, to measuring strain and conditions of downhole equipment.
Published papers, course material and equipment from Weatherford, discussion with field specialists, and personal experience have been the basis of the thesis. It was successfully demonstrated how a bad splice affects the optical power transmitted through a fiber optic cable, that attenuation on the emitted light has a boundary, and how important a test of an entire measurement system before operations is.
The installations by Equinor at the Johan Sverdrup field are a good example of benefiting from implementation of technology from the start of development. The digitalization of the green field is part of their high ambition of a 70 % recovery.
Fiber optics are a great choice of measurement systems for reservoir monitoring with many sensing elements already available in today’s market, and will most likely be a preferred choice for monitoring many wells and reservoirs in the years to come. | |
