Method for monitoring deformation of well equipment

Abstract

A method of monitoring deformation and other characteristics of a casing or other tubular or cylindrical well equipment in a well traversing an underground formation, comprises:—providing a carrier rod having at least one recess extending along at least part of the length of the rod, in which recess an optical fiber assembly for monitoring strain, temperature and/or other physical parameters is arranged, which assembly is along at least part of its length bonded within the recess;—lowering the carrier rod and well equipment simultaneously into the well such that the rod is arranged in an annular space between the well equipment and the wellbore;—securing the rod at a plurality of locations distributed along its length to the well equipment; and—connecting the optical fiber assembly to an optical signal transmission and reception assembly for monitoring the physical parameters of the well equipment.

1 . A method of monitoring deformation, strain, temperature and/or other physical characteristics of a casing, sandscreen, electrical heater and/or other tubular or cylindrical well equipment in a well traversing an underground formation, the method comprising:
 providing a carrier rod having at least one recess extending along at least part of the length of the rod, in which recess a optical fiber assembly for monitoring strain, temperature and/or other physical parameters is arranged, which optical fiber assembly is along at least part of its length bonded within the recess;   lowering the carrier rod and well equipment simultaneously into the well such that the carrier rod is arranged in an annular space between the outer surface of the well equipment and the inner surface of the wellbore;   securing the carrier rod at a plurality of locations distributed along its length to the well equipment;   connecting the optical fiber assembly to an optical signal transmission and reception assembly which is configured to transmit optical signals through the optical fiber assembly and to monitor deformation, strain, temperature and/or other physical parameters of the well equipment on the basis of any relationship between these parameters and reflection and/or modification of optical signals at different locations along the length of the optical fiber assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier rod comprises a material having similar thermal expansion, and mechanical properties as the casing, sandscreen, electrical heater and/or other well equipment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier rod is made of the same material as the casing, sandscreen and/or other well equipment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carrier rod is arranged on a coil and bent into a substantially straight position before it is lowered into the well. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carrier rod is attached along selected intervals of its length by straps, welding, brazing and/or a bonding agent to the casing, sandscreen and/or other well equipment before it is lowered into the well. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the carrier rod is secured to a tubular piece of well equipment by filling at least part of an annular space between the outer surface of the well equipment and the inner surface of the wellbore with a cement or other hardening composition and/or by expanding the tubular piece of well equipment such that at least part of an outer surface thereof is pressed against the inner surface of the wellbore. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of carrier rods with optical fiber assemblies embedded in longitudinal recess are arranged at regular circumferential intervals around the outer surface of a tubular or cylindrical piece of well equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method is used to monitor deformation of tubular or cylindrical well equipment during crude hydrocarbon fluid production operations and/or during steam injection into or electrical heating of a hydrocarbon containing formation, and wherein the monitored deformation of the well equipment is taken into account to adapt, modify and/or control the hydrocarbon fluid production, steam injection and/or electrical heating operations.