Method and system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing fluid

Abstract

The system for operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, such as natural gas, comprises a production column in which the operating fluid flows, a protective casing arranged around the production column, and a cement sheath interposed between the casing and a rock formation through which the well extends. The system further comprises, outside the casing, between the casing and the cement sheath, a series of electronic units distributed in predetermined positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing and spaced apart axially along the casing. Each electronic unit comprises communication means enabling the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal, a power supply unit of the electronic unit, and at least one of the following elements: a) a detector unit comprising at least one sensor for sensing a physical or chemical magnitude, and b) a signal processor unit.

1 . A system for operating and monitoring an extraction or storage well for an operating fluid, the well comprising (i) a production column in which the operating fluid flows, (ii) a protective casing arranged around the production column, and (iii) a cement sheath interposed between the casing and a rock formation through which the well extends, the system comprising:
 outside the casing, between the casing and the cement sheath, a series of electronic units distributed in specified positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing and spaced apart axially along the casing, each electronic unit comprising (i) a communication unit configured to enable the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal, (ii) a power supply, and (iii) at least one of: (a) a detector comprising at least one sensor configured to sense a physical or chemical magnitude or (b) a signal processor;   wherein at least one of the electronic units is configured as a relay in which the communication unit comprises a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted by one or more surrounding electronic units and a transmitter configured to transmit signals received from the one or more surrounding electronic units and transformed by the signal processor.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein each detector comprises a sensor configured to measure a single type of physical or chemical magnitude. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein each detector comprises a plurality of sensors configured to measure a plurality of different physical or chemical magnitudes. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein one to eight electronic units are distributed around the casing in a common plane perpendicular to the casing. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication unit comprises a wireless radio. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication unit comprises a wired communication unit. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic units are fastened directly on the casing. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a protective polymer layer configured to protect the electronic units and the casing and configured to hold the electronic units on the casing.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic units are arranged on a continuous strip that is adhesively bonded on a generator line of the casing and that is in contact with the cement sheath. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first series of electronic units of a first type is arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially at a larger first mesh; and   a second series of electronic units of a second type is arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially at a smaller second mesh.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic units including the detectors are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially from one another by 10 cm to 10 m. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic units not including the detectors are arranged in planes perpendicular to the casing that are spaced apart axially from one another by 5 m to 100 m. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the detectors are configured to detect at least one of: temperature, pressure, strain, integrity, density, a presence of material, or a chemical environment. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic units have a thickness of 1 mm to 20 mm. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the power supply of each electronic unit comprises a battery or a supercapacitor. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the power supply of each electronic unit is configured to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted along the casing or mechanical or thermal energy collected by magneto-inductive, piezoelectric, or Seebeck transducers. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electronic unit configured as the relay is configured to recover energy from a surrounding medium in order to power at least one of: the detector or the signal processor. 
     
     
         18 . A method for fabricating a casing of a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, the method comprising:
 providing a set of casing elements;   prior to inserting the casing elements in the well, fastening thereon a series of electronic units to be distributed in specified positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing and spaced apart axially along the casing, each electronic unit comprising (i) a communication unit configured to enable the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal, (ii) a power supply, and (iii) at least one of: (a) a detector comprising at least one sensor configured to sense a physical or chemical magnitude or (b) a signal processor, at least one of the electronic units configured as a relay in which the communication unit comprises a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted by one or more surrounding electronic units and a transmitter configured to transmit signals received from the one or more surrounding electronic units and transformed by the signal processor; and   fastening the casing elements together end-to-end to form the casing.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the electronic units are fastened on a generator line of the casing elements by adhesive, soldering, or welding. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the electronic units are covered by a protective polymer layer. 
     
     
         21 . A method of operating and monitoring a well for extracting or storing an operating fluid, the method comprising:
 making a borehole in a geological formation;   arranging a protective casing in the borehole; and   interposing a sheath of cement between the casing and the geological formation;   wherein the casing is made by:
 obtaining a set of casing elements; 
 prior to inserting the casing elements in the well, fastening thereon a series of electronic units to be distributed in specified positions in a succession of planes perpendicular to the casing and spaced apart axially along the casing, each electronic unit comprising (i) a communication unit configured to enable the electronic unit to communicate with another electronic unit or with a surface terminal, (ii) a power supply, and (iii) at least one of: (a) a detector comprising at least one sensor configured to sense a physical or chemical magnitude or (b) a signal processor, at least one of the electronic units configured as a relay in which the communication unit comprises a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted by one or more surrounding electronic units and a transmitter configured to transmit signals received from the one or more surrounding electronic units and transformed by the signal processor; and 
 fastening the casing elements together end-to-end to form the casing.