Key information

Title
Determination of temperature and temperature profile in a wellbore
Application number
20190589
Case type
National
Status
13.10.2025 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
08.05.2019
Effective date
08.05.2019
Publicly available
09.11.2020
Next annual fee due
31.05.2027
Applicant
SCANWELL TECHNOLOGY AS (NO)
Owner
SCANWELL TECHNOLOGY AS (NO)
Inventor
Morten Kvernvold (NO)
Agent
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS (NO)
Granted
13.10.2025
Patent number
349145
Expiry date
08.05.2039

Abstract and drawing

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The temperature in a containment region of a structure, e.g. a well, which comprises at least one tubular, e.g. casing and/or tubing, the containment region containing gas, can be determined in various 5 methods, apparatus, and computer device. In various embodiments, an acoustic pulse is produced and at least one acoustic wave travels in the containment region between reference locations in response to the generated pulse; at least one sensor is used to detect the acoustic wave; at least one travel time of the acoustic wave between the reference locations is determined; at least one acoustic velocity for an 10 interval based on the travel time taken between the reference locations is obtained; and the acoustic velocity and an equation of state model is used to determine the temperature.

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 23.10.2025 12-01 Saksbehandling 20190589(349145) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20190589)
07.07.2025 11-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 UT Intention to grant HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 23.06.2025 10-05 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN P28400NO00 Letter to Patentstyret HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 23.06.2025 10-04 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN P28400NO00 Drawings print-ready x HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 23.06.2025 10-03 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN P28400NO00 Amended specification print-ready HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 23.06.2025 10-02 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN P28400NO00 Additional sheets mark-up specification HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 23.06.2025 10-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 24.03.2025 09-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 UT Substantive examination HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.09.2024 02-01 Endring av søker/innehaver 2024/13648 UT GH Forespørsel HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 17.09.2024 01-01 Endring av søker/innehaver 2024/13648 INN Generell henvendelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 06.04.2021 08-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20190589)
19.10.2020 07-04 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN P28400NO00_Response_Official_Action HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
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 19.10.2020 07-02 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN P28400NO00_claims_rev1_clean HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 19.10.2020 07-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.08.2020 06-02 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Hovedbrev HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.08.2020 06-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 15.06.2020 04-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 UT PT Bekreftelse på fristutsettelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 08.06.2020 05-02 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Patenttegninger HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 08.06.2020 05-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 20.12.2019 03-02 Saksbehandling 20190589 UT PT_report 03:48:07
20.12.2019 03-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 UT Realitet patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 15.05.2019 02-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 UT Infobrev til oppfinner HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 08.05.2019 01-05 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Beskrivelse HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
 08.05.2019 01-04 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN P28400NO00 Drawings for filing HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
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 08.05.2019 01-01 Saksbehandling 20190589 INN Søknadsskjema Patent HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
3491451DETERMINATION OF TEMPERATURE AND TEMPERATURE PROFILE IN A WELL-BOREField of inventionThe present invention relates in particular to the determination of temperature in a con- 5 tainment region of at least one wellbore tubular which located in a deviated or vertical section of a wellbore, and which may contain gas in the containment region thereof.BackgroundStructures such as pipelines or wells comprising wellbore tubulars can contain fluids comprising gas in a containment region of the structure. Wellbore tubulars typically penetrate 10 deep into the Earth’s surface, and subsurface fluids, e.g. hydrocarbon liquids and/or gas may accumulate within the wellbore. In various contexts, for instance, it is desirable to know the temperature in the containment region, e.g. a horizontal, vertical or deviated section of tubular. Temperature and pressure are key parameters for understanding the conditions of the well and reservoir. 15 The fluids in a wellbore stratify with lighter fluids such as gas overlying heavier fluids such as liquids. This is typically the case in wellbores in the oil and gas exploration and production industry. In such cases, the wellbore may extend from the surface and penetrate a target oil and gas reservoir several kilometres below the surface.At the location of a hydrocarbon reservoir, hydrocarbon fluids e.g. natural oil and gas, may 20 enter from the formation into the wellbore. In addition, water in the formation may enter the wellbore. The natural hydrostatic pressure can lead to pressures and temperatures at the depth of the reservoir formation that are significantly higher than at the surface. As a result, fluids in the formation may enter the wellbore and travel toward the lower pressure region of the surface. In an oil and gas wellbore, and in particular in a wellbore which is 25 shut in at surface, fluid components tend to stratify and occupy the wellbore according to the prevailing pressure(-depth) gradient, temperature(-depth) gradient and the composition of the fluid components. Normally, water is succeeded uphole by oil, and then gas. 3491452In a traditional prior art method, temperature is measured in a pipeline or wellbore by installing temperature instruments. Should such instruments fail it is in many cases difficult or impossible to replace the instruments, especially if the temperature instrument is part of a wellbore completion. 5 With reference to Figure 1, another known method is to monitor temperature in a wellbore 1 by lowering a temperature measurement sensor 2 on a wireline 3, so as to read off the actual temperature at different depths in the wellbore. The wellbore 1 contains gas 5 and liquid 6, and the wireline 4 can be spooled in or out from a drum 4 at a surface facility. Such a method can be inconvenient and time consuming, as it requires intervention by 10 wireline or slickline into the wellbore which leads to significant costs. Intervention by wireline/slickline is also only possible in the tubular, and not in the annular space of the wellbore (surrounding the tubular).Published patent documents WO8805530, WO2014/039873, and US4762425 may facilitate further understanding of how the present invention differs from prior art. 15 Summary of inventionAn aim of the invention is to obviate or at least mitigate one or more drawbacks associated with prior techniques.According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of determining at least one temperature in a containment region of at least one wellbore tubular which is lo- 20 cated in a deviated or vertical section of a wellbore, the containment region containing gas, the method comprising the steps of: producing an acoustic pulse, at least one acoustic wave travelling through gas in the containment region between reference locations along the wellbore tubular, in response to the generated pulse; using at least one sensor to detect the acoustic wave; determining at least one travel time of the acoustic wave 25 through gas between the reference locations; obtaining at least one acoustic velocity for an interval of distance along the wellbore tubular based on the travel time taken between the reference locations; and using the acoustic velocity and an equation of state model to determine the temperature. 30 The equation of state model may typically have interrelated pressure, temperature, gas composition, acoustic velocity, and/or gas density components. The acoustic velocity may accordingly be related to the temperature component through the model. The equation of state model may be as defined anywhere else herein. 3491453The method may further comprise computing, calculating, or otherwise determining the temperature from the obtained acoustic velocity, based on or using the equation of state model.5The method may further comprise determining a pressure of the gas, and using the pressure and the acoustic velocity to determine the temperature.The tubular may comprise at least one tubular of a wellbore extending into the Earth from 10 surface and the determination of the pressure of the gas may comprise a pressure P0 at or near surface, and the method may include measuring the pressure P0 if the pressure is not known. The tubular may comprise at least one tubular of a wellbore extending into the Earth from surface and the determination of the pressure of the gas may be based on a pressure P0 at or near surface, and an estimated density of the gas, and the method may 15 include measuring the pressure P0.The method may further comprise determining a composition of the gas, wherein the step of using the acoustic velocity and the equation of state model to determine the temperature may be performed based on the determined composition of the gas. The composition 20 may be obtained using a gas chromatograph or a similar instrumentThe method may further comprise determining various physical properties of the gas based on the determined temperature combined with known or measured pressure and gas composition.25The structure may comprise inner and outer tubulars, e.g. casings, of a well, the inner tubular being arranged inside the outer tubular, and the containment region may comprise an annulus between an inner tubular and the outer tubular. 30 A plurality of intervals may be defined, and the method may include: determining acoustic velocities for the respective intervals based on the times of travel of the acoustic wave; and determining temperatures for the respective intervals using the acoustic velocities and the equation of state model. The method may further comprise using the temperatures to obtain a profile of the temperature versus distance along the section of pipe. 3491454A wellbore annulus may surround the wellbore tubular. Tubulars may be arranged one within another, whereby an annulus may be defined between an outer surface of an inner tubular and an inner surface of an outer tubular. The annulus may provide the containment region.5According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of performing an inflow test in a well, using the temperature determined by performing the method according to the first aspect of the invention to determine a rate of flow into the containment region of the structure.10According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of investigating and quantifying leakage rate of a fluid between a first pipe and a second pipe, wherein the first pipe is surrounded by at least a portion of the second pipe, where the pipes are arranged in a well in a ground, wherein the temperature of gas from an annulus surrounding 15 a leakage site in the first pipe is determined by the method of the first aspect of the invention.According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for performing the method of any of the first to third aspects of the invention.20According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program for computing the temperature from the obtained acoustic velocity in the method of the first to third aspects of the invention. 25 According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer device comprising a processor which when executing the computer program of the fifth aspect of the invention is caused to determine the temperature from the obtained acoustic velocity.According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a data carrier, data trans- 30 mission medium, or data signal carrying any one or more of: the computer program of the fifth aspect of the invention; the acoustic velocity data or travel time data obtained in performing the method of any of the first to third aspects of the invention; and the determined temperature data obtained using the travel time data or the acoustic velocity data from performing the method of any of the first to third aspects of the invention. 3491455According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for determining at least one temperature in fluid comprising gas in a containment region of at least one wellbore tubular which is located in a deviated or vertical section of a wellbore, the apparatus comprising: at least one acoustic transmitter for producing an acoustic pulse to gen- 5 erate at least one acoustic wave to travel through gas in the containment region between reference locations along the wellbore tubular; at least one sensor to detect the acoustic wave and determine the travel time of the acoustic wave through gas between the reference locations; and at least one determiner for determining the acoustic velocity of distance along the wellbore tubular from the travel time and using the acoustic velocity and 10 an equation of state model to determine the temperature.The sensor may comprise a microphone. The sensor may be arranged to communicate data from the sensor to the determiner. The apparatus may further comprise at least one pressure sensor arranged for detecting the pressure in the containment region.15Various further features of the various aspects of the invention may be defined in the claims appended hereto or elsewhere herein. The various aspects of the invention may have further features as defined in relation any other aspect of the invention wherever described herein. 20 By way of the invention, temperature may advantageously be determined and monitored in pipelines and wellbores, in cases where it may not previously have been possible or feasible using conventional temperature instruments.Various further advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and elsewhere throughout. 25 Drawings and descriptionThere will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:Figure 1 is a schematic representation according to prior art of a wellbore in which a temperature measurement tool is being run on a wireline; 30 Figure 2 is a schematic representation of apparatus for determining temperature in a horizontal pipe according to an example; 3491456Figure 3 is a schematic representation of apparatus for determining temperature in a vertical or deviated section of pipe of a wellbore according to an embodiment of the invention;Figure 4 is a schematic representation of apparatus for determining temperature in a 5 vertical or deviated section of pipe of a wellbore according to another embodiment of the invention;Figure 5 is a schematic representation of apparatus for determining a temperature profile with distance in a horizontal pipe according to an example;Figure 6 is a schematic representation of apparatus for determining a temperature 10 profile with depth in a vertical or deviated section of pipe of a wellbore according to another embodiment of the invention;Figure 7 is a schematic representation of apparatus for determining temperature in a wellbore containing gas and liquid according to another embodiment of the invention; and 15 Figure 8 is a schematic representation of apparatus for determining temperature in an annulus of a wellbore.Parameters of pressure, temperature, density, and composition of a gas contained in a defined space, such as in a section of a wellbore, are interrelated through an equation of state. The literature describes well known equations of state containing specific mathe- 20 matical relationships among the parameters of pressure, temperature, density, and composition of a gas, for approximating or modelling the condition of a gas-containing region. A selected parameter can be determined from knowledge of the other parameters using such relationships. Equations of state have been developed for fluids in wellbores such as gases and mixtures of gas components contained in pipes in a wellbore. 25 In example embodiments of the present invention, the acoustic velocity through the gas is measured and used for determining the temperature. From the determined temperature, other equation of state parameters can be determined using known equation of state relationships. The acoustic velocity can be determined based on the formula: = (, , ) [Equation 1a] 3491457where AVAVG is the average acoustic velocity, PAVG is the average pressure, TAVG is the average temperature, and Comp is the composition of the gas.In practice, the acoustic velocity can be determined from the speed of sound relation such as set out in equation 3.1 of the article of Smith, J. P. and Clancy, J. with title “Under- 5 standing AGA Report No.10 Speed of Sound in Natural Gas and Other Related Hydrocarbon Gases”, 12 January 2011, published by the American School of Gas Measurement Technology (ASGMT). This is based on the ideal gas equation and adiabatic conditions. The American Gas Association’s AGA Report No.10 has the title “Speed of Sound in Natural Gas and Other Related Hydrocarbon Gases”, is published January 2003, and pro- 10 vides information for computation of sound speed in natural gas and other related hydrocarbon gases. The speed of sound relation is as follows: . = [Equation 1b]whereCp and Cv are the constant pressure and constant volume heat capacities of the 15 gas;R is the ideal gas constant;Mr is the molar mass;Z is compressibility;ρ is density; and 20 T is temperature.This equation is an equation of state model relating the acoustic velocity (through the speed of sound W) to the temperature, density, pressure, and composition (through compressibility and molar mass) of the gas. These parameters may be computed through the 25 procedures as set out in the equations 3.1 to 3.17 and related text of the abovementioned article of Smith and Clancy.The equation of state model can in other variants be in the form of a database or table of precalculated values from the speed of sound relation, e.g. different values of acoustic ve- 30 locity for different pressure, temperatures, and composition.In various examples that follow herein, acoustic measurements are performed by sending an acoustic pulse (positive or negative) into a section of gas-filled or partially gas-filled 3491458pipe. The acoustic pulse reflects back from the end of the gas filled section after a period of time. If the length of the gas filled section is known, the average acoustic velocity can be determined by measuring the round-trip travel time for the reflected pulse.Based the formula of Equation 1, it is then possible to determine the average temperature 5 from the determined velocity in a section of pipe if the average pressure and composition is known or estimated. The relationship of dependence between the acoustic velocity and the pressure, temperature and composition of the gas in an equation of state model for wellbore gas contained in a pipe is well known.Once the average pressure, temperature and gas composition has been determined from 10 the acoustic velocity, the equation of state model can also be used to determine other physical properties of the gas, such as density, pressure gradient, temperature gradient, and so forth.EXAMPLESVarious examples are described in the following. 15 Example 1With reference to Figure 2, apparatus 100 for determining temperature in a horizontal section of pipe 102 is generally depicted. The apparatus 100 includes an acoustic instrument 104 which includes a transmitter 106 that transmits an acoustic pulse into the pipe 102. The acoustic instrument 104 further includes an acoustic sensor 107. Acoustic waves 20 from the transmitted pulse are reflected from an end 110 of the pipe 102 and propagate back along the pipe 102. The acoustic sensor 107 responds to the reflected waves received at the sensor and the time of arrival of the reflected waves are recorded. From this, the two-way round-trip travel time of the reflected waves over the length L of the section of pipe is obtained. 25 The acoustic sensor 107 is for example a microphone or a pressure sensitive sensor or transducer. The transmitter 106 can be a sound generator.The acoustic instrument 104 or apparatus 100 also includes a computer device 112. The computer device 112 includes memory 113 for storing a computer program and data. The computer device 112 may further include a microprocessor 114 for executing at least one 30 computer program. The computer program when executed can cause the computer device 112 to output an instruction to the transmitter 106 to transmit the pulse into the pipe 3491459102. A computer program can also be executed to process and/or analyse response data from the sensor 107 to determine the travel time and acoustic velocity.In this example, the horizontal section of pipe 102 is gas filled or partially gas filled with the end 110 of the section 102 comprising an acoustic reflector. The length L is known 5 e.g. from previous knowledge about the pipe, e.g. by knowing the location of the reflector.The pressure P in the pipe is measured, e.g. using a pressure sensor exposed to the interior of the pipe. Since the pipe section 102 is horizontal it can be appreciated that there is no hydrostatic variation in the section, such that the pressure P applies uniformly within the pipe section 102. The composition of the gas may be known or can be measured on- 10 site using a gas analyser.The average gas temperature TAVG and density in the section of pipe 102 can then be determined according to the following: = (, , ) [Equation 2]When the average gas temperature TAVG is determined, the physical properties such as 15 the density or gravity of the gas can be determined using the following equation: ⁄ = (, , ) [Equation 3]where P is pressure in the pipe, AVAVG is the average acoustic velocity to the reflector and Comp is the composition of the gas.The equations can be implemented on the computer device. For example, the computer 20 program may comprise machine readable instructions for calculating the acoustic velocity, temperature and density according to Equations 2 and 3 based on input data. Data from the acoustic instrument e.g. arrival times of reflected waves, provide input to the calculation. When the program is executed by the processor, the computer is caused to perform the calculations of temperature and/or density. 25 Example 2Referring to Figure 5, this example differs from Example 1 in that the section of pipe 102 additionally includes further reflection locations 120a-120d. Thus, acoustic waves from the transmitter are also reflected from each of the reflection locations 120a-120d. Using the same principle as for the reflected waves of Example 1, the average acoustic velocity to 34914510each reflector 120a-120d is determined by using the sensor 107 and measuring the round-trip travel time for the acoustic pulse to reflect back from each reflector.The reflection locations 120a-120d are locations along the length of the pipe 102 where the cross-sectional diameter changes from one diameter to another. The distances to the 5 changes in cross sectional diameter are known from a pipe schematic.By determining to each reflection point using Equation 2, the temperature profile, i.e. the temperature versus distance along the pipe, in the pipe can be obtained. Similarly, the gas density profile in the pipe can be obtained using Equation 3.Example 3 10 Referring to Figure 3, a vertical section of pipe 102, is gas filled or partially gas filled with the end 110 of the section 102 comprising an acoustic reflector. The apparatus 100 operates as explained above in relation to Example 1. The average acoustic velocity is obtained by measuring the round-trip travel time over the distance L for reflected acoustic waves to reflect back from the end 110. 15 The pressure in the pipe is measured to give an average pressure PAVG for the length L.The composition of the gas is known or can be measured onsite using a gas analyser. The average gas temperature and density in the section of pipe 102 is then determined according to the following: = (, , ) [Equation 4] 20 When the average gas temperature TAVG is determined, the physical properties such as the density or gravity of the gas can be determined using the following equation: ⁄ = (, , ) [Equation 5]where PAVG is the average pressure in the pipe section, AVAVG is the average acoustic velocity to the reflection point and Comp is the composition of the gas. 25 In variants of this example, the pipe 102 can have multiple reflection locations such as locations 120a-120d in Example 2 which are locations along the length of the pipe where the cross-sectional diameter changes from one diameter to another. In such variants, the distance to the changes in cross sectional diameter is known from a pipe schematic. The average pressure down to each reflection location or in the interval between successive 34914511reflection locations is measured, e.g. using a pressure sensor. As this is a vertical pipe and if the gas filled column stretches a significant vertical distance into the Earth, pressure and temperature conditions can vary significantly with depth e.g. due to geothermal gradient and hydrostatic effects. The acoustic velocity down to each reflection point is deter- 5 mined be measuring the round-trip travel time for the acoustic pulse to reflect back from each reflection point. The temperature and density can then be obtained from the Equations 4 and 5 for successive intervals along the pipe. By determining down to each reflection point, the temperature profile in the pipe can be determined. Similarly, the gas density profile in the pipe can be determined.10Example 4Referring to Figures 4 and 6, a vertical section of pipe which is gas filled or partially gas filled, the average acoustic velocity AVAVG in the gas filled section of the pipe is measured. The composition of the gas may be known or can be measured using a gas analyser. 15 The apparatus 100 in this case further includes a pressure gauge 109. The surface pressure P0 is measured using the pressure gauge 109.The measured acoustic velocity AVAVG, the surface pressure P0, and gas composition Comp are first used to estimate the average temperature of the gas column based on the following: 20 = (, , ) [Equation 6] ( ) = (, , ) [Equation 7]However, assuming a simple surface pressure P0 results only in a rough determination of the temperature and density. An improved, estimated average pressure to the reflector is calculated using: 25 = + ∗ ∗ / 2 [Equation 8]where g is the gravitational constant and TVD is vertical depth to the reflector from the microphone.The measured acoustic velocity AVAVG, estimated average pressure PAVG1, and gas composition Comp are then used to estimate, and improve the estimation of, the average tem- 30 perature of the gas column, as follows: 34914512 = (, , ) [Equation 9] ( ) = (, , ) [Equation 10]This iteration continues until the average temperature does not change anymore. At this point the determined average pressure and temperature will match the measured acoustic 5 velocity.The next “iteration” would look like this: = + ∗ ∗ /2 [Equation 11] = (, , ) [Equation 12] ( ) = (, , ) [Equation 13]10As mentioned above, the equation of state model can in other variants be in the form of a database or table of precalculated values from the speed of sound relation, e.g. different values of acoustic velocity for different pressure, temperatures, and composition. Therefore, in some examples, the acoustic velocity can be determined based on the measure- 15 ment of acoustic waves returned to the sensor as described above, and then the temperature associated with the acoustic velocity can be found from the model, e.g. by reading off the temperature from a database or look up table. In other variants, a theoretical value of the acoustic velocity can be calculated for a given, pressure, temperature, and composition e.g. based on the equations above. The actual measured acoustic velocity can then 20 be compared with a theoretical calculated value, to obtain a temperature which produces a “high fit” match between the measured acoustic velocity and that predicted. To find the best match, the assumed or estimated pressure and composition parameters may be varied iteratively from an initial guess or estimate.The determined temperature may be used in various ways. In the above examples, the 25 temperature or profile of temperature with distance along the pipe is determined based on measured acoustic velocity to one or more reflectors. The average gas pressure PAVG can then be determined using equation of state relations as follows: = (, , ) [Equation 14]By obtaining determining PAVG (and TAVG based on AV) for each interval between reflec- 30 tors the profile and variation of pressure along the pipe can be determined and plotted. 34914513By plotting the profile, the changes in pressure, temperature and density/gradient at each reference point can be visualised. In addition, the resulting parameters measured and calculated can be verified against data collected in other ways. For example, the plot produced can be used to identify any measurement/calculation which is not consistent 5 with measurements of temperature and pressure made direct in the well. Measurements/calculations which does not give the expected result may indicate that the measurements should be repeated.As indicated in Figure 7, a wellbore 201 is provided with apparatus 200 for determining the temperature in a section of pipe 201 of the wellbore that contains gas. The wellbore 10 201 penetrates into a hydrocarbon reservoir at 250 so as to allow communication of fluids from the reservoir into the wellbore 201. Corresponding features to those described in the examples above are referenced with the same numerals but incremented by one hundred. The wellbore 201 includes a lower section of pipe 222 which is liquid filled, e.g. with water and oil. The reflector at the lower end of the gas filled section is in this case the gas-liquid 15 interface 210. The change in acoustic properties at the interface 210 leads to reflection of the acoustic waves transmitted into the pipe. The acoustic waves are typically transmitted from the acoustic instrument 204 via the wellhead and/or valve tree. The instrument 204 is arranged at the surface, e.g. on the rig or installation (not shown).The gas filled section 202 can include further reflectors such as points of narrowing of the 20 pipe in the wellbore as 120a-120d as described above. Such points of narrowing may be found for example at joints, sleeves, or collars between sections of pipe in the well. Other physical features or artefacts in the pipe extending through the wellbore can be utilised similarly as “reflectors” where these can produce an effect in the acoustic waves returning to the sensor 207 in response to the pulse transmission. 25 Although various examples above refer to a section of pipe in a wellbore, the same technique can be applied more generally in a well, for instance to fluid columns in the casing or tubing annuli of an oil and gas well, such as is described briefly now with reference additionally to Figure 8. In Figure 8, a central production tubing 433 is surrounded by a first casing 435. The first casing 435 is surrounded by a second casing 437, which in turn is 30 surrounded by a third casing 439. The casings 435, 437, 439 comprise tubulars which are arranged at different heights relative to the production tubing and extend into the subsurface of the earth. An annulus A, the so-called “A-annulus”, is defined between the production tubing 433 and the first casing 435, an annulus B, the “B-annulus”, is defined between the first casing 435 and the second casing 437, and an annulus C, the “C-annulus” 34914514is defined between the second casing 437 and the third casing 439. A packer element 451 provides a barrier in a lower part of the A-annulus.As can be appreciated, a fluid column is present in the A-annulus comprising liquid FL and gas FG. By leakage through the hole 432 through the wall of the first casing 435, fluid has 5 entered into and accumulated in the B-annulus such as shown in Figure 8. The B-annulus acts in effect as a separation chamber for the various fluid phases. Accordingly, the B-annulus also fluid column comprising liquid FL and gas. The well 401 is provided with apparatus 400 for determining the temperature in the section of the B-annulus containing gas FG. Corresponding features to those described in the examples above are referenced 10 with the same numerals but incremented by a multiple of one hundred. A lower section of the B-annulus is liquid filled with Liquid FL, e.g. water and oil. The reflector at the lower end of the gas filled section is in this case the gas-liquid interface 410. The change in acoustic properties at the interface 410 leads to reflection of the acoustic waves transmitted into the pipe, back to the sensor e.g. microphone 407. 15 In this particular example of Figure 8, a further measuring arrangement 420 includes a flow meter 464 and a pressure meter or gauge 466. The measuring arrangement is in fluid communication with the B-annulus through the fluid line 462. The pressure meter or gauge 466 can measure differential pressure between the A- and B-annuli by respective pressure sensors 465, 465’. The measuring arrangement 420, can be used to quantify 20 the leakage rate, with the valve 469 being used to regulate the pressure differential between annuli constant. The patent publication WO2010/151144 describes a measurement arrangement generally of this kind for quantification of leakage using the pressure meter and flow meter. There is incorporated herein by reference the method and apparatus as set out in claims 1 and 7, or any other claims, in the patent publication 25 WO2010/151144, wherein the temperature meter mentioned in that document may not be required, but wherein instead, a temperature may be determined by measuring the acoustic velocity AV for the gas column of the B-annulus. This can facilitate a more accurate determination of temperature and hence improve the leakage quantification.In further variants, the determined temperature from acoustic measurements as explained 30 above can be used in wellbore inflow tests, where the leakage rate of gas into the pressurised chamber is determined as pressure is bled off. The chamber may be an annulus such as the B-annulus in the example of Figure 8, and the acoustic velocity in the gas in the chamber is obtained by recording the arrival of acoustic waves returning from known reflection points therein. In such an inflow test, the following equation applies for the leak 34914515flow rate Qv after the pressure is bled down and monitored for subsequent build up due to leakage at times t1 and t2: = − [Equation 15]where 5 MW is molecular weight of the gas;P1 and P2 is the pressure at time t1 and t2 respectively;V1 and V2 is the volume of the chamber containing the gas at time t1 and t2;T1 and T2 is the temperature at time t1 and t2;Z2 and Z1 is the compressibility of the gas at time t1 and t2; 10 R is the Rankine constant; andT is temperature.The temperatures T1 and T2 are obtained from acoustic transmission and measurement of returning acoustic waves over time in the gas in corresponding manner to that de- 15 scribed in the various examples above.In prior art the temperature is typically not measured. However, the temperature parameter is an important parameter for an accurate and reliable determination of the leakage and/or leakage rate. In particular, the technique herein of making an acoustic velocitybased determination of the temperature can be beneficial in that it can provide a reliable 20 average temperature for a large volume chamber of gas.Various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein described.25
Claims
34914516CLAIMS1. A method of determining at least one temperature in a containment region of at least one wellbore tubular which is located in a deviated or vertical section of a wellbore, the containment region containing gas, the method comprising the steps of:5 producing an acoustic pulse, at least one acoustic wave travelling through gas in the containment region between reference locations along the wellbore tubular, in response to the generated pulse;using at least one sensor to detect the acoustic wave;determining at least one travel time of the acoustic wave through gas between the10 reference locations;obtaining at least one acoustic velocity for an interval of distance along the wellbore tubular based on the travel time taken between the reference locations; and using the acoustic velocity and an equation of state model to determine the temperature.152. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the equation of state model has interrelated pressure, temperature, gas composition, and gas density components.3. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, which further comprises determining20 a pressure of the gas, and using the pressure and the acoustic velocity to determine the temperature.4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tubular comprises at least one tubular of a wellbore extending into the Earth from surface and the determination of the pressure25 of the gas comprises a pressure P0 at or near surface, and the method includes measuring the pressure P0.5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tubular comprises at least one tubular of a wellbore extending into the Earth from surface and the determination of the pressure30 of the gas is based on a pressure P0 at or near surface, and an estimated density of the gas, and the method includes measuring the pressure P0.6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, which further comprises determining a composition of the gas, wherein the step of using the acoustic velocity and the equation34914517of state model to determine the temperature is performed based on the determined composition of the gas.7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, which further comprises determining5 various physical properties of the gas, such as density -based on the determined temperature combined with measured or know pressure and composition.8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure comprises inner and outer tubulars, e.g. casings, of a well, the inner tubular being arranged inside the10 outer tubular, and the containment region comprising an annulus between an inner tubular and the outer tubular.9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of intervals are defined, and the method includes:15 determining acoustic velocities for the respective intervals based on the times of travel of the acoustic wave; and determining temperatures for the respective intervals using the acoustic velocities and the equation of state model.10. A method as claimed in claim 9, which further comprises using the temperatures to20 obtain a profile of the temperature versus distance along the section of pipe.11. A method of performing an inflow test in a well, using the temperature determined by performing the method according to any preceding claim to determine a rate of flow into the containment region of the structure.2512. A method of investigating and quantifying leakage rate of a fluid between a first pipe and a second pipe, wherein the first pipe is surrounded by at least a portion of the second pipe, where the pipes are arranged in a well in a ground, wherein the temperature of gas from an annulus surrounding a leakage site in the first pipe is determined by the30 method of any of claims 1 to 10.13. Apparatus for performing the method as claimed in any preceding claim.14. A computer program for computing the temperature from the obtained acoustic ve-35 locity in the method of any of claims 1 to 12.3491451815. A computer device comprising a processor which when executing the computer program of claim 14 is caused to determine the temperature from the obtained acoustic velocity.5 16. A data carrier, data transmission medium, or data signal carrying any one or more of: the computer program of claim 14; the acoustic velocity data or travel time data obtained in performing the method of claims 1 to 12; and the determined temperature data obtained using the travel time data or the acoustic velocity data from performing the method of any of claims 1 to 12.1017. Apparatus for determining at least one temperature in fluid comprising gas in a containment region of at least one wellbore tubular which is located in a deviated or vertical section of a wellbore, the apparatus comprising:at least one acoustic transmitter for producing an acoustic pulse to generate at15 least one acoustic wave to travel through gas in the containment region between reference locations along the wellbore tubular;at least one sensor to detect the acoustic wave and determine the travel time of the acoustic wave through gas between the reference locations; andat least one determiner for determining the acoustic velocity of distance along the20 wellbore tubular from the travel time and using the acoustic velocity and an equation of state model to determine the temperature.18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sensor comprises a microphone.25 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the sensor is arranged to communicate data from the sensor to the determiner.20. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 17 to 19, further comprising at least one pressure sensor arranged for detecting the pressure in the containment region.34914519PATENTKRAV1. Fremgangsmåte for å bestemme minst én temperatur i en inneslutningsregion av i det minste ett borehullsrør som er lokalisert i en avvikende eller vertikal seksjon av et bo-5 rehull, idet inneslutningsregionen inneholder gass, idet fremgangsmåten omfatter trinnene:å fremstille en akustisk puls, idet minst én akustisk bølge beveger seg gjennom gassen i inneslutningsregionen mellom referanselokasjoner langs borehullsrøret som respons på den genererte pulsen;10 å anvende minst én sensor til å registrere den akustiske bølgen;å bestemme minst én reisetid til den akustiske bølgen gjennom gass mellom referanselokasjonene;å oppnå minst én akustisk hastighet for en distanseintervall langs borehullsrøret basert på reiseetiden mellom referanselokasjonene; og15 å anvende den akustiske hastigheten og en tilstandsligning-modell til å bestemme temperaturen.2. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 1, hvor tilstandsligning-modellen har innbyrdes forbundne trykk-, temperatur-, gassammensetnings- og gasstetthetskomponenter.203. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, som videre omfatter å bestemme et trykk til gassen og anvende trykket og den akustiske hastigheten til å bestemme temperaturen.25 4. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 3, hvor røret omfatter minst ett rør av et borehull som strekker seg inn i jorden fra overflaten, og bestemmelsen av trykket til gassen omfatter et trykk P0 ved eller i nærheten av overflaten, og fremgangsmåten inkluderer å måle trykket P0.30 5. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 4, hvor røret omfatter minst ett rør av et borehull som strekker seg inn i jorden fra overflaten, og bestemmelsen av trykket til gassen er basert på et trykk P0 ved eller i nærheten av overflaten og en anslått tetthet av gassen, og fremgangsmåten inkluderer å måle trykket P0.35 6. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, som videre omfatter å bestemme en sammensetning av gassen, hvor trinnet å anvende den akustiske34914520hastigheten og tilstandsligning-modellen til å bestemme temperaturen utføres basert på den bestemte sammensetningen til gassen.7. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, som videre5 omfatter å bestemme ulike fysiske egenskaper ved gassen, slik som tetthet, basert på den bestemte temperaturen i kombinasjon med målt eller kjent trykk og sammensetning.8. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor strukturen omfatter indre og ytre rør, f.eks. fôringsrør, av en brønn, idet det indre røret er an-10 ordnet inni det ytre røret, og inneslutningsregionen omfatter et ringrom mellom et indre rør og det ytre røret.9. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene, hvor en flerhet av intervaller er definert, og fremgangsmåten inkluderer:15 å bestemme akustiske hastigheter for de respektive intervallene basert på reisetidene til den akustiske bølgen; og å bestemme temperaturer for de respektive intervallene ved anvendelse av de akustiske hastighetene og tilstandsligning-modellen.10. Fremgangsmåte ifølge krav 9, som videre omfatter å anvende temperaturene til å20 oppnå en profil av temperaturen versus avstand langs rørseksjonen.11. Fremgangsmåte for å utføre en innstrømmingstest i en brønn, hvor temperaturen som er bestemt ved utførelse av fremgangsmåten ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene anvendes til å bestemme en strømningsrate inn i inneslutningsregionen til25 strukturen.12. Fremgangsmåte for å undersøke og kvantifisere lekkasjeraten til et fluid mellom et første rør og et andre rør, hvor det første røret er omgitt av i det minste et parti av det andre røret, hvor rørene er anordnet i en brønn i en grunn, hvor temperaturen til gass fra30 et ringrom som omgir et lekkasjested i det første røret, bestemmes ved fremgangsmåten ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1 til 10.13. Apparat for å utføre fremgangsmåten ifølge et hvilket som helst av de foregående kravene.353491452114. Datamaskinprogram for å beregne temperaturen fra den oppnådde akustiske hastigheten i fremgangsmåten ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1 til 12.15. Datamaskinanordning omfattende en prosessor som, når datamaskinprogrammet5 ifølge krav 14 kjøres, fås til å bestemme temperaturen ut fra den oppnådde akustiske hastigheten.16. Databærer, dataoverføringsmedium eller datasignal som bærer hvilken som helst ene eller flere av: datamaskinprogrammet ifølge krav 14; dataene om akustisk hastighet10 eller dataene om reisetid oppnådd ved utførelse av fremgangsmåten ifølge krav 1 til 12;og dataene om bestemt temperatur oppnådd ved anvendelse av dataene om reisetid eller dataene om akustisk hastighet fra utførelsen av fremgangsmåten ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 1 til 12.15 17. Apparat for å bestemme minst én temperatur i fluid omfattende gass i en inneslutningsregion av minst ett borehullsrør som er lokalisert i en avvikende eller vertikal seksjon av et borehull, idet apparatet omfatter:minst én akustisk sender for å fremstille en akustisk puls for å generere minst én akustisk bølge som beveger seg gjennom gass i inneslutningsregionen mellom referanse-20 lokasjoner langs borehullsrøret;minst én sensor for å registrere den akustiske bølgen og bestemme reisetiden til den akustiske bølgen gjennom gass mellom referanselokasjonene; ogminst én determiner for å bestemme den akustiske hastigheten av avstand langs borehullsrøret ut fra reisetiden, og anvende den akustiske hastigheten og en tilstandslig-25 ning-modell til å bestemme temperaturen.18. Apparat ifølge krav 17, hvor sensoren omfatter en mikrofon.19. Apparat ifølge krav 17 eller 18, hvor sensoren er anordnet for å formidle data fra30 sensoren til determineren.20. Apparat ifølge et hvilket som helst av kravene 17 til 19, videre omfattende minst én trykksensor anordnet for å registrere trykket i inneslutningsregionen.
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Patent classes

IPC classesE21B 47/07E21B 47/14G01K 11/24G01N 29/024G01N 29/44CPC classesE21B 47/07E21B 47/14G01K 11/24G01N 29/024G01N 29/4472

Citations

WO 8805530 A1 (A1)WO 2014/039873 A1 (A1)US 4762425 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
SCANWELL TECHNOLOGY AS
Lagerveien 23 4033 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)Org. number: 998426162Inventors
Morten Kvernvold
Lyngnesvn. 42 4018 STAVANGER NO (STAVANGER Municipality, Rogaland county)

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HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS
HÅMSØ PATENTBYRÅ AS

Org. number: 918752900

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