Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field Survey

The evolution of fiber optic technology in the past few decades has led to significant advancements in various fields, including high-speed and long-distance communication, big data transport, optical imaging, and sensing. However, relatively few studies have examined the use of fiber optic sensors...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 13; no. 8; p. 5002
Main Authors Mad Zahir, Mohamad Hafizal, Abdul Aziz, Khairul Mustaqim, Ghazali, Ahmad Riza, Abdul Latiff, Abdul Halim
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.04.2023
Subjects
Acoustics
Cables
Cementing
DAS deployment
Data transmission
Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Evaluation
Fiber optics
Geophysics
Inflatable structures
Light
Optical properties
Performance evaluation
Seismic surveys
Sensors
Signal processing
Surveys
Vertical Seismic Profiling
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The evolution of fiber optic technology in the past few decades has led to significant advancements in various fields, including high-speed and long-distance communication, big data transport, optical imaging, and sensing. However, relatively few studies have examined the use of fiber optic sensors (FOSs) as point and distributed sensors in geophysics. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is a widely used method for subsurface imaging and monitoring in wells, specifically in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) surveys. This method allows for detailed analysis of subsurface structures and properties of reservoirs. Four different strategies for deploying FOS cables in DAS VSP are evaluated and compared: cementing behind casing, cable behind inflatable liner, strapping to production tubing, and wireline deployment. Cementing the fiber behind casing is considered the most effective method for coupling with the formation. However, the other methods also have their own advantages and limitations. The fiber cable behind inflatable liner, for example, allows for accessibility to the fiber without affecting the acoustic signal, while strapping the fiber to production tubing can still record DAS signals; tubing noise and signal attenuation from the annular fluid, however, can make it difficult to differentiate from the seismic signal. Nonetheless, this method has the benefit of being simpler to deploy and replace in case of failure. Wireline deployment can pick up some acoustic signals in regions where the cable touches the well wall, but in vertical sections where the cable is not in contact with the wall, the signal is attenuated. Results from pilot tests in a field in Canada are discussed and evaluated, and suggestions for improving the VSP signal are provided.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app13085002