Abstract: Overview of Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing and the Value of its Data in Asset Optimization

Brian Schulte, Kevin Boone, Tim Morrish |

This paper overviews Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing (DFOS) data, its use, and the life-of-asset optimization value of the data recorded on the downhole fiber-optic cable (FOC). The demonstrated applications of DFOS data, coupled with the accelerating value offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) developments, DFOS acquisition platforms are capable of not only optimizing a single well and its completions design, but the entire field asset and its production as a whole. DFOS data is actively used to increase the field’s annual revenue, while simultaneously reducing completions, operations, workover and abandonment expenses.

Lawton, 2018).

Figure 1: DFOS works by sending a laser pulse into the fibre by a surface instrument called an interrogator unit (IU). Source vibrations cause changes to the optical scattering and the backscattered light then is detected and processed into strain or temperature measurement values (Karrenbach et al, 2017; Gordon and Lawton, 2018). On the left (A) is when the FOC is only in the vertical section and the DFOS acts like a single component geophone and is most sensitive to energy propagating along the length of the FOC causing it to miss energy in the horizontal section of the well. On the right (B) is when the FOC is placed from the vertical through to the toe of the horizontal well which will achieve the best results because the DFOS will pick up energy from different directions making it like a two or three component geophone (Webster et al., 2016).

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Brian Wm. Schulte is with Schiefer Reservoirs and is the Chief Editor Canadian Society Exploration Geophysics (CSEG) Recorder. He has written papers and presented presentations on Geophysics, AVO, seismic inversion and seismic processing and imaging. Brian has worked in seismic processing, acquisition, interpretation, rock physics, and petrophysics.  Some of the companies he worked for are: Gale-Horizon, Schlumberger, Vastar (division of Arco), BP, Explora Seismic Processing (ESP), Geokinetics, Talisman Energy Inc., and Repsol.  During his time at Arco and BP he worked on improving seismic gathers for AVO work. He looked specifically at noise reduction; automatic velocity picking using Swan (2001) velocities and Dennis Corrigan’s 3rd Term MVO. He helped with distributing this software, so it could be available within the industry. Brian also served as an Instructor of Petroleum Engineering Technology at Houston Community College-NE Energy Institute teaching Deep Water Exploration. He holds a BSc degree in geology with a minor in geophysics from the University of Calgary.

Kevin Boone is the Chief Technology Officer for Kore-Optics Ltd., focused on new technology development and its application to upstream oil and gas.  He has worked in the fiber-optic sensing industry for seven years with extensive experience in DAS and DTS data analytics, product development, and technical support of sales and operations. Over the years, Kevin has worked on dozens of fiber-optic projects across the world through a wide range of downhole applications.

Tim Morrish is the Founder and CEO of Kore-Optics. Prior to joining Kore-Optics, Tim has held several roles in the oilfield services and most recently served as the Director of Sales for the OptaSense Oilfield Services Business Unit. In this role, he supervised the rapid expansion of the business unit from North America into key global markets. Tim is a seasoned executive focused on new technology start-ups. As a Queens MBA graduate with 10 years of international experience, Tim has a passionate interest in disruptive technology commercialization, with proven ability to manage market uncertainty in dynamic and fast-paced industries.

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