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...

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Main Authors: Mohamad Hafizal Mad Zahir, Khairul Mustaqim Abdul Aziz, Ahmad Riza Ghazali, Abdul Halim Abdul Latiff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/8/5002
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author Mohamad Hafizal Mad Zahir
Khairul Mustaqim Abdul Aziz
Ahmad Riza Ghazali
Abdul Halim Abdul Latiff
author_facet Mohamad Hafizal Mad Zahir
Khairul Mustaqim Abdul Aziz
Ahmad Riza Ghazali
Abdul Halim Abdul Latiff
author_sort Mohamad Hafizal Mad Zahir
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj.art-0f70e4dc936746658e70675c345b959a2023-11-17T18:12:17ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-04-01138500210.3390/app13085002Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field SurveyMohamad Hafizal Mad Zahir0Khairul Mustaqim Abdul Aziz1Ahmad Riza Ghazali2Abdul Halim Abdul Latiff3Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Program, PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd., Kajang 43000, MalaysiaCentre of Excellence, PETRONAS Carigali Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur 50088, MalaysiaCarbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Program, PETRONAS Research Sdn. Bhd., Kajang 43000, MalaysiaCentre for Subsurface Imaging, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar 32610, MalaysiaThe 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/8/5002Distributed Acoustic SensingVertical Seismic ProfilingDAS deployment
spellingShingle Mohamad Hafizal Mad Zahir
Khairul Mustaqim Abdul Aziz
Ahmad Riza Ghazali
Abdul Halim Abdul Latiff
Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field Survey
Applied Sciences
Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Vertical Seismic Profiling
DAS deployment
title Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field Survey
title_full Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field Survey
title_fullStr Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field Survey
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field Survey
title_short Effectiveness of Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) in Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) Field Survey
title_sort effectiveness of fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing das in vertical seismic profiling vsp field survey
topic Distributed Acoustic Sensing
Vertical Seismic Profiling
DAS deployment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/8/5002
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