System and method for wellbore monitoring

BACKGROUND

p-0002Wellbores and underground formations are often subject to deformation over time. The result of such deformation may be the loss of production zones, the loss of a wellbore or leakage from a formation. The ability to detect deformation in a wellbore and/or formation may be useful for warning of impending collapse or buckling, and for allowing for changes in production practice and/or remedial action. Fiber optic techniques may be utilized to measure strain and/or temperature in a wellbore. Such techniques may be insufficient to effectively provide a complete indication of leaks or other fluid flow in a wellbore, well casing, formation or associated elements of a subterranean system.

SUMMARY

p-0003A system for monitoring a borehole in an earth formation includes: a borehole string configured to be disposed within the borehole, the borehole string configured to direct a fluid into the earth formation for storage in the earth formation, the fluid including carbon dioxide; at least one optical fiber sensor disposed on the borehole string at a fixed location relative to the borehole string, the optical fiber sensor including a plurality of measurement units disposed therein along a length of the optical fiber sensor, the plurality of measurement units configured to cause a wavelength shift in an interrogation signal received in the at least one optical fiber sensor due to at least one of a strain and a deformation of the borehole string; and a processor configured to transmit the interrogation signal to the at least one optical fiber sensor, and calculate at least one of the strain and the deformation based on the wavelength shift.

p-0004A system for monitoring a borehole in an earth formation includes: a borehole string configured to be disposed within the borehole, the borehole string configured to direct a fluid between the borehole and the earth formation; at least one optical fiber sensor disposed on the borehole string at a fixed location relative to the borehole string and including a plurality of measurement units disposed therein along a length of the optical fiber sensor, the at least one optical fiber sensor configured to measure at least one of a strain and a deformation in the borehole string; at least one of a distributed temperature sensing (DTS) sensor and a distributed discrete temperature sensing (DDTS) sensor disposed along a length of the borehole and configured to measure a temperature at a plurality of locations along the length; and a processor configured to interrogate the at least one optical fiber sensor to generate a strain profile of the borehole string based on at least one of the strain and the deformation, interrogate the at least one of the DTS sensor and the DDTS sensor to generate a temperature profile based on the temperature, calculate a thermal effect on the strain profile based on the temperature profile, and subtract the thermal effect from the strain profile to generate a physical strain profile.

p-0005A method of monitoring a borehole in an earth formation includes: disposing a borehole string within the borehole, the borehole string configured to direct a flow of fluid into the earth formation for storage in the earth formation, the fluid including carbon dioxide; transmitting an interrogation signal having a nominal wavelength into at least one optical fiber sensor, the optical fiber sensor disposed on the borehole string at a fixed location relative to the borehole string and including a plurality of measurement units disposed therein along a length of the optical fiber sensor; and receiving a plurality of return signals reflected by the plurality of measurement units and calculating at least one of a strain and a deformation of the borehole string based on a wavelength shift associated with each of the plurality of return signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0006These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

p-0007<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a cross-sectional view of a subterranean well drilling, evaluation, exploration and/or production system; and

p-0008<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a borehole and/or formation monitoring system; and

p-0009<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of monitoring a borehole and/or a formation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

p-0010Systems and methods for monitoring wellbores and/or formations are provided. In one embodiment, the systems and methods are configured to detect fluid flow such as leaks in a wellbore and/or formation. Exemplary formations may include hydrocarbon formations and/or carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage reservoirs. For example, the systems and methods are utilized to assist in the detection of CO₂leakage within a CO₂storage reservoir and/or within an associated wellbore. In one embodiment, the systems include a distributed fiber optic strain measurement apparatus including, for example, one or more fiber Bragg grating optical fiber sensors, embedded in or otherwise fixedly disposed with a borehole string in a carbon capture and storage system. In one embodiment, the systems and methods include a combination of measurements from a distributed fiber optic strain measurement device, a distributed temperature sensing (DTS) measurement system and/or a distributed discrete temperature sensing (DDTS) measurement system, and/or one or more temperature/pressure gauges configured to monitor a borehole and/or a formation, for example, to detect leaks or other fluid flow in a wellbore and/or a formation. For example, individual temperature and/or pressure measurements may be used in combination with DTS and/or DDTS measurements, as well as compressional, deformation and/or strain measurements to provide a complete picture of the integrity and changes in a borehole and/or a formation, such as a carbon storage and sequestration system.

p-0011Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, an exemplary embodiment of a subterranean well drilling, evaluation, exploration and/or production system <b>10</b> includes a borehole string <b>12</b> that is shown disposed in a borehole <b>14</b> that penetrates at least one earth formation <b>16</b> during a subterranean operation. The borehole string <b>12</b> includes any of various components to facilitate subterranean operations. As described herein, “borehole” or “wellbore” refers to a single hole that makes up all or part of a drilled well. As described herein, “formations” refer to the various features and materials that may be encountered in a subsurface environment and surround the borehole. In one embodiment, the borehole <b>14</b> is a cased borehole including a casing <b>18</b>. A borehole and/or formation monitoring system <b>20</b> is disposed with the borehole string <b>12</b> and/or the casing <b>18</b>.

p-0012The borehole string <b>12</b> and/or the casing <b>18</b> includes, for example, one or more pipe sections or coiled tubing that extend downward into the borehole <b>14</b>. The casing <b>18</b> is made from any material suitable for withstanding downhole conditions such as pressure, temperature and chemical action. Examples of such materials include steel, heat treated carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, fiberglass and other materials. In one embodiment, the casing <b>18</b> includes a plurality of pipe segments or casing joints connected together via threaded joints or other connection mechanisms. The casing <b>18</b> may extend any length of the borehole. For example, the borehole <b>14</b> may include a full casing extending from a surface or near surface location to a selected depth or a liner that is suspended in the borehole <b>14</b>. In one embodiment, the borehole string <b>12</b> and/or the casing <b>18</b> form a subterranean injection and/or production system <b>10</b>.

p-0013The borehole string <b>12</b> is not limited to an injection or production string. For example, the system <b>10</b> may include a drilling system and/or a bottomhole assembly (BHA). Various measurement tools may be incorporated into the system to affect measurement regimes such as wireline measurement applications or logging-while-drilling (LWD) applications. Furthermore, the monitoring system <b>20</b> is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may be disposed with any suitable carrier. A “carrier” as described herein means any device, device component, combination of devices, media and/or member that may be used to convey, house, support or otherwise facilitate the use of another device, device component, combination of devices, media and/or member. Exemplary non-limiting carriers include drill strings of the coiled tube type, of the jointed pipe type and any combination or portion thereof. Other carrier examples include casing pipes, wirelines, wireline sondes, slickline sondes, drop shots, downhole subs, bottom-hole assemblies, and drill strings.

p-0014In one embodiment, the system <b>10</b> includes isolation mechanisms such as packers <b>22</b> positioned uphole and downhole relative to at least one selected portion of the borehole <b>14</b> to hydraulically isolate the selected portion. The isolated portion may be configured as an injection and/or production zone <b>24</b> (referred to herein as an “injection/production zone”) to allow for the flow of gas or other fluids between the formation <b>16</b> and the borehole string <b>12</b> and/or a surface location. As described herein, “fluid” refers to gases such as CO₂, downhole fluids such as formation fluids and drilling or production fluids, other flowable materials and any combination thereof. Any number of injection/production zones <b>24</b> may be formed in the borehole <b>14</b>. In one embodiment, the injection/production zone includes one or more openings <b>25</b>, such as apertures in the borehole string <b>12</b> and or fluid ports to allow fluid to pass between the formation <b>16</b> and the injection/production zone <b>24</b>.

p-0015In one embodiment, the monitoring system <b>20</b> is disposed within the injection/production zone <b>24</b>. For example, the monitoring system <b>20</b> is at least partially disposed in a fixed relationship relative to the borehole string <b>12</b> and/or casing <b>18</b> in the injection/production zone <b>24</b> or any other selected location in the borehole <b>14</b>.

p-0016In one embodiment, an injection conduit <b>26</b> such as an injection pipe string is connected in fluid communication with the injection/production zone <b>24</b>. The system <b>10</b> may also include a production conduit <b>28</b> in fluid communication with the injection/production zone <b>24</b> to allow for formation fluids such as oil and gas to be extracted from the formation <b>14</b>.

p-0017In one embodiment, the system <b>10</b> is configured to facilitate the storage of CO₂in the formation <b>14</b>. For example, the system <b>10</b> is a Carbon Capture and Storage/Sequestration (CCS) system. In this embodiment, the injection/production zone <b>24</b> is configured in fluid communication via the injection conduit <b>26</b> with a fluid injection system <b>30</b> located at, for example, a surface location. The CCS system <b>10</b> includes a CO₂or other fluid source <b>32</b>, such as a fossil fuel power plant and/or a surface storage system configured to house gases such as CO₂resulting from combustion processes. The gases, in one embodiment, include CO₂and include exhaust gases and/or other gases (e.g., gases resulting from chemical reactions) resulting from the combustion processes. In one embodiment, the fluid injection system <b>30</b> and/or the fluid source <b>32</b> include mechanisms for liquefication of CO₂and other gases desired to be stored in the formation.

p-0018In one embodiment, the monitoring system <b>20</b> is equipped with transmission equipment to communicate ultimately to a surface processing unit <b>34</b>. Such transmission equipment may take any desired form, and different transmission media and connections may be used. In one example, the monitoring system <b>20</b> is coupled to the surface processing unit <b>34</b> via at least one fiber optic communications conduit <b>36</b> to transmit communication signals such as interrogation and return signals.

p-0019In one embodiment, the surface processing unit <b>34</b>, the monitoring system <b>20</b> and/or other components of the system <b>10</b> include devices as necessary to provide for storing and/or processing data collected from the monitoring system <b>20</b> and other components of the system <b>10</b>. Exemplary devices include, without limitation, at least one processor, storage, memory, input device, communications adapter, optical fiber coupler, splice box, output devices and the like.

p-0020Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, an exemplary embodiment of the monitoring system <b>20</b> is shown.

p-0021The monitoring system <b>20</b> includes a real time distributed fiber optic strain measurement device <b>38</b>, referred to herein as a real time compaction monitor (RTCM) <b>38</b>. The RTCM <b>38</b> includes at least one fiber optic sensor <b>40</b> disposed at a fixed position relative to the borehole casing <b>18</b> and/or the borehole string <b>12</b>. In one embodiment, the fiber optic sensor <b>40</b> includes a plurality of measurement units formed along the length of at least one optical fiber. Exemplary measurement units include Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG). In one embodiment, the fiber optic sensor <b>40</b> is a plurality of optical fiber sensors disposed in one or more cables or other conduits.

p-0022The RTCM <b>38</b> is configured to deform due to displacements, deformations and strains in the borehole string <b>12</b> and/or casing <b>18</b>. The RTCM <b>38</b> detects and measures strain or deformation in the borehole string <b>12</b> due to a corresponding deformation or bending (e.g., microbending) of the optical fiber sensor <b>40</b>. The measurement units reflect an interrogation signal transmitted from, for example, the surface processing unit <b>34</b>, and wavelength shifts in a return signal relative to the interrogation signal indicate strain or deformation at a corresponding location of each measurement unit. In one embodiment, the measurement units are imbedded or manufactured in the optical fiber core to respond to a selected wavelength or wavelength bandwidth that will alter predictably with changes in strain or deformation.

p-0023In the example shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, one or more RTCMs <b>38</b> are disposed in a fixed relationship with a selected portion of the borehole string <b>12</b>. In one embodiment, the optical fiber sensors <b>40</b> are wrapped around the borehole string <b>12</b> or otherwise disposed at the borehole string in a helical path. The optical fiber sensors <b>40</b> may be attached to the borehole string <b>12</b> and/or disposed in a groove or other passage in the exterior or interior wall of the borehole string <b>12</b>. In one embodiment, a fiber optic joint or connector <b>41</b>, such as a drymate connector, is operably connected to each RTCM <b>38</b> to allow the RTCM <b>38</b> to be operably connected to additional RTCMs <b>38</b> or other components of the system <b>10</b>. Any number of RTCMs <b>38</b> may be positioned at the borehole string <b>12</b>, and the number and position of the RTCMs <b>38</b> relative to the borehole string <b>12</b> is not limited, for example, only to an interrogator optical budget.

p-0024In one embodiment, the monitoring system <b>20</b> includes at least one distributed temperature sensing (DTS and/or DDTS) system including at least one optical fiber sensor <b>42</b>, referred to herein as a “DTS/DDTS sensor” <b>42</b>. The DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> includes at least one optical fiber configured for use in a DTS and/or DDTS system (referred to herein as a “DTS/DDTS fiber”) and multiple temperature sensing locations along the DTS/DDTS fiber. The DTS/DDTS fiber may be fixedly attached to the borehole string. In one embodiment, the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> is disposed within a single cable or cable bundle. The DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> may include any optical system capable of generating temperature measurements at a plurality of locations.

p-0025The DTS/DDTS fiber includes a plurality of sensing locations along the length of the fiber which may be subject to various downhole temperatures. Temperature measurements may be taken at each of the plurality of sensing locations in a selected portion, such as the injection/production zone <b>24</b>. The DTS fiber may be any optical fiber usable with DTS applications, including for example a Raman DTS fiber, which may be considered any optical fiber that can produce a sufficient level of Raman scattering intensity for the distributed temperature measurements. The DDTS fiber may be any optical fiber including, for example, a plurality of discrete measurement units such as FBGs. The DDTS fiber, in one embodiment, includes any optical fiber usable with a DDTS application, which includes, for example, an optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) based interrogation technique to interrogate the FBGs.

p-0026In one embodiment, the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> is connected in communication with the surface processing unit <b>34</b>. The DTS/DDTS fiber(s) may be single ended fiber for single ended DTS and DDTS or dual ended fiber for dual ended DTS. The DTS/DDTS fiber(s), in one embodiment, include a measurement portion disposed along the borehole <b>14</b> and a communication portion configured to transmit temperature interrogation signals, and DTS and/or DDTS return signals, between the measurement portion and the surface processing unit <b>34</b>. In one embodiment, the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> is in communication with the surface processing unit <b>34</b> via a separate communication optical fiber <b>44</b>. The communication portion or the communication optical fiber <b>44</b> is disposed, for example, in the communications conduit <b>36</b>. The DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> and the communication optical fiber <b>44</b> may be connected via a splice <b>46</b> or other suitable optical connector. The surface processing unit <b>34</b>, in one embodiment, includes a receiver for generating temperature data from the signals and a processor for processing a return signal and determining a relative temperature value based on the received signal.

p-0027The RTCM <b>38</b> and/or the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> may be operably connected to the communications conduit <b>36</b> via a suitable connection mechanism <b>48</b>, such as but not limited to a splice box and/or an H-splice. The connection mechanism <b>48</b> is configured to transmit interrogation signals and return signals between the RTCM <b>38</b> and/or the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> and the surface processing unit <b>34</b>.

p-0028In one embodiment, the monitoring system <b>20</b> includes at least one pressure and/or temperature (P-T) gauge <b>50</b> disposed at a selected location in the borehole <b>14</b>. The P-T gauge <b>50</b> is any suitable device, such as an electronic or fiber optic temperature and/or pressure device, suitable for taking discrete downhole temperature and/or pressure measurements at selected locations in the borehole <b>14</b>. In one embodiment, the P-T gauge <b>50</b> is positioned at selected fixed locations relative to the borehole string <b>12</b> to measure the downhole temperature and/or pressure in the borehole <b>14</b>. In one example, a P-T gauge <b>50</b> is positioned above or below the injection/production zone <b>24</b> to establish a reference temperature, e.g., a geothermal temperature, to provide a reference point for relative DTS measurements. In another example, one or more P-T gauges <b>50</b> are positioned at one or more selected locations in the borehole <b>14</b>, such as inside the injection/production zone <b>24</b>, outside the injection/production zone <b>24</b>, and proximate to an uphole and/or downhole side of a packer <b>22</b>. Other locations may include locations in the borehole string annulus and proximate to hydraulic isolation components such as cement plugs.

p-0029In one embodiment, the P-T gauge <b>50</b> includes an electronic pressure gauge. For example, high resolution electronic pressure gauges having resolutions such as 0.0001 psi, 0.0001 to 0.0005 psi or 0.0001 to 0.001 psi are included in the P-T gauge <b>50</b>. Such high resolution gauges may detect small changes in pressure to provide early notification of pressure changes and early notification of potential problems.

p-0030In one embodiment, at least one RTCM <b>38</b>, at least one DTS sensor <b>42</b> and/or at least one P-T gauge <b>50</b> is disposed in the injection/production zone <b>24</b> and configured to monitor the integrity of the borehole string <b>12</b> (e.g., monitor cement microannulus conditions) and detect fluid flow indicative of leaks in the system <b>10</b>. In one embodiment the surface processing unit <b>34</b> is configured to continuously or periodically monitor the borehole over a selected period of time via the at least one RTCM <b>38</b>, at least one DTS sensor <b>42</b> and/or at least one P-T gauge <b>50</b>.

p-0031Additional measurement assemblies may also be included to complement or facilitate monitoring operations. For example, one or more acoustic sensors are included in the borehole <b>14</b> to monitor and detect changes in the formation <b>14</b> and/or the borehole <b>12</b>, such as changes in fluid flow.

p-0032<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a method <b>60</b> of monitoring a borehole and/or a formation. In one embodiment, the method <b>60</b> is utilized in conjunction with a CCS system, although the method may be utilized in any subterranean system to monitor borehole string and/or formation integrity, as well as detecting leaks or other fluid flow in the borehole string and/or formation. The method <b>60</b> includes one or more stages <b>61</b>-<b>66</b>. Although the method <b>60</b> is described in conjunction with the system <b>10</b> and the monitoring system <b>20</b> described above, the method <b>60</b> is not limited to use with these embodiments. In one embodiment, the method <b>60</b> includes the execution of all of stages <b>61</b>-<b>66</b> in the order described. However, certain stages may be omitted, stages may be added, or the order of the stages changed.

p-0033In the first stage <b>61</b>, the borehole string <b>12</b>, borehole casing <b>18</b> and/or other downhole assembly is disposed downhole. The borehole casing <b>18</b> may be disposed along an entire length of the borehole, or along selected portions of the borehole <b>14</b> to define one or more injection/production zones <b>24</b>. The monitoring system <b>20</b> is disposed in a fixed relationship to the borehole casing <b>18</b>. In one embodiment, a gas, downhole fluid or other fluid is injected into the packers <b>22</b> to inflate the packers <b>22</b> and define the injection/production zones <b>24</b>. In one embodiment, one or more of the packers <b>22</b> may include repackers configured to react with a catalyst or the presence of heat or a chemical. In one embodiment, CO₂and/or other gases, such as exhaust gases from a fossil fuel combustion system, are injected into the injection/production zone <b>24</b> and into the formation <b>16</b> for storage.

p-0034In the second stage <b>62</b>, deformation and/or strain in the borehole casing <b>18</b> in the injection/production zone <b>24</b> is monitored via the RTCM <b>38</b>. An electromagnetic signal having a selected wavelength, i.e., a nominal wavelength, is transmitted through the optical fiber sensors <b>40</b> as an interrogation signal to interrogate the borehole casing <b>18</b>, such as via the surface processing unit <b>34</b>. A return signal having a center wavelength is generated by the FBGs or other measurement units in the fiber optic sensors <b>40</b>, and a difference between the center wavelength and the nominal wavelength is measured for each FBG location to generate a strain profile. In regions where the center and nominal wavelengths are at least substantially equivalent, no deformation or strain is detected. In regions where the center wavelength has shifted relative to the nominal wavelength, the strain and/or deformation is calculated based on the wavelength shift. For example, an inverse Fourier transform is utilized to determine strain at respective locations, and data analysis such as finite element analysis (FEA) is utilized to detect regions of the borehole casing <b>18</b> exhibiting strain above a selected threshold to identify elevated strain zones or elevated strain regions. The elevated strain zones detected by the RTCM <b>38</b> may be an indication of conditions such as excess pressure, a fluid or gas leak or other conditions. In one embodiment, the strain profile provides a three-dimensional image of the borehole casing based on strain and/or deformation measurements.

p-0035In the third stage <b>63</b>, the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> is activated to measure temperature at various locations along the borehole <b>14</b>. In one embodiment, a temperature interrogation signal having a nominal wavelength is transmitted into the DTS sensor <b>42</b> via, for example, the surface processing unit <b>34</b>. Raman effect return signals are received and analyzed to calculate a temperature profile along the borehole <b>14</b>. In one embodiment, calculating the temperature profile includes utilizing optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR). For example, for DDTS sensors, an electromagnetic signal having a selected wavelength, i.e., a nominal wavelength, is transmitted through the optical fiber sensors <b>40</b> as an interrogation signal to interrogate the borehole casing <b>18</b>, such as via the surface processing unit <b>34</b>. A return signal having a center wavelength is generated by the FBGs or other measurement units in the DDTS sensor <b>42</b>, and a difference between the center wavelength and the nominal wavelength is measured for each FBG location to generate a temperature profile. In regions where the center and nominal wavelengths are at least substantially equivalent, no significant temperature change is detected. In regions where the center wavelength has shifted relative to the nominal wavelength, the temperature is calculated based on the wavelength shift. In one embodiment, calculating the temperature profile includes utilizing optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR).

p-0036Monitoring changes in relative temperature via the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> provides indications of regions having altered temperatures relative to a reference DTS/DDTS temperature. In one example, the reference DTS/DDTS temperature signal is based on analysis of the DTS/DDTS data, such as an average signal value. In one embodiment, the reference DTS/DDTS temperature signal is a signal corresponding to the temperature interrogation signal. In one embodiment, monitoring changes in temperature includes detecting “cool spots”, or regions of reduced temperature relative to the reference temperature signal that may be indicative of fluid or gas leakage from, for example, behind the casing <b>18</b>. In one embodiment, “cool spots” are regions in the borehole and/or injection/production zone having a temperature that is lower than a reference temperature (e.g., geothermal temperature) by a selected threshold. This threshold may be on the order of a few tenths of a degree Celsius to a few degrees Celsius. For example, a threshold may be between 0.1 degrees and 10 degrees below the reference temperature.

p-0037In the fourth stage <b>64</b>, the DTS temperature measurements are used to remove the portion of the strain and/or the deformation due to thermal effects. For example, relative temperature changes at selected strain regions are calculated and compared with known properties of the borehole casing to determine the amount of strain as a result of temperature changes in that region. This “thermal strain” portion is then subtracted from the measured strain to yield a physical strain, i.e., the strain due to pressure on the borehole casing <b>18</b> caused by conditions such as leaks in the formation.

p-0038In the fifth stage <b>65</b>, temperature and/or pressure in the borehole <b>14</b> and/or the formation <b>16</b> is detected using the P-T gauge <b>50</b>. An absolute geothermal temperature is measured and compared to DTS and/or DDTS measurement data to “pin down” the relative temperature measurements of the DTS/DDTS sensor <b>42</b> to the absolute temperature, i.e., provide a distributed profile of the absolute temperature along the borehole <b>14</b>.

p-0039In addition, in one embodiment, the P-T gauge <b>50</b> is used to measure pressure in the borehole at locations such as above the uphole packer <b>22</b>, in the injection/production zone <b>24</b> and below the downhole packer <b>22</b>. Changes in pressure can be used to indicate that a leak is occurring in the injection/production zone <b>24</b> or other locations of the borehole <b>14</b> due to, for example, leaks in the formation <b>14</b> causing gas to enter the injection/production zone <b>24</b> or leaks in a packer <b>22</b>.

p-0040In the sixth stage <b>66</b>, the various measurements are utilized in conjunction to provide an accurate picture of strain and temperature in the borehole to detect regions of high pressure and/or leaks.

p-0041For example, the RTCM strain measurements are utilized to determine regions of elevated strain (i.e., strain above a selected threshold, selected for example, based on strain values known to indicate a potential problem). The DTS measurements may be utilized as described above to remove thermal effects and thus isolate the physical strain in the borehole casing <b>18</b>, as well as monitor injection zone. The elevated strain regions are correlated with the cool spots identified via the DTS measurements to identify regions where a leak is occurring or the integrity of the borehole casing <b>18</b> is otherwise compromised.

p-0042For example, a region of elevated strain in the borehole string, coupled with a cool spot proximate to the region of elevated strain may be interpreted to indicate a CO₂or other gas/fluid leak at that region. If the elevated strain and/or cool spot is located proximate to a packer, that may be interpreted to mean that there is a leak in the packer. Furthermore, differential pressure measurements by the P-T gauge may also be incorporated to note an increase or decrease in pressure, which can be utilized to further confirm the presence of a leak.

p-0043The apparatuses and methods described herein provide various advantages over existing methods and devices. For example, the systems and methods described herein allow for the effective monitoring of deformation in wellbores and/or formation. Such monitoring provides a more complete determination of deformation to allow for remedial action or changes in production to correct such deformations. Another exemplary advantage includes the combination of multiple strain, temperature and/or pressure measurements to obtain a complete picture of what is occurring in a formation/wellbore and any leaks that may be occurring.

p-0044In connection with the teachings herein, various analyses and/or analytical components may be used, including digital and/or analog systems. The apparatus may have components such as a processor, storage media, memory, input, output, communications link (wired, wireless, pulsed mud, optical or other), user interfaces, software programs, signal processors (digital or analog) and other such components (such as resistors, capacitors, inductors and others) to provide for operation and analyses of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein in any of several manners well-appreciated in the art. It is considered that these teachings may be, but need not be, implemented in conjunction with a set of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, including memory (ROMs, RAMs), optical (CD-ROMs), or magnetic (disks, hard drives), or any other type that when executed causes a computer to implement the method of the present invention. These instructions may provide for equipment operation, control, data collection and analysis and other functions deemed relevant by a system designer, owner, user or other such personnel, in addition to the functions described in this disclosure.

p-0045While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention.