Application of Fiber Optic Technology in Reservoir Monitoring

The purpose of this thesis was to gain an overview of fields of application of fiber optic technology in reservoir monitoring, how such a measurement system is operated, and challenges that can occur. For automated and integrated processes in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons, the information available before, during, and after operations is of great value. Where to place wells and templates, at which rate and when production and injection is to take place are just a few of the decisions in such processes. Fiber optic technology which is common in reservoir monitoring tools in a production well, is also used for seismic and monitoring of the subsurface and pipelines along the seabed. Fiber optic measurement systems are of great value thanks to real-time data, which are an advantage in decisions to be made on short notice. By implementing fiber optic sensing elements along a wellbore, from the reservoir section and up to the surface, well intervention operations, testing of downhole safety equipment, well integrity assurance, and an active reservoir management on drainage and injection strategies can be optimized and profitability maximized. With in-well fiber optics already in place, they can be used for various operations. From cementing a liner, reservoir monitoring, and fluid characterization, to measuring strain and conditions of downhole equipment. Published papers, course material and equipment from Weatherford, discussion with field specialists, and personal experience have been the basis of the thesis. It was successfully demonstrated how a bad splice affects the optical power transmitted through a fiber optic cable, that attenuation on the emitted light has a boundary, and how important a test of an entire measurement system before operations is. The installations by Equinor at the Johan Sverdrup field are a good example of benefiting from implementation of technology from the start of development. The digitalization of the green field is part of their high ambition of a 70 % recovery. Fiber optics are a great choice of measurement systems for reservoir monitoring with many sensing elements already available in today’s market, and will most likely be a preferred choice for monitoring many wells and reservoirs in the years to come

Study of fiber optics standardization, reliability, and applications

The use of fiber optics in space applications is investigated. Manufacturers and users detailed the problems they were having with the use or manufacture of fiber optic components. The general consensus of all the companies/agencies interviewed is that fiber optics is a maturing technology and will definitely have a place in future NASA system designs. The use of fiber optics was found to have two main advantages - weight savings and increased bandwidth

Spacelab system analysis: A study of communications systems for advanced launch systems

An analysis of the required performance of internal avionics data bases for future launch vehicles is presented. Suitable local area networks that can service these requirements are determined

An Analysis of the Conventional Wire Maintenance Methods and Transition Wire Integrity Programs Utilized in the Aviation Industry.

Aging aircraft wiring poses a significant threat to both commercial and military aircraft. Recent air disasters involving aging aircraft wiring have made it clear that aging wiring can be catastrophic. Aging of an electrical wiring system can result in loss of critical functions of equipment or loss of information regarding equipment operation. Either result can lead to an electrical failure causing smoke and fire, consequently being a danger to public health and aircraft safety. Conventional maintenance practices do not effectively manage aging wiring problems. More proactive methods are needed so that aircraft wiring failures can be anticipated and wiring systems can be repaired or replaced before failures occur. This thesis will identify the effects of aging wiring systems, the potential degradation to aircraft safety and regulations regarding aircraft wire safety. This thesis will evaluate the conventional wire maintenance practices and transition wire integrity programs in the aviation industry

Interactive instructional television (IITV) classroom system design: an application and cost comparative analysis.

This study identified conditions under which IITV might be an appropriate choice of technology for delivering instruction in the K-12 environment; presented an analysis of different IITV classroom system design applications and corresponding transmission systems; and provided estimates of the typical costs associated with the creation, as well as ongoing usage, of such systems. Three instruments, developed based on literature review and validated through expert review and external feedback, were used to collect data relevant to the research questions. Study participants consisted of the Superintendents and IITV Coordinators in three Manitoba school divisions which utilize IITV. The findings indicate that, first, IITV is chosen as an instructional technology primarily as a mechanism for ensuring that rural students receive the same educational opportunities as do their urban counterparts. A by-product of this is the assurance that rural school districts survive. Second, each IITV system design has its own set defining characteristics. However, underlying these unique attributes some common elements are found which are fundamental to the delivery of two-way audio and video interactive instructional television. Data analyzed in relation to a total of 81 design considerations revealed that of this total, 24 design considerations are common across all three designs, while 57 design considerations are uncommon. Third, costs to remodel a standard classroom into a basic IITV classroom system are minimal; and costs to remodel a standard classroom into intermediate and deluxe IITV classroom systems at approximately 3 1/2 times and 5 times, respectively, the cost required to remodel a standard classroom into a basic IITV classroom system. It costs 1 1/2 times as much to equip an intermediate IITV classroom system as it does to equip a basic IITV classroom system; and more than 2 times as much to equip a deluxe IITV classroom system as it does to equip a basic IITV classroom system. It costs almost 3 times as much to establish a multi-point transmission system for an intermediate IITV classroom system as it does to establish one for a basic IITV classroom system; and that establishing a leased fiber optic system costs approximately 1/6th of the cost to establish a multi-point transmission system for an intermediate system. However, the ongoing lease cost of fiber is 20 times that of the costs associated with the ongoing usage of microwave. Two limitations of this study were: it did not conduct a comparative analysis of the costs for specific services associated with microwave transmission system design, construction and installation and costing information was not obtained for a purchased fiber optic system

Campus Telecommunications Systems: Managing Change

The purpose of this book is to provide a broadbased understanding of the rapidly changing environment of campus telecommunications. The anticipated audience for this material is the non-technical university administrator who may not have direct responsibility for telecommunications, but has a need to understand the general environment in which his telecommunications manager functions and the basic concepts of the technology. Five topic areas were selected that best cover the preponderance of issues. No attempt has been made to associate or closely coordinate materials from one chapter\u27s subject to that of any other. Each chapter generally stands alone. In total, however, the five chapters address the topics and issues that most often generate inquiries from university administrators outside the telecommunications department. Introduction 1 The Changing Telecommunications Environment 2 Telecommunications Technology and the Campus 3 Student Services 4 Financing a New Telecommunications System . 5 Selecting a Consultant Glossary Inde

SIMULTANEOUS SENSING OF PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE USING A SELF-TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATED FABRY–PÉROT MEMS MECHANISM

This thesis presents the design and development of a self-temperature-compensated sensor for measuring temperature and pressure in harsh environments using a combination of Fabry–Pérot interferometry and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer is etched to form a dual mechanism consisting of a membrane and a solid block that is then coupled with two optical fibers contained in a unique and simple protective stainless-steel housing. The solid block uses the thermo-optical properties of silicon for temperature measurements, while the deflection of the membrane is used for pressure sensing. An empirically based model combines solid mechanics and optical theory and is in good agreement with experimental measurements. As part of this work, the thermo-optic coefficient (TOC) of the silicon was also investigated theoretically and experimentally. The results show a good agreement between the TOC extracted from the experimental data and such a coefficient in published literature. Furthermore, a novel optical model for the demodulation of the intensity-based pressure-sensing mechanism was developed. This model relates the whole sensor-response profile to the measured parameters and eliminates linear range limitations. By using this model, one can also obtain the initial cavity lengths of an FFPI sensor, which can be very challenging at the microscale. A series of experiments conducted to test the performance of this multi-functional sensor showed that it can easily withstand pressures up to 1,000 psi and temperatures of up to 120°C, where the range of the temperature measurements are restricted only by the fiber optic materials. The developed self-temperature-compensated multi-functional sensor therefore serves as a promising tool in the precise characterization of pressure and temperature in harsh and/or complex environments

Networking technology adoption : system dynamics modeling of fiber-to-the-home

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology, Management, and Policy Program, 2005.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Page 244 blank.Includes bibliographical references (p. 241-243).A system dynamics model is developed and run to study the adoption of fiber-to-the-home as a residential broadband technology. Communities that currently do not have broadband in the United States are modeled. This case is of particular interest to U.S. policymakers, but also relevant to other regions concerned with economic development in rural areas. The model is used to explore the effects of government policy on fiber-to-the-home deployment and on the telecommunications supply chain. The research finds that government policy relating to broadband deployment has been based on a weak understanding of the dynamics involved, resulting in trial and error policy making that has unintended consequences. The thesis shows that the current monitoring of broadband deployment by the Federal Communications Commission is inadequate to contribute to the formation of reasoned policy decisions. The model is used to explore the consequences that different regulatory scenarios have on fiber-to-the-home deployment. Among the policy choices considered are: resale of fiber-to-the-home lines to competitive providers; low cost government loans for commercial deployments; rapid deployment to all communities currently without service; and a ban on municipal deployments. The current Rural Utilities Service loan program is also included in the model and its effects are analyzed. The model is used to examine the consequences for the optoelectronics industry of different deployment scenarios. It shows that the interests of consumers, regulators, and even service providers are in conflict with the interests of the optoelectronics industry which provides a critical component necessary for the service.(cont.) Strategies to help mitigate that conflict and to promote the health of the components industry are explored. Deployment of fiber-to-the-home is costly, and cost recovery is difficult for both incumbent and competitive service providers, especially in rural and suburban regions that do not currently have service. The interests of policy makers, service providers, and component suppliers need to be aligned to implement effective policy that encourages the deployment of broadband to unserved regions. The Federal Communications Commission needs to rearchitect its monitoring of service providers and their activities to better understand the status of deployment and how its policies can help or hinder.by Andjelka Kelic.Ph.D

High temperature tolerant optical fiber inline microsensors by laser fabrication

Fiber sensors are particularly attractive for harsh environment defined by high temperature, high pressure, corrosive/erosive, and strong electromagnetic interference, where conventional electronic sensors do not have a chance to survive. However, the key issue has been the robustness of the sensor probe (not the fiber itself) mostly due to the problems stemmed from the traditional assembly based approaches used to construct fiber optic sensors. For example, at high temperatures (e.g., above 500°C), the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between different composited parts has a high chance to lead to sensors\u27 malfunction by breaking the sensor as a result of the excessive thermo-stress building up inside the multi-component sensor structure. To survive the high temperature harsh environment, it is thus highly desired that the sensor probes are made assembly-free. We are proposing to fabricate assembly-free fiber sensor probes by manufacturing various microstructures directly on optical fibers. This dissertation aims to design, develop and demonstrate robust, miniaturized fiber sensor probes for harsh environment applications through assembly-free, laser fabrication. Working towards this objective, the dissertation explored three types of fiber inline microsensors fabricated by two types of laser systems. Using a CO₂ laser, long period fiber grating (LPFG) and core-cladding mode interferometer sensors were fabricated. Using a femto-second laser, an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) sensor with an open cavity was fabricated. The scope of the dissertation work consists of device design, device modeling/simulation, laser fabrication system setups, signal processing method development and sensor performance evaluation and demonstration. This research work provides theoretical and experimental evidences that laser fabrication technique is a valid tool to fabricate previously undoable miniaturized photonic sensor structures, which can avoid complicated assembly processes and, as a result, enhance robustness, functionality and survivability of the sensor for applications in harsh environments. In addition, a number of novel optical fiber sensor platforms are proposed, studied and demonstrated for sensing and monitoring of various physical and chemical parameters in high temperature harsh environments --Abstract, page iii