Critical technology elements (WP1)

The overall objective of the DigiMon project is to “accelerate the implementation of CCS by developing and demonstrating an affordable, flexible, societally embedded and smart Digital Monitoring early warning system”, for monitoring any CO2 storage reservoir and subsurface barrier system. Within the project the objective of WP1 was to develop individual technologies, data acquisition, analysis techniques and workflows in preparation for inclusion in the DigiMon system. The technologies and data processing techniques developed as part of WP1 include distributed fibre-optic sensing (DFOS) for seismic surveys and chemical sensing, 4D gravity and seafloor deformation measurements, a new seismic source and seismic monitoring survey design. For these technologies the key targets for WP1 were • Develop individual components of the system to raise individual technology readiness levels (TRLs), • Validate and optimise processing software for individual system components, • Develop an effective Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data interpretation workflow. This work was performed with the expected outcomes of • Raising the DAS TRL for passive seismic monitoring, • An assessment the feasibility of using Distributed Chemical Sensing (DCS) for CO2 detection, • Reducing the cost of 4D gravity and seafloor deformation measurements

Spiral Deployment of Optical Fiber Sensors for Distributed Strain Measurement in Seven-Wire Twisted Steel Cables, Post-Tensioned Against Precast Concrete Bars

On-time monitoring and condition assessments of steel cables provide mission-critical data for informed decision making, ensuring the structural safety of post-tensioned concrete structures. This study aimed to develop a spiral deployment scheme of distributed fiber optic sensors (DFOS) and to monitor/assess the post-tensioned force in seven-wire twisted steel cables, based on the pulse-pre-pump Brillouin optical time domain analysis. Each DFOS was placed in a spiral shape between two surface wires of a steel cable and glued to the steel cable by epoxy. Image observations were conducted to investigate the entireness and bonding condition between the optical fiber and the steel wires. Eight concrete bar specimens were cast, each with a pre-embedded plastic or metal duct at its center and each was post-tensioned by a steel strand through the duct once they were instrumented with two strain and two temperature sensors. The strand was loaded/unloaded and monitored by measuring the Brillouin frequency shifts and correlating them with the applied strains and the resulting cable force after temperature compensation. The maximum, minimum, and average cable forces integrated from the measured stain data were compared and validated with those from a load cell. The maximum (or average) cable force was linearly related to the ground truth data with a less than 10% error between them, after any initial slack had been removed from the test setup. The post-tensioned force loss was bounded by approximately 30%, using the test setup designed in this study

Concept description for the use of fibre-optic measurements for seismic tomography

High resolution mapping of CO2 plumes in the geological storage formations can be obtained using cross well seismic experiments designed to characterise velocity changes in the subsurface, see figure 1. High resolution studies are facilitated by using dense measurement surveys with many wireline operations that adjust seismic source and detector positions. Distributed fibre optic acoustic sensing may enhance traditional wireline cross wire surveys by providing an aliasing-free method for characterising seismic waveforms, and potentially enable a reduction in the number of individual measurements (and therefore cost) required for performing cost sensitive CO2 plume surveys. In addition, seismic tomography involving fibre optic receivers and ambient noise techniques, could enable permanent monitoring of subsea CO2 storage with seismic tomography. This document gives a basic concept description of cross-well seismic technology, both with active seismics and ambient noise, and their application with distributed fiber optics sensing. The document also describes the infrastructure for carrying out cross well/fibre optic measurements at Svelvik, and a proposal for a measurement campaign to be carried out as part of the DigiMon project.Concept description for the use of fibre-optic measurements for seismic tomographypublishedVersio

Permanently-Installed Distributed Pressure Sensors for Downhole Applications

Technology advancements (e.g., hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling) to recover unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources are critical in maintaining future U.S. oil and gas production levels. Permanently installed distributed downhole pressure sensors could monitor fracture propagation, assess the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing, and optimize hydraulic fracturing placement so that overall UOG recovery efficiency can be increased. However, the harsh environment (high temperatures, high pressures, strong vibration, and presence of brine, mud, debris, hydrate, and various gases), the long data telemetry distance, and the requirements of reliability and service lifetime make the downhole monitoring a very challenging task. To combat these challenges, this thesis presents three sensing systems for downhole pressure monitoring. First, A microwave-photonic low-coherence interferometry (MPLCI) system is proposed for optical fiber based distributed sensing. The system can be used to interrogate the intrinsic Fabry–Pérot interferometers (IFPIs) based distributed downhole pressure sensors. Assisted by an unbalanced Michelson interferometer (MI), a low-coherence laser source is used to interrogate IFPIs along with an optical fiber for a dark zone-free (or spatially continuous) distributed measurement. By combining the advantages of microwaves and photonics, the MPLCI system can synergistically achieve high sensitivity and high spatial resolution. Second, to solve the packaging and drift problems in optical fiber sensors, an all-digital sensing method based on an electrical encoder is developed for downhole pressure monitoring. The key innovation of the all-digital sensor concept is the built-in nonelectric analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which eliminates the need for downhole electronics for signal conditioning and telemetry in conventional electrical downhole sensors. As such, the sensors are more robust, less expensive, and have less drift in comparison with the existing sensors. Because the sensor outputs are digital in nature, the developed sensors can be remotely logged over a long distance, and many sensors can be digitally multiplexed for distributed sensing using a single surface instrument. The all-digital pressure sensors and their surface instrument were designed, engineered, fabricated, and calibrated. The integrated sensing system was tested/validated at both laboratory and research wellbores. Third, to solve the hysteresis problem induced by the electrical encoder, a non-contact optical encoder based all-digital pressure sensor for downhole applications is proposed. The proposed sensor combines the advantages of both optical fiber and all-digital sensing method. The noncontact-type encoder, which is composed of an encoding pad and an all-glass optical fiber sensing head. A glass additive and subtractive manufacturing (ASM) system was used to embed the multi-channel optical fibers into a bulk-fused silica glass substrate with high positioning accuracy and good thermal stability even at elevated temperatures. The optical fiber only serves as the telemetry channel to directly transmit the data in digital format, such that the system has long-distance telemetry capability as well as low drift. The proposed pressure sensor was manufactured and experimentally verified to have a high SNR, linear pressure response, and good long-term stability. In addition, a mathematical model to study the relationships between the sensor’s performances and design parameters was established

Methods for high-precision subsurface imaging using spatially dense seismic data

Current state-of-the-art depth migration techniques are regularly applied in marine seismic exploration, where they deliver accurate and reliable pictures of Earth’s interior. The question is how these algorithms will perform in different environments, not related to oil and gas exploration. For example, how to utilise those techniques in an elusive environment of hard rocks? The main challenge there is to image highly complex, subvertical piece-wise geology, represented by often low reflectivity, in a noisy environment

Recent developments in fibre optic shape sensing

This paper presents a comprehensive critical review of technologies used in the development of fibre optic shape sensors (FOSSs). Their operation is based on multi-dimensional bend measurements using a series of fibre optic sensors. Optical fibre sensors have experienced tremendous growth from simple bend sensors in 1980s to full three-dimensional FOSSs using multicore fibres in recent years. Following a short review of conventional contact-based shape sensor technologies, the evolution trend and sensing principles of FOSSs are presented. This paper identifies the major optical fibre technologies used for shape sensing and provides an account of the challenges and emerging applications of FOSSs in various industries such as medical robotics, industrial robotics, aerospace and mining industry

Cyclic testing and assessment of shape memory alloy recentering systems

In an effort to mitigate damage caused by earthquakes to the built environment, civil engineers have been commissioned to research, design, and build increasingly robust and resilient structural systems. Innovative means to accomplish this task have emerged, such as integrating Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) into structural systems. SMAs are a unique class of materials that have the ability to spontaneously recover strain of up to 8%. With proper placement in a structural system, SMAs can act as superelastic "structural fuses", absorbing large deformations, dissipating energy, and recentering the structure after a loading event. Though few applications have made it into practice, the potential for widespread use has never been better due to improvements in material behavior and reductions in cost. In this research, three different SMA-based structural applications are developed and tested. The first is a tension/compression damper that utilizes nickel-titanium (NiTi) Belleville washers. The second is a partially restrained beam-column connection utilizing NiTi bars. The third is an articulated quadrilateral bracing system utilizing NiTi wire bundles in parallel with c-shape dampers. Each system was uniquely designed to allow a structure to undergo large drift demands and dissipate energy while retaining strength and recentering ability. This exploratory work highlights the potential for SMA-based structural applications to enhance seismic structural performance and community resilience.Ph.D.Committee Co-Chair: DesRoches, Reginald; Committee Co-Chair: Leon, Roberto T.; Committee Member: Craig, James; Committee Member: Jacobs, Laurence; Committee Member: Wang, Yan

Sensing Methods for Soft Robotics

Soft robots exhibit complex behaviors that emerge from deliberate compliance in the actuators and structure. This compliance allows soft robots to passively conform to the constraints of their environment and to the objects they are manipulating. Many soft robots are actuated by the flexible expansion of hermetically sealed volumes. Systems based on these principles are lightweight, flexible and have low reflected inertia. This makes them inherently safe in physical human robot interaction. Moreover, the sealed actuators and flexible joints are well-suited to work in harsh environments where external contaminates could breach the dynamic seals of rotating or sliding shafts. Accurate motion control remains a highly challenging task for soft robotic systems. Precise models of the actuation dynamics and environmental interactions are often unavailable. This renders open-loop control impossible, while closed-loop control suffers from a lack of suitable feedback. Conventional motion sensors, such as linear or rotary encoders, are difficult to adapt to robots that lack discrete mechanical joints. The rigid nature of these sensors runs contrary to the aspirational benefits of soft systems. Other proposed soft sensor solutions are still in their infancy and have only recently been used for motion-control of soft robots. This dissertation explores the design and use of inductance-based sensors for the estimation and control of soft robotic systems. These sensors are low-cost, lightweight, easy-to-fabricate and well-suited for the conditions that soft systems can best exploit. The inquiry of this dissertation is conducted both theoretically and experimentally for Fiber-Reinforced Elastomeric Enclosures (including McKibben muscles) and bellows actuators. The sensing of each actuator type is explored through models, design analyses and experimental evaluations. The results demonstrate that inductance-based sensing is a promising technology for these otherwise difficult-to-measure actuators. By combining sensing and actuation into a single component, the ideas presented in this work provide a simple, compact and lightweight way to create and control motion in soft robotic systems. This will enable soft systems that can interactively engage with their environment and their human counterparts.PHDMechanical EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138590/1/wfelt_1.pd

Wellbore completion monitoring using fiber optic distributed strain sensing

Bohrlochintegrität ist unerlässlich für die erfolgreiche und nachhaltige Produktion und Injektion von Fluiden aus Reservoirgesteinen, wie beispielsweise bei der Nutzung von Kohlenwasserstoffen, Geothermie oder Standorten für geologische Speicherung. Um die Integrität einer Bohrung über seine Lebenszeit zu gewährleisten, ist vor allem eine erfolgreiche primäre Komplettierung nötig. Besonders die Zementation der Rohre stellt dabei ein großes Risiko dar, weil durch die natürlichen Gegebenheiten im Bohrloch viele Faktoren Einfluss auf die Zusammensetzung und Verteilung der Zementsuspension haben. Diese Studie untersucht das Monitoring-potenzial von faseroptischer ortsverteilter Dehnungsmessung DSS (distributed strain sensing). Ergänzend zu faseroptischer ortsverteilten Temperaturmessung DTS (distributed temperature sensing), welche seit mehr als zwei Jahrzehnten in der Industrie Anwendung findet, kann jeder Ort einer Glasfaser zusätzlich Informationen über den mechanischen Spannungszustand geben. Experimentelle und analytische Arbeiten wurden durchgeführt, um die Auswirkung von Laständerungen auf einer Faser zu quantifizieren. Desweiteren wurde der Einfluss komplexer mehrschichtiger Bohrlochkabel auf Dehnungsmessergebnisse untersucht. Ein faseroptisches Messkabel wurde im Zuge dieser Arbeit im Ringraum entlang der Produktionsrohrtour einer Bohrung installiert. Die gemessenen Geländedaten zeigen Ergebnisse aus zwei Arbeitsschritten der Fertigstellung der Bohrung - der Filterverkiesung und der Zementation. Aufgrund der Dichtedifferenz von Kies und Bohrspülung wurde am Kabel ein Dehnungseffekt gemessen. Die Teufe, in welcher der Dehnungseffekt auftritt, korreliert mit Wireline Gamma-Gamma-Dichtedaten, welche im gleichen Zeitfenster gemessen wurden. Die anschliessende Kompaktion des Kieskopfes wurde durch das Glasfaserkabel in Form einer zunehmenden mechanischen Belastung erfasst. Während der anschliessenden Zementation der Rohrtour wurde ein Dehnungseffekt in der Mischzone von Flüssigkeiten mit unterschiedlichen rheologischen Eigenschaften gemessen. Anhand eines Experiments konnte bestätigt werden, dass fluidrheologische Parameter (wie die Fluidviskosität) mit einem faseroptischen Messkabel quantifiziert werden können. Hierfür werden Fluidscherspannungen gemessen, welche durch das Fliessen von Fluiden an der Kabeloberfläche hervorgerufen werden (amtliches Zeichen zur Patentanmeldung: EP 19171265.2). DSS-Messungen erweiten das Verständnis von Fluidverdrängungsvorgängen in Bohrlöchern und ermöglichen eine Beurteilung von Komplettierungsvorgängen in Echtzeit.Borehole integrity is fundamental for the successful and sustainable utilization of hydrocarbons, geothermal energy and sites for geological storage. The success of the primary well completion is necessary to ensure the integrity of a well over its lifetime. In particular, the casing cementation represents a great risk because many factors have an influence on the composition and distribution of the cement suspension due to the natural conditions in the borehole. This study investigates the monitoring potential of fiber-optic distributed strain sensing (DSS) using a measurement cable which is installed in the annulus of a well. Similar to distributed temperature sensing (DTS), which is used for temperature monitoring in industry applications for more than two decades, fibers additionally convey information about their mechanical stress state. Laboratory as well as analytical work was performed to quantify the effect of load changes on a fiber. In addition, the influence of complex multilayered downhole cable on the strain response is examined. The presented field data shows results from two stages of the well completion - the gravel packing and the cementation. Due to the difference in density of gravel and drilling fluid, a deformation is measured on the cable. The depth at which the stretching effect occurs correlates with wire-line gamma-gamma density data measured in the same time window. The subsequent compaction of the gravel head, which was not revealed by the logging measurement, was detected by the fiber optic cable in the form of an increasing mechanical load on the cable. During cement pumping, fluid shear stresses create a measurable load on the cable, especially in the mixing zone of liquids with dfferent rheological properties. Based on this observation, an experiment was designed and conducted which aims at measuring fluid rheological parameters such as fluid viscosity. For this purpose, the fluid shear stresses acting on the fiber optic sensing cable in the flow path are measured (patent application number: EP 19171265.2). DSS measurements extend the understanding of fluid displacements in wellbores and allow an assessment of well completion process in real time