Abstract: Methods and systems for effectively sealing a fiber optic line to a pressure gauge device are disclosed. A pressure gauge device has an outer body, a reference volume within the outer body and a pressure sensor having a first side and a second side. The first side of the pressure sensor is exposed to a pressure inlet and the second side of the pressure sensor is exposed to the reference volume. A fiber optic line is coupled to the pressure gauge device using a feedthrough device. The fiber optic line comprises a first fiber optic line portion located within the feedthrough device, a second fiber optic line portion located within the reference volume and a third fiber optic line portion located within a cable located outside the pressure gauge device and coupled to the feed through device. The first fiber optic line portion comprises a first Fiber Bragg Grating (“FBG”).

Abstract: A sensing system includes plurality of sensors along the lengths of input and output optical fibers. Each sensor receives broadband pulses from the input fiber, dynamically senses a plurality of physical parameters in a one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of predefined wavelength bands, and forms signal pulses from the broadband pulses by transmitting only a single wavelength within each wavelength band. Each single wavelength has a dynamically-varying peak wavelength value indicative of the corresponding sensed physical parameter. The signal pulses from the output optical fiber are directed into one or more interferometers, which produce a phase deviation corresponding to each dynamically-varying peak wavelength value.

Abstract: Various disclosed distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) based systems and methods include embodiments that process the DAS measurements to detect one or more contrasts in acoustic signatures associated with one or more fluids flowing along a tubing string, and determine positions of the one or more contrasts as a function of time. The detected contrasts may be changes in acoustic signatures arising from one or more of: turbulence, frictional noise, acoustic attenuation, acoustic coupling, resonance frequency, resonance damping, and active noise generation by entrained materials. At least some of the contrasts correspond to interfaces between different fluids such as those that might be pumped during a cementing operation.

Abstract: A tubular seismic sensing cable for use in wells and a method of deployment into wells to provide higher seismic sensitivity.

Abstract: Various disclosed cement slurry monitoring methods include monitoring one or more parameter of the cement slurry at various positions along the borehole during the curing process and responsively identifying a span over which the slurry extends and whether there are any gaps or voids in that span. At least some system embodiments include a distributed sensing arrangement to provide parameter measurements as a function of position and time during the curing process. A computer analyzes the measurements to determine the span of the cement slurry and whether any gaps exist. Contemplated measurement parameters include temperature, pressure, strain, acoustic spectrum, acoustic coupling, and chemical concentration. Individually or in combination, these measurements can reveal in real time the state of the cement slurry and can enable remedial actions to be taken during or after the curing process if needed to address deficiencies in the annular seal being provided by the cement.

Abstract: Downhole orientation sensing with a nuclear spin gyroscope. A method of sensing orientation of an instrument assembly in a subterranean well can include incorporating an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source into the instrument assembly, and installing the instrument assembly in the well. A downhole orientation sensing system for use in conjunction with a subterranean well can include a downhole instrument assembly positioned in the well, the instrument assembly including an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source which transmits light to the atomic comagnetometer.

Abstract: Various disclosed cement slurry monitoring methods include monitoring one or more parameter of the cement slurry at various positions along the borehole during the curing process and responsively identifying a span over which the slurry extends and whether there are any gaps or voids in that span. At least some system embodiments include a distributed sensing arrangement to provide parameter measurements as a function of position and time during the curing process. A computer analyzes the measurements to determine the span of the cement slurry and whether any gaps exist. Contemplated measurement parameters include temperature, pressure, strain, acoustic spectrum, acoustic coupling, and chemical concentration. Individually or in combination, these measurements can reveal in real time the state of the cement slurry and can enable remedial actions to be taken during or after the curing process if needed to address deficiencies in the annular seal being provided by the cement.

Abstract: Wellbore tracking by developing a wellbore deviation survey, including collecting wellbore deformation data using a caliper at each of a plurality of depths within the wellbore, collecting wellbore deviation data using a tiltmeter at ones of the plurality of depths, determining simulated wellbore deformation and deviation data using the oriented wellbore deformation data, and developing a wellbore deviation survey by calibrating the wellbore deviation data based on the oriented wellbore deviation data.

Abstract: Downhole orientation sensing with a nuclear spin gyroscope. A method of sensing orientation of an instrument assembly in a subterranean well can include incorporating an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source into the instrument assembly, and installing the instrument assembly in the well. A downhole orientation sensing system for use in conjunction with a subterranean well can include a downhole instrument assembly positioned in the well, the instrument assembly including an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source which transmits light to the atomic comagnetometer.

Abstract: Wellbore tracking by developing a wellbore deviation survey, including collecting wellbore deformation data using a caliper at each of a plurality of depths within the wellbore, collecting wellbore deviation data using a tiltmeter at ones of the plurality of depths, determining simulated wellbore deformation and deviation data using the oriented wellbore deformation data, and developing a wellbore deviation survey by calibrating the wellbore deviation data based on the oriented wellbore deviation data.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring geophysical processes is disclosed. The system may include a component array located within the bore hole of the active well, or, alternatively, in the bore hole of a nearby offset well, or, alternatively, in multiple shallow boreholes in the surface around the active well. The system may include a sensor array located within a bore, wherein the sensor array has at least one tilt sensor and at least one microseismic sensor, a transmitter in communication with the at least one tilt sensor and the at least one microseismic sensor, and a receiver in communication with the transmitter. In one embodiment, data comprising tiltmeter data and microseismic data from a sensor during at least one geophysical process is received.

Abstract: The treatment well tiltmeter system comprises one or more tiltmeter assemblies which are located within an active treatment well. The treatment well tiltmeter system provides data from the downhole tiltmeters, and can be used to map hydraulic fracture growth or other subsurface processes from the collected downhole tilt data versus time. The system provides tilt data inversion of data from each of the treatment well tiltmeter assemblies, and provides isolation of data signals from noise associated with the treatment well environment. As well, the treatment well tiltmeter system provides geomechanical modeling for treatment well processes.