Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and methods to actuate downhole tools by transmitting an optical signal through an optical fiber to the downhole tool. The optical signal can comprise a specific optical signal frequency, signal, wavelength or intensity. The downhole tool can comprise packers, perforating guns, flow control valves, such as sleeve valves and ball valves, samplers, sensors, pumps, screens (such as to expand), chemical cutters, plugs, detonators, or nipples.

Abstract: A frequency-scanned optical time domain reflectometry technique includes launching a plurality of interrogating pulses into an optical fiber at a plurality of optical carrier frequencies. A Rayleigh backscatter signal is detected for each interrogating pulse as a function of time between the launching of the pulse and the detection of the backscatter signal. The time resolved Rayleigh backscatter signal at each optical frequency may then be examined to determine a distribution of a physical parameter along the length of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for measuring Brillouin backscattering from an optical fibre (18), comprises frequency mixing a first signal with a frequency f B (t) representative of the Brillouin frequency shift in backscattered light received from a deployed optical fibre with a second signal at a frequency f i (t) that varies in time in the same manner as a Brillouin shift previously measured from the fibre to produce a difference signal with a difference frequency iF(t) that has a nominally constant value corresponding to the situation where the received light has a Brillouin shift that matches the previously measured shift. The difference signal is acquired and processed to determine properties of the Brillouin shift and corresponding physical parameters producing the shift. The frequency mixing can be carried out. optically or electrically. Techniques for acquisition of the difference signal include the use of parallel frequency measurement channels and fast rate digital sampling.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) system is configured to detect Rayleigh backscatter reflected from a multimode sensing optical fiber. The system includes a single spatial mode filtering system to select a single speckle of the Rayleigh backscatter produced in response to an optical pulse launched into the multimode fiber. The detected single speckle may be used for distributed disturbance (vibration) detection.

Abstract: A method of providing Raman amplification in an optical fiber sensing system, comprises generating a probe pulse of light and launching the pulse into a sensing optical fiber, generating pump light at a shorter wavelength and modulating it to produce a time-varying intensity profile, and launching the pump light into the sensing fiber. such that the intensity of the launched pump light during launch of the probe pulse is different from the intensity at other times. Raman amplification of backscattered light produced by the probe pulse as it propagates along the fiber is achieved, as is amplification of the probe pulse if the pump power is non-zero during launch of the probe pulse.

Abstract: A technique enables sensing one or more wellbore parameters along a specific well zone. A section of instrumented coiled tubing is provided with a sensor array extending along its exterior. The sensor array is designed to sense well fluid related parameters and may comprise an optical fiber sensor. A cross-over allows the sensor array to communicate with a surface location via a control line routed along a coiled tubing interior.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometry apparatus for sensing a parameter in a region of interest is characterized in that the optical fiber includes a first section into which optical radiation at the probe wavelength is launched and a second section deployed in the region of interest. The first section has a higher intensity threshold for the onset of non-linear effects than the second section. The source launches the optical radiation into the first section at an intensity lower than the non-linear effects intensity threshold of the first section but higher than the non-linear effects intensity threshold of the second section. The attenuation characteristics of the first section are chosen such that the intensity of the optical radiation at the probe wavelength that reaches the second section is below the threshold for the onset of non-linear effects of the second section.

Abstract: A method of measuring a selected physical parameter at a location within a region of interest comprises the steps of: launching optical pulses at a plurality of preselected interrogation wavelengths into an optical fiber (1) deployed along the region of interest, reflectors (20, 21, 2n) being arrayed along the optical fiber (1) to form an array (9) of sensor elements, the optical path length between the said reflectors (2) being dependent upon the selected parameter; detecting the returned optical interference signal for each of the preselected wavelengths; determining from the optical interference signal the absolute optical path length (L) between two reflectors (2) at the said location; and determining from the absolute optical path length (L) the value of the selected parameter at the said location; wherein the step of determining the absolute optical path length (L) comprises carrying out a process in which the phase difference between the interference signals for a pair of the preselected wavelengths is

Abstract: A technique facilitates the monitoring of elongate structures. An elongate structure is combined with an optical fiber deployed along the structure. An interrogation system is operatively joined with the optical fiber to input and monitor optical signals to determine any changes in parameters related to the structure.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in general to a method and system for monitoring a conduit, a wellbore or a reservoir associated with hydrocarbon production or transportation and/or carbon dioxide sequestration. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide for using an optical fiber as a distributed interferometer that may be used to monitor the conduit, wellbore or reservoir.

Abstract: To measure a characteristic of a multimode optical fiber, a light pulse source produces a light pulse for transmission into the multimode optical fiber. A spatial filter passes a portion of Brillouin backscattered light from the multimode optical fiber that is responsive to the light pulse. Optical detection equipment detects the portion of the Brillouin backscattered light passed by the spatial filter.

Abstract: To perform distributed sensing with an optical fiber using Brillouin scattering, a light pulse is transmitted into the optical fiber, where the transmitted light pulse has a first frequency. Backscattered light and optical local oscillator light are combined, where the backscattered light is received from the optical fiber in response to the transmitted light pulse, and where the optical local oscillator light has a second frequency. A frequency offset is caused to be present between the first frequency of the transmitted light pulse and the second frequency of the optical local oscillator light, where the frequency offset is at least 1 GHz less than a Brillouin frequency shift of the backscattered light. Spectra representing Stokes and anti-Stokes components of the backscattered light are acquired, where the Stokes and anti-Stokes components are separated by a frequency span that is based on the frequency offset.

Abstract: To perform distributed sensing with an optical fiber using Brillouin scattering, a light pulse is transmitted into the optical fiber, where the transmitted light pulse has a first frequency. Backscattered light and optical local oscillator light are combined, where the backscattered light is received from the optical fiber in response to the transmitted light pulse, and where the optical local oscillator light has a second frequency. A frequency offset is caused to be present between the first frequency of the transmitted light pulse and the second frequency of the optical local oscillator light, where the frequency offset is at least 1 GHz less than a Brillouin frequency shift of the backscattered light. Spectra representing Stokes and anti-Stokes components of the backscattered light are acquired, where the Stokes and anti-Stokes components are separated by a frequency span that is based on the frequency offset.

Abstract: An improved laser source for use in a distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system (and DTS systems employing the same) includes a laser device and drive circuitry that cooperate to emit an optical pulse train at a characteristic wavelength between 1050 nm and 1090 nm. An optical amplifier, which is operably coupled to the laser device, is adapted to amplify the optical pulse train for output over the optical fiber sensor of the DTS system. In the preferred embodiment, the laser device operates at 1064 nm and outputs the optical pulse train via an optical fiber pigtail that is integral to its housing. The optical power of the optical pulse train generated by the laser source is greater than 100 mW, and preferably greater than 1 W, at a preferred pulse repetition frequency range between 1 and 50 kHz, and at a preferred pulse width range between 2 and 100 ns.

Abstract: A sensing fibre for use in a distributed temperature sensing system comprises an optical fibre to be deployed in a measurement region in which a temperature measurement is to be made, which incorporates a reflective element, such as a join between portions of fibre, and a coiled fibre portion positioned adjacent a distal side of the reflective element, the coiled fibre portion contributing substantially nothing to the spatial extent of the optical fibre when deployed. In use, the effect of any forward propagating light incident on the reflective element that is returned for detection by the system, and which saturates the detector, can be eliminated by removing the part of the detected signal that corresponds to the coiled portion, after which the detector will have recovered. The remaining parts of the signal can be used to derive the distributed temperature profile since these parts represent the whole extent of the sensing fibre owing to the lack of spatial extent of the coil.

Abstract: A technique enables sensing one or more wellbore parameters along a specific well zone. A section of instrumented coiled tubing is provided with a sensor array extending along its exterior. The sensor array is designed to sense well fluid related parameters and may comprise an optical fiber sensor. A cross-over allows the sensor array to communicate with a surface location via a control line routed along a coiled tubing interior.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometry apparatus for sensing a parameter in a region of interest is characterized in that the optical fiber includes a first section into which optical radiation at the probe wavelength is launched and a second section deployed in the region of interest. The first section has a higher intensity threshold for the onset of non-linear effects than the second section. The source launches the optical radiation into the first section at an intensity lower than the non-linear effects intensity threshold of the first section but higher than the non-linear effects intensity threshold of the second section. The attenuation characteristics of the first section are chosen such that the intensity of the optical radiation at the probe wavelength that reaches the second section is below the threshold for the onset of non-linear effects of the second section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving measurements from an interferometer transducer (22) uses a broad band light beam (19A), reflected from the transducer (22), and compares it with the amplitudes of narrow band beams, derived from the reflected broad band light beam (19A), by filters (23A-23D) on different frequencies. The narrow band light beams and the broad band light beam (19A) are measured on photo detectors (22A, 21B-21E). Microprocessor (57) compares outputs of the photo detectors to interpret phase differences between signals (25, 27, 29) from the narrow band beams. A periodically operable shutter and a single photo detector (21) can also be used. Other embodiments modulate (12) the light source (10) to produce very short broad band pulses of light (36, 40) which are reflected from the transducer (22).

Abstract: A method of obtaining a distributed measurement comprises deploying an optical fibre in a measurement region of interest, and launching into it a first optical signal at a first wavelength ?0 and a high power level, a second optical signal at a second wavelength ??1, and a third optical signal at the first wavelength ?0 and a low power level. These optical signals generate backscattered light at the second wavelength ??1 arising from Raman scattering of the first optical signal which is indicative of a parameter to be measured, at the first wavelength ?0 arising from Rayleigh scattering of the first optical signal, at the second wavelength ?—1 arising from Rayleigh scattering of the second optical signal, and at the first wavelength ?0 arising from Rayleigh scattering of the third optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of a fiber in a sensing optical fiber system operated in a region of negative chromatic dispersion to minimize modulation instability thereby enabling the identification and measurement of the information-carrying signals. The present invention may be used in a variety of sensing environments.