Abstract: A sensor arrangement using an optical fiber and methodologies for performing an analysis of a subterranean formation, such as a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon based fluid. The sensor arrangement may be used to measure one or more physical parameters, such as temperature and/or pressure, at a multiplicity of locations in the subterranean reservoir. The sensor arrangement may comprise a sensor array comprising an elongated outer casing for insertion in the subterranean formation and into a fluid in the subterranean formation. The sensor array may comprise an optical fiber defining an optical path that links one or more temperature sensors and one or more pressure sensors and transports measurement data generated by the temperature and pressure sensors. A data processing system may be connected to the sensor array to receive measurements from the sensor array and to compute one or more values of a property of an extraction installation operating on the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of a production fluid in a wellbore by providing an initially blocked isolated communication path between a sensor and an aperture formed in a sleeve. The isolated communication path is subsequently unblocked to allow measurements of the parameter of the production fluid.

Abstract: Fiber optic cables suitable for use in downhole applications, with one or more features for inhibiting flow of any fluid breaching an armor layer of the optical cable are provided. By preventing, or at least impeding, fluid flow along the cable length, any breaching fluid may be confined to a small region of the cable, which may significantly reduce the deleterious effects (e.g., hydrogen darkening) of an armor layer breach. One example optical cable generally includes one or more optical fibers, an inner tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, and one or more polymer sealing features disposed in an annulus between the outer tube and the inner tube and bonded to at least one of the inner tube or the outer tube to prevent fluid flow in the annulus along at least a portion of a length of the optical cable.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement using an optical fiber and methodologies for performing an analysis of a subterranean formation, such as a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon based fluid. The sensor arrangement may be used to measure one or more physical parameters, such as temperature and/or pressure, at a multiplicity of locations in the subterranean reservoir. The sensor arrangement may comprise a sensor array comprising an elongated outer casing for insertion in the subterranean formation and into a fluid in the subterranean formation. The sensor array may comprise an optical fiber defining an optical path that links one or more temperature sensors and one or more pressure sensors and transports measurement data generated by the temperature and pressure sensors. A data processing system may be connected to the sensor array to receive measurements from the sensor array and to compute one or more values of a property of an extraction installation operating on the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Fiber optic cables suitable for use in downhole applications, with one or more features for inhibiting flow of any fluid breaching an armor layer of the optical cable are provided. By preventing, or at least impeding, fluid flow along the cable length, any breaching fluid may be confined to a small region of the cable, which may significantly reduce the deleterious effects (e.g., hydrogen darkening) of an armor layer breach. One example optical cable generally includes one or more optical fibers, an inner tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, and one or more polymer sealing features disposed in an annulus between the outer tube and the inner tube and bonded to at least one of the inner tube or the outer tube to prevent fluid flow in the annulus along at least a portion of a length of the optical cable.

Abstract: Fiber optic cables suitable for use in downhole applications, with one or more features for inhibiting flow of any fluid breaching an armor layer of the optical cable are provided. By preventing, or at least impeding, fluid flow along the cable length, any breaching fluid may be confined to a small region of the cable, which may significantly reduce the deleterious effects (e.g., hydrogen darkening) of an armor layer breach. One example optical cable generally includes one or more optical fibers, an inner tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers, an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, and one or more polymer sealing features disposed in an annulus between the outer tube and the inner tube and bonded to at least one of the inner tube or the outer tube to prevent fluid flow in the annulus along at least a portion of a length of the optical cable.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and corresponding apparatus for making armored cables with one or more optical fibers contained therein. The techniques may be utilized to control an amount of excess fiber length (EFL) in the armored cables. The techniques may also allow introduction of one or more optical fibers directly into a welding process without using an inner tube in the final armored cable. The techniques may also be utilized to reduce friction and static charge on the optical fiber(s) as the fiber(s) are pushed through one or more guide tubes that protect the fiber(s) during the welding process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of a production fluid in a wellbore by providing an initially blocked isolated communication path between a sensor and an aperture formed in a sleeve. The isolated communication path is subsequently unblocked to allow measurements of the parameter of the production fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of a production fluid in a wellbore by providing an initially blocked isolated communication path between a sensor and an aperture formed in a sleeve. The isolated communication path is subsequently unblocked to allow measurements of the parameter of the production fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interrogating sets of optical elements having characteristic wavelengths spanning a sweep range while avoiding overlapping reflections from the different sets when performing a wavelength sweep are provided. One example method generally includes introducing a pulse of light, by an optical source, into an optical waveguide to interrogate at least first and second sets of optical elements, wherein the optical elements within each set have different characteristic wavelengths and wherein the first and second sets are separated in time such that a first time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the first set and reaches a receiver does not overlap with a second time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the second set and reaches the receiver; and processing the reflected light to determine one or more parameters corresponding to the optical elements.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and corresponding apparatus for making armored cables with one or more optical fibers contained therein. The techniques may be utilized to control an amount of excess fiber length (EFL) in the armored cables. The techniques may also allow introduction of one or more optical fibers directly into a welding process without using an inner tube in the final armored cable. The techniques may also be utilized to reduce friction and static charge on the optical fiber(s) as the fiber(s) are pushed through one or more guide tubes that protect the fiber(s) during the welding process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interrogating sets of optical elements having characteristic wavelengths spanning a sweep range while avoiding overlapping reflections from the different sets when performing a wavelength sweep are provided. One example method generally includes introducing a pulse of light, by an optical source, into an optical waveguide to interrogate at least first and second sets of optical elements, wherein the optical elements within each set have different characteristic wavelengths and wherein the first and second sets are separated in time such that a first time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the first set and reaches a receiver does not overlap with a second time window over which light is reflected from the optical elements in the second set and reaches the receiver; and processing the reflected light to determine one or more parameters corresponding to the optical elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of a production fluid in a wellbore by providing an initially blocked isolated communication path between a sensor and an aperture formed in a sleeve. The isolated communication path is subsequently unblocked to allow measurements of the parameter of the production fluid.