Methods and systems for monitoring well integrity and increasing the lifetime of a well in a subterranean formation

Abstract

A system for increasing the detecting degradation of a wellbore. The system comprises a computer memory configured for storing computing instructions and a processor operably coupled to the computer memory. The system comprises a sensor operably coupled to the computer memory and is configured to determine the presence of at least one chemical species indicative of degradation of the wellbore in a fluid exiting the wellbore. Methods of monitoring a wellbore for corrosion or other degradation of one or more components of wellbore equipment are disclosed as are methods of increasing the lifetime of a wellbore.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 927,735, filed Jan. 15, 2014, and entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING WELL INTEGRITY IN A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION,” the disclosure of which application is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.FIELD[0002]Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to methods and systems for monitoring a downhole environment for corrosion and degradation of downhole equipment and components during downhole operation such as drilling of a wellbore, formation stimulation, and production.BACKGROUND[0003]During the lifetime of a well, the equipment used to construct and produce from the well may interact with different types of fluids, such as drilling fluids, stimulation fluids, completion fluids, formation fluids, fluids injected into an adjacent well, etc. Depending on their chemical properties, these fluids, which may be characterized generall...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes systems and methods for monitoring the integrity of a well and reducing degradation of wellbore components. The systems use thermodynamic and chemical reaction kinetics to predict which reactions are likely to occur and which properties of the fluid exiting the wellbore will be affected. These predictions are then used to adjust or detect the composition of the injected fluid and prevent damage to the wellbore equipment. Overall, the technology helps to improve the efficiency and prevent failures in drilling and wellbore construction.

Problems solved by technology

Depending on their chemical properties, these fluids, which may be characterized generally as “corrosive fluids,” may react with some of the materials within the well and with each other, causing corrosion, scaling and / or other degradation of the equipment within the well.

Although the downhole equipment may be in contact with such fluids for only short periods of time, such as during drilling or stimulation, considerable degradation of equipment may take place due to the contact and interaction with the fluids.

In addition, exposing cement within a well to formation fluids, drilling fluids, completion fluids, injected fluids, stimulation fluids, and mixtures thereof may cause the cement to degrade and crack.

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