Downhole Sand-Ingress Detection With Fiber-Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensors

There is currently no proven technology available in the market that accurately identifies downhole sand-ingress locations in real time. In this paper, the authors present results from use of a new technology that uses in-well-conveyed fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) for the detection of sand-ingress zones across the reservoir section throughout the production period in real time.

Introduction

Mechanical sand-control systems are not always fully effective. The end result may be high sand production, which results in choking back the well and reducing hydrocarbon production significantly. In most cases, the precise sanding interval is unknown, making sand-remediation operations (such as remedial plug placements) often ineffective.