Q. Li
Oliden Technology,
United States
Keywords: O&G, energy, downhole, MWD, real-time, Sensor Development,
Summary:
Deep earth exploration for natural resource development has been a fertile ground for new physics and sensor development. Nearly all the physical measurements that we are familiar with have been realized in downhole instruments in one form or another - from optical analyzer of the formation fluid to precise rock density and porosity measurement with neutron and gamma scattering, or porosity and permeability measurement with downhole NMR, all the way to an omni-scale structure and rock property characterization around the wellbore with electromagnetic and acoustic waves of wide ranges of frequencies. These sensors have been conveyed downhole or installed permanently at the drilling, completion, or production stages of an oil and gas well, offering continuous data to operators. The real-time information these sensors gather is transmitted to surface monitoring systems, enabling operators to make data-driven decisions that optimize well performance. By delivering important insights directly from the wellbore, downhole sensors play a critical role in improving reservoir management, boosting production efficiency, and minimizing operational risks. Packaging physical sensors that continue to perform reliably at extremely high temperatures and pressures and under extreme shock and vibration has been a challenge for physicists and engineers specializing in downhole instrumentation. Interpreting complex information and rich data from downhole in real time with limited processing capabilities and transmitting the data to the surface for decision-making with less than 10 bps telemetry adds another layer of challenge. This talk presents the personal journey of a theoretical physicist who has worked for thirty years developing and commercializing innovative LWD sensors. These new generations of technologies can provide more accurate and comprehensive data, go far beyond the traditional depth of investigation into the reservoir scale, and revolutionize the way operators develop and manage the reservoir over its life cycle. Pushing the limit of sensor development to achieve the maximum benefit continues to drive the development of new generations of downhole sensors.