IADC/SPE-180665-MS

Identification of Shallow Gas Leaks Through Multiple Strings Using

Slickline With Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing
Toto Setiawan, Sharon Ellen Lidwin, Gan Teik Wei, Sukarmen Wargo Widodo, and
Ronfernandez Sandanasamy, PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd; Tribor Rakela, Sundaresh Sundaralingam,
Leidy Pitre Granados, and Juan Cortez Vaca, Schlumberger

Copyright 2016, IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference

This paper was prepared for presentation at the IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference held in Singapore, 22–24 August 2016.

This paper was selected for presentation by an IADC/SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s).
Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the International Association of Drilling Contractors or the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
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Abstract
Shallow gas formation leaks represent one of the greatest hazards in the industry, especially when they
manifest in mature wells where aging is affecting their cement insulation and surface facilities. These
formations are normally covered by multiple strings that make it difficult to diagnose and access them.
Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) technology enables permanently installed thermal monitoring
of the well, which, in combination with surface well manipulation, can identify temperature anomalies that
lead to leak identification.
One of the critical requirements, especially in mature wells where permanent DTS installations are not
available, is that the diagnostics are performed efficiently and, in many cases, with the smallest footprint
possible.
A fiber-optic DTS line deployed using a slickline unit provides the benefit of a smart completion
continuous monitoring with the minimal foot-print and efficiency of a slickline setup. The system employs
a modular unit that can be used to perform all the associated slickline operations to prepare the well and
then convey the fiber-optic line to perform the survey.
Two examples from offshore Sabah (Malaysia) are presented where completion and casing integrity
issues were identified in conditions that would have not been possible by other technologies.

Introduction
Well 1 is a dual completion well that had a leak between the long string (LS) and the ⬙A⬙ annulus, but
long string had a restriction and could not be accessed to perform any survey. The only practical solution
was to identify the leak in the long string by performing the survey in the short string (SS).
Well 2 was diagnosed with integrity problems with both annuli (A and B) pressurized. Initial tests and
leak identification technologies were inconclusive. The slow leak build-up rate also represented a
challenge for all the conventional methodologies.
A fiber-optic distributed temperature survey (DTS) line was deployed using a digital slickline unit. The
slickline unit has a minimal foot-print and employs a modular unit that was capable of performing all the
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associated slickline operations to prepare the well and then convey the fiber-optic line to perform the
survey.
The operational sequence included surveys manipulating each string and annulus independently
enabling isolation of the source of communications. For well 1, the survey was performed having the
fiber-optic line in the SS and the leak pattern in the LS was successfully identified.
For well 2 both annular surveys were performed with the DTS line inside the production tubing. Clear
communication at the well head hanger was observed between tubing and the A annulus, and a very clear
leak from the 13 3/8⬙ casing into the B annulus was identified.
Analysis of the Joule-Thompson cooling effect and the low rate gas flow in surface confirmed the
survey interpretation. The pressure in the B annulus was building up at a rate of 15 psi/hr.
Statement of Theory and Definitions
DTS technology works by sending 10 nanosecond bursts of laser light down the fiber-optic line within the
slickline cable from the top of the well to the ultimate depth of the line. Light is scattered as the pulse
travels through the fiber and some light is reflected (Julian 2007; Sanchez et al. 2005).
This backscattered signal can be analyzed to measure the temperature. Because the speed of light is
constant, a spectrum of the backscattered light can be generated for each meter of the fiber by using time
sampling which allows generation of a continuous log of spectra along the fiber (Julian 2007; Sanchez et
al. 2005). – (Fig. 1)

Figure 1—The principle of DTS (Al-Asimi et al. 2002)

A physical characteristic of each spectrum of the backscattered signal is the Raman light which has
Stokes and Anti-Stokes components; its ratio is directly proportional to the temperature of the length of
fiber from which it is generated.
Consequently, a log temperature can be calculated every 1 m along the entire length of the fiber by
using a laser source, analyzer, and a reference temperature in the surface system (Julian 2007; Sanchez
et al. 2005).
The DTS system acquisition time can be set to different acquisition frequencies, depending on the test
design requirements, and this will define the resolution of the measured data.
IADC/SPE-180665-MS 3

A digital slickline unit with a drum with the fiber-optic line installed (0.125 in. diameter cable) was
utilized for these surveys. This combined the ease of using the slickline footprint and conveyance a
simplified and reliable pressure control setup with the benefits of the DTS measurement for diagnostics
(Fig 2).

Figure 2—Digital slickline conveyed optical fiber

Description and Application of Equipment and Processes

For the specific leak identification applications the entire diagnostic process is centered on having the well
in static conditions stable and then manipulating it to highlight a temperature anomaly through the leak.
The Joule-Thompson effect will create a temperature change upon fluid expansion (through the leak) and
will be noticed in real time by the DTS line.
In this case, the two wells were shut in for at least 12 hours before the DTS survey was performed.
During that time, the digital slickline unit and pressure control equipment were rigged up and the well
preparation was performed; this involved pulling the tubing-retrievable subsurface safety valve (TRSSSV)
and drifting the wells to confirm access.
Later, the drum with digital slickline was removed, and the DTS line was installed and run in hole. The
pressures were constantly monitored at surface (for both tubings and all pressurized annuli) while the
distributed temperature profiles were acquired with 1m of spatial resolution every 5 seconds in the entire
well.

Presentation of Data and Results

Well 1 is a dual completion well that had a leak between the LS and the A annulus, but the LS had a
restriction and could not be accessed to perform any survey (Fig. 3). The only practical solution was to
identify the leak in the LS by performing the survey from the SS.
4 IADC/SPE-180665-MS

Figure 3—Well 1 completion.

Initially, a drift was performed with digital slickline confirming the static conditions and getting a clear
idea of the fluids distribution in the wellbore (Fig. 4).

Figure 4 —Drift run with digital slickline, well 1.

Later the fiber-optic cable drum was installed in the drum and the DTS survey started, initially with
static monitoring of the base line (Fig. 5). This was then followed by the manipulation sequence, during
which the temperature anomalies (Fig. 6) were identified, in this particular case by bleeding off the LS.
IADC/SPE-180665-MS 5

Figure 5—Baseline monitoring.

Figure 6 —Leak anomalies highlighted.

The results can also be expressed in a 2D chart, selecting the relevant traces and overlapping them with
the baseline (Fig. 7).

Figure 7—Leak anomalies highlighted (2D).

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The survey results were conclusive in indicating communication between the LS and the A annulus in
the gas lift valve. In addition, leaking at the upper packer was identified (Fig. 8).

Figure 8 —Leak mechanism, Well 1.

Well 2 was diagnosed with integrity problems with both annuli A and B pressurized. Initial tests and
leak identification technologies were inconclusive. The slow leak build-up rate also represented a
challenge for all the conventional methodologies.
Similarly a drift was performed with digital slickline confirming the static conditions and getting a
clear idea of the fluids distribution in the wellbore (Fig. 9).

Figure 9 —Drift run with digital slickline, well 2.

IADC/SPE-180665-MS 7

Later the fiber-optic cable drum was installed in the drum and the DTS survey started with static monitoring
of the base line (Fig. 10). This was followed by the manipulation sequence during which temperature anomalies
were identified, in this particular case by bleeding off the A annulus (Fig. 11) and shutting it in to identify its
leak mechanism, and then performing a similar operation for the B annulus (Fig. 12).

Figure 10 —Baseline monitoring, well 2.

Figure 11—Leak mechanism in A annulus.

Figure 12—Leak mechanism in B annulus.

8 IADC/SPE-180665-MS

Conclusions
Slickline with fiber-optic DTS cable is an economic and efficient way to have the full benefits of a
permanent DTS installation in a temporary installation.
The DTS applications for leak detection have unmatched benefits compared to conventional systems
including the capability to survey the full completion almost simultaneously (including surface setup) and
the sensitivity to observe small anomalies from different strings or behind multiple tubing or casings.
Proper understanding of leak mechanisms is critical to establish remedial programs, particularly when
the leaks could jeopardize the well/platform operability.
The DTS technology can also identify anomalies and well integrity problems in the surface section of
the well.

Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the management of PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, Samarang
asset for their permission to publish this data. The authors would also like to thank the staff of
Schlumberger Wireline Production Services involved in the design, planning and execution of the digital
slickline fiber-optic DTS field operations.

References
1. Al-Asimi M., Butler, G., Brown, G. et al. 2002. Advances in Well snd Reservoir Surveillance. Oilfield Review 14 (4):
14 –35.
2. Julian, J.Y. 2007. Downhole Leak Determination Using Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Surveys at Prudhoe Bay,
Alaska. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Anaheim, California, 11-14 November.
SPE-107070-MS. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/107070-MS.
3. Sanchez, A., Brown, G.A., Carvalho, L.S. et al. 2005. Slickline With Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Monitoring
for Water-Injection and Gas Lift Systems Optimization in Mexico. Presented at the SPE Latin American and
Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20-23 June. SPE-94989-MS. http://dx.doi.org/
10.2118/94989-MS.