X-ray Backscatter Imaging in an Oil Well

Spannuth, Melissa; Esmaeili, Morteza; Gunn, Spencer; Ponce-Marquez, David M.; Torsteinsen, Henning; Voll, Ådne

doi:10.2118/170706-ms

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…screening passengers at airports 2 , as well as trucks and cars 3 ), medicine (e.g. assessing bone density 4 ), and aerospace 5 , plus has potential applications in many others such as oil and gas drilling 6 and food inspection 7 .…”

Section: X-ray Backscattermentioning

confidence: 99%

X-ray backscatter sensing of defects in carbon fibre composite materials

O’Flynn

Crews

Fox³

et al. 2017

SPIE Proceedings

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X-ray backscatter (XBS) provides a novel approach to the field of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) in the aerospace industry. XBS is conducted by collecting the radiation which is scattered from a sample illuminated by a well-defined Xray beam, and the technique enables objects to be scanned at a sub-surface level using single-sided access, and without the requirement for coupling with the sample. Single-sided access is of particular importance when the objects of interest are very large, such as aircraft components. Carbon fibre composite materials are being increasingly used as a structural material in aircraft, and there is an increasing demand for techniques which are sensitive to the delaminations which occur in these composites as a result of both large impacts and barely visible impact damage (BVID). The XBS signal is greatly enhanced for plastics and lightweight materials, making it an ideal candidate for probing sub-surface damage and defects in carbon fibre composites. Here we present both computer modelling and experimental data which demonstrate the capability of the XBS technique for identifying hidden defects in carbon fibre.

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Section: X-ray Backscattermentioning

confidence: 99%

X-ray backscatter sensing of defects in carbon fibre composite materials

O’Flynn

Crews

Fox³

et al. 2017

SPIE Proceedings

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Innovative Wireline X-Ray Diagnostic Service Reduces Risk During Well Interventions: A Case Study

Spannuth¹,

Achihai²,

Ángel³

et al. 2016

Day 1 Mon, November 07, 2016

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During well intervention activities, one of the biggest challenges faced is uncertainty about the downhole hardware. Carrying out interventions without understanding the state of downhole equipment can be time-consuming, expensive and ultimately unsuccessful. There are several diagnostic techniques available to assess the state of downhole hardware, but none offer an efficient and reliable solution, particularly if the well fluid is opaque. Recently, an X-ray based wireline tool was introduced for providing downhole imaging, regardless of the well fluid. We will present a case study in which this new tool was run in a brine-filled onshore gas storage well in the Netherlands. In this case, the X-ray images provided measurements of the inner- and outer-diameters of a coiled tubing disconnect to millimeter-scale accuracy. These X-ray images and measurements verified the operator's fishing plan and they successfully retrieved the fish on the first attempt. In general, the quick and reliable visualization of downhole objects provided by X-ray imaging reduces the uncertainty and concomitant risk associated with well interventions, resulting in a higher success rate, less downtime, and lower cost.

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Improving Intervention Efficiency with a Novel X-ray Diagnostic Service: A Case Study

Spannuth

Achihai

Campos

et al. 2017

Day 1 Tue, March 21, 2017

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Operators continuously strive to improve the efficiency of well intervention activities, as any time spent on interventions is non-productive time. However, planning and executing an efficient intervention is challenging when downhole conditions or issues are uncertain. The guesswork involved often leads to a trial-and-error process during interventions. Performing diagnostic imaging at the outset of an intervention could break this inefficient cycle, but the techniques commonly used for downhole visualizations, such as video cameras, lead impression blocks and ultrasonic imaging, are not sufficiently reliable. Recently, an X-ray based wireline tool was introduced for providing downhole imaging, regardless of the well fluid. We will present a case study in which this new tool was used to assess the condition of the flapper on a downhole safety valve. The X-ray images showed that the flapper was mobile and verified that an insert downhole safety could potentially be installed. This allowed the operator to eliminate higher-risk and more costly options, and they eventually installed the insert downhole safety valve.

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X-ray Backscatter Imaging in an Oil Well

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

X-ray backscatter sensing of defects in carbon fibre composite materials

X-ray backscatter sensing of defects in carbon fibre composite materials

Innovative Wireline X-Ray Diagnostic Service Reduces Risk During Well Interventions: A Case Study

Improving Intervention Efficiency with a Novel X-ray Diagnostic Service: A Case Study

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