Abstract

A system for testing of leaking past a well barrier. The system includes a well including a wellbore and a upper wellbore termination means. A barrier is provided in the wellbore, the barrier having an upstream side below the barrier and a downstream side above the barrier. The system further includes a tracer and a storage means for storing said tracer, the storage means being provided below the barrier in the well. A release mechanism is configured for releasing the tracer from the storage means, wherein a pressure differential is established across the barrier for driving tracer from the upstream side to the downstream side of the barrier. A detector is configured for detecting the tracer that has leaked through the barrier, the detector being provided in the wellbore between said barrier and said upper wellbore termination means.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 47/11 - Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using radioactivity
• E21B 21/01 - Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes
• E21B 21/06 - Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
• E21B 33/12 - Packers; Plugs
• G01M 3/02 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum

Abstract

A method is for testing the pressure integrity of a barrier in an annulus outside a pipe string in a wellbore, the method including the steps of: establishing a fluid connection between an inside of the pipe string and an annulus out-side the pipe string at a first position and second positions in the wellbore, the second position being offset from the first position along the axial direction of the wellbore; establishing a temporary barrier between the fluid connections at the first and second positions in the wellbore; establishing a pressure differential across the temporary barrier; releasing a tracer from below the temporary barrier; and sniffing for tracer above the temporary barrier to verify a leakage through the temporary barrier and/or the barrier in the annulus. There is also disclosed a tool for executing such a method.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 47/11 - Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using radioactivity
• E21B 47/005 - Monitoring or checking of cementation quality or level
• E21B 47/098 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes using impression packers, e.g. to detect recesses or perforations
• E21B 47/117 - Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for testing the pressure integrity of a barrier in an annulus outside a pipe string in a wellbore, the method including the steps of: - establishing a fluid connection between an inside of the pipe string and an annulus out-side the pipe string at a first position and second positions in the wellbore, the second position being offset from the first position along the axial direction of the wellbore; - establishing a temporary barrier between the fluid connections at the first and second positions in the wellbore; - establishing a pressure differential across the temporary barrier; - releasing a tracer from below the temporary barrier; and - sniffing for tracer above the temporary barrier to verify a leakage through the temporary barrier and/or the barrier in the annulus. There is also disclosed a tool for executing such a method.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 47/098 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes using impression packers, e.g. to detect recesses or perforations
• E21B 47/117 - Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing
• E21B 47/11 - Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using radioactivity
• E21B 47/005 - Monitoring or checking of cementation quality or level

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for testing the pressure integrity of a barrier in an annulus outside a pipe string in a wellbore, the method including the steps of: - establishing a fluid connection between an inside of the pipe string and an annulus out-side the pipe string at a first position and second positions in the wellbore, the second position being offset from the first position along the axial direction of the wellbore; - establishing a temporary barrier between the fluid connections at the first and second positions in the wellbore; - establishing a pressure differential across the temporary barrier; - releasing a tracer from below the temporary barrier; and - sniffing for tracer above the temporary barrier to verify a leakage through the temporary barrier and/or the barrier in the annulus. There is also disclosed a tool for executing such a method.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 47/098 - Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes using impression packers, e.g. to detect recesses or perforations
• E21B 47/005 - Monitoring or checking of cementation quality or level
• E21B 47/11 - Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using radioactivity
• E21B 47/117 - Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing

Abstract

A system is for testing the integrity of a well barrier. The system has a well including a wellbore and a upper wellbore termination means, such as a wellhead and a mud circulation system and/or a mud conditioning system comprising means for transporting, cleaning or storing mud outside said wellbore; a barrier provided in the wellbore, the barrier having an upstream side below the barrier and a downstream side above the barrier; a tracer; a storage means for storing said tracer, the storage means being provided in a lower part of the barrier and/or below the barrier in the well; and a release mechanism for releasing the tracer from the storage means, wherein the system further comprises a detector for detecting tracer that has leaked through the barrier and into said mud, the detector being arranged above the wellbore.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 47/11 - Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using radioactivity
• E21B 21/01 - Arrangements for handling drilling fluids or cuttings outside the borehole, e.g. mud boxes
• E21B 21/06 - Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
• E21B 33/12 - Packers; Plugs
• G01M 3/02 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum

Abstract

A system (1') for testing the integrity of a well barrier (2), the system (1') comprising: - a well (10) including a wellbore (4) and a upper wellbore termination means (8), such as a wellhead; - a mud circulation system (70) and/or a mud conditioning system (80) comprising means for transporting, cleaning or storing mud outside said wellbore (4); - a barrier (2) provided in the wellbore (4), the barrier having an upstream side (12) below the barrier (2) and a downstream side (14) above the barrier (2); - a tracer (16); - a storage means (18) for storing said tracer (16), the storage means (18) being provided in a lower part of the barrier (2) and/or below the barrier (2) in the well (10); and - a release mechanism for releasing the tracer (16) from the storage means (18), wherein the system (1') further comprises a detector (20) for detecting tracer (16) that has leaked through the barrier (2) and into said mud (5), the detector (20) being arranged above the wellbore (4). There is also described a method for testing the integrity of a well barrier (2) by means of such a system (1')

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 47/117 - Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing
• E21B 47/11 - Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using radioactivity
• G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves

Abstract

A system (1') for testing the integrity of a well barrier (2), the system (1') comprising: - a well (10) including a wellbore (4) and a upper wellbore termination means (8), such as a wellhead; - a mud circulation system (70) and/or a mud conditioning system (80) comprising means for transporting, cleaning or storing mud outside said wellbore (4); - a barrier (2) provided in the wellbore (4), the barrier having an upstream side (12) below the barrier (2) and a downstream side (14) above the barrier (2); - a tracer (16); - a storage means (18) for storing said tracer (16), the storage means (18) being provided in a lower part of the barrier (2) and/or below the barrier (2) in the well (10); and - a release mechanism for releasing the tracer (16) from the storage means (18), wherein the system (1') further comprises a detector (20) for detecting tracer (16) that has leaked through the barrier (2) and into said mud (5), the detector (20) being arranged above the wellbore (4). There is also described a method for testing the integrity of a well barrier (2) by means of such a system (1')

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 47/117 - Detecting leaks, e.g. from tubing, by pressure testing
• E21B 47/11 - Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using radioactivity
• G01M 3/28 - Investigating fluid tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for valves