Introduction

In the oil and gas sector, keeping a constant pulse on well conditions is essential for maximizing productivity and avoiding failures. However, manually monitoring critical well parameters like pressure and flow rate requires extensive labour and offers limited diagnostics.

New technological innovations are enabling a transformation in well surveillance and control. With the rise of automation and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), around-the-clock remote monitoring and early diagnostics are now possible.

At the forefront of this shift is Acoustic Wells, a pioneer in automated acoustical monitoring solutions for oil and gas wells. Through patented fiber optic sensing systems combined with intelligent analytics, Acoustic Wells provides operators with 24/7 visibility into well integrity and performance.

In this article, we explore the game-changing technology from Acoustic Wells that is revolutionizing well diagnostics and surveillance through automation. By detecting acoustic anomalies and patterns using real-time data analytics, this innovative platform prevents failures, optimizes production, and reduces labor costs.

The adoption of these automated well monitoring solutions signifies a new era of smarter, more efficient oil and gas operations enhanced by IIoT capabilities.

Acoustic Monitoring Technology

The core of Acoustic Wells’ solution is its patented fiber optic sensing system that gets installed in the production tubing of oil and gas wells. This system uses laser pulses to continuously detect and measure acoustic vibrations within the wellbore.

An array of ultra-sensitive fiber optic cable acts like a microphone to pick up unique sounds generated by different well events like sand ingress, leaks, pressure changes, pump cavitation, and more. The high sampling rate provides far more data points than traditional surface or downhole pressure sensors.

Sophisticated machine learning algorithms analyze the acoustic data in real-time to identify audio patterns corresponding to different well conditions and events. By detecting subtle changes in sounds, the technology can identify anomalies and potential failures before they occur.

Edge computing capabilities on the wellsite allow real-time analytics and classification without needing to transmit all the data to the cloud. This enables quick diagnostics and alerts. The analytics models also continuously improve by learning from the amassed acoustic data patterns over time.

The core value proposition is providing operators with an “acoustic fingerprint” for optimizing production and minimizing downtime risks. Instead of intermittent manual data gathering, wells are continuously monitored 24/7.

Real-Time Diagnostics and Alerts

The automated acoustical monitoring system provides continuous real-time diagnostics on well conditions. The dashboard visualizes the acoustic data and analytics so operators can track well health.

Machine learning algorithms running on the edge computing platform instantly analyze acoustic patterns to detect any anomalies. This allows identifying events like:

• Leaks
• Changes in flow rates
• Pump failures
• Sand ingress
• Pressure buildups
• Hydrate blockages

The real-time monitoring means problems get diagnosed early before any catastrophic failure or shutdown occurs. Even minor changes from baseline conditions are flagged.

When any anomaly gets detected, the system immediately sends customizable alerts to operators via text, email or push notifications. This enables rapid response to mitigate issues – for example adjusting pump rates or performing a controlled shutdown.

The platform provides quick insights that would be impossible to discern from intermittent manual data gathering. Instead of one data point every month, thousands of acoustic data points get analyzed per second.

By leveraging real-time acoustics, analytics, and alerts, Acoustic Wells delivers actionable intelligence to optimize production and prevent failures. Well conditions are diagnosed instantly without requiring personnel onsite.

Benefits Over Manual Monitoring

Acoustic Wells delivers significant advantages over traditional manual well monitoring including:

• Continuous 24/7 monitoring without needing personnel onsite
• Higher sensitivity than surface or downhole pressure sensors
• Early detection of leaks and anomalies before failure
• Reduced operating costs from automation and optimization
• Minimized downtime risks by enabling preventative actions
• Machine learning provides operational insights from acoustic pattern analysis
• Easy integration into existing infrastructure through edge devices
• No interruption required for installation or ongoing maintenance
• Complementary solution – can combine with SCADA and traditional sensors
• Lifetime production gains and failure prevention worth over $10 million per well

By using continuous acoustics instead of intermittent pressure readings, the platform provides a 40X increase in data frequency. Issues can be diagnosed in hours rather than months.

The transition from periodic manual gathering to real-time automated monitoring marks a fundamental shift for the oil and gas industry. Acoustic Wells’ innovative solution leads this transformation.

Applications

Acoustic Wells’ automated well monitoring solutions are versatile and can be applied to various upstream oil and gas operations:

• Conventional & Unconventional Wells – Can monitor production from both conventional and unconventional wells including shale oil/gas.
• Onshore & Offshore Wells – Effectively monitors wells from onshore pads as well as offshore platforms and subsea completions.
• New & Existing Wells – Can be installed in new wells or retrofitted into existing producing wells.
• All Well Types – Applicable for vertical, deviated, and horizontal well geometries.
• All Geographies – Successfully monitors wells in North and South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific.

The technology has been deployed for thousands of wells globally for major operators like Shell, Chevron, Equinor, Oxy, Chesapeake and more.

It provides value across oil, gas, water injection, and disposal wells. Beyond production wells, it also monitors injection wells and pipelines for integrity.

The automated acoustical monitoring delivers significant lifetime value from optimizing production, minimizing downtime, and preventing failures in wells.

Conclusion

Acoustic Wells has emerged as an innovator in leveraging automation and Industrial IoT to transform well monitoring in the oil and gas sector.

By deploying fiber optic acoustic sensors and real-time machine learning analytics, the company has commercialized a solution that provides continuous diagnostics, optimizes production, and prevents catastrophic failures.

As well surveillance moves from intermittent manual methods to automated 24/7 acoustical monitoring, operators gain more intelligent insights while reducing labor costs.

The transition represents the digitalization of oil fields – smarter wells generating real-time data that informs decision making. Automation also unlocks new operating models like remote control centers.

With over 3,000 wells monitored, $10 million in value per well, and customers including supermajors like Chevron and Equinor, Acoustic Wells is recognized as the leader in automated well integrity solutions.

Automating well diagnostics and control with innovations like machine learning and Industrial IoT represents the future for the oil and gas industry. Acoustic Wells is at the forefront of enabling this digital transformation.