Apparatus and Methods for Leak Detection in Wellbores Using Nonradioactive Tracers

摘要

In one aspect, a wellbore system is disclosed for determining breach of cement section in the wellbore, wherein the system includes a cement section in the wellbore formed to prevent flow of fluids including hydrocarbons through the cement section, nonradioactive tracers that emit radioactive emission when activated by a radiation source , a radioactive source that generates radioactive particles to activate the nonradioactive tracers that have migrated through the cement to cause the nonradioactive tracers to emit radiation, a detector for detecting the radioactive emission from the nonradioactive tracer, and a processor that determines from the detected radioactive emission a fluid leak through the cement section.

主权项

1. A wellbore system, comprising:
a cement section in the wellbore formed to prevent flow of fluids through the cement section; nonradioactive tracers placed in a fluid in fluid communication with the cement section, wherein the radioactive tracers emit radioactive emission in response to an induced radioactive energy; a radioactive source that induces the radioactive energy to activate nonradioactive tracers that have migrated through the cement to cause the nonradioactive tracers to emit radioactive emission; a detector for detecting the radioactive emission from the nonradioactive tracers; and a controller that determines from the detected radioactive emission a breach in the cement section.