Leakage simulation and acoustic characteristics based on acoustic logging by ultrasonic detection

Abstract

The detection of casing leakage in oil and gas wells or water injection wells is an important element of wellbore integrity management. Ultrasonic technology is suitable to detect and identify the position of leakage in oil and gas well shafts, providing engineering guidance for subsequent treatment. In this paper, the finite element calculation model of casing leakage in oil and gas wells is established by using the computational fluid dynamics method, and the large eddy simulation model and Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings acoustic model are utilized to simulate the casing leakage condition. The acoustic pressure signals of each monitoring point on the inner axis of the pipeline are obtained, and the influences of the pipeline pressure difference, the leakage hole diameter and the pipeline fluid on the leakage acoustic field are analyzed. The simulation results indicate that the acoustic pressure level measured on the pipeline axis rises with the increase of pipeline pressure difference and leakage hole diameter. The size and variation rule of acoustic pressure level also vary with the type of pipeline fluid. Overall, the results obtained show that ultrasonic logging can accurately locate and detect tubing leakage, and they provide theoretical guidance for practical casing leakage detection, assisting with wellbore integrity management. Cited as: Li, J., Wan, J., Wang, T., Yuan, G., Jurado, M. J., He, Q. Leakage simulation and acoustic characteristics based on acoustic logging by ultrasonic detection. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2022, 6(3): 181-191. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2022.03.02