Article Abstracts | September 2004
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Fiber-Based Sensors Target Geophysical Applications
by Cathy Ciardiello, OFS Specialty Photonics Div.
Fiber optics technology has found use in a variety of sensing applications in the oil and gas industry. Distributed temperature, pressure, vibration, strain and flow are a few of the parameters that such sensors measure, with the result being real-time monitoring of oil wells and pipelines.
The technology differs from the standard fibers developed for telecommunication applications. They perform well optically in geophysical devices, but their acrylate coatings limit them to temperatures lower than 85 °C. Geophysical environments, however, present harsh conditions: temperatures up to 300 °C, high pressure, steam, destructive chemicals and abrasive deployment. In addition, as temperatures rise, attenuation caused by hydrogen ingression increases. Such conditions demand unique coatings and fiber designs...
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