Real-Time Carbon Dioxide Injection Monitoring Through Fiber Optics: Physics-Based Modeling of Distributed Temperature Sensing Data for Time-Lapse Assessment of Fluid Properties

This paper presents an innovative modeling of continuous fiber-optic measurements to improve the dynamic characterization of injection wells during the early stages of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. The approach uses distributed temperature sensing (DTS) data collected along the well profile to map the thermal behavior in real time during three key phases: before injection begins, during the initial regime when carbon dioxide (CO2) displaces the brine in the tubing and fills the borehole, and during full stable operation. This physics-based methodology provides fluid mapping based on DTS, as well as a comprehensive description of the well thermal performance, essential for understanding and optimizing CO2 injection. The results obtained during CO2 injection into a depleted natural gas reservoir demonstrate the present method. The injection well completion is equipped with permanent fiber-optic cables for continuous DTS monitoring down to the production packer. While standard DTS can be used to monitor the well thermal performance during steady-state operations, other factors are essential for accurately monitoring the distributed temperature profile during transient operations. This study begins with an analysis of brine displacement from the tubing into the borehole during well commissioning. The dynamic behavior of CO2 during these operations led to thermal effects along the well tubing, which were addressed through an innovative analysis of DTS data. A reprocessing of the space-time temperature measurements was implemented to distinguish between the downward movement of gas and liquid within the tubing. This made it possible to locate the real-time position of the contact between CO2 and brine in the tubing, thanks to their different physical properties. DTS measurements and reprocessing outputs were successfully used to calibrate a physics-based well simulation model that describes fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, involving complex well geometries and multiphase flow conditions. Thus, the DTS-calibrated physics-based simulation model provided insight into the well’s thermal evolution and allowed for the real-time computation of important physical properties, such as the density, phase, and pressure profiles of CO2. The presented methodology provides strong dynamic characterization of CO2 injection wells from the beginning of a CO2 transportation and storage (T&S) project. The resulting calibrated wellbore models are essential for CO2 injection optimization, flow assurance, and risk management. While there are several approaches to maximize information from permanent DTS data, quantitatively using temperature evolution for dynamic modeling is a novel technology that can shed light on the early and uncertain stages of CO2 T&S projects.