Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) to characterize the performance of producing oil wells

This paper describes how distributed temperature sensing (DTS) based on Raman Scattering is being used as an in-situ logging technique in oil and gas wells. Traditional methods of gathering production data to characterize oil and gas well performance have relied on the introduction of electric logging tools into the well. This can be an expensive process in highly deviated or horizontal wells and usually results in the well being shut-in with the loss or deferment of hydrocarbon production. More recently permanently placed pressure sensors based on CMOS technology have been used, but these systems do not easily deliver distributed measurements and reliability has been found to be poor.