Revolutionizing Complex Casing Integrity Analysis in the Middle East Using High-Resolution Acoustic Imaging

High-resolution acoustic imaging was deployed for the first time in the Middle East to assess casedhole well integrity and completion performance in several different wells. These integrity-based inspections represent the first time this novel technology has been run in hole for the purpose of investigating well integrity risks. This paper introduces this new technology, showcases and validates its core applications in well integrity assessments, and highlights the findings from three wells logged in 2023. This solid-state acoustic imaging technology uses an array of up to 512 independent sensors arranged around the head of the tool. Each of these sensors captures amplitude or acoustic intensity signals and time of flight measurements that are then processed into three-dimensional (3D) renderings, conventional two-dimensional (2D) logs, and submillimetric measurements of all defects using proprietary surface detection and defect localization algorithms. The sensor array is controlled entirely electronically via software to focus the acoustic energy at the casing wall, and this focal distance can be adjusted on the fly, enabling multiple casings or tubing strings of varying diameters to be assessed in a single run. This technology inspects cased wells for inner and outer diameter corrosion and pitting, casing deformation, connection defects such as overtorquing, breaches, and perforated/engineered punches, resulting in more efficient and valuable casedhole integrity inspections. This paper showcases the results of laboratory validation of well integrity defects imaged using this technology. In addition, the paper presents an example of a well inspected throughout 2023. Several unique findings were observed, and the novel images from some of the most impactful findings are presented in this paper.