Keynote: Enhanced integrity monitoring via distributed strain sensing along the cemented production casing of salt cavern wells

We report on the successful integration of fiber-optic sensing cables for distributed temperature and strain measurements into the cementation of a brine production well.

While the integration of fiber-optic cables for distributed temperature sensing (DTS, or Raman sensing) has been state-of-the-art in borehole engineering for many years, the integration of dedicated cables for distributed strain and temperature sensing (DTSS, or Brillouin sensing) is still challenging due to the requirement of uniform, linear and continuous mechanical coupling between the sensing fiber and the borehole casing, cementation or surrounding rock. The limited accessibility of the cables during the installation process requires a robust technical approach to protect the cables from damage without impacting their functionality or the installation and cementation of the borehole casing.