Permanent distributed temperature sensing (DTS) using fiber-optic technology provides measurements over the complete length of the fiber in the wellbore. The temperature profiles can be monitored at surface in real time, minimizing the need for production logs, preventing deferred production losses, decreasing well interventions, and reducing operating costs.This technology has been applied by Apache North Sea Ltd in the Forties field to monitor and optimize the performance of two wells producing by gas lift in the Delta platform and, at the same time, examine their completion integrity.

To accomplish these objectives, a hybrid fiber-optic electrical cable was installed in two Forties wells, allowing the continuous measurement of temperature and acquisition of pressure data from a downhole gauge located below the deepest gas-injection point. The combined benefit of reducing both the number of well interventions, and thus eliminating the associated QHSE risks, and the operating costs made this well monitoring strategy the appropriate one in this mature field.

The analysis and interpretation of downhole pressure and DTS data provided rapid feedback to the platform production team regarding the status of the well, allowing a better and more informed decision-making process.

In this paper, we outline the deployment of the hybrid DTS system and describe the analysis performed in each of the two wells. Data handling, analysis, and interpretation are described as well as the methodology and workflow for well monitoring and optimization using permanently installed DTS.