SGP-TR-168 Development of Fibers Optic Cables for Permanent Geothermal Wellbore Deployment

The use of fiber optics within geothermal wells has been extremely limited. The high-temperatures and formation of molecular hydrogen within the well have resulted in the early death of fiber optic cables. This paper reveals reasons for hope to extend the life of fibers for many years. Various fibers have been evaluated for degradation when exposed to ambient molecular hydrogen. Two commercially available fibers have been identified as having significant resistance to free hydrogen at 250°C and above