Harsh Environment Optical Fiber

Harsh environment optical fibers are engineered for elevated temperatures and pressures in harsh chemical conditions. These fibers are commonly used in the oil & gas and geothermal industries for real-time downhole temperature and pressure monitoring, data transmission, as well as acoustic, seismic, and imaging applications. Verrillon® fibers feature a broad selection of polymeric and metallic coatings, including polyimide, Silicone, silicone-PFA, high-temperature acrylates and gold. Additionally, Verrillon® fibers can be supplied with a hermetic carbon coating to prevent hydrogen, moisture, and acid ingress. Depending on the coating combination, the fibers operate across a wide temperature range, from cryogenic to 500ºC. A variety of waveguide designs are available, including multimode, single-mode, pure silica core, bend-insensitive, and custom refractive index profiles.

Carbon Coating Technology: The Ultimate Barrier to Hydrogen Diffusion 

Verrillon® hermetically-sealed optical fibers are proven in downhole applications worldwide. The carbon coating's unique composition and manufacturing process provide an exceptionally reliable barrier to hydrogen at temperatures up to 175°C. In addition, Verrillon® developed an advanced online monitoring system that verifies carbon layer integrity along the entire fiber length. A specialized hydrogen testing facility also simulates well conditions in real time and predicts fiber performance for customers.

Glass Technology: The Ultimate Resistance to Hydrogen Darkening at High Temperatures 

With advances in monitoring technologies, including temperature, pressure, strain, flow, seismic, and acoustic sensing, demand for optical fibers and cables that can withstand high temperatures (300ºC or above) and high partial hydrogen pressures and steam injection in downhole environments has grown significantly. 

To address high temperatures and high hydrogen partial pressures, Verrillon® modifies the fiber core's glass composition, making it inherently resistant to hydrogen attack. This innovation led to the VHM5000 Series, which is completely immune to hydrogen-induced loss, thanks to a uniquely optimized glass design.

What makes Verrillon fiber so reliable?

• Best-in-class hermetic coatings make the fiber highly resistant to molecular hydrogen, water, and corrosive chemicals, as well as high fatigue resistance.
• Proprietary glass chemistry enhances hydrogen resistance and minimizes darkening, maintaining negligible loss after prolonged hydrogen exposure.
• A wide range of specialized coatings ensures fiber reliability from cryogenic temperatures up to 500°C.
• Proprietary real-time monitoring ensures uniform fiber hermeticity across continuous, proof-tested lengths exceeding 20 kilometers.
• A broad selection of waveguide designs is available, including multimode (graded and step-index), single-mode, pure silica core, and custom index profiles.