Apparatus and method for drawing fluid into a downhole tool
First Claim
1. A probe for drawing fluid from a subterranean formation into a downhole tool, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising:
- a probe body extendable from the downhole tool, the probe body having at least one inlet extending therethrough for receiving downhole fluids;
at least one packer positioned on an external end of the probe body, the at least one packer adapted to create a seal with the wellbore wall, the at least one packer having an inner surface and a peripheral surface, the inner surface defining an aperture therethrough in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; and
a plurality of packer supports, at least one of the plurality of packer supports is an internal packer support positioned adjacent at least a portion of the inner surface of the at least one packer and at least one of the plurality of packer supports is an external packer support positioned about at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the at least one packer whereby at least a portion of the at least one packer is supported as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for drawing fluid from a subterranean formation into a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the formation is provided. A probe body is extended from the downhole tool for engagement with the wellbore wall. The probe body has at least one inlet extending therethrough for receiving downhole fluids. At least one packer is positioned on an external end of the probe body and adapted to create a seal with the wellbore wall. The packer has an inner surface defining an aperture therethrough in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, and a peripheral surface. An internal packer support is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the packer, and an external packer support is positioned about the peripheral surface of the packer whereby at least a portion of the at least one packer is supported as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A probe for drawing fluid from a subterranean formation into a downhole tool, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising:
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a probe body extendable from the downhole tool, the probe body having at least one inlet extending therethrough for receiving downhole fluids;
at least one packer positioned on an external end of the probe body, the at least one packer adapted to create a seal with the wellbore wall, the at least one packer having an inner surface and a peripheral surface, the inner surface defining an aperture therethrough in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; and
a plurality of packer supports, at least one of the plurality of packer supports is an internal packer support positioned adjacent at least a portion of the inner surface of the at least one packer and at least one of the plurality of packer supports is an external packer support positioned about at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the at least one packer whereby at least a portion of the at least one packer is supported as it is pressed against the wellbore wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A downhole tool for drawing fluid from a subterranean formation therein, the downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising:
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a housing;
a probe body extendable from the housing, the probe body having at least one inlet extending therethrough for receiving downhole fluids;
at least one packer positioned on an external end of the probe body, the at least one packer adapted to create a seal with the wellbore wall, the at least one packer having an inner surface and a peripheral surface, the inner surface defining an aperture therethrough in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; and
a plurality of packer supports, at least one of the plurality of packer supports is an internal packer support positioned adjacent at least a portion of the inner surface of the at least one packer and at least one of the plurality of packer supports is an external packer support positioned about at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the at least one packer whereby at least a portion of the at least one packer is supported as it is pressed against the wellbore wall. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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21. The downhole tool of claim wherein the external support is operatively connected to the housing.
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26. A method of drawing a fluid from a subterranean formation into a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore, the method comprising:
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extending a probe from the downhole tool, the probe having at least one packer at an end thereof, the at least one packer having an inner surface and a peripheral surface, the inner surface defining an aperture therethrough;
sealingly engaging the at least one packer with a wall of the wellbore;
supporting at least a portion of the inner surface of the packer and the peripheral surface of the at least one packer as the at least one packer engages the wellbore wall; and
drawing the fluid into the probe through the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification