APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING DOWNHOLE SAMPLES

• US 20060260805A1
• Filed: 04/25/2006
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Longfield, Colin
• Granted Patent: US 7,546,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/250.100
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/083 Samplers adapted to be lowered into or retrieved from a landing nipple, e.g. for testing a well without removing the drill string

Abstract

A downhole drilling tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The tool includes a formation evaluation tool having fixed and retrievable portions. The fixed portion is operatively connected to a drill collar of the downhole tool. The fixed portion is for establishing fluid communication with a subterranean formation. The retrievable portion is fluidly connected to the fixed portion and retrievable therefrom to a surface location. The retrievable portion is for receiving a formation fluid from the subterranean formation.

Claims

1. A downhole drilling tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, comprising:

a formation evaluation tool comprising;

a fixed portion operatively connected to a drill collar of the downhole tool, the fixed portion for establishing fluid communication with a subterranean formation; and

retrievable portion fluidly connected to the fixed portion and retrievable therefrom to a surface location, the retrievable portion for receiving a formation fluid from the subterranean formation.

2. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the retrievable portion comprises at least one sample chamber for collecting the formation fluid.

3. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the retrievable portion comprises a pump for inducing the flow of formation fluid therethrough.

4. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the retrievable portion comprises at least one valve for selectively diverting formation fluid therethrough.

5. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the retrievable portion comprises at least one gauge for measuring properties of the formation fluid.

6. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the retrievable portion comprises at least one pretest piston.

7. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises a fluid communication device for sealing with the wellbore wall, the fluid communication device having at least one inlet for receiving the formation fluid.

8. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises a pump for inducing the flow of formation fluid therethrough.

9. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one valve for selectively diverting formation fluid therethrough.

10. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one gauge for measuring properties of the formation fluid.

11. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1, wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one pretest piston.

12. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1 wherein the fixed portion comprises at least one sample chamber for receiving formation fluid.

13. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1 further comprising a fishing head positioned at an uphole end thereof.

14. The downhole drilling tool of claim 1 further comprising a latching mechanism for operatively securing the retrievable portion to the fixed portion.

15. A formation evaluation while drilling tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, comprising:

a fluid communication device extendable from the drilling tool for establishing fluid communication with the subterranean formation, the fluid communication device having an inlet for receiving formation fluid from the subterranean formation; and

at least one sample chamber for receiving the formation fluid, the at least one sample chamber operatively connected to the fluid communication device via at least one flowline, the at least one sample chamber positioned in the drill collar and retrievable therefrom to the surface.

16. The formation evaluation while drilling tool of claim 15, further comprising a pretest piston.

17. The formation evaluation while drilling tool of claim 15, further comprising at least one gauge.

18. The formation evaluation while drilling tool of claim 15, further comprising at least one valve for selectively diverting fluid through the at least one flowline.

19. A method of performing formation evaluation via a downhole drilling tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the method comprising:

establishing fluid communication between a fixed portion of the downhole drilling tool and the formation;

drawing a formation fluid from the formation and into the fixed portion;

passing the formation fluid from the fixed portion to a retrievable portion of the downhole drilling tool; and

retrieving the retrievable portion of the downhole drilling tool to a surface location.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising measuring at least one parameter of the formation fluid.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising collecting at least a portion of the formation fluid in a sample chamber.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of drawing comprises pumping a formation fluid from the formation and into the fixed portion.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising performing a pretest operation.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising deploying the retrievable portion into the downhole drilling tool and securing it to the fixed portion.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of retrieving comprises:

engaging a fishing head of the retrievable portion;

unlatching the retrievable portion from the fixed portion; and

retrieving the retrievable portion to the surface.