Apparatus and Method for Formation Evaluation
First Claim
1. A probe assembly for employment by a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid, the wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation having a virgin fluid therein beyond the layer of contaminated fluid, the probe assembly comprising:
- a probe body extendable from the downhole tool;
an outer packer disposed in the probe body for sealingly engaging a first portion of the wellbore, the outer packer having a bore therethrough;
an inner packer disposed in the bore of the outer packer and forming an annulus therebetween, the inner packer being extendable beyond an outer surface of the outer packer for sealingly engaging a second portion of the wellbore within the first portion;
a first inlet in the probe body fluidly communicating with the annulus for admitting one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the downhole tool; and
a second inlet in the probe body fluidly communicating with the inner packer for admitting virgin fluid into the downhole tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.
50 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A probe assembly for employment by a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid, the wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation having a virgin fluid therein beyond the layer of contaminated fluid, the probe assembly comprising:
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a probe body extendable from the downhole tool;
an outer packer disposed in the probe body for sealingly engaging a first portion of the wellbore, the outer packer having a bore therethrough;
an inner packer disposed in the bore of the outer packer and forming an annulus therebetween, the inner packer being extendable beyond an outer surface of the outer packer for sealingly engaging a second portion of the wellbore within the first portion;
a first inlet in the probe body fluidly communicating with the annulus for admitting one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the downhole tool; and
a second inlet in the probe body fluidly communicating with the inner packer for admitting virgin fluid into the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid, comprising:
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abutting an outer surface of a first packer against a first portion of a wall of the wellbore;
abutting an outer surface of a second packer against a second portion of the wall of the wellbore, wherein the outer surface of the second packer penetrates a plane defined by the outer surface of the first packer;
drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof from an annular portion of the wall between the first and second packers; and
drawing virgin fluid from a portion of the wall at least partially defined by the second packer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of acquiring a sample of virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid, comprising:
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abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, wherein an inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer;
extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, the second packer being at least partially disposed in the first packer, wherein an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer;
drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and
drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification