METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMATION TESTING

• US 20080234938A1
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Niemeyer, Eick, Kischkat, Tobias, Meister, Matthias
• Granted Patent: US 7,996,153 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/11
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/008 by injection test; by analysing pressure variations in an injection or production test, e.g. for estimating the skin factor measuring pressure E21B47/06
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00

Abstract

A method includes calculating a correction factor that uses a tool component volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting from a change in the tool component. An apparatus includes a carrier conveyable into a well borehole, a formation test tool coupled to the carrier, the formation test tool including a tool component. A measurement device to estimate a change in the tool component during operation, and a compensator uses an estimated system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation, the compensator compensating for the system volume change and wherein the estimated system volume change is estimated at least in part using a volume change model.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a formation test comprising:

calculating a correction factor that uses a tool component volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting from a change in the tool component.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising storing one or more of the volume change model and the correction factor on a computer-readable medium.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising compensating for the system volume change using a compensator.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising relating a system volume change to seal deformation, to probe movement, to pad movement, to packer movement or to a combination thereof using the volume change model.

5. A method according to claim 1, tool component includes a pad, a packer, a straddle packer or a combination thereof.

6. An apparatus for conducting a formation test comprising:

a carrier conveyable into a well borehole;

a formation test tool coupled to the carrier, the formation test tool including a tool component;

a measurement device that estimates a change in the tool component during operation; and

a compensator that uses an estimated system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation, the compensator compensating for the system volume change and wherein the estimated system volume change is estimated at least in part using a volume change model.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the compensator is operably associated with a controller to control a test operation using the estimated system volume change.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tool component comprises an extendable formation fluid sampling probe, the estimated tool component change being an extension of the formation fluid sampling probe.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tool component comprises a seal comprising a pad, a packer, a straddle packer or a combination thereof that engages a formation, the estimated tool component change being a deformation of the seal.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the formation test tool comprises an extendable formation fluid sampling probe having a seal member disposed on a distal end of the formation fluid sampling probe, the measurement device including one or more of a direct measurement device and an indirect measurement device, wherein the estimated tool component change being a movement of the formation fluid sampling probe, a deformation of the seal or a combination thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller controls one or more of a formation fluid draw pump, a probe extension pump, a valve, or a combination thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the carrier comprises at least one of a drill pipe, a wired pipe, a coil tube, a wireline, a wireline sonde, a casing pipe, a slickline sonde, a drop shots, a downhole subs, and a BHA.

13. A method for conducting a formation test comprising:

conveying a tool component into a borehole;

contacting a formation with the tool component to establish fluidic communication with the formation;

conducting a formation test operation; and

estimating a volume change using a volume change model that relates a tool component change to a volume change.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the tool component includes a seal that contacts the formation, the volume change model relating a system volume change to seal deformation, to probe movement or to a combination thereof.

15. A method according to claim 13 further comprising controlling a test parameter based at least in part on the estimated system volume change.

16. A method according to claim 13 further comprising estimating a correction factor for correcting formation test information, the correction factor being based at least in part on the estimated system volume change.

17. A method according to claim 13 further comprising controlling a test parameter and estimating a correction factor for correcting formation test information, the controlling and the correction factor being based at least in part on the estimated system volume change.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein the volume change model comprises an estimated response of a seal member material to a downhole parameter.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the downhole parameter comprises one or more of i) a distance relating to an extension of the seal member ii) a force exerted on the seal member, and iii) a hydraulic pressure used to extend the seal member for contacting the formation.

20. A method according to claim 15, wherein controlling the test parameter includes controlling one or more of a formation fluid draw pump, a probe extension pump, a valve or a combination thereof.