DOWNHOLE FLUID FILTER

• US 20100193187A1
• Filed: 02/02/2009
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Briquet, Stephane, Zanca, Kevin, Evans, Wade II
• Granted Patent: US 7,997,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/264
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/081 with down-hole means for trapping a fluid sample E21B49/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

An apparatus for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising a tool having a sample flow line an inlet disposed with the tool and configured to establish fluid communication between the formation and the sample flow line to draw a fluid sample into the sample flow line, and an active filter positioned in the sample flow line and providing a filter flow route and a bypass flow route in the sample flow line.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising:

a tool having a sample flow line;

an inlet disposed with the tool and configured to establish fluid communication between the formation and the sample flow line to draw a fluid sample into the sample flow line; and

an active filter positioned in the sample flow line and providing a filter flow route and a bypass flow route in the sample flow line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the active filter comprises:

a filter connected with the filter flow route, the filter having a filter media; and

a device operationally connected with the filter media and configured to remove contamination from the filter.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the device is connected to a hydraulic source positioned in the tool, the device being hydraulically movable within the filter to expel fluid from the filter.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the device is connected to a hydraulic source positioned in the tool, the device being hydraulically movable within the filter to scrape the filter media.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a biasing mechanism connected to the device, the biasing mechanism being configured to move the device from a filtering position to a resting position.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the device is held in the filtering position by a hydraulic pressure applied to the device from the flow of the fluid sample in the through the filter flow route.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the device scrapes a filter media as it moves from the filtering position to the resting position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a sample bottle connected within the sample flow line; and

a pump positioned in the tool and in fluid connection with the sample flow line;

wherein the active filter is positioned in the sample flow line upstream of the pump.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is configured for conveyance within the wellbore by at least one of a wireline and a drill string.

10. A module connectable within a formation testing tool that has a sample flow line extending from a fluid sampling inlet to draw a fluid sample from a wellbore and/or subterranean formation into the sample flow line, the module comprising:

a body forming a filter flow route and a bypass flow route in the sample flow line when connected within the tool;

a filter connected within the filter flow route;

a bypass valve in fluid connection with the filter flow route and the bypass flow route, wherein the bypass valve is operable between a filter position routing the fluid sample through the filter flow route and a bypass position routing the fluid sample through the bypass flow route;

a purge valve in fluid connection with the filter flow route, the purge valve operable between an open position providing fluid communication between the filter flow route and exterior of the body and a closed position blocking the fluid communication; and

a device moveably disposed with the filter, the device being configured to expel the fluid sample from the filter when moved toward the purge valve in the open position.

11. The module of claim 10 further comprising a biasing member urging the device toward the purge valve.

12. The module of claim 11 wherein the device is urged away from the purge valve when the fluid sample is flowing through the filter flow route.

13. The module of claim 10 wherein the body forms an open window and the filter is positioned in the window when connected within the filter flow route.

14. The module of claim 10 wherein the body further comprises ports in operational connection with the sample flow line for connecting a fluid characteristic sensor.

15. The module of claim 10 wherein the formation tester tool is configured for conveyance within the wellbore by at least one of a wireline and a drill string.

16. A method of testing a subterranean formation, comprising:

deploying a tool in a wellbore extending into the subterranean formation, wherein the tool comprises a sample flow line and a filter module, wherein the filter module comprises a filter flow route and a bypass flow route in fluid communication with the sample flow line, and wherein the filter flow route comprises a filter;

drawing a fluid sample into the sample flow line;

filtering the fluid sample by routing the fluid sample through the filter flow route;

bypassing the filter by routing the fluid sample through the bypass flow route; and

purging the filter to the wellbore.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the tool is deployed on at least one of a wireline and a drill string.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein purging the filter to the wellbore comprises:

opening a purge valve to provide fluid communication between the filter flow route and the wellbore; and

moving a piston disposed in the filter toward the open purge valve.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the piston is moved toward the open purge valve by a hydraulic pressure.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the piston is moved toward the open purge valve by a biasing member.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein purging the filter to the wellbore comprises:

blocking flow of the fluid sample through the filter flow route;

opening the purge valve; and

moving a piston disposed in the filter toward the open purge valve.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the piston is moved by applying a hydraulic pressure against the piston.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the piston is moved by a spring.

24. The method of claim 16 wherein the module further comprises a body defining an open window, wherein the filter is positioned within the window when connected in the filter flow route.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein purging the filter to the wellbore comprises:

blocking flow of the fluid sample through the filter flow route;

opening the purge valve; and

moving a piston disposed in the filter toward the open purge valve.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the piston is moved toward the open purge valve by a biasing member.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the piston is moved away from the purge valve by the flow of the fluid sample through the filter flow route.