APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMATION EVALUATION

• US 20100218943A1
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Christopher S. Del Campo, Raymond V. Nold III, Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin
• Original Assignee: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Christopher S. Del Campo, Raymond V. Nold III, Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin
• Inventors: Del Campo, Christopher S., Nold, Raymond V. III, Zazovsky, Alexander F., Briquet, Stephane, Ervin, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,215,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/264
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

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.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

abutting an outer surface of a first packer against a first portion of a wall of a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation;

abutting an outer surface of a second packer against a second portion of the wellbore wall, wherein the outer surface of the second packer penetrates a plane defined by the outer surface of the first packer;

drawing virgin fluid and contaminated fluid 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;

wherein drawing fluid from the portion of the wall defined by the second packer comprises filtering the fluid.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising creating a seal against the first portion with the outer surface of the first packer.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising creating a seal against the second portion with the outer surface of the second packer.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising flowing virgin fluid into a sample chamber.

5. A method, comprising:

abutting an outer surface of a first packer against a first portion of a wall of a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation;

abutting an outer surface of a second packer against a second portion of the wellbore wall, wherein the outer surface of the second packer penetrates a plane defined by the outer surface of the first packer;

drawing virgin fluid and contaminated fluid 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;

wherein drawing fluid from the annular portion of the wall comprises filtering the fluid.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising creating a seal against the first portion with the outer surface of the first packer.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising creating a seal against the second portion with the outer surface of the second packer.

8. The method of claim 5 further comprising flowing virgin fluid into a sample chamber.

9. A method, comprising:

abutting a first packer against a wall of a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation, 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, wherein the second packer is disposed in the first packer, and wherein an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer;

drawing virgin fluid and contaminated fluid into the first flowline;

drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline; and

commingling the fluids of the first and second flowlines into a third flowline.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising obtaining a fluid property using a sensor in the first flowline.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising obtaining a fluid property using a sensor in the second flowline.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising obtaining a fluid property using a sensor in the third flowline.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising obtaining a fluid property using a first sensor in the second flowline and a second sensor in the third flowline.