Wireline formation test tool with jet perforator for positively establishing fluidic communication with subsurface formation to be tested

• US 5,056,595 A
• Filed: 08/13/1990
• Issued: 10/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gas Research Institute (GTI Energy)
• Original Assignee: Gas Research Institute (GTI Energy)
• Inventors: Desbrandes, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hoang C.
• Application Number:
  US07/565,705
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 166/100, 166/264, 166/250, 73/155
• US Class Current: 166/100
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/117 Shaped-charge perforators E21B43/118 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A wireline tool, and process for its use, for lowering into wellbores for testing the gas pressure, and connate fluid flow rates, in low permeability oil or gas producing subsurface formations. The tool features a jet charge perforator for detonation to perforate through the wall and positively establish fluidic communication with the non damaged portion of the subsurface formation to be tested. It also includes, in the combination, a mechanism for affixing and stabilizing the tool in the wellbore at the wall of the subsurface formation to be tested, inclusive of a packer assembly for isolating from wellbore fluids the opening between the subsurface formation, created by the jet perforator, and tool test components. On blasting into the wall of the subsurface formation, the pressure in the flowline is maintained at formation pressure, avoiding formation damage. The pressure is recorded during the flow of gas and connate fluids from the subsurface formation, and analysis is made of a specimen taken into a chamber of the test tool.

Claims

1. In a wireline formation test tool for suspension via a cable from the surface into a fluid filled wellbore for testing a low permeability subsurface formation wherein there is included

a body,

a passageway into the body which is communicated with a pressure gage, and at least one sample chamber for testing the flow rate of connate fluids introduced into the passageway from the subsurface formation, and

means for affixing and stabilizing the tool body in the wellbore at the level of the subsurface formation to be tested, which includes an extensible packer assembly, inclusive of a packer pad with openings, adapted for sealing engagement by projection of the pad of the packer assembly against a wall of the formation to be tested, and alignment of the pad opening with said passageway for isolation of said passageway of the tool body from wellbore fluids to establish a path for fluid communication between said passageway and the subsurface formation,

the improvement comprising

a jet perforator assembly, inclusive of a housing containing an open end firing chamber within which an explosive charge can be placed, the open end of the firing chamber being aligned upon and facing the wall of the formation to be tested, a fluid-fillable chamber in front of the firing chamber with one or more pistons mounted therein for applying pressure upon a fluid placed therein, and the volume thereof is substantially equal to that of the firing chamber, such that detonation of the explosive charge within the firing chamber will perforate the wall, penetrate said fluid-filled chamber, perforate said formation and connect the formation with said fluid-filled chamber, the fluid will fill the firing chamber, and establish a positive flow of connate fluids from the subsurface formation through said passageway into the body of the tool, for testing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the packer assembly is extensible via means of a pair of spaced apart pistons located on one side of the tool body, which is elongate and houses the passageway, pressure gage and sample chamber, and the pad is located on the outside of a support member affixed to the projecting ends of said pistons.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pistons are hydraulically actuated.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for affixing and stabilizing the tool further includes a pair of spaced-apart pistons disposed on a side of the tool body opposite that one which the packer assembly is located.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the additional pair of pistons is hydraulically actuated.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing of the jet perforator assembly is affixed to the packer assembly, and movable therewith such that the jet perforator assembly is positioned for perforating the subsurface formation to be tested when the pad of the packer assembly is extended and thrust against the wall of the subsurface formation to be tested.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the firing chamber of the jet perforator assembly is of conical shape, and the fluid-fillable chamber in front of the conical shaped opening of the firing chamber is of U-shape with the closed side of said chamber located at the open end of said firing chamber, with the two ends providing openings within which the pistons are mounted.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the two end openings of the U-shaped channel in which the pistons are mounted are of substantially cylindrical shape.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the firing chamber is provided with means for electrically detonating an explosive charge placed therein.

10. A wireline formation test tool for suspension via a cable from the surface into a fluid-filled wellbore for testing a low permeability subsurface formation which comprises

an elongate body,

a passageway into the body which is communicated with a pressure gage, and at least one sample chamber for testing the flow rate of connate fluids introduced into the passageway from the subsurface formation,

a packer assembly constituted of a pad and pad support, each provided with concentric openings, mounted on the projecting ends of and extensible with a pair of spaced-apart pistons located on one side of the elongate body, adapted for sealing engagement by projection of the pad of the packer assembly against a wall of the formation to be tested, and alignment of the pad opening with said passageway for isolation of said passageway of the tool body from wellbore fluids, and for stabilizing and affixing the tool body in the wellbore at the level of the subsurface formation to be tested, and

a jet perforator assembly, inclusive of a housing containing an open end firing chamber within which an explosive charge can be placed, and chamber provided with pistons, communicable with said passageway, located in front of the firing chamber for containing a fluid compatible with the connate fluids of said subsurface formation upon which pressure can be applied by said pistons, the housing being extended through the opening of the packer pad of said packer assembly, with the open end of the firing chamber aligned upon and facing the fluid-fillable chamber and wall of the subsurface formation to be tested, such that detonation of the explosive charge will open the fluid-filled chamber in front of the firing chamber to permit fluid to flow from said chamber into the firing chamber, and perforate the formation to establish a positive flow of connate fluids from the subsurface formation through said fluid-filled chamber and passageway into the body of the tool for testing.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the packer assembly is extensible via means of a pair of spaced apart pistons located on one side of the tool body, which is elongate and houses the passageway, pressure gage and sample chamber, and the pad is located on the outside of a support member affixed to the projecting ends of said pistons.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for affixing and stabilizing the tool further includes a pair of spaced-apart pistons disposed on a side of the tool body opposite that one which the packer assembly is located.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the additional pair of pistons is hydraulically actuated.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the housing of the jet perforator assembly is affixed to the packer assembly, and movable therewith such that the jet perforator assembly is positioned for perforating the subsurface formation to be tested when the pad of the packer assembly is extended and thrust against the wall of the subsurface formation to be tested.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the pad and pad support member are provided with concentric openings, the firing chamber of the jet perforator assembly is of conical shape, the fluid-fillable chamber in front of the conical shaped opening of the firing chamber is of U-shape with the closed side of said chamber located at the open end of said firing chamber, with the two ends providing openings within which the pistons are mounted, and the forward portion of the housing, within which the firing chamber and fluid-fillable container are contained, is located within the concentric openings through the pad and pad support member.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the two end openings of the U-shaped channel in which the pistons are mounted are of substantially cylindical shape.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the firing chamber is provided with means for electrically detonating an explosive charge placed therein.