Formation flush pump system for use in a wireline formation test tool

• US 5,230,244 A
• Filed: 06/28/1990
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company), Ying Sun
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Gilbert, Gregory N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCK, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US07/545,231
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 73/152, 73/155
• US Class Current: 73/152.17
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a formation test tool having similar, even identical, fist and second test probes which have supported snorkels thereon. They extend from the tool into a particular formation. One serves as an inlet and the other serves an outlet so that fluid can be removed from the formation, directed through the tool body, and returned to the formation through the other of the two snorkels. The fluid flow passes a test instrument which detects changes indicative of reduced well fluid invasion in the connate formation. A test procedure is also set forth for testing this fluid.

Claims

1. A formation test device to be lowered in a well borehole which comprises:

(a) a tool body adapted to be supported in a well borehole adjacent to a formation of interest on a logging cable;

(b) an extendible snorkel having a fluid inlet for extension from said tool body to obtain a fluid sample from the formation of interest;

(c) a second and separate extendible snorkel having a fluid outlet for extension from said tool body to return a fluid sample to the formation of interest;

(d) pump means in said tool body operatively connected to said fluid inlet and also to said fluid outlet for pumping formation fluid from said fluid inlet through said tool body and to said fluid outlet;

(e) wherein said fluid outlet is larger in area than said inlet;

(f) valve means serially connected in the flow path from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet to provide isolation of said fluid inlet and also of said fluid outlet;

(g) separate fluid inlet and fluid outlet testing means connected respectively to said fluid inlet and to said fluid outlet for making measurements of fluids at said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet respectively; and

(g) storage chamber means in said tool body for receiving a sample connected through a controllable valve means enabling a selected portion of fluid flowing between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet to be isolated and directed to said chamber means on operation of said valve means and wherein said controllable valve means additionally operates so that fluid flow can also be directed from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet without storage of a sample.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pump means comprises a double acting piston pump.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said pump and said valve means enable continuous fluid flow from said inlet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said inlet is connected serially through a fluid test means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said valve means comprises separate inlet and outlet check valves preventing back flow.

6. A formation test device to be lowered in a well borehole which comprises:

(a) a tool body adapted to be supported in a well borehole adjacent to a formation of interest on a logging cable;

(b) an extendible snorkel having a fluid inlet for extension from said tool body to obtain a fluid sample from the formation of interest;

(c) an extendible snorkel having a fluid outlet for extension from said tool body to return a fluid sample to the formation of interest;

(d) wherein said fluid outlet is larger in area than said inlet;

(e) pump means in said tool body operatively connected to said fluid inlet and also to said fluid outlet for pumping formation fluid from said fluid inlet through said tool body and to said fluid outlet;

(f) valve means serially connected in the flow path from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet to provide isolation of said fluid inlet and also of said fluid outlet;

(g) separate fluid inlet and fluid outlet pressure measuring means connected respectively to said fluid inlet and to said fluid outlet for making pressure measurements of fluids at said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet respectively; and

(h) storage chamber means in said tool body for receiving a sample connected through a controllable valve means enabling a selected portion of fluid flowing between said fluid inlet and said fluid outlet to be isolated and directed to said chamber means on operation of said valve means and wherein said controllable valve means additionally operates so that fluid flow can also be directed from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet without storage of a sample.