Apparatus and method for characterizing a reservoir
First Claim
1. An apparatus for characterizing a subsurface formation, comprising:
- a tool body adapted for conveyance within a borehole penetrating the subsurface formation;
a probe assembly carried by the tool body for sealing off a region of the borehole wall;
an actuator for moving the probe assembly between a retracted position for conveyance of the tool body and a deployed position for sealing off a region of the borehole wall;
a perforator extending through the probe assembly for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall, wherein the perforator penetrates at least one of a consolidated formation, casing and cement;
a power source disposed in the tool body and operatively connected to the perforator for operating the perforator;
a flow line extending through a portion of the tool body and fluidly communicating with at least one of the perforator, the actuator, the probe assembly, and a combination thereof for admitting formation fluid into the tool body; and
a pump carried within the tool body for drawing formation fluid into the tool body via the flow line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for characterizing a subsurface formation is provided. The apparatus includes a tool body, a probe assembly carried by the tool body for sealing off a region of the borehole wall, an actuator for moving the probe assembly between a retracted position for conveyance of the tool body and a deployed position for sealing off a region of the borehole wall and a perforator extending through the probe assembly for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall. The tool may be provided with first and second drilling shafts with bits for penetrating various surfaces. The method involves sealing off a region of a wall of an open borehole penetrating the formation, creating a perforation through a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall and testing the formation.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for characterizing a subsurface formation, comprising:
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a tool body adapted for conveyance within a borehole penetrating the subsurface formation; a probe assembly carried by the tool body for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; an actuator for moving the probe assembly between a retracted position for conveyance of the tool body and a deployed position for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; a perforator extending through the probe assembly for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall, wherein the perforator penetrates at least one of a consolidated formation, casing and cement; a power source disposed in the tool body and operatively connected to the perforator for operating the perforator; a flow line extending through a portion of the tool body and fluidly communicating with at least one of the perforator, the actuator, the probe assembly, and a combination thereof for admitting formation fluid into the tool body; and a pump carried within the tool body for drawing formation fluid into the tool body via the flow line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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13. An apparatus for characterizing a subsurface formation, comprising:
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a tool body adapted for conveyance within a borehole penetrating the subsurface formation; a probe assembly carried by the tool body for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; an actuator for moving the probe assembly between a retracted position for conveyance of the tool body and a deployed position for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; a perforator extending through the probe assembly for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall, wherein the perforator includes at least one flexible drilling shaft having a drill bit connected to an end thereof for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall; and
a drilling motor assembly for applying torque and translatory force to the drilling shaft, and a tubular guide for directing the translatory path of the drilling shaft so as to effect a substantially normal penetration path by the drill bit through the borehole wall, wherein the tubular guide is flexible and is connected at one end to the drilling motor assembly and is connected at another end to the probe assembly.
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18. An apparatus for characterizing a subsurface formation, comprising:
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a tool body adapted for conveyance within a borehole penetrating the subsurface formation; a probe assembly carried by the tool body for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; an actuator for moving the probe assembly between a retracted position for conveyance of the tool body and a deployed position for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; a perforator extending through the probe assembly for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall, wherein the perforator penetrates at least one of a consolidated formation, casing and cement; a power source disposed in the tool body and operatively connected to the perforator for operating the perforator; and an instrument carried within the tool body for analyzing formation fluid drawn into the tool body via a flow line and a pump.
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Specification