Method and apparatus for sampling formation fluids
First Claim
1. A method of retrieving a formation fluid from a formation adjacent a borehole wall, comprising:
- estimating at least one of a permeability of the formation, a viscosity of the formation fluid, and a mobility of the formation fluid;
selecting a first tool based on the estimation, the first tool being selected from one of a heating and sampling tool, an injection and sampling tool, and a coring tool;
attempting to retrieve a formation fluid sample from the formation with the first tool;
selecting a second tool after attempting to retrieve a formation fluid sample; and
retrieving a formation fluid sample from the formation with the second tool.
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Abstract
A method of retrieving a formation fluid from a formation adjacent a borehole wall includes estimating at least one of a permeability of the formation and a viscosity of the formation fluid. A first tool is selected based on the estimation, the first tool being selected from one of a heating and sampling tool, an injection and sampling tool, and a coring tool. An attempt to retrieve a formation fluid sample from the formation is then made with the first tool, and a formation fluid sample is retrieved from the formation. A second retrieval process may then be initiated, in which the second retrieval process includes increasing the mobility of the formation fluid.
39 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of retrieving a formation fluid from a formation adjacent a borehole wall, comprising:
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estimating at least one of a permeability of the formation, a viscosity of the formation fluid, and a mobility of the formation fluid; selecting a first tool based on the estimation, the first tool being selected from one of a heating and sampling tool, an injection and sampling tool, and a coring tool; attempting to retrieve a formation fluid sample from the formation with the first tool; selecting a second tool after attempting to retrieve a formation fluid sample; and retrieving a formation fluid sample from the formation with the second tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of retrieving a formation fluid from a formation adjacent a borehole wall, comprising:
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estimating at least one of a permeability of the formation, a viscosity of the formation fluid, and a mobility of the formation fluid; selecting a first tool based on the estimation, the first tool being selected from one of a heating and sampling tool, an injection and sampling tool, and a coring tool; attempting to retrieve a formation fluid sample from the formation with the first tool; and retrieving a formation fluid sample from the formation; wherein attempting to retrieve the formation fluid sample comprises; initiating a first retrieval process comprising attempting to increase the mobility of the formation fluid; measuring at least one downhole parameter related to the mobility of the fluid; changing the first retrieval process to a second retrieval process based on the measured downhole parameter; and initiating a second retrieval process comprising increasing the mobility of the formation fluid; and wherein retrieving the formation fluid sample from the formation comprises completing the second retrieval process. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method, comprising:
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positioning a downhole tool in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first tool and a second tool; attempting unsuccessfully to retrieve a formation fluid sample from the formation with the first tool; and retrieving a formation fluid sample from the formation with the second tool; wherein the first tool is one selected from the group consisting of a heating and sampling tool, an injection and sampling tool, and a coring tool, and wherein the second tool is a different one selected from the group.
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Specification