Methods and apparatus to sample heavy oil from a subteranean formation

• US 7,717,172 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Goodwin, Anthony R. H., Hegeman, Peter S., Sonne, Carsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell; David J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hutchins; Cathleen R
• Application Number:
  US11/755,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20080296017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 166/264, 166/302, 166/57, 166/60, 175/59, 731/521.3, 731/521.2
• US Class Current: 166/264
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/24 using heat, e.g. steam injection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A method of sampling fluid from a subterranean formation includes positioning a first tool having a heater in a borehole so that the heater is adjacent a portion of the subterranean formation; heating with the heater the portion of the subterranean formation; removing the first tool from the borehole; orienting a second tool having a sampling probe in the borehole so that the sampling probe is to contact a portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater; and obtaining via the sampling probe a fluid sample from the portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater.

Claims

1. A method of sampling fluid from a subterranean formation, comprising:

positioning a first tool having a heater in a borehole so that the heater is adjacent a portion of the subterranean formation;

heating with the heater the portion of the subterranean formation;

removing the first tool from the borehole;

orienting a second tool having a sampling probe in the borehole so that the sampling probe is to contact a portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater; and

obtaining via the sampling probe a fluid sample from the portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fluid sample comprises one of heavy oil, medium heavy oil, extra heavy oil and bitumen.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein positioning the first tool in the borehole comprises positioning the first tool at a depth based on formation logging information.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein heating the portion of the subterranean formation comprises heating the portion of the subterranean formation at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising determining a position of the heater within the borehole and using the determined position to orient the second downhole tool in the borehole.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein orienting the second tool in the borehole comprises positioning the second tool in the borehole at a depth and orientation based on a depth and orientation of the heater when the first tool was in the borehole.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein orienting the second tool in the borehole comprises positioning the second tool in the borehole based on a borehole wall temperature sensed by the second tool.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein orienting the second tool in the borehole comprises using a tool positioner module to move the second tool in the borehole.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising heating the second tool prior to positioning the second tool in the borehole.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining a position of the heater within the borehole and using the determined position to orient the second downhole tool in the borehole; and

heating the second tool prior to positioning the second tool in the borehole;

wherein;

the fluid sample comprises one of heavy oil, medium heavy oil, extra heavy oil and bitumen;

positioning the first tool in the borehole comprises positioning the first tool at a depth based on formation logging information;

heating the portion of the subterranean formation comprises heating the portion of the subterranean formation at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time;

orienting the second tool in the borehole is based on;

a depth and orientation of the heater when the first tool was in the borehole; and

a borehole wall temperature sensed by the second tool; and

orienting the second tool in the borehole comprises using a tool positioner module to move the second tool in the borehole.