Method and apparatus for sampling high viscosity formation fluids
First Claim
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1. A method of obtaining a fluid sample from an underground formation traversed by a borehole, comprising:
- lowering a tool into the borehole, the tool including at least one perforation mechanism disposed through a sidewall of the tool, and at least one port fluidly connected to a sample container;
creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation with the at least one perforation mechanism;
increasing a mobility of formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is disposed between the borehole wall and the first hole, wherein increasing the mobility includes engaging at least one of a packer and a pad against the borehole wall and activating a heating element disposed in the at least one of the packer and the pad; and
obtaining a sample of fluid from the formation, wherein at least one of increasing and obtaining is performed utilizing the first hole.
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Abstract
A formation fluid sampling tool is provided with a drill which drills into the formation in a manner perpendicular or oblique to the borehole wall. The tool comprises a mechanism for enhancing the mobility of the reservoir fluid, such as a heating element on the drill, hot fluid which is generated in the tool and injected into the drilled hole, or a solvent which is stored in the tool and injected by the tool into the drilled hole.
52 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining a fluid sample from an underground formation traversed by a borehole, comprising:
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lowering a tool into the borehole, the tool including at least one perforation mechanism disposed through a sidewall of the tool, and at least one port fluidly connected to a sample container; creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation with the at least one perforation mechanism; increasing a mobility of formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is disposed between the borehole wall and the first hole, wherein increasing the mobility includes engaging at least one of a packer and a pad against the borehole wall and activating a heating element disposed in the at least one of the packer and the pad; and obtaining a sample of fluid from the formation, wherein at least one of increasing and obtaining is performed utilizing the first hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for obtaining a sample of formation fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir traversed by a borehole, system comprising:
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at least one perforation mechanism disposed on a sidewall of a downhole tool, for creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation; an injection port disposed on a sidewall of the downhole tool;
the injection port being adapted to inject fluid into the formation for enhancing the mobility of formation fluid located adjacent the first hole; anda sampling port disposed on a sidewall of the downhole tool, the sampling port being fluidly connected to a container disposed in the downhole tool; wherein one of the at least one perforation mechanism and a second perforation mechanism creates a second hole in the formation hole; wherein the injection port injects fluid into the first hole and the sampling port samples the formation fluid from the second hole; wherein the injection port is fluidly connected to a tank located on the surface; and wherein the injection fluid is at least one of air and oxygen for creating an in-situ combustion.
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15. A method of obtaining a fluid sample from an underground formation traversed by a borehole, comprising:
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lowering a tool into the borehole, the tool including at least one perforation mechanism disposed through a sidewall of the tool, and at least one port fluidly connected to a sample container; creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation with the at least one perforation mechanism; increasing a mobility of formation fluid disposed between the borehole wall and the first hole by generating electromagnetic radiation, wherein the electromagnetic radiation spectrum comprises a frequency coincident with an absorption frequency of the formation fluid, an injected fluid, or connate water; and obtaining a sample of fluid from the formation, wherein at least one of increasing and obtaining is performed utilizing the first hole.
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Specification