Formation evaluation system and method

• US 8,047,286 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Hill, Bunker, Zazovsky, Alexander F.
• Primary Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US12/340,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20090101339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 166/100, 166/264, 731/521.7, 731/522.6
• US Class Current: 166/264
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A downhole tool comprising a probe, wherein the probe comprises: a first inlet having an elongated cross-sectional shape, and a second inlet surrounding the first inlet. The downhole tool further comprises at least one pump configured to draw fluid from a subterranean formation through the first and second inlets.

Claims

1. A downhole tool, comprising:

a probe comprising;

a first inlet having an elongated front cross-sectional shape; and

a second inlet surrounding the first inlet;

a first flow line in fluid communication with the first inlet;

a second flow line in fluid communication with the second inlet;

at least one pump configured to draw fluid from a subterranean formation through the first and second inlets into the first and second flow lines, respectively;

an optical fluid analyzer proximate the first flow line for measuring optical density of fluid in the first flow line; and

a sample chamber selectively connectable to the first inlet through at least the first flow line;

wherein;

the first flow line comprises a first portion and a second portion;

the second flow line comprises a first portion and a second portion;

the downhole tool further comprises a crossover selectively positionable in first and second positions;

the first crossover position fluidly connects the first portion of the first flow line to the second portion of the first flow line and the first portion of the second flow line to the second portion of the second flow line; and

the second crossover position fluidly connects the first portion of the first flow line to the second portion of the second flow line and the first portion of the second flow line to the second portion of the first flow line.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the front cross-sectional shape of the first inlet is essentially oval.

3. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the at least one pump is configured to draw contaminated fluid through the second inlet via the second flow line and virgin fluid through the first inlet via the first flow line.

4. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the probe further comprises an elastomeric portion surrounding the second inlet and configured to be extended into sealing engagement with a wellbore wall.

5. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the probe further comprises a wall interposing the first and second inlets.

6. The downhole tool of claim 5 wherein the wall fluidly isolates the first and second inlets.

7. The downhole tool of claim 5 wherein the wall selectively fluidly isolates the first and second inlets.

8. The downhole tool of claim 5 wherein the probe further comprises an elastomeric portion surrounding the second inlet and configured to be extended into sealing engagement with a wall of a wellbore extending through the subterranean formation, and wherein a distal end of the probe wall is recessed a distance within the elastomeric portion.

9. The downhole tool of claim 5 wherein the probe further comprises an elastomeric portion surrounding the second inlet and configured to be extended into sealing engagement with a wall of a wellbore extending through the subterranean formation, and wherein a distal end of the probe wall is selectively positionable flush with an outer surface of the elastomeric portion.

10. The downhole tool of claim 5 wherein the wall comprises at least one of a slidable collar, a pleated tube, a plurality of bellows, an elastomeric ring, and an elastomeric tube.

11. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool is a wireline tool.

12. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool is a logging while drilling tool.

13. The downhole tool of claim 1 wherein the optical fluid analyzer is a first optical fluid analyzer, and wherein the downhole tool further comprises a second optical fluid analyzer proximate the second flow line for measuring optical density of fluid in the second flow line.

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

positioning a downhole tool in a wellbore adjacent the subterranean formation, the downhole tool comprising;

a probe comprising;

a first inlet having an elongated front cross-sectional shape; and

a second inlet surrounding the first inlet;

a first flow line in fluid communication with the first inlet;

a second flow line in fluid communication with the second inlet;

at least one pump configured to draw fluid from the subterranean formation through the first and second inlets into the first and second flow lines, respectively;

an optical fluid analyzer proximate the first flow line for measuring optical density of fluid in the first flow line; and

a sample chamber selectively connectable to the first inlet through at least the first flow line;

positioning the probe in fluid communication with the subterranean formation;

operating the at least one pump to draw fluid from the subterranean formation through the first and second inlets into the first and second flow lines, respectively, including past the optical fluid analyzer;

monitoring a parameter of formation fluid drawn through the first inlet using the optical fluid analyzer; and

capturing a sample in the sample chamber;

wherein;

the first flow line comprises a first portion and a second portion;

the second flow line comprises a first portion and a second portion;

the downhole tool further comprises a crossover selectively positionable in first and second positions;

the first crossover position fluidly connects the first portion of the first flow line to the second portion of the first flow line and the first portion of the second flow line to the second portion of the second flow line;

the second crossover position fluidly connects the first portion of the first flow line to the second portion of the second flow line and the first portion of the second flow line to the second portion of the first flow line; and

the method further comprises moving the crossover from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein drawing fluid from the subterranean formation comprises drawing virgin fluid from the subterranean formation through the first inlet into the first flow line and drawing contaminated fluid from the subterranean formation through the second inlet into the second flow line.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting separation of virgin fluid into the first inlet and contaminated fluid into the second inlet by controlling a flow rate of fluid through the first and second inlets.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting separation of virgin fluid into the first inlet and contaminated fluid into the second inlet by positioning the first inlet relative to the second inlet.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting separation of virgin fluid into the first inlet and contaminated fluid into the second inlet by adjusting operation of the at least one pump.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one pump comprises a first pump configured to draw fluid from the subterranean formation through the first inlet and a second pump configured to draw fluid from the subterranean formation through the second inlet, and wherein adjusting operation of the at least one pump comprises adjusting relative flow rates of the first and second pumps.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the optical fluid analyzer is a first optical fluid analyzer;

the downhole tool further comprises a second optical fluid analyzer proximate the second flow line for measuring optical density of fluid in the second flow line;

the parameter is a first parameter; and

the method further comprises monitoring a second parameter of formation fluid drawn through the second inlet using the second optical fluid analyzer.

21. The method of claim 14 further comprising detecting, based on the parameter monitored using the optical fluid analyzer, whether formation fluid drawn through the first inlet is virgin fluid.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein detecting comprises identifying a plateau on a signature of the parameter monitored using the optical fluid analyzer.

23. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting a flow rate ratio of fluid drawn through the first and second inlets.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising identifying two or more plateaus on a signature of a monitored parameter of fluid drawn through the first inlet.

25. The method of claim 14 further comprising selectively positioning the first inlet flush with an outer surface of an elastomeric portion of the probe, wherein the elastomeric portion surrounds the second inlet.

26. The method of claim 14 further comprising equalizing a first pressure within the first inlet relative to a second pressure within the second inlet.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein equalizing comprises adjusting a recess distance of the first inlet within the probe.

28. The method of claim 14 wherein positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore is performed using a wireline cable.

29. The method of claim 14 wherein positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore is performed using a drill string.