Downhole sampling apparatus and method for using same
First Claim
1. A reservoir sampling apparatus having at least one probe adapted to provide a fluid flow path between a formation and the inner of the apparatus with the flow path being sealed from direct flow of fluids from the borehole annulus, wherein the apparatus includes a heating projector adapted to project heat into the formation surrounding the probe and a controller to maintain the temperature of the fluid in the formation below a threshold value, and wherein the controller is adapted to maintain the temperature of the heated formation fluid below an upper limit and the upper limit is determined using prior knowledge of the properties and/or composition of the fluid in the formation.
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Abstract
A reservoir sampling apparatus (20) is described having at least one probe (26) adapted to provide a fluid flow path between a formation and the inner of the apparatus with the flow path being sealed from direct flow of fluids from the borehole annulus with a heating projector (251) adapted to project heat into the formation surrounding the probe and a controller (253) to maintain the temperature in the formation below a threshold value.
45 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A reservoir sampling apparatus having at least one probe adapted to provide a fluid flow path between a formation and the inner of the apparatus with the flow path being sealed from direct flow of fluids from the borehole annulus, wherein the apparatus includes a heating projector adapted to project heat into the formation surrounding the probe and a controller to maintain the temperature of the fluid in the formation below a threshold value, and wherein the controller is adapted to maintain the temperature of the heated formation fluid below an upper limit and the upper limit is determined using prior knowledge of the properties and/or composition of the fluid in the formation.
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12. A method of sampling formation fluid from a downhole location, including the steps of:
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lowering a sampling tool with a probe into a wellbore; using a heat projector to increase the formation temperature in the vicinity of the probe to reduce the viscosity of the formation fluid; controlling the temperature to avoid or reduce changes in the composition of the formation fluid; sampling the fluid into the sampling tool by providing a fluid flow path between a formation and the inner of the apparatus with the flow path being sealed from direct flow of fluids from the borehole annulus; and using prior knowledge of the formation or formation fluid to control the temperature.
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Specification