Apparatus and method for formation evaluation

• US 8,215,389 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2010
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Nold, Raymond V. III, Zazovsky, Alexander F., Ervin, Steve, Del Campo, Christopher S., Briquet, Stephane
• Primary Examiner(s): Andrews, David
• Application Number:
  US12/779,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20100218943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 166/264, 166/100, 166/250.17, 166/185, 731/522.6, 731/522.4
• US Class Current: 166/264
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

extending a probe from a downhole tool into contact with a wall of a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation, the probe including a packer for creating a seal against the wall of the wellbore, a sampling intake, a cleanup intake, and a tubular divider disposed in a bore of the packer for engaging the wall of the wellbore;

producing fluid from the formation about the tubular divider;

drawing fluid from inside the tubular divider into the sampling intake;

drawing fluid from inside and outside the tubular divider into the cleanup intake;

flowing fluid through a first flow line coupled to the sampling intake and through a second flow line coupled to the cleanup intake;

capturing fluid from the first flow line into a sample chamber; and

discharging fluid from the second flow line into the wellbore.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising isolating two annular passageways of the cleanup intake with the tubular divider.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining a property of the fluid flowing through at least one of the first flow line and the second flow line.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising filtering the fluid flowing through at least one of the first flow line and the second flow line.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising admitting the fluid from inside the tubular divider into a sampling tube.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising equalizing the pressure between the sampling intake and the cleanup intake.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising preventing the fluid from outside the tubular divider from mixing with the fluid entering the sampling intake.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising restricting an inlet area of an annular passageway outside the tubular divider with an inner flange at the mouth of the packer.