Mud cake probe extension apparatus and method

• US 8,499,831 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2010
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Church, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): HUTCHINS, CATHLEEN R
• Application Number:
  US12/689,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20100186951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 166/264, 166/174, 166/250.01, 166/100, 731/520.4, 731/522.4, 731/522.3
• US Class Current: 166/264
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

In a formation pressure tester tool, an elongated filter piston possibly having a tapered or sharp edge configured to penetrate mud cake while the probe is being set. At the end of the setting sequence, the filter piston is retracted, thus opening a flowpath from the formation, through the mudcake, to the probe.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a downhole tool configured for conveyance within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, the downhole tool comprising;

a probe assembly comprising an inlet having one or more filter openings, a packer comprising an elastomeric material surrounding the inlet, and a filter piston actuatable between an extended position and a retracted position and having an external end, wherein;

in the extended position, the external end protrudes past the inlet to form an opening in the subterranean formation and substantially close the filter openings in the inlet; and

in the retracted position, the filter piston is retracted within the inlet to expose the filter openings to the subterranean formation through the opening.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the external end of the filter piston has a tapered profile.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tapered profile has a taper angle ranging between about 30°

and about 120°

.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tapered profile has a taper angle ranging between about 70°

and about 100°

.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tapered profile has a taper angle of about 90°

.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the tapered profile tapers to a point.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the external end of the filter piston is configured to expel filtered particulate from the inlet when translating from the retracted position to the extended position.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the probe assembly further comprises an actuator configured to translate the filter piston within the inlet between the extended position and the retracted position.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the probe assembly is configured to measure pressure of the formation surrounding the wellbore when the probe assembly is positioned in engagement with a wall of the wellbore.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the probe assembly is extendable from the downhole tool for sealing engagement with a mudcake or wall of the wellbore.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the probe assembly is extendable from the downhole tool via hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical actuation.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a controller and circuitry coupling pressure-representative signals from the probe assembly to the controller.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool is configured for conveyance within the wellbore via wireline or drill string.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inlet comprises a cylindrical annulus extendable to engage the subterranean formation and wherein the filter piston is translatably disposed within the cylindrical annulus.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the filter piston is configured to extend within the inlet adjacent to the filter openings when the filter piston is in the extended position to block the filter openings, and to retract within the inlet past the filter openings to expose the filter openings to the subterranean formation when the filter piston is in the retracted position.

16. A method, comprising:

positioning a downhole tool within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises;

a probe assembly comprising an inlet having a one or more filter openings, a packer comprising an elastomeric material surrounding the inlet, and a filter piston actuatable between an extended position and a retracted position and having an external end;

engaging the probe assembly with a wall of the wellbore, such that the inlet is positioned proximate a mudcake lining the wellbore wall;

translating the filter piston to the extended position, such that the external end protrudes past the inlet to form an opening in the subterranean formation and substantially close the filter openings in the inlet; and

translating the filter piston to the retracted position, such that the filter piston is retracted within the inlet to expose the filter openings to the subterranean formation through the opening.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein engaging the probe assembly with the wall of the wellbore causes the inlet to protrude into the mudcake.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein translating the filter piston causes the external end of the filter piston to extend beyond the mudcake and into the formation.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the opening comprises a flowpath from the formation through the mudcake to the probe assembly.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising conveying the downhole tool within the wellbore via wireline or drill string.