Formation testing

• US 8,985,218 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2010
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Bedouet, Sylvain, Quam, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Neuder, William P
• Application Number:
  US13/500,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20120279702A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,657 Days
• Field of Search: 166/336, 166/264, 175/50
• US Class Current: 166/336
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1243 with inflatable sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells

Abstract

An example downhole tool configured for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation comprises a first fluid communicator configured to allow drilling fluid communication with an annulus between the downhole tool and the wellbore, a second fluid communicator configured to direct formation fluid to the annulus, and a formation testing device disposed deeper in the wellbore relative to the first fluid communicator and configured to pump formation fluid from the formation to the second fluid communicator. At least one of the first and second fluid communicators comprises a jet pump.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a downhole tool configured for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises;

a jet pump configured to communicate pumped formation fluid and drilling fluid to an annulus between the downhole tool and the wellbore; and

a pump module disposed deeper in the wellbore relative to the jet pump and configured to pump formation fluid from the formation to the jet pump.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

first and second inflatable packers each configured to engage the wellbore proximate the formation; and

an isolation valve positioned between the first and second packers,

wherein the isolation valve is configured to selectively prevent fluid communication between the downhole tool and the annulus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a third inflatable packer configured to engage the wellbore, wherein the first and second packers are positioned below the third packer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the third inflatable packer is positioned adjacent to the jet pump.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool is configured for conveyance in the wellbore via a drill string, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a slip joint having an adjustable length.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a sensor configured to sense a gas-to-oil ratio of the formation fluid pumped from the formation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a sensor configured to sense a density of the formation fluid pumped from the formation.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a sensor configured to sense a viscosity of the formation fluid pumped from the formation.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool is configured to receive data communication from at least one of an electrical cable extending within the wellbore, wired drill pipe conveying the downhole tool in the wellbore, acoustic telemetry, or electromagnetic telemetry.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a controller configured to control a pumping rate of the pump module.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jet pump is configured to reduce an output pressure of the pump module.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jet pump is configured to mix the drilling fluid with the pumped formation fluid.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a normally closed cross-over port.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the jet pump comprises a first jet pump configured to direct drilling fluid to the annulus and a second jet pump configured to direct formation fluid to the annulus;

the pump module is disposed deeper in the wellbore relative to the first jet pump and is configured to pump formation fluid from the formation to the second jet pump.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 comprising:

first and second inflatable packers each configured to engage the wellbore proximate the formation; and

an isolation valve positioned between the first and second packers,

wherein the isolation valve is further configured to selectively prevent fluid communication between the downhole tool and the annulus.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the downhole tool further comprises a third inflatable packer configured to engage the wellbore, wherein the first and second packers are positioned below the third packer.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the third packer is positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and second jet pumps.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the second jet pump is not disposed deeper in the wellbore than the first jet pump.

19. A method, comprising:

conveying a downhole tool in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises;

a first jet pump configured to allow drilling fluid communication with an annulus between the downhole tool and the wellbore;

a second jet pump configured to direct formation fluid to the annulus; and

a pump module disposed deeper in the wellbore relative to the first jet pump and configured to pump formation fluid from the formation to the second jet pump;

pumping formation fluid with the pump module; and

mixing drilling fluid and the pumped formation fluid with at least one of the first jet pump, the second jet pump, or both.