Downhole formation tester apparatus and methods
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:
- a displacement unit configured to pump fluid;
a first flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through a valve network for selectively communicating the fluid to or from the displacement unit;
a second flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through the valve network for selectively communicating the fluid to or from the displacement unit;
a first chamber pressure gauge hydraulically coupled with a first chamber of the displacement unit;
a second chamber pressure gauge hydraulically coupled with a second chamber of the displacement unit;
,a power supply providing a force configured to operate the displacement unit;
a force sensor configured to measure the force;
a sample probe hydraulically coupled to the first flowline;
a first flowline pressure gauge hydraulically coupled to the first flowline between the sample probe and the valve network; and
a fluid sample chamber hydraulically coupled to the second flowline.
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Abstract
A method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes moving a piston of a displacement unit to pump a fluid through first and second flowlines hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through a valve network. The method also includes monitoring flowing pressure in the first flowline and monitoring pressure in a first chamber of the displacement unit. The method further includes opening a first active valve of the valve network in response to the monitored pressure in the first chamber being about equal to or less than the monitored flowing pressure in the first flowline.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a displacement unit configured to pump fluid; a first flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through a valve network for selectively communicating the fluid to or from the displacement unit; a second flowline hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through the valve network for selectively communicating the fluid to or from the displacement unit; a first chamber pressure gauge hydraulically coupled with a first chamber of the displacement unit; a second chamber pressure gauge hydraulically coupled with a second chamber of the displacement unit;
,a power supply providing a force configured to operate the displacement unit; a force sensor configured to measure the force; a sample probe hydraulically coupled to the first flowline; a first flowline pressure gauge hydraulically coupled to the first flowline between the sample probe and the valve network; and a fluid sample chamber hydraulically coupled to the second flowline. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method, comprising:
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moving a piston of a displacement unit to pump a fluid through first and second flowlines hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through a valve network; monitoring flowing pressure in the first flowline; monitoring pressure in a first chamber of the displacement unit; comparing the monitored flowing pressure in the first flowline to the monitored pressure in the first chamber; and opening a first active valve of the valve network in response to the comparison indicating that the monitored pressure in the first chamber is about equal to or less than the monitored flowing pressure in the first flowline. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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moving a piston of a displacement unit in a first direction to expand a first volume of a first chamber of the displacement unit and reduce a second volume of a second chamber of the displacement unit; monitoring flowing pressure in a first flowline, hydraulically connected to the displacement unit through a first active valve, while the first active valve is closed to inhibit fluid from the first flowline from entering the first volume; monitoring pressure in the first chamber of the displacement unit while the first active valve is closed to inhibit fluid from the first flowline from entering the first volume; comparing the monitored flowing pressure in the first flowline to the monitored pressure in the first chamber; and opening the first active valve in response to the comparison indicating that the monitored pressure in the first chamber is about equal to or less than the monitored flowing pressure in the first flowline, wherein opening the first active valve allows the fluid from the first flowline to enter the first volume. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification