Phase change analysis in logging method
First Claim
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1. An in situ method of fluid analysis in the borehole of a well for determining phase characteristics of a formation fluid, comprising the steps of:
- a) withdrawing a fluid sample from said formation fluid using a formation sampling tool;
b) establishing a well-defined sample volume;
c) incrementally expanding the sample volume of step (b);
d) nucleating bubble formation in said sample volume at fluid pressures greater than approximately 400 psi and approaching at least up to 20,000 psi by generating cavitation at a predetermined site;
e) detecting an onset of bubble formation at said predetermined site; and
f) measuring pressure of fluid at the onset of bubble formation in accordance with step (e), which pressure measurement defines a phase change of said formation fluid.
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Abstract
An improved method of fluid analysis in the borehole of a well. A fluid sampling tool is fitted with a pumpout module that can be used to draw fluids from the formation, circulate them through the instrument, and then expel this fluid to the borehole. It has been determined that certain measurements would be most valuable to implement down hole, such as the formation fluid bubble point and dew point. Accurate bubble point and dew point measurements are made by forming bubbles or a liquid drop in a measured sample, and detecting same.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An in situ method of fluid analysis in the borehole of a well for determining phase characteristics of a formation fluid, comprising the steps of:
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a) withdrawing a fluid sample from said formation fluid using a formation sampling tool;
b) establishing a well-defined sample volume;
c) incrementally expanding the sample volume of step (b);
d) nucleating bubble formation in said sample volume at fluid pressures greater than approximately 400 psi and approaching at least up to 20,000 psi by generating cavitation at a predetermined site;
e) detecting an onset of bubble formation at said predetermined site; and
f) measuring pressure of fluid at the onset of bubble formation in accordance with step (e), which pressure measurement defines a phase change of said formation fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
g) incrementally moving a piston of a pumpout module of the formation sampling tool.
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3. The method of fluid analysis of a formation fluid in accordance with claim 1, wherein said detection of detection step (e) is provided by an ultrasonic transducer.
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4. An in situ method of fluid analysis in the borehole of a well for determining phase characteristics of a formation fluid, comprising the steps of:
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a) withdrawing a fluid sample from said formation fluid using a formation sampling tool;
b) establishing a well-defined sample volume;
c) incrementally expanding the sample volume of step (b);
d) nucleating liquid drop formation in said sample volume at fluid pressures greater than approximately 400 psi and approaching at least up to 20,000 psi by generating cavitation at a predetermined site;
e) detecting an onset of liquid drop formation thereby defining a dew point condition at said predetermined site; and
f) measuring pressure of fluid at the onset of liquid drop formation in accordance with step (e), which pressure measurement defines a phase change. - View Dependent Claims (5, 16, 17)
g) incrementally moving a piston of a pumpout module of the formation sampling tool.
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16. The method of fluid analysis in accordance with claim 4, wherein the predetermined site is heated.
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17. The method of fluid analysis in accordance with claim 4, wherein the predetermined site is cooled.
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6. An apparatus for determining a phase change in a fluid sample down hole of a borehole characterized by high temperature and high pressure conditions, comprising;
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flow sampling means for taking extracting a fluid sample down hole;
means associated with said sampling means for creating a phase change in said sample at fluid pressures greater than approximately 400 psi and approaching at least up to 20,000 psi at a given location; and
detection means for detecting said phase change at at said given location. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20)
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11. An apparatus for determining a phase change in a fluid sample down hole of a borehole characterized by high temperature and high pressure conditions, comprising:
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sampling means for taking extracting a fluid sample down hole;
means associated with said sampling means for creating a phase change in said sample at fluid pressures greater than approximately 400 psi and approaching at least up to 20,000 psi by generating bubbles at a given bubble generating location in said apparatus; and
detection means for detecting said phase change of said sample at said given bubble generating location.- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
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Original AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
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InventorsKleinberg, Robert L.
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Primary Examiner(s)Larkin, Daniel S.
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Assistant Examiner(s)WIGGINS, JOHN DAVID
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Application NumberUS09/934,808Time in Patent Office650 DaysField of Search731/521.8, 73/190.3, 73/614.7, 73/617.9, 73/645.2, 735/90, 731/521.6, 731/522.3, 731/524.2, 731/525.5, 731/702.9, 73/190.5, 73/614.6, 73/614.8, 73/614.9, 73/617.5, 735/97, 735/99, 166/309, 166/250.01, 166/252.4, 175/40, 175/48, 175/50US Class Current73/152.18CPC Class CodesE21B 49/081 with down-hole means for tr...G01N 33/2823 raw oil, drilling fluid or ...
