Formation testing apparatus and method

• US 20040007058A1
• Filed: 07/09/2002
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Houston, Glenn, Jeffries, Robert, Rylander, Erik, Haddad, Sammy S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,155,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/152.39
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/02 by mechanically taking samples of the soil
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A method and apparatus for testing formations surrounding an earth borehole. The method includes the following steps: providing a tool movable through the borehole; providing a flow line in the tool; establishing fluid communication between the formations and the flow line of the tool; and providing a sand trap in communication with the flow line of the tool for trapping sand flowing with fluid from the formations.

Claims

1. Apparatus for testing formations surrounding an earth borehole, comprising:

a tool movable through the borehole, said tool having a flow line running therethrough;

means, in said tool, for establishing fluid communication between the formations and the flow line in said tool; and

a sand trap in said tool for trapping sand in the fluid from the formations travelling in said flow line.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said sand trap comprises a receptacle containing a screen.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said screen is operative to cause precipitation of sand in the formation fluid and also to filter sand from the formation fluid.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said tool includes a pump in said flow line, and wherein said sand trap is located so that sand-containing fluid from the formation reaches said sand trap before reaching said pump.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said tool includes a pump in said flow line, and wherein said sand trap is located so that sand-containing fluid from the formation reaches said sand trap before reaching said pump.

6. Apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising a second sand trap in said tool for trapping sand in the fluid from the formations traveling in said flow line.

7. A method for obtaining a sample of solid materials from formations surrounding an earth borehole, comprising the steps of:

providing a tool that is movable through the borehole and contains a sand trap;

setting the tool at a desired depth level;

establishing fluid communication between the formations and the tool, and trapping sand flowing with fluid from the formations with the sand trap; and

bringing the tool to the surface and recovering the sand from the sand trap.

8. The method as defined by claim 7, further comprising the step of analyzing the sand recovered from the sand trap.

9. The method as defined by claim 7, further comprising the step of analyzing said sand to determine the particle size distribution thereof.

10. The method as defined by claim 7, wherein said sand trap is operative to cause precipitation of sand and also filtering of sand.

11. The method as defined by claim 8, wherein said sand trap is operative to cause precipitation of sand and also filtering of sand.

12. A method for testing formations surrounding an earth borehole, comprising the steps of:

providing a tool movable through the borehole;

providing a flow line in the tool;

establishing fluid communication between the formations and the flow line of the tool; and

providing a sand trap in communication with the flow line of said tool for trapping sand flowing with fluid from the formations.

13. The method as defined by claim 12, further comprising bringing the tool to the earth'"'"'s surface, and recovering the sand from the sand trap.

14. The method as defined by claim 13, further comprising analyzing said sand to determine properties thereof.

15. The method as defined by claim 13, further comprising the step of analyzing said recovered sand to determine the particle size distribution thereof.

16. The method as defined by claim 12, wherein said sand trap is operative to cause precipitation of sand and also filtering of sand.

17. The method as defined by claim 14, wherein said sand trap is operative to cause precipitation of sand and also filtering of sand.

18. The method as defined by claim 12, wherein said step of providing a sand trap comprises providing a plurality of sand traps.

19. The method as defined by claim 12, further comprising determining the pressure in said tool when sand starts to flow with the formation fluid.