Method and Apparatus for Sampling High Viscosity Formation Fluids
First Claim
1. A method of obtaining a fluid sample from an underground formation traversed by a borehole, method comprising:
- lowering a tool into the borehole, the tool including at least one perforation mechanism disposed through a sidewall of the tool, and at least one port fluidly connected to a sample container;
creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation with the at least one perforation mechanism;
increasing a mobility of formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is disposed between the borehole wall and the first hole; and
obtaining a sample of fluid from the formation, wherein at least one of increasing and obtaining is performed utilizing the first hole.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A formation fluid sampling tool is provided with a drill which drills into the formation in a manner perpendicular or oblique to the borehole wall. Preferably the tool introduces a mechanism into the drilled hole for enhancing the mobility of the reservoir fluid. In one embodiment the mechanism is a heating element on the drill. In another embodiment, the mechanism is hot fluid which is generated in the tool and injected into the drilled hole. In another embodiment, the mechanism is a solvent which is stored in the tool and injected by the tool into the drilled hole.
62 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of obtaining a fluid sample from an underground formation traversed by a borehole, method comprising:
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lowering a tool into the borehole, the tool including at least one perforation mechanism disposed through a sidewall of the tool, and at least one port fluidly connected to a sample container; creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation with the at least one perforation mechanism; increasing a mobility of formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is disposed between the borehole wall and the first hole; and
obtaining a sample of fluid from the formation, wherein at least one of increasing and obtaining is performed utilizing the first hole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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6. (canceled)
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9. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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14. (canceled)
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19. (canceled)
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20. An apparatus for obtaining a sample of formation fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir traversed by a borehole, apparatus comprising:
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at least a first perforation mechanism disposed on a sidewall of a downhole tool, for creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation; a heat source at least partially disposed in the downhole tool, the heat source being adapted for heating a portion of the formation for enhancing the mobility of formation fluid located adjacent the first hole; and at least one sampling port disposed on a sidewall of the downhole tool, the sampling port being fluidly connected to a container disposed in the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (21, 23, 24, 27, 28)
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22. (canceled)
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25. (canceled)
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26. (canceled)
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29. A system for obtaining a sample of formation fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir traversed by a borehole, system comprising:
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at least one perforation mechanism disposed on a sidewall of a downhole tool, for creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation; an injection port disposed on a sidewall of the downhole tool;
the injection port being adapted to inject fluid into the formation for enhancing the mobility of formation fluid located adjacent the first hole; anda sampling port disposed on a sidewall of the downhole tool, the sampling port being fluidly connected to a container disposed in the downhole tool. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of obtaining a fluid sample from an underground formation traversed by a borehole, method comprising:
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lowering a tool into the borehole, the tool including at least one perforation mechanism disposed through a sidewall of the tool, and at least one port fluidly connected to a sample container; creating a first hole through a borehole wall into the formation with the at least one perforation mechanism; creating a second hole through the borehole wall into the formation; increasing a mobility of formation fluid, wherein the fonnafion fluid is disposed between the first and the second hole; and obtaining a sample of fluid from the formation, wherein at least one of increasing and obtaining is performed utilizing the first hole.
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34. (canceled)
Specification