DOWNHOLE FLUID COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20100155053A1
• Filed: 03/03/2010
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chen Tao, Christopher S. Del Campo, Danny A. Hlavinka, Jonathan W. Brown, Kevin W. Hayes, Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin
• Original Assignee: Chen Tao, Christopher S. Del Campo, Danny A. Hlavinka, Jonathan W. Brown, Kevin W. Hayes, Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin
• Inventors: Del Campo, Christopher S., Briquet, Stephane, Brown, Jonathan W., Ervin, Steve, Hayes, Kevin W., Hlavinka, Danny A., Tao, Chen
• Granted Patent: US 8,220,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/119
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1216 Anti-extrusion means, e.g. means to prevent cold flow of rubber packing
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

Claims

1. A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising:

a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool;

a packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough;

an embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall whereby the packer forms a seal with the wellbore wall.

2. The probe of claim 1 wherein the embedded member is a sensor.

3. The probe of claim 2 wherein the sensor measures one of a formation parameter and downhole parameter.

4. The probe of claim 2 wherein the sensor measures one of pressure, fluid properties, stress, temperature, displacement, and load.

5. The probe of claim 1 wherein the embedded member is a reinforcement member.

6. The probe of claim 5 including a plurality of reinforcement members positioned near an outer surface of the packer.

7. The probe of claim 1 wherein the platform comprises:

a first rigid portion fixedly attached to the packer; and

a second rigid portion slidably engaged with the first rigid portion to permit movement of at least a portion of the packer relative to the second rigid portion as the packer is pressed against the wellbore wall.

8. The probe of claim 7 wherein the first rigid portion is disposed around a periphery of the packer.

9. The probe of claim 7 wherein the packer includes a stop member for restricting movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

10. The probe of claim 9 wherein the stop member includes an outwardly extending lip on the first rigid portion and an inwardly extending lip the second rigid portion, the lips being adapted to engage each other to stop the relative movement.

11. The probe of claim 7 further including a void in the packer disposed adjacent the first rigid portion.

12. The probe of claim 10 wherein a void is disposed around a periphery of the packer between the lip of the first portion and the base.

13. The probe of claim 7 wherein the hole is disposed near a center of the packer and defines a first inlet.

14. The probe of claim 13 wherein the packer is a first packer and the probe further comprises a second packer disposed about a periphery of the first packer, wherein a gap disposed between the first packer and the second packer defines a second inlet.

15. The probe of claim 1 wherein the packer has an inner portion and an outer portion operatively connected to the platform, and wherein the probe further comprises a support structure disposed along a portion of the packer, the support structure having a first end disposed between the platform and an outer surface of the packer, wherein the end includes a curved portion extending away from the portion of the packer.

16. The probe of claim 15 wherein the packer is a first packer, and wherein the probe further comprises a second packer disposed around a periphery of the first packer, wherein the at least one hole defines a first inlet and a gap between the first and second packers defines a second inlet.