Method and apparatus for formation testing

• US 7,996,153 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Niemeyer, Eick, Kischkat, Tobias, Meister, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; John H
• Application Number:
  US12/134,650
• Publication Number:
  US 20080234938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,159 Days
• Field of Search: 702 11- 14, 702/104, 702/156, 731/522.4, 731/522.6, 731/522.7, 731/525.5, 166/250.5, 166/250.7, 166/264, 175/50
• US Class Current: 702/11
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/008 by injection test; by analysing pressure variations in an injection or production test, e.g. for estimating the skin factor measuring pressure E21B47/06
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00

Abstract

A method includes calculating a correction factor that uses a tool component volume change model to estimate a system volume change resulting from a change in the tool component. An apparatus includes a carrier conveyable into a well borehole, a formation test tool coupled to the carrier, the formation test tool including a tool component. A measurement device to estimate a change in the tool component during operation, and a compensator uses an estimated system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation, the compensator compensating for the system volume change and wherein the estimated system volume change is estimated at least in part using a volume change model.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a formation test comprising:

calculating, by a processor, a correction factor based on a system volume change, the correction factor configured to be used to compensate for the system volume change, and

estimating the system volume change based on a change in a parameter of a tool component.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising estimating the system volume change by correlating the change in the tool component parameter to a volume change model.

3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising relating the system volume change to seal deformation, to probe movement, to pad movement, to packer movement or to a combination thereof using the volume change model.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising compensating for the system volume change based on the correction factor using a compensator.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the tool component includes a seal, a pad, a packer, a straddle packer or a combination thereof.

6. An apparatus for conducting a formation test comprising:

a carrier conveyable into a well borehole;

a formation test tool coupled to the carrier, the formation test tool including a tool component;

a measurement device that estimates a change in a parameter of the tool component during operation;

a processor configured to estimate at least in part a system volume change by correlating the change in the parameter to a volume change model; and

a compensator that uses the estimated system volume change resulting at least in part from the change in the tool component during a downhole operation, the compensator configured to compensate for the system volume change.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the compensator is operably associated with a controller to control a test operation using the estimated system volume change.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller controls one or more of a formation fluid draw pump, a probe extension pump, a valve, or a combination thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tool component comprises an extendable formation fluid sampling probe, the estimated tool component change being an extension of the formation fluid sampling probe.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tool component comprises a seal comprising a pad, a packer, a straddle packer or a combination thereof that engages a formation, the estimated tool component change being a deformation of the seal.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the formation test tool comprises an extendable formation fluid sampling probe having a seal member disposed on a distal end of the formation fluid sampling probe, the measurement device including one or more of a direct measurement device and an indirect measurement device, wherein the estimated tool component change being a movement of the formation fluid sampling probe, a deformation of the seal or a combination thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the estimated system volume change is estimated at least in part by correlating the change in the tool component to the volume change model.

13. A method for conducting a formation test comprising:

conveying a tool component into a borehole;

contacting a formation with the tool component to establish fluidic communication with the formation;

conducting a formation test operation;

estimating a change in a parameter of the tool component; and

estimating at least in part a system volume change by correlating the estimated change in the parameter of the tool component to a volume change model and compensating for the system volume change via a processor.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the tool component includes a seal that contacts the formation, the volume change model relating a system volume change to seal deformation, to probe movement or to a combination thereof.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein compensating includes controlling a test parameter based at least in part on the estimated system volume change.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein controlling the test parameter includes controlling one or more of a formation fluid draw pump, a probe extension pump, a valve or a combination thereof.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein compensating includes estimating a correction factor for correcting formation test information, the correction factor being based at least in part on the estimated system volume change.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein compensating includes at least one of controlling a test parameter and estimating a correction factor for correcting formation test information, the controlling and the correction factor being based at least in part on the estimated system volume change.

19. A method according to claim 13, wherein the volume change model comprises an estimated response of a seal member material to a downhole parameter.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the downhole parameter comprises one or more of i) a distance relating to an extension of the seal member ii) a force exerted on the seal member, and iii) a hydraulic pressure used to extend the seal member for contacting the formation.