CA1153288A - Method and apparatus for obtaining selected samples of formation fluids - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for obtaining selected samples of formation fluidsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1153288A CA1153288A CA000373531A CA373531A CA1153288A CA 1153288 A CA1153288 A CA 1153288A CA 000373531 A CA000373531 A CA 000373531A CA 373531 A CA373531 A CA 373531A CA 1153288 A CA1153288 A CA 1153288A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tool
- fluid
- bore hole
- withdrawn
- borehole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 151
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 title claims description 48
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 77
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims 40
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000003334 potential effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000306 component Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052787 antimony Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009529 body temperature measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005251 gamma ray Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Substances [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
- E21B49/08—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
- E21B49/087—Well testing, e.g. testing for reservoir productivity or formation parameters
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/10—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells in the borehole
- E21B33/12—Packers; Plugs
- E21B33/124—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space
- E21B33/1243—Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space with inflatable sleeves
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/10—Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements
- E21B47/103—Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using thermal measurements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B47/00—Survey of boreholes or wells
- E21B47/10—Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements
- E21B47/113—Locating fluid leaks, intrusions or movements using electrical indications; using light radiations
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
- E21B49/08—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
- E21B49/08—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
- E21B49/10—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells using side-wall fluid samplers or testers
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
- Investigation Of Foundation Soil And Reinforcement Of Foundation Soil By Compacting Or Drainage (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method and apparatus operable on a wireline logging cable for sampling and testing borehole fluids, transmitting the results obtained from such testing to the surface for determination whether or not the particular sample undergoing testing should be collected and brought to the surface. The apparatus comprises a downhole tool having an inflatable double packer for isolating an interval of the borehole coupled with a hydraulic pump, the pump being utilized sequentially to inflate the double packer and isolate an interval of the borehole and to remove fluids from the isolated interval to test chamber means where resistivity, redox potential (Eh) and acidity (pH) are determined, and finally to dispose of selected samples to one or more sample container chambers within said tool or to reject them into the borehole if not selected.
A method and apparatus operable on a wireline logging cable for sampling and testing borehole fluids, transmitting the results obtained from such testing to the surface for determination whether or not the particular sample undergoing testing should be collected and brought to the surface. The apparatus comprises a downhole tool having an inflatable double packer for isolating an interval of the borehole coupled with a hydraulic pump, the pump being utilized sequentially to inflate the double packer and isolate an interval of the borehole and to remove fluids from the isolated interval to test chamber means where resistivity, redox potential (Eh) and acidity (pH) are determined, and finally to dispose of selected samples to one or more sample container chambers within said tool or to reject them into the borehole if not selected.
Description
~iS~Z8~
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING
SEI.ECTED SAMPLES OF FORMATION FLUI~S
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining samples of formation fluids at different levels in a borehole. The characteristics of formation fluids obtained from various levels within a borehole are 10 oE considerable interest to geologists as an aid to deter-mining subswrface structure as well as to those engaged in well completion and production. This invention provides a method and apparatus for lowering a logging tool into an uncased borehol.e on a conventional wireline~ positioning 15 the tool at preselected elevations and obtaining ~ormation fluid samples. The samples are tested within the tool without withdrawing it from the borehole and the test results transmitted to the surface. If it is determined that the sample should be recovered, it is transferred to 20 one of a plurality of collection chambers within the tool, and, if not, it is ejected in-to the borehole. The logging tool can then be moved to another level, without with-drawal from the well and the process repeated until all of the sample collection chambers in the tool are filled.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING
SEI.ECTED SAMPLES OF FORMATION FLUI~S
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining samples of formation fluids at different levels in a borehole. The characteristics of formation fluids obtained from various levels within a borehole are 10 oE considerable interest to geologists as an aid to deter-mining subswrface structure as well as to those engaged in well completion and production. This invention provides a method and apparatus for lowering a logging tool into an uncased borehol.e on a conventional wireline~ positioning 15 the tool at preselected elevations and obtaining ~ormation fluid samples. The samples are tested within the tool without withdrawing it from the borehole and the test results transmitted to the surface. If it is determined that the sample should be recovered, it is transferred to 20 one of a plurality of collection chambers within the tool, and, if not, it is ejected in-to the borehole. The logging tool can then be moved to another level, without with-drawal from the well and the process repeated until all of the sample collection chambers in the tool are filled.
2. Description of the Prior Art Formation fluid sample collection tools have been in use in the industry for a number of years. See for example the descriptive matter found in the Composite Catalog of Oil Field ~quipment and Services--1978-1979, 30 pages 3286-3291 for a description of serv:ices and equip-ment provided by Halliburton Services. See also in the 1976-1977 edition of the same catalog the description of the Johnson lnflatable Packer Test Systems at pages 3607-3609. Both the Halliburton and Johnson systems 35 involve attaching the sampling tool to the drill pipe string and are not designed for wireline logging. More-over, they do not have means for isolating and testing formation fluids at various selected levels within the borehole to make a determination as to the desirability of ~15328 collecting ancl reta:ining the sample wiLhout witl~drawal of the tool from the well. These two di-fferences are of con-siderable significance when the time the well must be out of commission for sampling is talcen into consideration.
5 To run a tool into a well on a wireline requires but a small fraction of the time required to run in a drill pipe string, and the advantage of being able to col]ect a number of pretested samples each time the tool is sent down the well further greatly reduces the time during 10 which the well is out of commission.
Wireline formation testers have been available since the early 1950s and have been used to obtain fluids, flow rates and pressures from prospective reservoirs.
Because of limited tool capacity and capabilities, how-15 ever, recovered fluids often are entirely or mostlydrilling mud filtrate. Moreover, there is no fluid prop-erty monitoring capability. Thus these tools are useful only in the case of reservoirs where adequate flow is obtained and recovered fluids are relatively free of mud 20 filtrate. They tend not to be useful in those cases where geological exploration is involved and fluid samples other than those containing hydrocarbon are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENlION
A primary objective of this invention is to pro-25 vide a method for obtaining a plurality of high qualitysamples of formation fluids from the wall of a borehole on a single passage of a logging tool into the borehole by locating the tool at various levels within the borehole, isolating an interval of the borehole, withdrawing flllid 30 from the isolated interval, testing the properties of the withdrawn fluid while within the tool, transmitting the test results to the surface for determination of the suit-ability of the sample for collection and, if it is found suitable, transferring the sample to a collection chamber 35 within the tool for ultimate removal to the surface.
A second and related object of this invention is to provide a logging and sample collecting tool operable in connection with a conventional wireline for carrying o-ut -the method of this invention.
~532 This invention is directed to an improved method and apparatus for obtaining formation fluid samples from a borehole. The method involves initially lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into the borehole to a preselected 5 level; and utilizing a pair of packers carried by the tool to isolate an interval of the borehole by inflating the packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole. Fluid is withdrawn from the isolated interval between the packers and its electrical resistivity is mea-10 sured in a resistivity test chamber located within thetool. The resistivity measurement is sent to the surface via the wireline and when the resistivity becomes con-stant, indicating that formation fluids uncontaminated by drilling mud components are being withdrawn into the tool, 15 the withdrawn E1uids are directed into a second test chamber wherein the redox potential (Eh), acidity (pH) and temperature of the fluids are measured and the results are sent to the surface by the wireline. It is then deter-mined from the thus transmitted results whether it is 20 desired to retain a sample and, if determination is posi-tive, the fluid is pumped to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool. If the determina-tion is negative, the fluid is returned to the borehole, the packers are deflated to free the tool for vertical 25 movement and the tool is moved to another preselected location where the above-referred-to steps are repeated.
This procedure is followed until the sample chambers in the tool are filled with desired samples, and finally the wireline is retracted to return the tool and the contained 30 samples to the surface.
Thus the present invention provides a method for obtaining formation fluid samples from a bore hole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole;
b) utilizing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of said bore hole;
1153Z~
-4a-c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated portion of said bore hole and measuring a physical property thereof within said tool and transmitting the measurement to the surface;
d) when the measured property indication is constant indicating that formation fluid is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a test chamber and measuring therein a second property of said fluid and trans-mitting results of the second measurement to the surface;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, transfer-ring said fluid to a sample collection chamber within said tool, if the determination is negative rejecting said fluid; and f) retracting the tool and the collected sample to the surface.
In another aspect the present invention provides a method of collecting a fluid sample from a subterranean formation penetrated by a bore hole extending from the sur-face of the earth through the subterranean formation comprising:
a) isolating an interval of said bore hole at the subterranean formation, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of said bore hole and is in fluid communication with the subterranean formation;
b) withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to a location in the bore hole outside of the isolated interval;
~15~288 -4b-c) testing, within the bore hole a physical property of the withdrawn fluid; and transmitting the test results to the surface of the earth;
d) if such test results are positive col-lecting, in a sample container within the bore hole, a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid;
and e) transporting said sample container to the surface of the earth.
In still a further aspect the present invention pro-vides an apparatus for sampling and testing bore hole formation fluids, said apparatus comprising a downhole tool adapted to be lowered into a bore hole, said tool having:
a) sealing means for isolating an interval of the bore hole when actuated;
b) pump means for withdrawing fluids from the isolated interval of the bore hole and conduit means interconnecting the outlet of said pump means to said sealing means whereby activation thereof may be accomplished to isoiate said interval of said bor~ hole;
c) a physical property test chamber through which said withdrawn fluids are conducted;
d) a second test chamber in communication with the outlet of said pump means and adapted to measure properties of said withdrawn fluids;
e) a sample collection chamber adapted to be in communication with the outlet of said pump means;
f) signal transmission means for transmitting to the surface the results of properties measured in said test chambers; and ~3 2~
g) valve means controlled from the surface through said wireline for controlling the flow of said withdrawn fluids, initially to actuate said sealing means and subsequently to direct said fluids to said second test chamber -- and said sample collection cha~ber.
In still a further aspect the present invention pro-vides an apparatus for use in a bore ho].e extending from the surface of the earth to a subterranean location comprising:
a) isolating means for isolating an interval of a bore hole, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of the bore hole;
b) ~ithdrawing means for withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
c) testing means associated with the apparatus for testing a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
d) transmitting means associated with the apparatus for transmitting the test results from said testing means to the surface of the earth;
and e) means as~ociated with the apparatus for collecting a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid and discharging fluid not selected to the bore hole exterior of said ap-paratus and the exterior of the isolated inter-val.
1~5;~Z~
-4d-A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention comprises a tool adapted to be introduced into a borehole on a conventional seven conductor wireline and having a pair of spaced apart inflatable packers for iso-lating an interval of the borehole. A hydraulic pump is provided within the tool for pumping fluids from the interval between the packers, initially for inflating the packers, and subsequent to their inflation for pumping fluids through a resistivity test chamber and a second llS~3'~3~
test chamber where redox potential (Eh), acidity (pH) and temperature measurements are obtained, and finally into one or more sample collection chambers located within the tool. Conventional means are associated with each of the 5 chambers for performing the above-described measurements and for transmission of the results thereof to the surface through the wireline. In addition, there are provided suitable valve means electrically controlled from the sur-face for sequentially carrying out the method steps of 10 this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodi-ment of a logging tool of this invention disposed within a section of a borehole;
Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the rela-tionship of the various elements of the tool of this invention during the packer inflation step;
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the relation-ship of the elements during the testing step; and Figure 4 is a similar view showing the relacion-ship during the sample collection step.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the tool 10 of this invention is shown in a downhole position in a 25 borehole 11. In this embodiment, the tool is made up in tubular sections 12 through 16 which are connected in sealed relationship by collars 17. During movement through the borehole and when the packers 20 are not set, the tool 10 is suspended from the cable head section 16 to 30 which the supporting wireline 21 is securely attachecl by coupling 22. The use of individual sections 12-16 each containing certain kinds of components is, of course, optional but it provides a convenient way to manufacture, assemble and service the tool 10. The maximum diameter of 35 the tool 10 is, of course, limited by the size of the borehole 11 and the effectiveness of the expandable packers 20. A convenient arrangement is to make -the sec-tions 13-16 of somewhat smaller diameter so that these portions of the tool can be utili~,ed in smaller boreholes ..
~:lS.32 and to utilize a packer section 12 appropriately sized to perform adequate sealing in a particular borehole to be tested and sampled. The following Table gives preferred packer sizes for different borehole diameters:
TABLE
M:inimum Bore Hole Diameter Packer SizePacker Expansion in Inches _in InchesCapacity in Inches 6.25 5.00 9.00 10 7.88 6.25 11.25 8.75 7.25 13.00 From the foregoing it will be seen that, for a versatile tool, the maximum diameter of the sections 13-16 is about five inches. The length of a tool of five-inch diameter 15 will depend upon the degree of miniaturization in hydraulic and electric circuitry and in the size and number of samples which are to be collected. Usually the length is between 6 and 12 feet.
In Figures 2-4, the hydraulic relationship of 20 the various parts of the tool 10 during various steps of the preferred method are shown. In each of these figures, the main fluid flow for the particular step involved is indicated by a heavy line.
In Figure 2, the step of inflating the packers 25 is illustrated. Fluid from the borehole 11 is withdrawn into the tool 10 through an open port 24 in packer section 12 passing through a filter 25 and resistivity test chamber 26. This test chamber which is preferably conven-tional can contain a pair of spaced apart electrodes 30 across which a voltage i5 impressed. The resulting cur-rent flow between the electrodes provides an indication of resistivity. Suction for withdrawing the fluid is pro-vided by a pump 27 driven by an electric motor 28 powered from the surface by an electric current delivered through 35 the wireline 21. From pump 27, the withdrawn fluid passes through conduit 30 to the packers 20 which are inflated thereby to engage the wall of the wellbore in sealing relationship and isolate an interval thereof. To prevent the development of a pressure differential in the borehole t,~ ?
~lS32~
11 above and below the tool 10 when the packers 20 are inflated, a passage 29 is provided through the packer sec-tion 12 as shown in Figure 1. A pressure relief valve shown at 31 vents fluid to the borehole when the packers 5 2() are filled. A back flow check valve 32 prevents fluid from flowing back out of the packers 20 when pump 27 is not operating. An electrically controlled packer deflate valve 33 is provided for venting conduit 30 to the well-bore when it is desired to deflate the packers 20.
Following inflation of the packers 20, the pump 27 continues to pump fluid from the borehole through the resistivity test chamber venting the fluid to the borehole through valve 31. This action is preferably continued until the resistivity measurement, which is conveyed to lS the surface through the wireline 21, becomes constant indicating that formation fluids free of drilling mud com-ponents are being withdrawn. At such time, the pump 27 is stopped and the various valves are set to provide the flow pattern shown in Figure 3.
To better illustrate the invention, the various flow controlling valves have been schematically indicated.
A preferred procedure, as will be appreciated by those familiar with the art, is to use a pair of rotary solenoid actuated valves (not shown) which are positioned by pulses 25 sent down from the surface. Preferably, one of these rotary solenoid valves, as will be described later, is employed to control the pumping of samples to the sample containers, and the other is preferably employed to con-trol all of the other fluid flows.
After the packers 20 have been set and the resistivity cell 26 indicates that a uniform formation fluid is being withdrawn, the flow control valve (not shown) is rotated to place the schematically indicated valve elements in the positions shown in Figure 3. Thus, 35 the filter control valve element 35 is actuated to cause the fluid to flow through line filter 36 instead of the large coarse filter 25 improving the quality of the with-drawn sample, and the control valve 37 is actuated to a ~,~
1153Z~38 divert the fluid flow through the second test chamber 38 to the borehole ll.
The second test chamber 38 preferably contains a three-electrode system for measuring acidity (pH) and 5 redox potential (Eh). A temperature sensor (not shown) is also provided, as the temperature at which potential read-ings are made affects calibration. The preferred elec-trodes are as follows:
pH Reference--silver Eh Reference--platinum Reference electrode-antimony but as will be appreciated, any of the well-known arrange-ments can be utilized. Moreover, in certain cases, it may be desirable to adapt the test chamber 38 to perform other 15 or additional kinds of tests such as retractive index, opacity, density of dissolved gas content, all of which are known to those familiar with the art. Conventional electrical circuits are utilized to send appropriate sig-nals through the wireline to the surface where pH, Eh and 20 temperature of the formation fluid can be displayed or read out. It should be noted in Figure 3 that a portion of the fluid does not pass through test chamber 38 but passes through sample control valve 40 and back to the borehole 11 through conduit 41. By this arrangement, test 25 chamber 38 is not overloaded, and there is more certainty of obtaining a sample representative of the fluid under-going test in chamber 38 with the same fluid also simulta-neously flowing to and through the sample control valve 40.
When the test results transmitted to the surface indicate that the formation fluids being withdrawn are suitable for collection, the pump 27 is stopped, and the sample control valve 40 is electrically actuated to a position to discontinue flow of fluid to the borehole 35 through conduit 41 and to instead convey fluid to the first sample chamber indicated at 42. The chambers need not be evacuated or vented to the borehole 11, as downhole pressures are so large that any air brought down from the surface in the tool lO will be so compressed as to occupy A~ .
.
:
g but a small fraction of chamber volume. When sample chamber 42 has been filled, the pump 27 is stopped and the rotary control valve is actuated to packer deflate posi-tion, opening the valve port indicated at 33 to the bore-5 hole and permitting the packers 20 to deflate. Suitablevalved connections (not shown) are provided through the side of tool lO for withdrawal of the samples from the chambers 42.
Following deflation of the packers 20, the tool 10 10 is again free to be moved to other preselected levels in the borehole 11, and the above described steps can be repeated. Alternatively, if it is decided at the surface that the formation fluid passing through test cha~ber 38 will not produce a sample desired for retention and trans-15 port to the surface, no sample is collected at that levelin the borehole; and the pump 27 can be stopped, the packers 20 deflated and the tool moved to another level.
In the preferred embodiment of the logging-sam-pling tool 10 of this invention, the capability of deter-20 mining formation fluid pressure is provided by means of apressure sensor 45 connected to the fluid conduit down-stream of the pump 27. This sensor 45, which preferably contains a transducer, monitors formation fluid pressure during periods when the pump 27 is not operating and sends 25 appropriate signals through the wireline 21 to the sur-face.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, any of the conventional logging techniques, such as gamma ray, neutron, induction, sonic, etc., adaptable for wire-30 line logging, can be practiced in conjunction with themethod and apparatus of this invention by incorporating appropriate conventional sensing and transmission appar-atus within the tool 10. Information from such ancillary apparatus can be of considerable aid in initially placing 35 the tool in the borehole for the testing and sampling procedure of this invention. Incidentally, the word "borehole" has been used herein and in the claims in its generic sense and is meant to include any cased or uncased, generally cylindrical opening, sealable by means - .
:
; :
'- lis;~ 8 of a packer and whether intended for exploration or production purposes. Thus, the expression includes drill hole, wellbore and other equivalent terms.
In the foregoing detailed description, the cir-5 cuitry for obtaining signals from the various sensingdevices and transmitting them to the surface and for transmitting electrical commands from the surface to the tool have not been included, as these techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, and a multitude of dif-10 ferent arrangements are available and may be used in thepractice of this invention.
Various changes and/or modifications, such as will present themselves to those familiar with the art, may be made in the method and apparatus described herein 15 without departing from the spirit of this invention whose scope is commensurate with the following claims:
~i .
, . . ~
.
., ~
., ,.. ' ' ' ~ ' .
5 To run a tool into a well on a wireline requires but a small fraction of the time required to run in a drill pipe string, and the advantage of being able to col]ect a number of pretested samples each time the tool is sent down the well further greatly reduces the time during 10 which the well is out of commission.
Wireline formation testers have been available since the early 1950s and have been used to obtain fluids, flow rates and pressures from prospective reservoirs.
Because of limited tool capacity and capabilities, how-15 ever, recovered fluids often are entirely or mostlydrilling mud filtrate. Moreover, there is no fluid prop-erty monitoring capability. Thus these tools are useful only in the case of reservoirs where adequate flow is obtained and recovered fluids are relatively free of mud 20 filtrate. They tend not to be useful in those cases where geological exploration is involved and fluid samples other than those containing hydrocarbon are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENlION
A primary objective of this invention is to pro-25 vide a method for obtaining a plurality of high qualitysamples of formation fluids from the wall of a borehole on a single passage of a logging tool into the borehole by locating the tool at various levels within the borehole, isolating an interval of the borehole, withdrawing flllid 30 from the isolated interval, testing the properties of the withdrawn fluid while within the tool, transmitting the test results to the surface for determination of the suit-ability of the sample for collection and, if it is found suitable, transferring the sample to a collection chamber 35 within the tool for ultimate removal to the surface.
A second and related object of this invention is to provide a logging and sample collecting tool operable in connection with a conventional wireline for carrying o-ut -the method of this invention.
~532 This invention is directed to an improved method and apparatus for obtaining formation fluid samples from a borehole. The method involves initially lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into the borehole to a preselected 5 level; and utilizing a pair of packers carried by the tool to isolate an interval of the borehole by inflating the packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole. Fluid is withdrawn from the isolated interval between the packers and its electrical resistivity is mea-10 sured in a resistivity test chamber located within thetool. The resistivity measurement is sent to the surface via the wireline and when the resistivity becomes con-stant, indicating that formation fluids uncontaminated by drilling mud components are being withdrawn into the tool, 15 the withdrawn E1uids are directed into a second test chamber wherein the redox potential (Eh), acidity (pH) and temperature of the fluids are measured and the results are sent to the surface by the wireline. It is then deter-mined from the thus transmitted results whether it is 20 desired to retain a sample and, if determination is posi-tive, the fluid is pumped to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool. If the determina-tion is negative, the fluid is returned to the borehole, the packers are deflated to free the tool for vertical 25 movement and the tool is moved to another preselected location where the above-referred-to steps are repeated.
This procedure is followed until the sample chambers in the tool are filled with desired samples, and finally the wireline is retracted to return the tool and the contained 30 samples to the surface.
Thus the present invention provides a method for obtaining formation fluid samples from a bore hole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole;
b) utilizing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of said bore hole;
1153Z~
-4a-c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated portion of said bore hole and measuring a physical property thereof within said tool and transmitting the measurement to the surface;
d) when the measured property indication is constant indicating that formation fluid is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a test chamber and measuring therein a second property of said fluid and trans-mitting results of the second measurement to the surface;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, transfer-ring said fluid to a sample collection chamber within said tool, if the determination is negative rejecting said fluid; and f) retracting the tool and the collected sample to the surface.
In another aspect the present invention provides a method of collecting a fluid sample from a subterranean formation penetrated by a bore hole extending from the sur-face of the earth through the subterranean formation comprising:
a) isolating an interval of said bore hole at the subterranean formation, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of said bore hole and is in fluid communication with the subterranean formation;
b) withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to a location in the bore hole outside of the isolated interval;
~15~288 -4b-c) testing, within the bore hole a physical property of the withdrawn fluid; and transmitting the test results to the surface of the earth;
d) if such test results are positive col-lecting, in a sample container within the bore hole, a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid;
and e) transporting said sample container to the surface of the earth.
In still a further aspect the present invention pro-vides an apparatus for sampling and testing bore hole formation fluids, said apparatus comprising a downhole tool adapted to be lowered into a bore hole, said tool having:
a) sealing means for isolating an interval of the bore hole when actuated;
b) pump means for withdrawing fluids from the isolated interval of the bore hole and conduit means interconnecting the outlet of said pump means to said sealing means whereby activation thereof may be accomplished to isoiate said interval of said bor~ hole;
c) a physical property test chamber through which said withdrawn fluids are conducted;
d) a second test chamber in communication with the outlet of said pump means and adapted to measure properties of said withdrawn fluids;
e) a sample collection chamber adapted to be in communication with the outlet of said pump means;
f) signal transmission means for transmitting to the surface the results of properties measured in said test chambers; and ~3 2~
g) valve means controlled from the surface through said wireline for controlling the flow of said withdrawn fluids, initially to actuate said sealing means and subsequently to direct said fluids to said second test chamber -- and said sample collection cha~ber.
In still a further aspect the present invention pro-vides an apparatus for use in a bore ho].e extending from the surface of the earth to a subterranean location comprising:
a) isolating means for isolating an interval of a bore hole, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of the bore hole;
b) ~ithdrawing means for withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
c) testing means associated with the apparatus for testing a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
d) transmitting means associated with the apparatus for transmitting the test results from said testing means to the surface of the earth;
and e) means as~ociated with the apparatus for collecting a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid and discharging fluid not selected to the bore hole exterior of said ap-paratus and the exterior of the isolated inter-val.
1~5;~Z~
-4d-A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention comprises a tool adapted to be introduced into a borehole on a conventional seven conductor wireline and having a pair of spaced apart inflatable packers for iso-lating an interval of the borehole. A hydraulic pump is provided within the tool for pumping fluids from the interval between the packers, initially for inflating the packers, and subsequent to their inflation for pumping fluids through a resistivity test chamber and a second llS~3'~3~
test chamber where redox potential (Eh), acidity (pH) and temperature measurements are obtained, and finally into one or more sample collection chambers located within the tool. Conventional means are associated with each of the 5 chambers for performing the above-described measurements and for transmission of the results thereof to the surface through the wireline. In addition, there are provided suitable valve means electrically controlled from the sur-face for sequentially carrying out the method steps of 10 this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a side view of a preferred embodi-ment of a logging tool of this invention disposed within a section of a borehole;
Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the rela-tionship of the various elements of the tool of this invention during the packer inflation step;
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the relation-ship of the elements during the testing step; and Figure 4 is a similar view showing the relacion-ship during the sample collection step.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the tool 10 of this invention is shown in a downhole position in a 25 borehole 11. In this embodiment, the tool is made up in tubular sections 12 through 16 which are connected in sealed relationship by collars 17. During movement through the borehole and when the packers 20 are not set, the tool 10 is suspended from the cable head section 16 to 30 which the supporting wireline 21 is securely attachecl by coupling 22. The use of individual sections 12-16 each containing certain kinds of components is, of course, optional but it provides a convenient way to manufacture, assemble and service the tool 10. The maximum diameter of 35 the tool 10 is, of course, limited by the size of the borehole 11 and the effectiveness of the expandable packers 20. A convenient arrangement is to make -the sec-tions 13-16 of somewhat smaller diameter so that these portions of the tool can be utili~,ed in smaller boreholes ..
~:lS.32 and to utilize a packer section 12 appropriately sized to perform adequate sealing in a particular borehole to be tested and sampled. The following Table gives preferred packer sizes for different borehole diameters:
TABLE
M:inimum Bore Hole Diameter Packer SizePacker Expansion in Inches _in InchesCapacity in Inches 6.25 5.00 9.00 10 7.88 6.25 11.25 8.75 7.25 13.00 From the foregoing it will be seen that, for a versatile tool, the maximum diameter of the sections 13-16 is about five inches. The length of a tool of five-inch diameter 15 will depend upon the degree of miniaturization in hydraulic and electric circuitry and in the size and number of samples which are to be collected. Usually the length is between 6 and 12 feet.
In Figures 2-4, the hydraulic relationship of 20 the various parts of the tool 10 during various steps of the preferred method are shown. In each of these figures, the main fluid flow for the particular step involved is indicated by a heavy line.
In Figure 2, the step of inflating the packers 25 is illustrated. Fluid from the borehole 11 is withdrawn into the tool 10 through an open port 24 in packer section 12 passing through a filter 25 and resistivity test chamber 26. This test chamber which is preferably conven-tional can contain a pair of spaced apart electrodes 30 across which a voltage i5 impressed. The resulting cur-rent flow between the electrodes provides an indication of resistivity. Suction for withdrawing the fluid is pro-vided by a pump 27 driven by an electric motor 28 powered from the surface by an electric current delivered through 35 the wireline 21. From pump 27, the withdrawn fluid passes through conduit 30 to the packers 20 which are inflated thereby to engage the wall of the wellbore in sealing relationship and isolate an interval thereof. To prevent the development of a pressure differential in the borehole t,~ ?
~lS32~
11 above and below the tool 10 when the packers 20 are inflated, a passage 29 is provided through the packer sec-tion 12 as shown in Figure 1. A pressure relief valve shown at 31 vents fluid to the borehole when the packers 5 2() are filled. A back flow check valve 32 prevents fluid from flowing back out of the packers 20 when pump 27 is not operating. An electrically controlled packer deflate valve 33 is provided for venting conduit 30 to the well-bore when it is desired to deflate the packers 20.
Following inflation of the packers 20, the pump 27 continues to pump fluid from the borehole through the resistivity test chamber venting the fluid to the borehole through valve 31. This action is preferably continued until the resistivity measurement, which is conveyed to lS the surface through the wireline 21, becomes constant indicating that formation fluids free of drilling mud com-ponents are being withdrawn. At such time, the pump 27 is stopped and the various valves are set to provide the flow pattern shown in Figure 3.
To better illustrate the invention, the various flow controlling valves have been schematically indicated.
A preferred procedure, as will be appreciated by those familiar with the art, is to use a pair of rotary solenoid actuated valves (not shown) which are positioned by pulses 25 sent down from the surface. Preferably, one of these rotary solenoid valves, as will be described later, is employed to control the pumping of samples to the sample containers, and the other is preferably employed to con-trol all of the other fluid flows.
After the packers 20 have been set and the resistivity cell 26 indicates that a uniform formation fluid is being withdrawn, the flow control valve (not shown) is rotated to place the schematically indicated valve elements in the positions shown in Figure 3. Thus, 35 the filter control valve element 35 is actuated to cause the fluid to flow through line filter 36 instead of the large coarse filter 25 improving the quality of the with-drawn sample, and the control valve 37 is actuated to a ~,~
1153Z~38 divert the fluid flow through the second test chamber 38 to the borehole ll.
The second test chamber 38 preferably contains a three-electrode system for measuring acidity (pH) and 5 redox potential (Eh). A temperature sensor (not shown) is also provided, as the temperature at which potential read-ings are made affects calibration. The preferred elec-trodes are as follows:
pH Reference--silver Eh Reference--platinum Reference electrode-antimony but as will be appreciated, any of the well-known arrange-ments can be utilized. Moreover, in certain cases, it may be desirable to adapt the test chamber 38 to perform other 15 or additional kinds of tests such as retractive index, opacity, density of dissolved gas content, all of which are known to those familiar with the art. Conventional electrical circuits are utilized to send appropriate sig-nals through the wireline to the surface where pH, Eh and 20 temperature of the formation fluid can be displayed or read out. It should be noted in Figure 3 that a portion of the fluid does not pass through test chamber 38 but passes through sample control valve 40 and back to the borehole 11 through conduit 41. By this arrangement, test 25 chamber 38 is not overloaded, and there is more certainty of obtaining a sample representative of the fluid under-going test in chamber 38 with the same fluid also simulta-neously flowing to and through the sample control valve 40.
When the test results transmitted to the surface indicate that the formation fluids being withdrawn are suitable for collection, the pump 27 is stopped, and the sample control valve 40 is electrically actuated to a position to discontinue flow of fluid to the borehole 35 through conduit 41 and to instead convey fluid to the first sample chamber indicated at 42. The chambers need not be evacuated or vented to the borehole 11, as downhole pressures are so large that any air brought down from the surface in the tool lO will be so compressed as to occupy A~ .
.
:
g but a small fraction of chamber volume. When sample chamber 42 has been filled, the pump 27 is stopped and the rotary control valve is actuated to packer deflate posi-tion, opening the valve port indicated at 33 to the bore-5 hole and permitting the packers 20 to deflate. Suitablevalved connections (not shown) are provided through the side of tool lO for withdrawal of the samples from the chambers 42.
Following deflation of the packers 20, the tool 10 10 is again free to be moved to other preselected levels in the borehole 11, and the above described steps can be repeated. Alternatively, if it is decided at the surface that the formation fluid passing through test cha~ber 38 will not produce a sample desired for retention and trans-15 port to the surface, no sample is collected at that levelin the borehole; and the pump 27 can be stopped, the packers 20 deflated and the tool moved to another level.
In the preferred embodiment of the logging-sam-pling tool 10 of this invention, the capability of deter-20 mining formation fluid pressure is provided by means of apressure sensor 45 connected to the fluid conduit down-stream of the pump 27. This sensor 45, which preferably contains a transducer, monitors formation fluid pressure during periods when the pump 27 is not operating and sends 25 appropriate signals through the wireline 21 to the sur-face.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, any of the conventional logging techniques, such as gamma ray, neutron, induction, sonic, etc., adaptable for wire-30 line logging, can be practiced in conjunction with themethod and apparatus of this invention by incorporating appropriate conventional sensing and transmission appar-atus within the tool 10. Information from such ancillary apparatus can be of considerable aid in initially placing 35 the tool in the borehole for the testing and sampling procedure of this invention. Incidentally, the word "borehole" has been used herein and in the claims in its generic sense and is meant to include any cased or uncased, generally cylindrical opening, sealable by means - .
:
; :
'- lis;~ 8 of a packer and whether intended for exploration or production purposes. Thus, the expression includes drill hole, wellbore and other equivalent terms.
In the foregoing detailed description, the cir-5 cuitry for obtaining signals from the various sensingdevices and transmitting them to the surface and for transmitting electrical commands from the surface to the tool have not been included, as these techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, and a multitude of dif-10 ferent arrangements are available and may be used in thepractice of this invention.
Various changes and/or modifications, such as will present themselves to those familiar with the art, may be made in the method and apparatus described herein 15 without departing from the spirit of this invention whose scope is commensurate with the following claims:
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Claims (18)
1. A method for obtaining formation fluid sam-ples from a borehole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool and sending the resistivity measurement to the surface via said wire-line;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein the redox poten-tial, acidity and temperature of said fluid and sending results thereof to the surface by said wire-line;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool, if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said borehole;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another preselected location;
g) repeating steps (b) through (f) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and h) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool and sending the resistivity measurement to the surface via said wire-line;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein the redox poten-tial, acidity and temperature of said fluid and sending results thereof to the surface by said wire-line;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool, if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said borehole;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another preselected location;
g) repeating steps (b) through (f) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and h) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
2. A method for obtaining formation fluid sam-ples from a borehole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein properties of said fluid and sending results thereof to the surface by said wireline;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool and, if the determination is nega-tive, returning said fluid to said borehole;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another preselected location;
g) repeating steps (b) through (f) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and h) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein properties of said fluid and sending results thereof to the surface by said wireline;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool and, if the determination is nega-tive, returning said fluid to said borehole;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another preselected location;
g) repeating steps (b) through (f) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and h) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
3. A method for obtaining formation fluid sam-ples from a borehole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool and sending the resistivity measurement to the surface via said wire-line;
d) when the resistivity measurement indi-cates that formation fluid is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluids into a second test chamber and measuring therein the redox potential, acidity and temperature of said fluids, sending results thereof to the surface by said wire-line;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool, if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said borehole;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another preselected location;
g) repeating steps (b) through (f) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and h) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool and sending the resistivity measurement to the surface via said wire-line;
d) when the resistivity measurement indi-cates that formation fluid is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluids into a second test chamber and measuring therein the redox potential, acidity and temperature of said fluids, sending results thereof to the surface by said wire-line;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool, if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said borehole;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another preselected location;
g) repeating steps (b) through (f) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and h) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
4. A method for obtaining formation fluid sam-ples from a borehole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool and sending the resistivity measurement to the surface via said wire-line;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein selected physical properties of said fluid and sending results thereof to the surface by said wireline;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to a sample collection chamber associated with said tool;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement; and g) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected sample to the surface.
a) lowering a tool suspended by a wireline into said borehole to a preselected level;
b) utilizing a pair of packers carried by said tool to isolate an interval of said borehole by inflating said packers to expand them into sealing contact with said borehole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and measuring its resistivity in a resis-tivity test chamber within said tool and sending the resistivity measurement to the surface via said wire-line;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein selected physical properties of said fluid and sending results thereof to the surface by said wireline;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to a sample collection chamber associated with said tool;
f) deflating said packers to free said tool for vertical movement; and g) retracting said wireline to return the tool and the collected sample to the surface.
5. An apparatus operable on a wireline logging cable for sampling and testing borehole formation fluids, said apparatus comprising a downhole tool adapted to be connected to said wireline, said tool having:
a) a pair of inflatable packers for iso-lating an interval of the borehole when inflated;
b) an electrically driven hydraulic pump for withdrawing fluids from the space between said packers and conduit means interconnecting the outlet of said pump to said packers whereby inflation thereof may be accomplished to isolate said interval of said borehole;
c) a resistivity test chamber through which said withdrawn fluids are conducted;
d) a second test chamber in communication with the outlet of said pump and adapted to measure properties of said withdrawn fluids;
e) a sample collection chamber adapted to be in communication with the outlet of said pump;
f) signal transmission means for trans-mitting to the surface the results of resistivity and other properties measured in said second test chamber; and g) valve means controlled from the surface through said wireline for controlling the flow of said withdrawn fluids, initially to inflate said packers and subsequently to direct said fluids to said second test chamber and said sample collection chamber.
a) a pair of inflatable packers for iso-lating an interval of the borehole when inflated;
b) an electrically driven hydraulic pump for withdrawing fluids from the space between said packers and conduit means interconnecting the outlet of said pump to said packers whereby inflation thereof may be accomplished to isolate said interval of said borehole;
c) a resistivity test chamber through which said withdrawn fluids are conducted;
d) a second test chamber in communication with the outlet of said pump and adapted to measure properties of said withdrawn fluids;
e) a sample collection chamber adapted to be in communication with the outlet of said pump;
f) signal transmission means for trans-mitting to the surface the results of resistivity and other properties measured in said second test chamber; and g) valve means controlled from the surface through said wireline for controlling the flow of said withdrawn fluids, initially to inflate said packers and subsequently to direct said fluids to said second test chamber and said sample collection chamber.
6. The apparatus of Claim 5 in which the second test chamber is suitable to test acidity, redox potential and temperature.
7. The apparatus of Claims 5 or 6 in which a plurality of sample collection chambers are provided.
JDG:h
JDG:h
8. A method for obtaining formation fluid samples from a bore hole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole;
b) utilizing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of said bore hole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated portion of said bore hole and measuring a physical property thereof within said tool and transmitting the measurement to the surface;
d) when the measured property indication is constant indicating that formation fluid is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a test chamber and measuring therein a second property of said fluid and trans-mitting results of the second measurement to the surface;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, transfer-ring said fluid to a sample collection chamber within said tool, if the determination is negative rejecting said fluid; and f) retracting the tool and the collected sample to the surface.
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole;
b) utilizing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of said bore hole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated portion of said bore hole and measuring a physical property thereof within said tool and transmitting the measurement to the surface;
d) when the measured property indication is constant indicating that formation fluid is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a test chamber and measuring therein a second property of said fluid and trans-mitting results of the second measurement to the surface;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, transfer-ring said fluid to a sample collection chamber within said tool, if the determination is negative rejecting said fluid; and f) retracting the tool and the collected sample to the surface.
9. A method for obtaining formation fluid samples from a bore hole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole to a selected location;
b) utilizing sealing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of said bore hole;
c) withdrawing fluid from the isolated portion and measuring a physical property thereof in a test chamber within said tool and sending the measurement to the surface;
d) determining from the thus transmitted measurements whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool, if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said bore hole;
e) deactivating said sealing means to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another selected location;
f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and g) retracting the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole to a selected location;
b) utilizing sealing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of said bore hole;
c) withdrawing fluid from the isolated portion and measuring a physical property thereof in a test chamber within said tool and sending the measurement to the surface;
d) determining from the thus transmitted measurements whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to one of a plurality of sample collection chambers within said tool, if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said bore hole;
e) deactivating said sealing means to free said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool to another selected location;
f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until the sample chambers in said tool are filled with desired samples; and g) retracting the tool and the collected samples to the surface.
10. A method for obtaining formation fluid samples from a bore hole which method comprises:
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole to a selected level;
b) utilizing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of the wall of said bore hole by expanding said means into sealing contact with said bore hole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated portion of said bore hole and measuring its resistivity in a resistivity test chamber;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein properties of said fluid and transmitting results thereof to the surface;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to a sample collection chamber associated with said tool and if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said bore hole at a location outside said isolated portion;
f) freeing said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool and sample to the surface.
a) lowering a tool into said bore hole to a selected level;
b) utilizing means associated with said tool to isolate a portion of the wall of said bore hole by expanding said means into sealing contact with said bore hole;
c) withdrawing fluid from said isolated portion of said bore hole and measuring its resistivity in a resistivity test chamber;
d) when the resistivity becomes constant, indicating that formation fluid uncontaminated by drilling mud components is being withdrawn into said tool, directing the withdrawn fluid into a second test chamber and measuring therein properties of said fluid and transmitting results thereof to the surface;
e) determining from the thus transmitted results whether it is desired to retain a sample and, if the determination is positive, pumping said fluid to a sample collection chamber associated with said tool and if the determination is negative returning said fluid to said bore hole at a location outside said isolated portion;
f) freeing said tool for vertical movement and moving said tool and sample to the surface.
11. A method of collecting a fluid sample from a subterranean formation penetrated by a bore hole extending from the surface of the earth through the subterranean formation comprising:
a) isolating an interval of said bore hole at the subterranean formation, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of said bore hole and is in fluid communication with the subterranean formation;
b) withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to a location in the bore hole outside of the isolated interval;
c) testing, within the bore hole a physical property of the withdrawn fluid; and transmitting the test results to the surface of the earth;
d) if such test results are positive col-lecting, in a sample container within the bore hole, a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid;
and e) transporting said sample container to the surface of the earth.
a) isolating an interval of said bore hole at the subterranean formation, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of said bore hole and is in fluid communication with the subterranean formation;
b) withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to a location in the bore hole outside of the isolated interval;
c) testing, within the bore hole a physical property of the withdrawn fluid; and transmitting the test results to the surface of the earth;
d) if such test results are positive col-lecting, in a sample container within the bore hole, a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid;
and e) transporting said sample container to the surface of the earth.
12. A method of collecting the fluid sample from a subterranean formation penetrated by a bore hole extending from the surface of the earth through the subterranean formation comprising:
a) placing an apparatus operable on a wireline cable for collecting a fluid sample in the bore hole at the level of the subterranean formation;
b) activating means connected to said apparatus for isolating an interval of the bore hole at the subterranean formation, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of said bore hole and is in fluid communication with the subterranean formation;
c) withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside of the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
d) testing, with means associated with said apparatus, a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
e) transmitting the test results from the apparatus to the surface of the earth through said wireline cable; and f) collecting in means within the apparatus a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid.
a) placing an apparatus operable on a wireline cable for collecting a fluid sample in the bore hole at the level of the subterranean formation;
b) activating means connected to said apparatus for isolating an interval of the bore hole at the subterranean formation, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of said bore hole and is in fluid communication with the subterranean formation;
c) withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside of the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
d) testing, with means associated with said apparatus, a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
e) transmitting the test results from the apparatus to the surface of the earth through said wireline cable; and f) collecting in means within the apparatus a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid.
13. A method as defined in Claim 11 including the step of determining the pressure in said isolated interval when fluid is not being withdrawn and transmitting to the surface signals indicative of the measured pressure.
14. An apparatus for sampling and testing bore hole formation fluids, said apparatus comprising a downhole tool adapted to be lowered into a bore hole, said tool having:
a) sealing means for isolating an interval of the bore hole when actuated;
b) pump means for withdrawing fluids from the isolated interval of the bore hole and conduit means interconnecting the outlet of said pump means to said sealing means whereby activation thereof may be accomplished to isolate said interval of said bore hole;
c) a physical property test chamber through which said withdrawn fluids are conducted;
d) a second test chamber in communication with the outlet of said pump means and adapted to measure properties of said withdrawn fluids;
e) a sample collection chamber adapted to be in communication with the outlet of said pump means;
f) signal transmission means for transmitting to the surface the results of properties measured in said test chambers; and g) valve means controlled from the surface through said wireline for controlling the flow of said withdrawn fluids, initially to actuate said sealing means and subsequently to direct said fluids to said second test chamber and said sample collection chamber.
a) sealing means for isolating an interval of the bore hole when actuated;
b) pump means for withdrawing fluids from the isolated interval of the bore hole and conduit means interconnecting the outlet of said pump means to said sealing means whereby activation thereof may be accomplished to isolate said interval of said bore hole;
c) a physical property test chamber through which said withdrawn fluids are conducted;
d) a second test chamber in communication with the outlet of said pump means and adapted to measure properties of said withdrawn fluids;
e) a sample collection chamber adapted to be in communication with the outlet of said pump means;
f) signal transmission means for transmitting to the surface the results of properties measured in said test chambers; and g) valve means controlled from the surface through said wireline for controlling the flow of said withdrawn fluids, initially to actuate said sealing means and subsequently to direct said fluids to said second test chamber and said sample collection chamber.
15. The apparatus of Claim 14 in which the second test chamber is suitable to test acidity, redox potential and temperature.
16. The apparatus of Claims 14 or 15 in which a plurality of sample collection chambers is provided.
17. An apparatus for use in a bore hole extending from the surface of the earth to a subterranean location comprising:
a) isolating means for isolating an interval of a bore hole, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of the bore hole;
b) withdrawing means for withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
c) testing means associated with the apparatus for testing a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
d) transmitting means associated with the apparatus for transmitting the test results from said testing means to the surface of the earth;
and e) means associated with the apparatus for collecting a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid and discharging fluid not selected to the bore hole exterior of said ap-paratus and the exterior of the isolated inter-val.
a) isolating means for isolating an interval of a bore hole, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of the bore hole;
b) withdrawing means for withdrawing fluid from said isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
c) testing means associated with the apparatus for testing a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
d) transmitting means associated with the apparatus for transmitting the test results from said testing means to the surface of the earth;
and e) means associated with the apparatus for collecting a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid and discharging fluid not selected to the bore hole exterior of said ap-paratus and the exterior of the isolated inter-val.
18. An apparatus connectable to a wireline logging cable for use in a bore hole extending from the surface of the earth to a subterranean location comprising:
a) means carried by the apparatus for isolating an interval of a bore hole, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of the bore hole;
b) means carried by the apparatus for withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside of the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
c) means connected within said apparatus for testing a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
d) means associated with said apparatus for transmitting the test results from the apparatus to the surface of the earth through a wireline logging cable; and e) means within said apparatus for collecting a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid.
a) means carried by the apparatus for isolating an interval of a bore hole, wherein the isolated interval includes a portion of the sidewall of the bore hole;
b) means carried by the apparatus for withdrawing fluid from the isolated interval and transferring the withdrawn fluid to the bore hole outside of the isolated interval and exterior of the apparatus;
c) means connected within said apparatus for testing a physical property of the withdrawn fluid;
d) means associated with said apparatus for transmitting the test results from the apparatus to the surface of the earth through a wireline logging cable; and e) means within said apparatus for collecting a selected sample of the withdrawn fluid.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US18171180A | 1980-08-27 | 1980-08-27 | |
| US181,711 | 1980-08-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1153288A true CA1153288A (en) | 1983-09-06 |
Family
ID=22665458
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000373531A Expired CA1153288A (en) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-03-20 | Method and apparatus for obtaining selected samples of formation fluids |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0046651B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE19288T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1153288A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3174398D1 (en) |
| EG (1) | EG15108A (en) |
| PH (1) | PH17523A (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2172631A (en) * | 1985-03-20 | 1986-09-24 | Tesel Plc | Improvements in downhole tools |
| GB2172630A (en) * | 1985-03-20 | 1986-09-24 | Tesel Plc | Improvements in downhole tools |
| US4936139A (en) * | 1988-09-23 | 1990-06-26 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Down hole method for determination of formation properties |
| GB2355033B (en) * | 1999-10-09 | 2003-11-19 | Schlumberger Ltd | Methods and apparatus for making measurements on fluids produced from underground formations |
| CN1256578C (en) * | 2001-06-07 | 2006-05-17 | 西安石油大学 | Whole reservior sampling tester |
| DE102006013409B4 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2007-12-20 | Dresdner Grundwasserforschungszentrum E.V. | Apparatus for controlled, representative sampling of water samples and methods for sampling |
| NO20070851L (en) | 2007-02-14 | 2008-08-15 | Statoil Asa | formation testing |
| RU2611780C1 (en) * | 2016-01-14 | 2017-03-01 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Газпром добыча Кузнецк" | Method of selective hydrodynamic researches in wells at multi-zone methan coal deposits |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2441894A (en) * | 1941-09-05 | 1948-05-18 | Schlumberger Well Surv Corp | Flexible packer tester |
| US2564198A (en) * | 1945-01-15 | 1951-08-14 | Stanolind Oil & Gas Co | Well testing apparatus |
| FR1322402A (en) * | 1962-03-20 | 1963-03-29 | Petroleum Res Corp | Multiple terrain layer analysis system |
| US3294170A (en) * | 1963-08-19 | 1966-12-27 | Halliburton Co | Formation sampler |
| US3577781A (en) * | 1969-01-10 | 1971-05-04 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Tool to take multiple formation fluid pressures |
| US3577783A (en) * | 1969-01-10 | 1971-05-04 | Schlumberger Technology Corp | Tool to take multiple fluid measurements |
| US3611799A (en) * | 1969-10-01 | 1971-10-12 | Dresser Ind | Multiple chamber earth formation fluid sampler |
| US3677081A (en) * | 1971-06-16 | 1972-07-18 | Amoco Prod Co | Sidewall well-formation fluid sampler |
-
1981
- 1981-03-20 CA CA000373531A patent/CA1153288A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-08-04 PH PH26003A patent/PH17523A/en unknown
- 1981-08-18 AT AT81303754T patent/ATE19288T1/en active
- 1981-08-18 DE DE8181303754T patent/DE3174398D1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-08-18 EP EP81303754A patent/EP0046651B1/en not_active Expired
- 1981-08-29 EG EG489/81A patent/EG15108A/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3174398D1 (en) | 1986-05-22 |
| EP0046651A2 (en) | 1982-03-03 |
| ATE19288T1 (en) | 1986-05-15 |
| PH17523A (en) | 1984-09-13 |
| EP0046651A3 (en) | 1983-06-22 |
| EP0046651B1 (en) | 1986-04-16 |
| EG15108A (en) | 1985-12-31 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |