EP0126680B1 - Formation sampling apparatus - Google Patents

Formation sampling apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0126680B1
EP0126680B1 EP84400946A EP84400946A EP0126680B1 EP 0126680 B1 EP0126680 B1 EP 0126680B1 EP 84400946 A EP84400946 A EP 84400946A EP 84400946 A EP84400946 A EP 84400946A EP 0126680 B1 EP0126680 B1 EP 0126680B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
formation
pressure
control valve
fluids
sample
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
Application number
EP84400946A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0126680A3 (en
EP0126680A2 (en
Inventor
Armann Ostilio Ciccarelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Services Petroliers Schlumberger SA
Schlumberger NV
Schlumberger Ltd USA
Original Assignee
Societe de Prospection Electrique Schlumberger SA
Schlumberger NV
Schlumberger Ltd USA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Societe de Prospection Electrique Schlumberger SA, Schlumberger NV, Schlumberger Ltd USA filed Critical Societe de Prospection Electrique Schlumberger SA
Publication of EP0126680A2 publication Critical patent/EP0126680A2/en
Publication of EP0126680A3 publication Critical patent/EP0126680A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0126680B1 publication Critical patent/EP0126680B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • E21B49/10—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for sampling earth formations and, more particularly to a device for taking fluid samples within a borehole, by laterally piercing the earth formations of interest surrounding the borehole and sampling the fluids which are within such formations.
  • the conventional manner of collecting fluid samples within the formations surrounding a borehole involves lowering a specialized tool into the borehole on a wireline or similar conveyance device.
  • This tool includes sample collection means such as are described in U.S. Patent 3,530,933, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, in which a specialized projection on the tool is extended into contact with an adjacent earth formation in order to establish communication with any connate fluids situated therein.
  • the collection means also includes one or more sample chambers for receiving separate samples of the formation fluid when collected. These sample chambers are typically at atmos- ; pheric pressure which is substantially less than : the pressure of the connate fluids.
  • the connate fluids are therefore caused to flow into the sample chambers as long as an open passage-way exists between the chambers and the formations, in which such fluids can flow.
  • the pressure of the sampled fluid in each chamber is generally measured, and the projection is then withdrawn from the formation and the fluid sample is either expelled or carried to the surface with the tool.
  • the conventional manner of controlling this rate is to employ a water cushion system within the tool.
  • This water cushion includes a slideable piston that is operatively arranged within the sample receiving chamber so as to divide this sample chamber into two compartments. Prior to using the tool, this piston is displaced to the end of the sample chamber which is proximate the sampling entrance to the sample chamber. The compartment created on the other side of the piston is then filled with water.
  • the opposing end of the chamber contains a passageway with a predetermined diameter orifice that leads into an adjacent chamber that has been kept at atmospheric pressure.
  • the slideable piston moves within the sample chamber and causes the expulsion of the water through the orifice and into the adjacent atmospheric chamber. Since the rate of the flow of water through the orifice is predetermined by the size of the orifice chosen, the rate at which the sample is admitted can be controlled.
  • the document US-A-3 104 712 discloses a formation sampling apparatus which in addition to the water cushion system comprises a safety valve adapted to block the admission of fluid whenever the pressure of the fluid being admitted reaches the hydrostatic pressure due to the borehole fluid column. This occurs when the engagement that the projection of the tool makes with the borehole wall does no longer properly seal.
  • the formation sampling apparatus comprises the elements listed in claim 1.
  • the formation sampling method comprises the steps listed in claim 8.
  • the formation sampling apparatus of the present invention therefore affords a control on the flow of the formation fluids into the sample- taking apparatus based on the change of the pressure of the connate fluids within the formation during the sample taking process.
  • This invention further minimizes the problem of erosion of any adjacent formations as well as the multiplicity of difficulties associated therewith. Furthermore the present invention minimized the problem of erosion without substantially lengthening the tool.
  • a fluid sampling apparatus 10 is illustrated in Figure 1 as it appears within a borehole 12.
  • the fluid sampling apparatus 10 is suspended from a multi-conductor cable 11 which not only supports the apparatus 10 but which also contains the various electrical conductors necessary to operate the fluid sampling apparatus 10.
  • this cable 11 is referred to as a wireline.
  • the apparatus 10 is lowered into a borehole 12 on the wireline 11 until it is positioned adjacent a particular formation interval 13 in which it is desired to collect a sample of the connate fluids that are located within that formation 13.
  • the opposing end of the cable 11 is in turn spooled in the usual manner and suspended from a winch 14 at the earth's surface.
  • the fluid sampling apparatus 10 typically comprises a corresponding number of tandomly arranged sample collection means 20.
  • Each of these sample collection means 20 is generally capable of independent operation for recovering such multiple samples as are desired.
  • the sample collection means 20 include an extendable projection 18 capable of achieving a sealed interface with the formation 13, i.e., in order to avoid sampling borehole (as opposed to formation) fluids and gases in addition to or instead of the connate fluids within the formation 13.
  • an extendable projection 18 capable of achieving a sealed interface with the formation 13, i.e., in order to avoid sampling borehole (as opposed to formation) fluids and gases in addition to or instead of the connate fluids within the formation 13.
  • the components of the present invention making this controlled collection of a sample possible are schematically illustrated in Figure 2.
  • the sample collection means 20 includes a passageway 21 therein leading from the projection 18 toward two valves. One of these valves is a reference pressure valve 22 and the other is a flow line valve 23.
  • the sample collection means 20 also includes a control valve 26 connected to valves 22 and 23 via passageways 24 and 28 respectively, and at least one sample chamber 35 connected to control valve 26 via passageway 33.
  • the control valve 26 has three chambers 25, 29 and 32.
  • the passageway 24 from the reference pressure valve 22 opens into chamber 25.
  • the passageway 28 from the flow line valve 23 opens into chamber 29 and the passageway 33 leading to the sample chamber 35 opens into chamber 32. Boundaries exist between the various chambers 25, 29, and 32 preventing the flow of fluid therebetween.
  • chamber 25 can be used to trap the reference pressure of the formation as will be described.
  • the boundary between chambers 29 and 32 however contains an orifice 31 which when open permits the passage of fluid between these chambers.
  • This orifice 31 can be closed by the movement of a shuttle 30 which is mounted within the control valve 26.
  • the shuttle 30 and the various chambers 25, 29, and 32 are operatively disposed within the control valve 26 such .that any fluid pressure within chamber 25 will tend to force the shuttle 30 in a direction closing orifice 31. Contrastingly any fluid pressure within chamber 29 will tend to force the shuttle 30 in a direction opening orifice 31.
  • the control valve 26 also contains a spring 34 which is positioned to bias the shuttle 30 in a direction tending to open orifice 31.
  • the reference pressure valve 22 When the tool 10 has been lowered into the borehole 12, and the projection 18 has established contact with the formations 13, the reference pressure valve 22 is opened. This permits a small quantity of the formation fluid to pass through line 21, valve 22, line 24, and into chamber 25 of control valve 26.
  • the dimensions of line 21, valve 22, line 24, and chamber 25 are chosen to minimize the volume of formation fluid which actually flows while this initial pressure measurement is being made, while still providing sufficient compressible fluid volume to afford the movement of the shuttle 30.
  • a pressure sensor 27 is also in communication with line 21. This pressure sensor 27 is able to sense the static pressure of the fluids within the formation 13 that exists prior to taking a sample of these fluids. The pressure as sensed by sensor 27 is communicated to the recording apparatus 17 on the surface by the wireline 11. This initial static or pre-collection pressure also serves as a reference pressure for the present invention.
  • valve 23 is normally closed and remains closed during the initial sensing of the static pressure of the connate fluids within the formation by sensor 27.
  • Line 28 and chamber 29 of valve 26 are therefore at atmospheric pressure, which is substantially less than the typical static pressure of the fluids within the formation.
  • the pressure within chamber 25 is typically substantially greater than the pressure within chamber 29.
  • the shuttle 30 of control valve 26 is biased toward its open position by a spring 34, this spring 34 is chosen such that the force it exerts is insignificant when compared to the difference between the static formation pressure and atmospheric pressure. For this reason control valve 26 typically closes when the reference pressure valve 22 is opened, with the shuttle 30 of control valve 26 being driven into sealing engagement with the orifice 31 that exists between chambers 29 and 32.
  • switch 15 is closed and the appropriate solenoids (not shown) within the tool 10 are actuated by power source 16 to close the reference pressure valve 22 and open flow line valve 23.
  • the closing of valve 22 traps the static reference pressure in chamber 25 of valve 26.
  • the opening of the flow line valve 23 causes the dynamic pressure of the fluid within the formation to be present within chamber 29 of control valve 26. This pressure when combined with the force exerted by the spring 34 is typically greater than the initial static reference fluid pressure of the formation as trapped within chamber 25.
  • the shuttle 30 of valve 26 therefore moves to its open position, compressing the fluid trapped within the reference pressure circuit, and formation fluid is allowed to pass through the orifice 31 and from chamber 29 to chamber 32 and into line-33 leading from chamber 32 to the sample chamber 35.
  • control valve 26 will either remain open at such a position that the opposing forces are in balance or rapidly shuttle between its open and closed position till the sample chamber 35 is eventually filled.
  • the filling of the sample chamber 35 can be sensed by means such as pressure sensor 27.
  • This pressure information can again be communicated to the recording equipment 17 on the surface by the cable 11.
  • the reference pressure valve 22 is opened and the flow line valve 23 is again closed in order that the sample can be released or transported to the surface.

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)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
EP84400946A 1983-05-16 1984-05-09 Formation sampling apparatus Expired EP0126680B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US49528383A 1983-05-16 1983-05-16
US495283 1983-05-16

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0126680A2 EP0126680A2 (en) 1984-11-28
EP0126680A3 EP0126680A3 (en) 1986-06-04
EP0126680B1 true EP0126680B1 (en) 1988-08-17

Family

ID=23968045

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84400946A Expired EP0126680B1 (en) 1983-05-16 1984-05-09 Formation sampling apparatus

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0126680B1 (da)
AU (1) AU570462B2 (da)
BR (1) BR8402274A (da)
CA (1) CA1227418A (da)
DE (1) DE3473490D1 (da)
DK (1) DK242384A (da)
NO (1) NO841934L (da)
OA (1) OA07772A (da)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5602334A (en) * 1994-06-17 1997-02-11 Halliburton Company Wireline formation testing for low permeability formations utilizing pressure transients

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3104712A (en) * 1963-09-24 Formation fluid testing and sampling apparatus
US3530933A (en) * 1969-04-02 1970-09-29 Schlumberger Technology Corp Formation-sampling apparatus
US4416152A (en) * 1981-10-09 1983-11-22 Dresser Industries, Inc. Formation fluid testing and sampling apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
OA07772A (en) 1985-08-30
AU2802684A (en) 1984-11-22
DK242384A (da) 1984-11-17
CA1227418A (en) 1987-09-29
DK242384D0 (da) 1984-05-16
BR8402274A (pt) 1984-12-26
DE3473490D1 (en) 1988-09-22
EP0126680A3 (en) 1986-06-04
AU570462B2 (en) 1988-03-17
NO841934L (no) 1984-11-19
EP0126680A2 (en) 1984-11-28

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