Apparatus for obtaining high quality formation fluid samples

Abstract

A well fluid sampling tool is provided. The sampling tool includes at least one insulated sample chamber mounted in a tool collar. The tool collar may be coupled with a drill string such that, when the tool collar is deployed in a well bore, selected sample chambers may receive a fluid sample from outside the drill string without removing the drill string from the well bore (e.g., during measurement while drilling or logging while drilling operations). A heating module in thermal communication with at least one of the sample chambers is disposed to selectively heat the sample chambers in thermal communication therewith. The sampling tool may be particularly useful for acquiring and preserving substantially pristine formation fluid samples.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 492,483 entitled Apparatus for Obtaining High Quality Formation Fluid Samples, filed Aug. 4, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the drilling of oil and gas wells, and more specifically, to a formation fluid sampling tool and method of use for acquiring and preserving substantially pristine formation fluid samples. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The commercial development of hydrocarbon (e.g., oil and natural gas) fields requires significant capital investment. Thus it is generally desirable to have as much information as possible pertaining to the contents of a hydrocarbon reservoir and / or geological formation in order to determine its commercial viability. There have been significant advances in measurement while drilling and logging while drilling technology in recent years (hereafter referred to as MWD and LWD, respectively). T...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may advantageously provide several technical advantages. For example, sampling tool embodiments according to this invention may advantageously provide for improved sampling of formation fluid from, for example, deep wells. In particular, embodiments of this invention are configured with the intent to try to maintain, for as long as possible, the fluid at about the same temperature and pressure conditions as found in the formation. A tool according to this invention, in combination with a logging while drilling (LWD) tool, is couplable to a drill string, and thus in such a configuration provides for sampling of formation fluid shortly after penetration of the formation of interest. Advantages are thus provided for the acquisition and preservation of relatively high quality formation fluid sample in substantially pristine conditions. These high quality samples may provide for more accurate determination of formation properties and thus may enable a better assessment of the economic viability of an oil and / or gas reservoir.

Problems solved by technology

While the Berger and Schultz apparatuses apparently permit samples to be collected relatively early in the life of a well, without retrieval of the drill string, they include no capability to preserve the temperature of the formation fluid.

Further, it is a relatively complex operation to remove the formation fluid sample from the Berger apparatus.

One drawback of the Brown and Corrigan apparatuses is that they require the retrieval of the drill string from the well bore prior to being lowered therein, which typically involves significant cost and time, and increases the risk of subsurface damage to the formation of interest.

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