Adjustable Wellbore Testing Tool Snorkel Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formation testing tools face contamination issues due to wellbore fluids entering the sealed interval between packer elements, making it difficult to isolate and sample formation fluids effectively, especially when the density of wellbore fluids is higher than the formation fluids.
Innovation Solution
A testing tool with multiple packer elements spaced along its axis and a testing port between them, allowing for in-situ adjustment of the sealed interval length and port location, which reduces contamination by using a snorkel assembly to offset the port and improve fluid communication, thereby minimizing the volume of wellbore fluids and debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single packer element is used to seal the wellbore interval, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to adjust the sealed interval length and port location is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tool divides the sealing function into multiple separate packer elements (first packer, second packer, third packer) that can be independently positioned and activated. This segmentation allows the sealed interval length to be adjusted by selecting which packers to inflate and their relative positions, while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The packer elements are designed to be movable along the tool body and can be selectively inflated or deflated. This dynamic capability enables in-situ adjustment of the sealed interval length and port location without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration mechanisms, as the system adapts through fluid-driven expansion and contraction of individual packer segments.
2Reliability
If the testing port is positioned close to the packer elements, then fluid communication with the formation is improved, but contamination from wellbore fluids and debris increases
Solution Approach 1:
The snorkel assembly acts as an intermediary component between the testing port and the sealed formation interval. It extends the port location away from the packer elements while maintaining fluid communication through its internal passage, allowing formation fluids to enter the port without direct exposure to wellbore fluids and debris near the packer sealing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The snorkel assembly extends the testing port in a direction perpendicular to the main tool axis, creating a three-dimensional offset from the packer elements. This spatial repositioning allows the port to access formation fluids through the sealed interval without being contaminated by wellbore fluids at the packer-wellbore interface, effectively separating the sampling location from the contamination source in multiple dimensions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple packer elements are used to enable in-situ adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses hydraulic or pneumatic actuation to inflate and deflate the packer elements and position them along the tool body. This allows in-situ adjustment of the sealed interval length and port location through fluid pressure control from the surface, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces contamination of formation fluids by wellbore fluids and debris, allowing for more accurate sampling and testing by adjusting the sealed interval length and port position, ensuring cleaner formation fluid samples are obtained.
Implementation Method 1
packers are extended into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall
Implementation Method 2
using a snorkel assembly to offset the port and improve fluid communication, thereby minimizing the volume of wellbore fluids and debris
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are provided. A testing tool has a plurality of packers spaced apart along the axis of the tool, and at least a testing port. The testing tool is positioned into the wellbore and packers are extended into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall, sealing thereby an interval of the wellbore. In some embodiments, the wellbore interval sealed between two packers is adjusted downhole. In one embodiment, the location of the testing port is adjusted between two packers. The methods may be used to advantage for reducing the contamination of the formation fluid by fluids or debris in the wellbore.