Downhole Probe Tool Helical Pad Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downhole fluid sampling tools often require inflatable packer elements, which are time-consuming to set and increase the risk of nonproductive time due to stuck pipes and tools, and do not maintain a large flow area without straddle packers.
Innovation Solution
A downhole fluid sampling system with spiral-shaped probe pads and fluid channels that direct fluid flow, and bypass ports for fluid circulation, allowing for efficient sampling without inflatable packers, and maintaining a large flow area and stand-off clearance from the formation wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inflatable packer elements are used to isolate wellbore sections for fluid sampling, then fluid sampling capability is improved, but setting time increases and the risk of stuck pipes and tools worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inflatable packer elements from the sampling tool, extracting the problematic component that caused setting time delays and stuck pipe risks. The sampling function is achieved through probe pads that contact the formation wall directly, eliminating the need for packer deployment and inflation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool body is segmented into multiple sampling stations with individual probe pads positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows for targeted sampling at specific wellbore sections without requiring full-length packer isolation, reducing the operational complexity and time required for sampling operations.
2Reliability
If inflatable packer elements are used to maintain flow area, then fluid isolation is improved, but the risk of nonproductive time due to stuck pipes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the inflatable packer elements that caused stuck pipe incidents. Instead, the tool uses probe pads that maintain contact with the formation wall to isolate and sample fluids, removing the source of the harmful stuck pipe effect while preserving the essential fluid isolation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If probe pads are positioned in a helical gear pattern, then sampling coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe pads are arranged in a helical gear pattern around the tool body, utilizing curved geometric patterns to achieve comprehensive sampling coverage. This curved arrangement allows probes to contact the formation wall at multiple angular positions and depths, maximizing sampling versatility while maintaining a relatively simple cylindrical tool structure.
4Ease of operation
If multiple channels are added to direct fluid flow, then fluid flow control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool body incorporates multiple separate fluid channels that segment and direct flow from different probe pads and sampling stations. This segmentation of fluid pathways allows independent control and routing of samples from various wellbore sections, improving operational flexibility while keeping each individual channel relatively simple in structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole fluid sampling system includes a tool body to attach to a tubing string, and multiple probe pads having a curved shape and disposed circumferentially about a section of the tool body in a helical gear pattern about a central longitudinal axis of the tool body. Each probe pad includes probes on an external surface of the respective probe pad, and each probe can contact and engage a wall of a wellbore and receive a flow of formation fluid from the wall of the wellbore. An outer surface of the tool body includes multiple channels disposed circumferentially about the section of the tool body and between the probe pads. The channels direct fluid flow along the tool body.