Downhole Viscosity-Pressure Profile Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole fluid analysis methods lack the capability to accurately determine viscosity-pressure profiles in real-time during sampling operations, which is crucial for optimizing hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool equipped with pressure and viscosity sensors that measure fluid properties during various phases of a sampling operation, including pumping, sample chamber filling, pressure build-up, and probe retraction, allowing for the determination of a viscosity-pressure profile using a controller that executes instructions to generate a representative equation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If viscosity is measured at multiple pressure phases during sampling operation, then viscosity-pressure profile determination accuracy is improved, but measurement complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring viscosity during the pumping phase before the sampling operation is complete. This allows viscosity data to be collected at different pressure phases (pumping, filling, pressure build-up, retraction) without waiting for the entire sampling sequence to finish, thereby reducing total measurement time while maintaining profile accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous viscosity measurement throughout all phases of the sampling operation. The viscosity sensor continuously monitors fluid viscosity during pumping, sample chamber filling, pressure build-up, and probe retraction phases, ensuring no useful measurement opportunity is lost and enabling complete viscosity-pressure profile determination.
2Measurement precision
If real-time viscosity measurements are taken during all sampling phases, then fluid property measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The downhole tool integrates multiple functions into a single device: the viscosity sensor serves all sampling phases (pumping, filling, pressure build-up, retraction), the pressure sensor provides pressure data throughout the operation, and the controller processes all measurements to generate the viscosity-pressure profile. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines viscosity sensing, pressure sensing, and data processing capabilities into an integrated downhole tool assembly. The controller merges data from both sensors and correlates viscosity measurements with corresponding pressure phases to produce the viscosity-pressure profile, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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
Enables real-time determination of viscosity-pressure profiles, facilitating adjustments to maximize hydrocarbon production by providing accurate fluid property measurements across different pressure phases.
Implementation Method 1
a viscosity sensor to measure viscosities of the formation fluid within the flowline
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor to measure pressures of formation fluid within a flowline
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for determining a viscosity-pressure profile of downhole fluid by measuring the viscosity at several different pressures during a sampling operation. According to certain embodiments, the viscosity may be measured at different times during a sampling operation and used to generate the viscosity-pressure profile. For example, the viscosity may be measured at the beginning of pumping, during filling of a sample chamber, during a pressure-build up period, and while retracting the probe. The measured viscosities may then be employed to determine a profile that represents the change in viscosity that occurs with pressure.