Drill Pipe Formation Stress Testing in High-Permeability Strata

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stress testing methods struggle with high permeability geological formations due to fluid loss and inability to achieve required flow rates for fracture propagation, especially with clear fluids, limiting the number of tests and requiring specialized systems for better data quality.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a drill pipe-based formation tester system that uses surface pumps to inject fluids at high rates through the drill pipe and formation tester flowlines, enabling fracture propagation over larger intervals with solids-free fluids and facilitating easier operation and reduced costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional formation testers are used with downhole pumps, then testing can be performed in low to medium permeability formations, but fluid loss dominates and prevents fracture propagation in high permeability formations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture propagation capabilityVSAvoidfluid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary fluid system using drill pipe and surface pumps as a mediator between the surface equipment and the formation. This intermediary system allows high-rate fluid injection to overcome formation permeability losses, enabling fracture propagation in high permeability formations where conventional downhole pumps fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional downhole pump mechanical system with a surface-based pump system connected through drill pipe. This substitution allows utilization of higher power surface equipment to achieve the necessary injection rates for high permeability formations, overcoming the limitations of downhole pump capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If clear fluids are used for stress testing, then higher quality data is obtained, but even higher flow rates are required to overcome higher fluid losses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata qualityVSAvoidinjection rate requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drill pipe system acts as an intermediary that enables delivery of clear fluids at the required high rates. The intermediate fluid pathway allows precise control and delivery of clear testing fluids to the formation, maintaining data quality while overcoming the challenge of high fluid losses through adequate rate delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of stationary object

If the isolated interval is extended over default values to achieve larger testing zones, then more comprehensive formation evaluation is possible, but sufficiently high flow rates become difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolated interval lengthVSAvoidachievable flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the limited downhole pump system with a surface pump system connected via drill pipe, providing sufficient mechanical power to achieve high flow rates over extended isolated intervals. The surface-based system overcomes the flow rate limitations that would otherwise prevent effective testing of larger formation zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If wireline-based stress testing is performed in high permeability formations, then conventional methods can be used, but the tests cannot achieve required flow rates for fracture propagation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireline-based testing capabilityVSAvoidflow rate achievement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal testing system that combines wireline-based deployment with drill pipe fluid delivery capability. This multi-functional approach allows the same equipment to perform both wireline-based stress testing and high-rate fluid injection, adapting conventional wireline methodology to work effectively in high permeability formations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 wireline-based stress testing with high permeability formations, achieving better data quality, fracture propagation over larger intervals, and reducing operational costs by using solids-free fluids and surface pumps.

Implementation Method 1

Surface pumps can then push the drill pipe fluid at a high rate into the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

performing an injection of a fluid obtained from the drill pipe into the testing location in the geological formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

setting at least two packers at the testing location in a wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical sealing:

Implementation Method 4

determining when the at least one breakdown cycle injection with fluid results in an open reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS12590538B2Method and apparatus for stress testing of geological formations with a high permeability

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Embodiments presented provide for stress testing of downhole wireline formation testing equipment. Certain embodiments provide for stress testing of geological stratum which exhibit high permeability.