Dual Packer Formation Tester with Reverse Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current formation testing instruments face limitations in precision and efficiency due to interference factors and the need for spherical fluid flow, particularly in complex formations like low porosity and low permeability, leading to lengthy operations and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A formation testing instrument with a dual packer module and reverse injection module, using acidizing liquid to establish communication between probes and improve permeability, allowing for direct measurement of flow relationships to determine vertical permeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional formation tester uses three-probe combination module with spherical percolation theory, then vertical permeability can be obtained, but measurement precision is limited due to interference factors and columnar flow conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical permeability measurement precisionVSAvoidinterference factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces acidizing liquid as an intermediary substance to establish communication between probes and the formation. The acidizing liquid serves as a mediator that enables direct flow measurement between probes, eliminating the need for spherical percolation theory and reducing interference from columnar flow conditions. This intermediary approach allows for more accurate permeability measurement in complex formation conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If dual packer module is used to set a segment of formation for sampling, then suction area is increased to avoid influence of low permeability, but operation time increases to dozens of hours to exclude contaminated fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation fluid sampling accuracyVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the formation testing into distinct segments: acidizing liquid injection through the second probe, fluid suction through the first probe, and flow measurement. This segmentation allows for targeted testing of specific formation segments without requiring extended waiting periods to exclude contaminated fluid, as the acidizing liquid creates controlled flow paths that enable direct measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of suctioning formation fluid directly through packers and waiting for contamination to clear, the patent inverts the approach by injecting acidizing liquid into the formation and measuring the flow response. This inversion eliminates the need for prolonged waiting periods to exclude contaminated fluid, as the acidizing liquid creates immediate, measurable flow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If dual packer module sets a large segment of formation, then low permeability is avoided, but cost increases due to long operation time and increased downhole time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting reliability in low permeability formationVSAvoidtesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using the acidizing liquid to create localized flow paths between specific probes and the formation. Instead of requiring large-scale packer settings to ensure sufficient suction area, the acidizing liquid concentrates the flow measurement in specific localized regions, enabling reliable permeability measurement in low permeability formation without extended operation times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 approach significantly reduces operation time from dozens of hours to 2-3 hours, enhances precision, and lowers costs and risks by simplifying the testing process and improving formation physical properties.

Implementation Method 1

using the second pump to inject the acidizing liquid in the reverse injection module into the fluid region in the formation by the second probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcidizing:

Implementation Method 2

using the first pump to suck the fluid in the formation by the first probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

detecting the flow of the acidizing liquid flowed into the first probe and the flow of the acidizing liquid injected into the second probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS9988899B2Rock formation testing method and formation testing instrument

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 CHINA NAT OFFSHORE OIL CORP

AI summary

A method of formation testing and a formation testing instrument are provided. The formation testing instrument includes a first pump, a dual packer module, a reverse injection module and a second pump. The dual packer module is provided with a support arm at one side thereof capable of setting after deployed; and the dual packer module is provided with first and second probes at the other side. The first probe is located above the second probe and the first and second probes can establish a channel with the formation. The second pump injects the acidizing liquid in the reverse injection module into the fluid region in the formation by the second probe; and the first pump sucks the fluid in the formation by the first probe.