Elongated Probe Sealing Elements for Low Mobility Formation Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formation fluid testers are less effective in formations with low mobility, as they tend to have higher contamination from drilling fluids due to flow dynamics, limiting their sampling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a probe assembly with an inner and outer elongated sealing element, where the inner sealing element defines a sample flow path and the outer sealing element defines a guard flow path, allowing for improved fluid sampling by minimizing contamination through the use of movable sealing elements and actuated flow lines, enabling better engagement with the subterranean formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional circular sealing elements are used in formation fluid testers, then the apparatus can sample fluids in medium to high mobility formations, but the sampling efficiency decreases and contamination increases in low mobility formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sealing element geometry from conventional circular shape to elongated shape (with length greater than width), creating an asymmetric configuration that improves engagement with formation walls in low mobility formations and reduces contamination while maintaining sampling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional circular sealing element to a three-dimensional elongated sealing element with significant length, adding a new dimensional aspect that enables better contact with formation walls and improved sampling performance in low mobility formations
2Reliability
If the outer diameter of the sealing element is increased to improve engagement with formation walls, then the sealing performance improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of deployment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs movable sealing elements that can be actuated between retracted and extended positions, allowing the sealing elements to dynamically engage with formation walls during sampling operations while maintaining ease of deployment through controlled actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the sealing system into multiple independent elongated sealing elements (inner and outer sealers) that can be separately actuated and controlled, reducing overall system complexity while improving sealing performance through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a tool body configured to be conveyed within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, an inflatable packer coupled to the tool body, and a probe assembly coupled to the tool body and comprising an inner sealing element and an outer sealing element, wherein at least one of the inner sealing element and the outer sealing element comprises an elongated shape, and wherein at least a portion of the probe assembly is disposed on the inflatable packer.