Formation Fluid Sampling Contamination Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

During wellbore drilling, the drilling fluid contaminates the formation fluid, leading to contaminated samples being collected in secondary flow lines, which then contaminate the sample chambers, making it essential to remove contamination before collecting clean formation fluid samples.

Innovation Solution

A formation testing system with a contamination removal device associated with each secondary fluid line that uses a fluid analyzer and flow control devices to direct contaminated fluid back into the wellbore until the contamination level is acceptable, then directs clean fluid into the sample chambers, utilizing a controller to manage the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drilling fluid is circulated under pressure to drill the wellbore, then drilling operations can proceed effectively, but the drilling fluid invades the formation and contaminates the formation fluid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling efficiencyVSAvoidformation fluid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes contaminated drilling fluid from the system by routing it back through the wellbore using flow control devices, while directing clean formation fluid into sample chambers for analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the fluid flow path into multiple channels using flow control devices, separating contaminated fluid (routed back to wellbore) from clean formation fluid (directed to sample chambers)

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If secondary flow lines are used to transport formation fluid to sample chambers, then fluid can be collected for analysis, but contamination in the secondary lines enters the sample chambers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample collection capabilityVSAvoidsample purity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by flushing and clearing contamination from secondary flow lines before directing formation fluid into sample chambers, ensuring sample purity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Flow control devices act as intermediaries between the secondary flow lines and sample chambers, controlling and regulating fluid flow to prevent contamination entry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If contaminated fluid is allowed to flow through the system, then fluid transport occurs, but the contamination cannot be removed from the fluid lines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flowVSAvoidcontamination persistence

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the harmful contaminated fluid into a beneficial flushing medium by routing it back through the wellbore, using its flow to clear contamination from lines while maintaining overall fluid circulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP2925963B1Apparatus and method for obtaining formation fluid samples

Publication Date: 2017.12.20 BAKER HUGHES CO

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AI summary

In one aspect, an apparatus for obtaining a fluid from a formation is disclosed that in embodiment may include a fluid extraction device that extracts the fluid from the formation into a first fluid line, a sample chamber coupled to the first fluid line via a second fluid line that receives the fluid from the first fluid line, wherein the first fluid line and the second fluid line receive contaminated formation fluid when the fluid extraction device initially extracts the fluid from the formation, and a fluid removal device associated with the second fluid line for receiving at least a portion of the contaminated formation fluid from the second fluid line.