Formation Testing Tool Dual-Zone Contamination Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current formation testing methods require extensive time to obtain samples of formation fluids with acceptable levels of mud-filtrate contamination, as the filtrate can take hours or days to reach acceptable levels, leading to inefficient use of drilling resources.
Innovation Solution
A formation testing tool and method that includes a sample flow element, a contamination removal flow element, and a controller to control flow rates, allowing for the extraction of formation fluid with reduced contamination levels in a shorter time by isolating a sample zone and a contamination removal zone, and optimizing flow rates to minimize contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If formation fluid is continuously extracted over a time interval to minimize filtrate contamination, then the sample purity is improved, but the time required to obtain a usable sample increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the formation testing process into two distinct spatial zones: a contamination removal zone where filtrate-contaminated fluid is extracted and discarded, and a sample zone where clean formation fluid is collected. This segmentation allows simultaneous contamination removal and sample acquisition, resolving the time-purity contradiction by parallelizing what was previously a sequential process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary contamination removal flow element that acts as a mediator between the formation and the sample collection system. This intermediary component extracts and removes contaminated fluid from the contamination removal zone, preventing it from contaminating the sample zone and enabling faster acquisition of pure samples
2Productivity
If drilling resources are used efficiently by making decisions based on sample tests, then drilling productivity is improved, but the extensive time required for sample preparation reduces overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary contamination removal in a dedicated zone before sample collection begins. By pre-establishing the contamination removal flow element and removing filtrate in advance, the system prepares the formation environment for rapid sample acquisition, reducing the total time needed to obtain usable samples for drilling decisions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a formation testing tool for extracting formation fluid from an earth formation penetrated by a borehole having a drilling fluid. The tool includes: a sample flow element configured to extract formation fluid from the formation in a sample zone; a sample zone seal forming a perimeter defining the sample zone; a contamination removal flow element configured to extract formation fluid contaminated with the drilling fluid from a contamination removal zone in the formation; a contamination removal zone seal forming a perimeter defining the contamination removal zone, which surrounds and excludes the sample zone; and a controller configured to control a sample flow rate in the sample flow element and a contamination removal flow rate in the contamination flow removal element in order to decrease an amount of time required to acquire a sample of the formation fluid having an acceptable amount of contamination.