Guarded Probe Fluid Splitting for Pure Formation Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Obtaining pure formation fluids for sampling and evaluation is challenging due to contamination from drilling mud and filtrates, making it difficult to collect virgin fluid samples for accurate hydrocarbon analysis in petroleum exploration.

Innovation Solution

A guarded probe system with real-time management capabilities, where a sampling probe and a guard probe are used to separate fluid flows, allowing the sampling probe to collect uncontaminated formation fluids by drawing wellbore fluids away, utilizing sensors and a processor to determine when to split the flow lines based on measured properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional guarded probe is used to separate wellbore fluids from formation fluids, then pure formation fluid sampling is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepure formation fluid samplingVSAvoidguarded probe operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time monitoring of fluid properties (density, temperature, pressure) during the probing operation. The system continuously compares measured fluid characteristics against predetermined thresholds and automatically adjusts probe positioning or triggers alerts when contamination is detected, enabling dynamic optimization of sampling without complex manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically identifies and collects pure formation fluid samples by monitoring fluid properties in real-time and triggering sampling operations when purity criteria are met, reducing the need for continuous operator intervention and complex manual decision-making during the probing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If real-time fluid property monitoring is implemented to determine when to split flow lines, then sampling accuracy is improved, but use of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid property measurementVSAvoidsensor and processor energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors fluid properties continuously but only triggers full sampling operations when predetermined purity thresholds are exceeded. During transitional periods or when thresholds are not met, the system performs minimal monitoring actions, reducing energy consumption while maintaining the capability to detect pure formation fluids when they become available

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts monitoring thresholds and sampling parameters based on real-time fluid property measurements and operational conditions. By adapting the sensitivity and frequency of measurements to current wellbore conditions, the system maintains high measurement precision while minimizing energy expenditure during low-activity periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the collection of pure formation fluids by effectively separating wellbore fluids from formation fluids, improving the accuracy of hydrocarbon sampling and reducing contamination, while also being more operationally efficient compared to traditional guarded probes.

Implementation Method 1

the guard probe may be configured to draw wellbore fluids away from the sampling probe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

utilizing sensors and a processor to determine when to split the flow lines based on measured properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7857049B2System and method for operational management of a guarded probe for formation fluid sampling

Publication Date: 2010.12.28 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for real-time management of a guarded probe device down a wellbore that is being used for formation fluid sampling. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide for operational management of the guarded probe device to provide for splitting a flowline coupled with the guarded probe into two separate flow lines after the sampling process has begun, wherein one of the two separate flow-lines is coupled with a sampling probe in the guarded probe device and the other flowline is coupled with a guard probe in the guarded probe device.