Guarded Probe Fluid Sampling for Contamination Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges arise in obtaining pure formation fluids for sampling and evaluation due to contamination from drilling mud and filtrate, making it difficult to obtain virgin fluid samples for accurate hydrocarbon analysis in petroleum exploration.
Innovation Solution
A guarded-probe-sampling-device system that uses a sampling probe and a guard probe to collect fluid samples, with real-time sensing and processing of properties to manage the sampling process, allowing for the identification and separation of contaminant levels and prediction of fluid composition, ensuring the collection of virgin formation fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a probe is extended to draw formation fluids from the formation, then fluid sampling capability is improved, but contamination from drilling mud and filtrate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into two distinct zones: a guard zone with a guard probe that draws contaminants preferentially, and a sampling zone with a sampling probe that collects pure formation fluids. This segmentation separates the contaminant removal function from the sampling function, enabling both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard probe acts as an intermediary element between the contaminated wellbore environment and the sampling probe. It preferentially draws contaminants into the guard zone, protecting the sampling zone from contamination and enabling collection of pure formation fluids.
2Extent of automation
If real-time sensing and processing is implemented, then sampling process management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor fluid properties in both the guard zone and sampling zone, providing real-time feedback to a processor. The processor analyzes this data to determine when pure formation fluids are being sampled, enabling automated control of the sampling process and optimization of sample collection timing.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for real-time management of formation fluid sampling down a wellbore using a guarded probe. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention provide for management of downhole fluid sampling by sensing properties of fluids collected by a downhole-fluid-sampling-device, modeling the fluid sampling process from these sensed properties and using the modeling of the fluid sampling process to manage in real-time the fluid sampling process.