Decoupled Heating and Sampling for Heavy Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sampling heavy oil from subterranean formations is challenging due to its low mobility, which causes non-reversible changes and contamination during the sampling process, especially in unconsolidated formations where traditional sampling methods result in emulsions and phase transitions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves heating a portion of the subterranean formation using a downhole tool to increase fluid mobility, followed by a separate sampling tool that precisely targets the heated area to obtain a chemically representative sample, decoupling heating and sampling operations for optimal control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional sampling methods are used on heavy oil in unconsolidated formations, then sampling can be performed with standard equipment, but the low mobility of heavy oil causes emulsions and phase transitions that contaminate the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The formation is heated before sampling to increase heavy oil mobility. The heating tool is positioned adjacent to the sampling location and heats the formation to reduce viscosity, allowing the heavy oil to flow more freely to the sampling probe without causing emulsions or phase transitions during the sampling process.
Solution Approach 2:
A heating tool serves as an intermediary between the formation and the sampling probe. By introducing thermal energy as a mediating factor, the heavy oil's mobility is enhanced, enabling it to reach the sampling probe in a controlled manner that prevents contamination and maintains sample integrity.
2Productivity
If sampler pumps operate at minimum fluid-flow rate of 0.1 cm3/s, then the sampling process can proceed, but large pressure drops are generated that result in emulsions and formation collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The viscosity parameter of the heavy oil is changed by heating the formation. This parameter change allows the oil to flow at lower pressure gradients, enabling sampling at reduced flow rates that prevent formation collapse and emulsion formation while still achieving adequate sampling productivity.
3Speed
If heating is applied to increase heavy oil mobility, then the oil becomes more mobile for sampling, but the heating process may cause non-reversible changes to the hydrocarbon fluid
Solution Approach 1:
Heating is applied locally only to the immediate vicinity of the sampling probe rather than the entire formation. This localized heating approach increases mobility sufficient for sampling while minimizing the volume of hydrocarbon fluid exposed to elevated temperatures, thereby reducing the risk of non-reversible compositional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The formation is heated briefly before sampling to achieve the necessary mobility increase, then the sampling is performed quickly while the formation is still warm. This preliminary heating action provides sufficient mobility enhancement without prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures that would cause compositional 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
This approach allows for accurate, contamination-free sampling of heavy oil that represents the formation's characteristics, enabling effective production strategies without causing permanent changes to the sample, thus improving the reliability of heavy oil extraction.
Implementation Method 1
heating with the heater the portion of the subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sampling fluid from a subterranean formation includes positioning a first tool having a heater in a borehole so that the heater is adjacent a portion of the subterranean formation; heating with the heater the portion of the subterranean formation; removing the first tool from the borehole; orienting a second tool having a sampling probe in the borehole so that the sampling probe is to contact a portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater; and obtaining via the sampling probe a fluid sample from the portion of the subterranean formation heated by the heater.