Insulated Coil Sampling Tool for Heavy Oil Reservoirs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sampling heavy oil reservoirs are inadequate, as they fail to effectively apply heat in situ, leading to inefficient viscosity measurement and sampling, especially in producing wells without mudcake and where the wellbore pressure is less than reservoir pressure.

Innovation Solution

The use of an annular downhole sampling tool augmented by an insulated coil that circulates a heated fluid through the reservoir, allowing for concurrent heat application and sampling, utilizing a well completion system with a surface pump and downhole pump to manage fluid flow and temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing sampling methods are used in heavy oil reservoirs, then sampling can be performed in conventional wells, but the methods are inadequate for heavy oil with viscosity above 1000 cp and cannot effectively apply heat in situ

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to heavy oil reservoirs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter of the reservoir by circulating heated fluid through the coiled tubing, transforming the heavy oil from a high-viscosity state to a flowable state, enabling effective sampling that was previously impossible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coiled tubing system serves multiple functions: it delivers heated fluid for thermal stimulation, provides a pathway for sampling tools, and enables concurrent heating and sampling operations, making the system adaptable to heavy oil reservoirs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Temperature

If heat is applied to reduce heavy oil viscosity, then the oil becomes flowable for sampling, but supplying enough power with cables is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir temperatureVSAvoidpower supply capability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses heated formation water or other fluids as an intermediary heat transfer medium, circulated through the coiled tubing to deliver thermal energy to the reservoir, avoiding the need for direct electrical power supply downhole

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical/electrical heating system (cables and downhole heaters) with a fluid-based thermal stimulation system, using the circulation of pre-heated fluid to deliver the required thermal energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If heated fluid is pumped down conventional tubing, then heat can be delivered to the reservoir, but most heat is lost due to heat transfer by the time it reaches the sampling region

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid temperatureVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses flexible coiled tubing as a conduit for heated fluid, allowing the tubing to be positioned close to the reservoir formation, thereby reducing heat loss through the tubing wall and improving heat transfer efficiency to the target zone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The coiled tubing configuration allows the heated fluid to be delivered radially closer to the reservoir formation compared to conventional vertical tubing, effectively adding a radial dimension to heat delivery and reducing thermal losses along the vertical path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a sampling tool is deployed to supply heat and sample concurrently, then heavy oil can be sampled in producing wells, but the tool must operate in low-pressure wellbores without mudcake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling capability in producing wellsVSAvoidwellbore pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary heating of the heavy oil through coiled tubing circulation before sampling, reducing the oil's viscosity in advance to enable successful sampling operations in low-pressure wellbores where conventional methods would fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient sampling of heavy oil compositions with viscosities above 1000 cp by maintaining heat at the reservoir, facilitating accurate viscosity measurements and sampling, even in low-pressure wellbores, thus supporting informed heavy oil reservoir development.

Implementation Method 1

circulating a heated fluid in a first region of a reservoir where a heavy oil composition is present... using an insulated coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

circulating a heated fluid... through the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

well completion system with a surface pump and downhole pump to manage fluid flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7464755B2Methods and systems for sampling heavy oil reservoirs

Publication Date: 2008.12.16 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems and are described for isolating or manipulating a sample of a heavy oil composition from a hydrocarbon reservoir. One method embodiment of the invention comprises circulating a heated fluid in a first region of a reservoir where a heavy oil composition is present or believed present using a surface pump and a well completion comprising a downhole pump for a time and flow rate sufficient to produce flowable heavy oil composition, the well completion comprising a sampling tool; and sampling the flowable heavy oil composition using the sampling tool. This abstract complies with rules requiring an abstract. It should not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).