Packer Element with Laminar Fluid Entry for Borehole Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sampling fluids in subsurface formations often result in contaminated or mixed samples, which compromise the accuracy of reservoir evaluation data essential for hydrocarbon field development.
Innovation Solution
A sampling tool with a permeable media filling an annular space around a sampling port, featuring radial flow channels that segregate fluid flow, ensuring pristine samples by isolating fluid inflows and preventing contamination, and a support face that contacts the borehole wall to prevent collapse and facilitate fluid extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sampling methods are used, then sampling operation is simple, but fluid samples become contaminated or mixed
Solution Approach 1:
The permeable media is divided into multiple discrete flow channels, each channel acting as an independent pathway for fluid flow. This segmentation prevents mixing between adjacent flow paths and ensures that samples collected from different channels remain distinct and uncontaminated, directly addressing the sample purity issue while maintaining a manageable device structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the permeable media are designed with different functional properties - some channels are optimized for specific flow rates, others for different pressure conditions, and each channel maintains unique flow characteristics. This local differentiation ensures that each sampling location provides pristine, uncontaminated samples while the overall device remains structurally integrated
2Reliability
If permeable media is used to isolate flow paths, then fluid flow isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs permeable media with controlled porosity to create multiple discrete flow channels within a single integrated component. The porous structure naturally provides flow isolation through its internal geometry, eliminating the need for additional sealing elements or complex partition structures, thus achieving reliable flow path isolation without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable media is designed as a composite structure combining multiple functional properties within a single material system - providing both structural support and flow isolation simultaneously. This composite approach consolidates multiple functions into one component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective flow path separation
3Strength
If support face contacts borehole wall, then borehole wall stability is improved, but sampling zone accessibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling ports and flow channels are nested within the permeable media structure, which itself is contained within the sampling tool housing. The support face contacts the borehole wall externally while the sampling functionality is nested internally, allowing both borehole support and sampling accessibility to coexist without interference
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
The tool effectively isolates and extracts formation fluids, preventing contamination and ensuring accurate sampling, thereby enhancing the reliability of reservoir data for hydrocarbon field evaluations.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of radial flow channels conveying fluid between the borehole wall and the port
Implementation Method 2
a permeable media filling an annular space surrounding the port
Implementation Method 3
The permeable media may include a circumferential support face contacting a borehole wall
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for retrieving a fluid from a sampling zone in a borehole intersecting a formation may include a sampling tool having a port positioned in the sampling zone and a permeable media filling an annular space surrounding the port. The permeable media may include a circumferential support face, a first plurality of radial flow channels, and a second plurality of radial flow channels. The support face extends axially and uniformly along a length of the sampling zone. The circumferential support face contacts a borehole wall. The first plurality of radial flow channels conveys fluid between the borehole wall and the port. The second plurality of radial flow channels conveys fluid between the borehole wall and a location isolated from the port.