Retrievable Downhole Sampling Tool With Self-Sealing Flowline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for obtaining downhole fluid samples often require interrupting downhole operations, and existing methods struggle to maintain samples under desired pressure and prevent contamination during extraction and transport.
Innovation Solution
A downhole drilling tool with a fixed portion for establishing fluid communication and a retrievable portion that includes sample chambers, connected via a flowline, allowing for sample collection and transport to the surface without removing the tool, utilizing a latching mechanism and self-sealing mechanism to maintain pressure and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tool is removed from the wellbore to obtain samples, then samples can be collected and analyzed, but downhole operations are interrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into a fixed portion that remains in the wellbore and a retrievable portion containing sample chambers that can be extracted independently. This segmentation allows sample retrieval without removing the entire tool, thus maintaining continuous downhole operations while enabling efficient sample collection and analysis.
2Ease of operation
If the tool is removed from the wellbore to retrieve samples, then samples can be obtained, but the complexity of the operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tool into fixed and retrievable portions with a latching mechanism, the system enables simple sample retrieval operations while managing device complexity through modular design. The retrievable portion can be easily extracted using wireline or slickline methods without requiring complete tool removal.
Solution Approach 2:
A latching mechanism serves as an intermediary between the fixed and retrievable portions, enabling controlled separation and retrieval. This intermediary component simplifies the retrieval operation while managing the overall system complexity through a dedicated interface mechanism.
3Reliability
If samples are extracted from the downhole tool, then samples can be transported to the surface, but pressure maintenance and contamination prevention become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retrievable portion containing sample chambers is extracted from the fixed portion while maintaining sample integrity. The extraction mechanism is designed to preserve pressure conditions and prevent contamination during the separation and retrieval process, ensuring reliable sample transport to the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism and self-sealing flowline connections act as intermediaries that maintain pressure and prevent contamination during sample chamber extraction. These intermediary components ensure sample integrity while enabling the extraction operation.
4Measurement precision
If the entire tool is removed for sample analysis, then comprehensive evaluation can be performed, but productivity decreases due to operation interruption
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tool into fixed and retrievable portions, the invention enables retrieval of only the sample-containing portion for analysis. This allows comprehensive formation evaluation through sample analysis while maintaining drilling operation continuity, as the fixed portion remains in place to resume operations immediately after sample retrieval.
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole drilling tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The tool includes a formation evaluation tool having fixed and retrievable portions. The fixed portion is operatively connected to a drill collar of the downhole tool. The fixed portion is for establishing fluid communication with a subterranean formation. The retrievable portion is fluidly connected to the fixed portion and retrievable therefrom to a surface location. The retrievable portion is for receiving a formation fluid from the subterranean formation.