Downhole Separator Tank Baffles for Fluid Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole sampling tools struggle to obtain reliable formation fluid samples free from impurities like filtrate and mudcake, which can introduce errors in data analysis and affect pressure control due to gas content in the sampled fluid.
Innovation Solution
A downhole tool with a radially extendable probe member, a separator tank, and strategically arranged baffles to separate gas and liquid fractions, where the gas fraction is collected and the liquid fraction is discharged back into the wellbore, increasing the static head and reducing impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If formation fluid is sampled using a probe member, then information about formation constituents and pressure can be obtained, but the sample may contain impurities such as filtrate and mudcake that reduce data reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful gas fraction from the sampled formation fluid through a separator tank. The separator tank divides the fluid sample into gas and liquid fractions, allowing the gas to be removed separately while the liquid fraction (containing formation fluid information) is discharged back into the wellbore. This extraction process eliminates the harmful effect of gas on hydrostatic pressure while preserving the valuable liquid sample for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling system is segmented into distinct functional components: a probe member for sampling, a separator tank for dividing the sample into gas and liquid fractions, a vent line for gas removal, and a liquid discharge line for returning the liquid fraction to the wellbore. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, ensuring reliable sampling while managing impurities.
2Stress or pressure
If gas content in sampled fluid is high, then pressure control in the wellbore can be maintained, but the gas may reduce hydrostatic head of the mud column affecting pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The separator tank extracts the gas fraction from the sampled formation fluid and directs it through a vent line away from the wellbore. By removing the gas content before discharging the liquid fraction back into the wellbore, the system maintains accurate hydrostatic head and reliable pressure control without the adverse effects of gas bubbles in the mud column.
3Reliability
If a separator tank with baffles is used to separate gas and liquid fractions, then accurate sampling and pressure control are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator tank incorporates baffles that segment the internal flow path into distinct regions for gas and liquid separation. These baffles create a simple yet effective internal structure that guides the fluid flow, allows gas to rise and exit through the vent line, and directs the liquid fraction to the discharge line, achieving reliable separation without overly complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffles act as intermediary structures within the separator tank, mediating the separation process between the incoming formation fluid and the outgoing gas and liquid fractions. They provide a simple physical barrier that facilitates phase separation based on density differences without requiring complex mechanical components.
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 separates gas and liquid fractions, ensuring accurate data from the sampled fluid and maintaining pressure control by removing the gas fraction before discharging the liquid back into the wellbore, thereby enhancing the reliability of the sampling process.
Implementation Method 1
a separator tank in selective communication with a flow of fluid sampled from a formation surrounding the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
separating the sample into gas and liquid fractions
Implementation Method 3
baffles are also included which are disposed in the separator tank and are strategically disposed in an interfering path of the flow of formation fluid
Implementation Method 4
a pump disposed in the liquid drain line
Implementation Method 5
drawing formation fluid through the probe member into a sampling tool disposed in the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
Formation fluid sampled from within a wellbore is separated into gas and liquid fractions while downhole and in a wellbore. A separator vessel is used to isolate the gas and liquid fractions from one another. Baffles are arranged in a staggered formation within the separator vessel and in the path of the flow of the sampled formation fluid. Contact with the baffles perturbs the flow of sampled formation fluid, which promotes escape of the gas fraction from the fluid. The gas fraction is ported from an upper end of the sample vessel to a sample bottle for analysis. The liquid fraction collects in a lower end of the sample vessel, and is discharged into the wellbore.