Well Fluid Sampling System Pressure Maintenance

Solution Overview

Problem

During subterranean well drilling, fluid samples collected from formations often degrade due to temperature and pressure changes during retrieval and storage, leading to loss of representativeness and potential asphaltene deposition, necessitating a method to maintain sample integrity.

Innovation Solution

A fluid sampler system with sampling chambers that utilize a pressure source to maintain fluid samples above saturation pressure, combined with real-time telemetry and pressure monitoring to ensure accurate sampling and analysis without tripping the sampler out of the well.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sampling tool is withdrawn from the wellbore to retrieve the fluid sample, then the sample can be analyzed, but the temperature and pressure changes cause the sample to approach saturation pressure leading to flashing of entrained gases and asphaltene deposition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid sample representativenessVSAvoidsample integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling chamber is pressurized before withdrawal using a pressurization device that injects fluid into the chamber, pre-establishing pressure above saturation pressure. This preliminary action prevents flashing and asphaltene deposition when the sample is retrieved to the surface, maintaining sample integrity throughout the retrieval process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter of the fluid sample by using a pressurization device to maintain pressure above saturation pressure during retrieval. This parameter change prevents the sample from approaching saturation pressure, thereby avoiding phase changes and preserving sample representativeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the sampling chamber is pressurized to maintain sample integrity, then flashing and asphaltene deposition are prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample integrityVSAvoidsampling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressurization device serves multiple functions: it pressurizes the sampling chamber to prevent flashing, maintains sample integrity during retrieval, and can be used to facilitate sampling at depth. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A fluid communication pathway acts as an intermediary between the pressurization device and the sampling chamber, allowing pressure transmission without direct mechanical connection. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining sample integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the sampling ports are opened at depth to collect the sample, then the sample can be obtained from the formation, but the temperature decrease during retrieval causes shrinkage and pressure reduction of the sample

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling efficiencyVSAvoidfluid sample composition

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling chamber is pressurized before withdrawal using a pressurization device that injects fluid into the chamber, pre-establishing pressure above saturation pressure. This preliminary action prevents flashing and asphaltene deposition when the sample is retrieved to the surface, maintaining sample integrity throughout the retrieval process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter of the fluid sample by using a pressurization device to maintain pressure above saturation pressure during retrieval. This parameter change prevents the sample from approaching saturation pressure, thereby avoiding phase changes and preserving sample representativeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter 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

The system effectively preserves the fluid sample's integrity by maintaining pressure above saturation, allowing for accurate in-situ analysis and classification of reservoir fluids, reducing degradation and enabling real-time data communication for improved sampling efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A pressure source (108) is provided in communication with the sampling chambers (102) to supply pressure to the sampling chambers (102) after actuating the sampling chambers (102) to open

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure maintenance above saturation pressure: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS9771796B2Well fluid sampling confirmation and analysis

Publication Date: 2017.09.26 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An in-well type sampling system including a sampling chamber actuable to receive a fluid sample and a pressure source coupled to the sampling chamber to supply pressure to the sampling chamber after the sampling chamber actuating. A pressure sensor is provided in communication with the pressure source to measure the pressure of the pressure source. A telemetry communicator is coupled to the pressure sensor to send a signal from the pressure sensor away from the sampling system.