Reservoir Sampling Tools and Methods
AssigneeGushor Inc.
InventorsStephen Richard Larter, Barry Bennett, Lioyd Ross Snowdon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques for sampling a subsurface reservoir include lowering a downhole logging tool comprising one or more samplers, a cleaner system, and a sample probe bit into a borehole until at least one sampler is positioned correctly in a subterranean reservoir; advancing the cleaner system into the reservoir cleaning mud filtrate and contaminated reservoir material away into a mud column; advancing the sample probe bit into the reservoir; and solvent is injected into the reservoir from the solvent reservoir.
Claims67
A system for sampling a subsurface reservoir comprising:
- a sampling device comprising a cylindrical member that comprises a closed distal end and an end member that extends from the closed distal end, the end member configured to extend a first distance beyond the closed distal end and penetrate into a wall of a subterranean reservoir to a first depth;
- and
- a sampling and recovery system positioned within the cylindrical member and configured to:
- penetrate through the closed distal end of the cylindrical member and into the subterranean reservoir to a second depth that is greater than the first depth;
- and
- recover a sample of reservoir material or reservoir fluids from the reservoir.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein:
- the first depth is greater than a thickness of at least one of a contaminated layer coating the wall or invaded into the reservoir;
- and
- the sample is substantially free of contaminants from the contaminated layer.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the sampling device is positionable on a tool configured to be lowered into a borehole formed in the reservoir.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein multiple sampling devices are positionable on a tool configured to be lowered into a borehole formed in the reservoir.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the closed distal end of the cylindrical member is configured to open outwardly flower-style into the reservoir when drilled through by the sampling bit.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the closed distal end of the cylindrical member comprises an exit area which can be drilled through once the cylindrical member is drilled into the reservoir.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the sample comprises heavy oil or bitumen or reservoir water, the system further comprising:
- an extraction device configured to extract heavy oil or bitumen from the sample;
- and
- an analysis device configured to receive the extracted heavy oil or bitumen and determine one or more properties of the extracted heavy oil or bitumen.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the extraction device extracts the heavy oil or bitumen in situ in the borehole and the analysis device determines the one or more properties of the extracted heavy oil or bitumen in situ.
The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the analysis device comprises a viscometer or rheometer configured to determine an absolute viscosity of the extracted heavy oil or bitumen solution.
A system for sampling a subsurface reservoir comprising:
- sampling device comprising a cylindrical member that comprises a closed distal end and an end member that extends from the closed distal end, the end member configured to extend a first distance beyond the closed distal end and penetrate into a wall of a subterranean reservoir to a first depth;
- a sampling tube positioned within the cylindrical member;
- a penetration device positioned within the sampling tube and configured to penetrate through the closed distal end of the cylindrical member and into the subterranean reservoir to a second depth that is greater than the first depth, where the distal end provides a shield from the contaminated layer;
- a solvent injecting device configured to extend from the sampling tube and inject a spectroscopically distinct polar solvent into the reservoir, wherein the solvent extracts a fluid sample from the reservoir;
- and
- a pump configured to withdraw fluid from the reservoir into the solvent injecting device, the fluid comprising the solvent and the fluid sample.
A method comprising:
- selecting an analytical method;
- analyzing a suite of calibration oils;
- and
- analyzing samples of the suite of calibration oils for chemical composition using a sensor system.
A method comprising:
- lowering a downhole logging tool comprising one or more samplers, a cleaner system, and a sample probe bit into a borehole until at least one sampler is positioned correctly in a subterranean reservoir;
- advancing the cleaner system into the reservoir cleaning mud filtrate and contaminated reservoir material away into a mud column;
- advancing the sample probe bit into the reservoir;
- and
- solvent is injected into the reservoir from the solvent reservoir.
The method of 62, further comprising examining, with the sensor, the sample at reservoir pressure and temperature maintained across a polymer membrane via an environmental equalization port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.