Pressure compensation modules for coring tools, coring tools including pressure compensation modules, and related methods
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsChristoph Wesemeier, Thomas Uhlenberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of compensating pressure differences between interiors and exteriors of inner barrels of coring tools may involve advancing a coring tool into a wellbore, the coring tool comprising an inner barrel for receiving a core sample cut by the coring tool, a first fluid being sealed within the inner barrel. A second fluid may flow along an exterior of the inner barrel. A pressure difference between the first fluid and the second fluid may be reduced. A volume occupied by the first fluid may be compressed by moving a compensating member. The volume occupied by the first fluid may be expanded by moving the compensating member.
Claims20
A coring system, comprising:
- a coring bit configured to cut a core sample from an earth formation;
- an inner barrel connected to the coring bit, the inner barrel comprising a receptacle configured to receive the core sample bit;
- a first fluid configured to presaturate the receptacle;
- a second fluid configured to cool and lubricate the coring bit;
- and
- a compensation module positioned between the first fluid and the second fluid, the compensation module being configured to reduce pressure differences between the first fluid and the second fluid over a range of pressure differences, the compensation module comprising:
- a fluid boundary connected to the inner barrel and positioned to seal the first fluid from the second fluid, the fluid boundary being movable to enable expansion or compression of the first fluid in response to pressure differences across the fluid boundary.
A method of making a coring system, comprising:
- configuring a coring bit to cut a core out of an earth formation;
- connecting an inner barrel comprising a receptacle configured to receive the core sample to the coring bit;
- presaturating the receptacle utilizing a first fluid;
- providing a second fluid to cool and lubricate the coring bit;
- and
- positioning a compensation module between the first fluid and the second fluid, the compensation module being configured to reduce pressure differences between the first fluid and the second fluid over a range of pressure differences, the compensation module comprising:
- a fluid boundary connected to the inner barrel and positioned to seal the first fluid from the second fluid, the fluid boundary being movable to enable expansion or compression of the first fluid in response to pressure differences across the fluid boundary.
A compensation unit for a coring tool, comprising:
- a compensation module configured to reduce pressure differences between an interior of an inner barrel and an exterior of the inner barrel over a range of pressure differences, the compensation module comprising:
- a compensator housing comprising a bore extending through the compensator housing;
- and
- a compensating member connected to the compensator housing, a seal being formed between the compensating member and a surface of the compensator housing, a first volume on a first side of the compensating member being configured to contain a first fluid and a second volume on a second side of the compensating member being configured to be exposed to a second fluid, at least a portion of the compensating member being movable with respect to the compensator housing to reduce pressure differences across the compensating member over the range of pressure differences.
A method of compensating pressure differences between an interior and an exterior of an inner barrel of a coring tool, comprising:
- advancing a coring tool into a wellbore, the coring tool comprising an inner barrel configured to receive a core sample cut by the coring tool, the inner barrel comprising a first fluid sealed within the inner barrel;
- flowing a second fluid along an exterior of the inner barrel, the second fluid configured to cool and lubricate at least a portion of the coring tool;
- and
- reducing a pressure difference between the first fluid and the second fluid over a range of pressure differences, comprising at least one of:
- compressing a volume occupied by the first fluid by moving at least a portion of a compensating member in a first direction in response to a pressure difference across the compensating member, the compensating member sealably connected to the inner barrel, the compensating member being exposed to the first fluid on a first side of the compensating member and exposed to the second fluid on a second, opposing side of the compensating member;
- and
- expanding the volume occupied by the first fluid by moving the at least a portion of the compensating member in a second direction in response to a pressure difference across the compensating member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.