Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080245569 | Apparatus and Methods to Perform Focused Sampling of Reservoir Fluid - Apparatus and methods to perform focused sampling of reservoir fluid are described. An example method couples a sampling probe to a subterranean formation and, while the sampling probe is coupled to the subterranean formation, varies a pumping ratio of at least two displacement units to reduce a contamination level of a formation flu id extracted via the sampling probe from the subterranean formation. | 10-09-2008 |
20090008079 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO SAMPLE HEAVY OIL IN A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION - A method for sampling fluid in a subterranean formation includes, reducing a viscosity a fluid, pressurizing a portion of the subterranean formation, and collecting a fluid sample. Specifically, a viscosity of a fluid in a portion of the subterranean formation is reduced and a portion of the subterranean formation is pressurizing by injecting a displacement fluid into the subterranean formation. A sample of the fluid pressurized by the displacement fluid is then collected. | 01-08-2009 |
20090200016 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO FACILITATE FORMATION SAMPLING - A downhole tool for extracting a sample from a subsurface formation includes an emitter of electromagnetic energy configured to heat water in the subsurface formation. A method for extracting a sample from a subsurface formation involves conveying a downhole tool in a wellbore drilled through the subsurface formation, the downhole tool having an emitter of electromagnetic energy configured to heat water in the subsurface formation, and actuating the emitter to expose a portion of the formation to electromagnetic energy. | 08-13-2009 |
20090211756 | FORMATION TESTER WITH LOW FLOWLINE VOLUME - A downhole tool for use in a well may comprise a vessel having a piston or a valve disposed therein and defining first and second volumes wherein the first volume is configured to receive formation fluid from an inlet port, and an actuator configured to extract formation fluid, the actuator being fluidly isolated from a fluid flow path extending between the inlet port and the first volume. The downhole tool may also comprise a flow-line configured to deliver formation fluid to the vessel, and an actuator configured to register an end of the flow-line with the inlet of the vessel. | 08-27-2009 |
20090282907 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL A FORMATION TESTING OPERATION BASED ON A MUDCAKE LEAKAGE - Methods and apparatus to control a formation testing operation based on a mudcake leakage are disclosed. A disclosed example method for use with a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore comprises measuring a property of a mudcake layer at a first location in a wellbore, determining a value representative of an estimated leakage through the mudcake layer based on the property, and determining, based on the value, whether to continue a formation testing operation. | 11-19-2009 |
20100319991 | Wall Contact Caliper Instruments for Use in a Drill String - A drill string caliper includes a mandrel configured to be coupled within a drill string. At least one laterally extensible arm is coupled to an exterior of the mandrel. A biasing device is configured to urge the at least one arm into contact with a wall of a wellbore. A sensor is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to a lateral extent of the at least one arm. | 12-23-2010 |
20110123368 | HYBRID PUMPING SYSTEM FOR A DOWNHOLE TOOL - A pumping system and method to be used within a downhole tool is disclosed herein. The pumping system includes a displacement unit having a cavity formed therein, in which the cavity is configured to receive a fluid therein. A hydraulic driving device and a mechanical driving device are then both included within the system such that both the hydraulic driving device and the mechanical driving device are configured to drive a piston of the displacement unit to receive the fluid within the cavity. | 05-26-2011 |
20110320127 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL A FORMATION TESTING OPERATION BASED ON A MUDCAKE LEAKAGE - Methods and apparatus to control a formation testing operation based on a mudcake leakage are disclosed. A disclosed example method for use with a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore comprises measuring a property of a mudcake layer at a first location in a wellbore, determining a value representative of an estimated leakage through the mudcake layer based on the property, and determining, based on the value, whether to continue a formation testing operation. | 12-29-2011 |
20120055711 | WALL CONTACT CALIPER INSTRUMENTS FOR USE IN A DRILL STRING - A drill string caliper includes a mandrel configured to be coupled within a drill string. At least one laterally extensible arm is coupled to an exterior of the mandrel. A biasing device is configured to urge the at least one arm into contact with a wall of a wellbore. A sensor is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to a lateral extent of the at least one arm. | 03-08-2012 |
20140020783 | Method and Apparatus for Reducing Fluid Flow Friction in a Pipe - A tubular pipe adapted for transporting oil and water may be treated upon its interior surface to reduce frictional pressure of a multiphase oil/water mixture flowing through the pipe. The tubular pipe may have an interior wall and a central cavity. In some instances, the interior surface is provided with a first textured region being adapted for reducing the adhesive forces of transported oil along the interior wall. A second region upon the interior wall may be adapted for reducing the adhesive forces of water along the interior wall of the tubular pipe. In some applications, riblets may be provided upon the interior pipe wall to further reduce the frictional forces of fluid flowing through the central cavity of the pipe. | 01-23-2014 |
20140233354 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A MUD FILTER CAKE - At least one acoustic sensor registers a pressure response to a low-frequency non-oscillating pressure signal generated in a borehole by at least one source. At least one characteristic of a transient process of pressure change is determined from the registered signal. A thickness of a mudcake is determined. Then, based on the values received, a mudcake piezoconductivity or a fluid mobility or both are determined. | 08-21-2014 |
20140283592 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A MUD FILTER CAKE - A pressure response to low frequency harmonic pressure oscillations generated in a borehole by at least one oscillation source is registered by at least one acoustic sensor. A phase shift of stationary pressure oscillations registered by the acoustic sensor relatively to the low frequency harmonic pressure oscillations of the oscillation source and a ratio between an amplitude of the stationary pressure oscillations registered by the acoustic sensor and an amplitude of the low frequency harmonic pressure oscillations of the oscillation source are determined. A thickness of a mudcake is determined and based on the results a cake piezoconductivity or a fluid mobility or both are determined. | 09-25-2014 |