Patent · US Expired

Well fluid sampling tool

US5337822A · kind A · utility

59Cited by
9References
9Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 17, 1992
Grant dateAug 16, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 17, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B49/082
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A well fluid sampling tool and method for retrieving single-phase hydrocarbon samples from deep wells. The sampling tool is lowered to the required depth, an internal sample chamber is opened to admit well fluid at a controlled rate, and the sample chamber is then automatically sealed. The well fluid sample is immediately subjected to a high pressure to keep the sample in its original single-phase form until it can be analyzed. The sample is pressurized by a hydraulically-driven floating piston powdered by high-pressure gas acting on another floating piston. Once sampling is initiated, e.g. by an internal clock, the entire sequence is automatic. Also disclosed is a sample transfer container for securing the pressurized sample from the tool and maintaining it in single-phase form during transport to an analytical laboratory. This invention avoids the disadvantages arising from phase separation of hydrocarbon well fluid samples.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.