Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for subsurface fluid sampling

US6964301B2 · kind B2 · utility

47Cited by
45References
91Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 2002
Grant dateNov 15, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 23, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B49/10
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The apparatuses and methods herein relate to techniques for extracting fluid from a subsurface formation. A downhole sampling tool is provided with a probe having an internal wall capable of selectively diverting virgin fluids into virgin flow channels for sampling, while diverting contaminated fluids into contaminated flow channels to be discarded. The characteristics of the fluid passing through the channels of the probe may be measured. The data generated during sampling may be sent to a controller capable of generating data, communicating and/or sending command signals. The flow of fluid into the downhole tool may be selectively adjusted to optimize the flow of fluid into the channels by adjusting the internal wall within the probe and/or by adjusting the flow rates through the channels. The configuraton of the internal wall and/or the flow rates may be automatically adjusted by the controller and/or manually manipulated to further optimize the fluid flow.

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