Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Timothy L Long

Andrew L Kurkjian

Jonathan Webster Brown

Victor Matthew Bolze

Angus J Melbourne

Andre E Orban

Robert P Zimmerman

Linward A Moore

A sample module is provided for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore. The sample module includes a sample chamber carried by the module for collecting a sample of formation fluid obtained from the formation via the downhole tool, and a validation chamber carried by the module for collecting a substantially smaller sample of formation fluid than the sample chamber. The validation chamber is removable from the sample module at the surface without disturbing the sample chamber. A sample chamber is also provided that includes a substantially cylindrical body capable of safely withstanding heating at the surface, following collection of a formation fluid sample via the downhole tool and withdrawal of the sample chamber from the wellbore, to temperatures necessary to promote recombination of the sample components within the chambers. Additionally, the body is equipped so as to be certified for transportation. At least one floating piston is slidably positioned within the body so as to define a fluid collection cavity and a pressurization cavity, whereby the pressurization cavity may be charged to control the pressure of the sample collected in the collection cavity. A second such piston may be provided to create a third cavity wherein a buffer fluid may be utilized during sample collection. Metal-to-metal seals act as the final shut-off seals for the sample collected in the collection cavity of the body. A method related to the use of the sample module and sample chamber described above is also provided.

Formation fluid sampling apparatus and method

A sample module is provided for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore. The sample module includes a sample chamber carried by the module for collecting a sample of formation fluid obtained from the formation via the downhole tool, and a validation chamber carried by the module for collecting a substantially smaller sample of formation fluid than the sample chamber. The validation chamber is removable from the sample module at the surface without disturbing the sample chamber. A sample chamber is also provided that includes a subtantially cylindrical body capable of safely withstanding heating at the surface, following collection of a formation fluid sample via the downhole tool and withdrawal of the sample chamber from the wellbore, to temperatures necessary to promote recombination of the sample components wihtin the chambers. Additionally, the body is equipped so as to be certified for transportation. At least one floating piston is slidably positioned within the body so as to define a fluid collection cavity and a pressurization cavity, whereby the pressurization cavity may be charged to control the pressure of the sample collected in the collection cavity. A second such piston may be provided to create a third cavity wherein a buffer fluid may be utilized during sample collection. Metal-to-metal seals act as the final shut-off seals for the sample collected in the collection cavity of the body. A method related to the use of the sample module and sample chamber described above is also provided.

A new induction logging tool has a toolstring length that is shorter than the toolstring length of the induction logging tool of the prior art. The new induction logging tool includes a new induction array which appears to be folded about an axis that coincides with the transmitter of the induction array of the prior art induction logging tool. The new folded induction array including a transmitter coil, located at an end of the new folded induction array, and a plurality of 'cowound' receiver coils and bucking coils, a further plurality of individual receiver coils, and at least one further bucking coil located adjacent to and on one side of the transmitter coil of the new folded induction array. In the new folded induction array, each of the plurality of cowound receiver coils and bucking coils include a receiver coil (N-1) and a bucking coil (N), associated with another receiver coil (N), which are cowound together about the same bobbin, the receiver coil (N-1) and the bucking coil (N) being positioned at approximately the same distance from the transmitter coil. Each of the plurality of cowound receiver coils and bucking coils are formed by winding both the bucking coil (N) and the receiver coil (N-1) in a bifilar way on the same ceramic bobbin starting from the center of the bobbin and winding the receiver coil (N-1) and the bucking coil (N) in opposite outward directions.

Method for induction logging while using a logging sonde having a folded

Induction logging sonde including a folded array apparatus having a

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Alvin, TX, United States of America

Timothy L Long