Perforate, test and sample tool and method of use

Abstract

A perforate, test and sample tool for obtaining fluid samples from a formation reservoir in a well. The tool comprises a retrievable packer, perforating guns and a sampler disposed between the packer and guns which is adapted for entrapping a fluid sample without flowing well fluids into the tool string. An operating position is slidably disposed in a cylinder above the packer and is used to actuate a sampler valve in the sampler. A seal insures that all portions of a sampling chamber in the sampler are disposed below the packer. In one embodiment, the operating piston is actuated in response to a pressure differential between a well annulus above the packer and an internal pressure in the tool. The sampler includes a plurality of sampler modules disposed in the sampling chamber. Each of the sampler modules includes a valve which automatically closes after a predetermined volume of fluid fills a sampler module chamber defined in the sampler module. Testing gauges may be disposed in the sampler adjacent the sampler modules. A shear pin holds the operating piston and sampler valve in a first closed position as the tool in run into the hole, and a locking dog assembly is used to lock the operating piston and sampler in a second closed position after the sampling chamber has been filled. A method of using the perforate, test and sample tool is also disclosed.