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US3577781A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Tool to take multiple formation fluid pressures

Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1969-01-10
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Granted: 1971-05-04
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Expires: 1989-01-10
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Abstract

Abstract A number of pressure readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore are obtained in a single traverse of the well bore by a special tool. The tool has a sample chamber comprising one or more compartments for receiving separate samples of formation fluid. The pressure of the fluid in each sample (and hence the pressure of the corresponding fluid in the formation) is measured. In the one-compartment embodiment, fluid is expelled from the compartment after each collection and pressure measurement of a fluid sample. In the two-compartment embodiment, fluid is collected in one compartment and a pressure measurement is made, and fluid previously collected and measured for pressure is expelled. In one embodiment, the samples are expelled into the well bore; in another, into a dump chamber carried in the tool. In embodiments in which the chamber is divided into a large number of compartments, each compartment is used for the collection of only one sample, and the collected samples are not expelled until the tool is recovered.

Inventors

  • 👤 Maurice P Lebourg
  • 👤 Roger Q Fields

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 17:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/08; E21B49/10; E21B47/00; E21B47/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim 168 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore and increasing the effective volume of said chamber means, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said readings are obtained successively and said motive means comprises a reversible pump for evacuating said chamber means between successive readings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 156 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said chamber means comprising a plurality of separate compartments and said motive means moving said compartments for successive cooperation with separate samples of formation fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 156 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said chamber means comprising a plurality of separate compartments and said motive means moving said compartments for successive cooperation with separate samples of formation fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 209 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said Well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formation is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said chamber means comprising a pair of separate compartments, said annular sealing means sealing off separate areas of said wall, and said motive means moving said compartments for alternating cooperation with separate sealed-off areas of said wall to collect successive samples of formation fluid, further comprising a dump chamber within said housing, the chamber not in communication with a sealed-off area of said wall communicating with said dump chamber to dump thereinto a previously collected formation fluid sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 209 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said Well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formation is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said chamber means comprising a pair of separate compartments, said annular sealing means sealing off separate areas of said wall, and said motive means moving said compartments for alternating cooperation with separate sealed-off areas of said wall to collect successive samples of formation fluid, further comprising a dump chamber within said housing, the chamber not in communication with a sealed-off area of said wall communicating with said dump chamber to dump thereinto a previously collected formation fluid sample.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 213 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said chamber means comprising a plurality of separate compartments and said motive means comprising a piston-cylinder assembly urged by pressure of fluid in said well bore to move said compartments for successive cooperation with separate samples of formation fluid, further comprising escapement means for releasably restraining movement of said compartments and solenoid means operatively connected to said escapement means, whereby said compartments can execute a limited movement and successive ones of said compartments are arrested in cooperative relation with said gauge means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 213 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said chamber means comprising a plurality of separate compartments and said motive means comprising a piston-cylinder assembly urged by pressure of fluid in said well bore to move said compartments for successive cooperation with separate samples of formation fluid, further comprising escapement means for releasably restraining movement of said compartments and solenoid means operatively connected to said escapement means, whereby said compartments can execute a limited movement and successive ones of said compartments are arrested in cooperative relation with said gauge means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 271 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said readings being obtained successively and said motive means comprising a reversible pump, further comprising a cylinder to and from which said pump alternately discharges and withdraws fluid, a piston mounted within said cylinder and movable in response to discharge and withdrawal of said fluid by said pump, a ram extension integral with said piston and movable therewith, a second cylinder integral with said ram extension and movable therewith, a second piston mounted within said second cylinder for limited movement therewith, said chamber means being defined at least in part by said second cylinder and said second piston, and means for arresting movement of said second piston after the sealing off of said area notwithstanding continued movement of said second cylinder, whereby said chamber means is expanded to reduce the pressure therein and facilitate the collection of formation fluid therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 271 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said readings being obtained successively and said motive means comprising a reversible pump, further comprising a cylinder to and from which said pump alternately discharges and withdraws fluid, a piston mounted within said cylinder and movable in response to discharge and withdrawal of said fluid by said pump, a ram extension integral with said piston and movable therewith, a second cylinder integral with said ram extension and movable therewith, a second piston mounted within said second cylinder for limited movement therewith, said chamber means being defined at least in part by said second cylinder and said second piston, and means for arresting movement of said second piston after the sealing off of said area notwithstanding continued movement of said second cylinder, whereby said chamber means is expanded to reduce the pressure therein and facilitate the collection of formation fluid therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 243 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said readings being obtained successively and said motive means comprising a reversible pump, further comprising a cylinder to and from which said pump alternately discharges and withdraws fluid, a piston mounted within said cylinder and movable in response to discharge and withdrawal of said fluid by said pump, a ram extension integral with said piston and movable therewith, a second piston integral with said ram extension and movable therewith, a second cylinder enclosing said second piston, said chamber means being defined at least in part by said second cylinder and said second piston, whereby said chamber means is expansible to reduce the pressure therein and facilitate the collection of formation fluid therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 243 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said readings being obtained successively and said motive means comprising a reversible pump, further comprising a cylinder to and from which said pump alternately discharges and withdraws fluid, a piston mounted within said cylinder and movable in response to discharge and withdrawal of said fluid by said pump, a ram extension integral with said piston and movable therewith, a second piston integral with said ram extension and movable therewith, a second cylinder enclosing said second piston, said chamber means being defined at least in part by said second cylinder and said second piston, whereby said chamber means is expansible to reduce the pressure therein and facilitate the collection of formation fluid therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising positioning means mounted on said housing for pressing against the wall of said well bore and thereby urging said sealing means against said wall to facilitate said sealing off.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 196 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, further comprising a reversible electric motor, a pinion gear driven by said motor, a movable rack driven by said pinion gear, positioning means engageable with said wall, and lever means connecting said rack and positioning means, whereby said motor when run in one direction forces said positioning means against said wall and when run in the opposite direction withdraws said positioning means from said wall.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 196 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formation fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, further comprising a reversible electric motor, a pinion gear driven by said motor, a movable rack driven by said pinion gear, positioning means engageable with said wall, and lever means connecting said rack and positioning means, whereby said motor when run in one direction forces said positioning means against said wall and when run in the opposite direction withdraws said positioning means from said wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 12 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said gauge means reads pressure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 187 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formatIon fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said readings being obtained successively and said motive means comprising an electric motor, a pinion gear driven by said motor, a movable rack driven by said pinion gear, a piston integral and movable with said rack, and a cylinder enclosing said piston, said chamber means being defined at least in part by said piston and cylinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 187 words
Apparatus for obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising a housing, annular sealing means mounted on said housing for sealing off an area of the wall of said well bore from fluid within said well bore, formation-fluid-sample-receiving chamber means within said housing in communication with said sealed-off area of said wall, gauge means operatively connected to said chamber means for obtaining a reading with respect to formation fluid within said chamber means, and motive means for bringing said chamber means into cooperation with discrete samples of formatIon fluid collected at spaced-apart locations in said well bore, whereby a plurality of readings with respect to fluid in said formations is obtainable in a single traverse of said well bore by said apparatus, said readings being obtained successively and said motive means comprising an electric motor, a pinion gear driven by said motor, a movable rack driven by said pinion gear, a piston integral and movable with said rack, and a cylinder enclosing said piston, said chamber means being defined at least in part by said piston and cylinder.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 258 words
A method of obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising the steps of first lowering chamber means into said well bore and then (a) sealing off a first area of the wall of the well bore from fluid within said well bore, (b) exposing said first sealed-off area to said chamber means and increasing the effective volume of said chamber means to provide a pressure below the pressure of fluid in the formation behind said first sealed-off area, whereby a first sample of fluid in said formation flows from said formation to said chamber means, and (c) obtaining a reading with respect to said first sample; (a) sealing off a second area of the wall of the well bore from fluid within said well bore, and second area being spaced apart from said first area, (b) exposing said second sealed-off area to said chamber means and increasing the effective volume of said chamber means to provide a pressure below the pressure of fluid in the formation behind said second sealed-off area, whereby a second sample of fluid in said formation, separate from said first sample, flows from said formation to said chamber means, and (c) obtaining a reading with respect to said second sample; repeating steps (a), (b), and (c) at additional areas in said well bore spaced apart from said first and second areas and from each other without withdrawing said chamber means from said well bore; and finally withdrawing said chamber means from said well bore.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 258 words
A method of obtaining a plurality of readings with respect to fluids in formations traversed by a well bore, comprising the steps of first lowering chamber means into said well bore and then (a) sealing off a first area of the wall of the well bore from fluid within said well bore, (b) exposing said first sealed-off area to said chamber means and increasing the effective volume of said chamber means to provide a pressure below the pressure of fluid in the formation behind said first sealed-off area, whereby a first sample of fluid in said formation flows from said formation to said chamber means, and (c) obtaining a reading with respect to said first sample; (a) sealing off a second area of the wall of the well bore from fluid within said well bore, and second area being spaced apart from said first area, (b) exposing said second sealed-off area to said chamber means and increasing the effective volume of said chamber means to provide a pressure below the pressure of fluid in the formation behind said second sealed-off area, whereby a second sample of fluid in said formation, separate from said first sample, flows from said formation to said chamber means, and (c) obtaining a reading with respect to said second sample; repeating steps (a), (b), and (c) at additional areas in said well bore spaced apart from said first and second areas and from each other without withdrawing said chamber means from said well bore; and finally withdrawing said chamber means from said well bore.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2905247A Cited
US3115775A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-05-03 1974-11-02 1975-05-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-05-03 1978-11-02 1979-05-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-05-03 1982-11-02 1983-05-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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