US6325146B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of downhole testing subterranean formations and associated apparatus therefor
Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
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Filing: 1999-08-19
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Granted: 2001-12-04
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Expires: 2019-08-19
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul David Ringgenberg
- 👤 Mark Anton Proett
- 👤 Michael T. Pelletier
- 👤 Michael L. Hinz
- 👤 Gregory N. Gilbert
- 👤 Harold Wayne Nivens
- 👤 Mehdi Azari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:02
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/005; E21B41/0057; E21B21/00; E21B21/002; E21B43/00; E21B43/11; E21B43/119; E21B49/00; E21B49/08; E21B49/081; E21B49/082; E21B49/084; E21B49/087; E21B49/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and wherein the tubular string further includes a perforating gun and a waste chamber, the waste chamber being placed in fluid communication with the exterior of the tubular string in response to firing of the perforating gun.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and wherein the tubular string further includes a perforating gun and a waste chamber, the waste chamber being placed in fluid communication with the exterior of the tubular string in response to firing of the perforating gun.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and wherein the tubular string further includes a fluid sampler in fluid communication with the surge chamber, the fluid sampler having a separate volume from the surge chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and wherein the tubular string further includes a fluid sampler in fluid communication with the surge chamber, the fluid sampler having a separate volume from the surge chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and a circulating valve interconnected in the tubular string, the circulating valve selectively permitting fluid communication between the flow passage third portion and the exterior of the tubular string, and wherein the circulating valve is positioned between the surge chamber and a perforating gun.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and a circulating valve interconnected in the tubular string, the circulating valve selectively permitting fluid communication between the flow passage third portion and the exterior of the tubular string, and wherein the circulating valve is positioned between the surge chamber and a perforating gun.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The well testing system according to claim 3 , wherein the circulating valve is positioned between the perforating gun and a packer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The well testing system according to claim 3 , wherein the circulating valve is positioned between the surge chamber and a packer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and a sensor in fluid communication with the flow passage second portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A well testing system, comprising: a tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; and a sensor in fluid communication with the flow passage second portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The well testing system according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor is a fluid property sensor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The well testing system according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor is a fluid identification sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The well testing system according to claim 6 , wherein the sensor is in data communication with a remote location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The well testing system according to claim 9 , wherein the remote location is a data access sub interconnected in the tubular string.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; opening the second valve, thereby placing the surge chamber in fluid communication with the formation; receiving a sample of fluid from the formation in the surge chamber; and circulating the sample to the earth's surface.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; opening the second valve, thereby placing the surge chamber in fluid communication with the formation; receiving a sample of fluid from the formation in the surge chamber; and circulating the sample to the earth's surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein the circulating step further comprises opening a circulating valve interconnected in the tubular string, the circulating valve providing fluid communication between the flow passage third portion and the exterior of the tubular string.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; opening the second valve, thereby placing the surge chamber in fluid communication with the formation; receiving a sample of fluid from the formation in the surge chamber; and opening the first valve and flowing the sample back into the formation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; opening the second valve, thereby placing the surge chamber in fluid communication with the formation; receiving a sample of fluid from the formation in the surge chamber; and opening the first valve and flowing the sample back into the formation.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; and placing a waste chamber in fluid communication with the formation.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; and placing a waste chamber in fluid communication with the formation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein the waste chamber is placed in fluid communication with the formation in response to firing of a perforating gun.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 14 , further comprising the step of placing the surge chamber in fluid communication with the formation after the step of placing the waste chamber in fluid communication with the formation.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; and installing a fluid sampler in fluid communication with the surge chamber, the fluid sampler having a separate volume from the surge chamber.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; and installing a fluid sampler in fluid communication with the surge chamber, the fluid sampler having a separate volume from the surge chamber.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; and installing a sensor in fluid communication with the surge chamber.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of testing a subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string within the wellbore, the tubular string having a surge chamber interconnected as a portion thereof, an axial flow passage formed through the tubular string, and first and second valves, the axial flow passage being divided into first, second and third portions, the first valve separating the first portion from the second portion, the second portion being disposed within the surge chamber between the first and second valves, and the second valve separating the second portion from the third portion; placing the flow passage third portion in fluid communication with the formation; and installing a sensor in fluid communication with the surge chamber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising the step of operating the sensor to sense a property of fluid within the surge chamber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising the step of operating the sensor to identify a fluid within the surge chamber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising the step of placing the sensor in data communication with a remote location.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 21 , wherein the remote location is a data access sub interconnected in the tubular string.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-03 | 2005-06-04 | 2005-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-03 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-03 | 2013-06-04 | 2013-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |