Formation testers

Abstract

A formation tester apparatus for use in a well bore for multiple testing of pressures of earth formation fluids and the taking of a fluid sample, including pad and shoe elements selectively operable for sealingly engaging a well bore. Upon sealing engagement of the pad element with the wall of a well bore, a fluid sample is ingested into an expanding chamber while its pressure is sensed. Upon completion of the pressure test, the pad element is retracted from the wall of a well bore, and the expanding chamber contracts to expel the fluid sample. The pressure test may be repeated any number of times. The expanding chamber includes a piston operated with fluid pressure used to actuate the pad element. A choke delays the application of pressure to the piston until after the pad element seals on the wall of the well bore. When a fluid sample is desired, the fluid pressure used to actuate the pad element is increased to operate a first valve element which connects the pad elements of a water cushion sampling chamber. After a fluid sample is collected, the fluid pressure is further increased to operate a second valve element which closes off the sampling chamber. When the formations are unconsolidated a slidable probe in the pad element extends outwardly into the wall and forms a mechanical filter. When the probe retracts the filter is self-cleaning.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in systems for testing fluid pressures in earth formations traversed by a well bore and obtaining fluid samples, and more particularly, to "formation testers" for use in open well bores for performing a number of multiple pressure tests along a well bore, and for obtaining a fluid sample from an earth formation.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

The pertinent prior art known is as follows:

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,936. This patent relates to a formation tester with a probe for use in unconsolidated earth formations and a system for flushing a sand filter in the probe by moving fluid in a reverse direction through the filter to clean the filter prior to obtaining a fluid sample.

(2) U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,575. This patent relates to the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,936, and relates to a plurality of selectively operable hydraulic valves which operate only at selected pressures.

(3) U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,191. This patent relates to U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,936, and discloses a selectively operable valve with respect to a filtering medium.

(4) U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,321. This patent relates to a formation tester and includes a selectively operable valve means which rapidly opens to a low pressure chamber so as to remove the plugging materials from a filter medium ahead of the flow line before formation fluids are sampled.

(5) U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,445. This formation tester patent relates to use of a compressed gas in the fluid sampling chamber so that a measurement of back pressure provides representative measurement of the rate of sampling.

(6) U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,850. This patent relates to a formation tester which has a structure which involves use of two sampling chambers for sensing back pressure to determine the rate of fluid sampling.

(7) U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,970. This patent relates to formation testers for sampling unconsolidated formations with a filter bridging system for collecting loose formation materials to halt erosion from the formation wall.

(8) U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,463. This formation tester patent relates to a filter design system for adjusting the size of the filter to halt erosion of formation fluids.

(9) U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,851. This formation tester patent relates to first and second fluid sampling chambers which are monitored to determine the approximate flow rates of the samples.

(10) U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,468. This formation tester patent relates to a selectively operable probe for use in unconsolidated formations.

(11) U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,558. This formation tester apparatus includes selectively operable, particle collecting means which intake initial mud cake deposits separate from fluid samples to be tested to prevent plugging of the tool.

The foregoing prior art represents a rather complex and interdependent system for deriving fluid samples and fluid pressures. The present invention is intended to provide a simple and straightforward approach to obtaining multiple pressure samples without undue complexity or difficulty and achieve greater reliability in operations.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention involves a formation tester apparatus for use in a well bore for multiple testing of pressures of earth formation fluids and the taking of fluid sample, including pad and shoe means selectively operable for sealingly engaging a well bore. Upon sealing engagement of the pad means with the well bore a fluid sample is ingested into an expanding chamber while its pressure is sensed. Upon completion of the pressure test the pad means is retracted from the wall of the well bore and the expanding chamber contracts to expel the fluid sample. The pressure test may be repeated any number of times. The expanding chamber includes a piston-operated element which is operated with the fluid pressure used to actuate the pad means. A choke delays the application of the fluid pressure to the piston until after the pad means seals on the wall of the well bore. When a fluid sample is desired the fluid pressure used to actuate the pad means is increased to operate a first sample valve means which connects the pad means to a water cushion, sampling chamber. After a fluid sample is collected the fluid pressure is further increased to operate a second seal valve means which closes off the sampling chamber. If the formations are unconsolidated, a slideable probe in the pad means is arranged to extend outwardly into the cavity in the wall and form a mechanical filter when fully extended. When the probe retracts the mechanical filter is self-cleaning. In a further modification, multiple pressure testing at different flow rates can give an indication of permeability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may best be understood when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a formation tester traversing in a well bore traversing earth formations and coupled by an electrical cable to surface controlled equipment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a pressure generating system for the hydraulic pressure required to operate the formation tester;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the hydraulic system for actuating the shoe and pad means together with the pressure sampling system and a fluid sampling system;

FIG. 4 is a representation similar to FIG. 3 except showing the system in position for taking a pressure sample;

FIG. 5 is a view in cross-section through the tool to illustrate the sample and seal valve means for opening and closing the fluid sample means as well as the structure of the pressure sampling means;

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the portion of the pad means illustrating a sampling probe;

FIG. 7 is a view in cross-section of a modified form of probe for the pad which is shown in a retracted position; and

FIG. 8 is a view of the probe shown in FIG. 7 in an extended position relative to an earth formation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to FIG. 1, a formation testing apparatus 10 incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown suspended by a multi-conductor cable 11 in a well bore 12 which traverses one or more earth formations where testing or sampling will be performed. The well cable is carried by a spool and winch 15 at the earth surface and is connected with typical surface equipment including a selectively operable switch means 16, a power source 17, pressure indicating devices 18 and 19 and a recording device 20.

In a preferred embodiment, testing apparatus or the tool 10 includes an elongated body adapted to be passed through a well bore and which is comprised of an actuating section 23, tester sections 21, 21a and a fluid sampling section 24. As illustrated, the new and improved apparatus 10 is transportable through a well bore and can be positioned adjacent to a selected formation zone 13 or zone 14 for sampling pressure of the fluids in each of the formation zones and, if desired, for obtaining a fluid sample from a formation zone.

In the use of the present invention, the tool 10 is passed through a well bore filled with a weighted pressure control fluid commonly called "mud". The surface gauges or instruments 18 and 18 provide an indication of the hydrostatic or mud pressure detected by the tool in the well bore while the tool is passed through the well bore. The surface gauge 18 is connected to a first pressure responsive sensor 18a in the tester section 21 to indicate pressure of hydraulic fluid in the tester while the surface gauge 19 is connected to a second sensor to measure the pressure of fluids from an earth formation during a test. When the tool is located next to a formation 13 to be tested, the surface switch means 16 is actuated. Actuation of the switch means 16 causes diametrically opposed sampling pad means 25 and a back-up shoe means 26 to be moved outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore to the position illustrated in FIG. 1. The general construction and function of the pad means 25 and shoe 26 for this purpose are well known.

In the present invention the pad and shoe means 25, 26 are selectively extendable and retractable relative to the well tool. When the pad means 25 sealingly engages the wall of the well bore, a fluid sample or a fluid pressure may be taken and after the test, the pad and shoe may be retracted to the well tool.

Referring now to the schematic illustration of FIG. 2, the actuating section 23 includes a system 30 for extending and retracting the pad and shoe means. The actuating system 30 includes a housing member 31 with a hydraulic cylinder 32a which opens to the hydraulic fluid passage 32. In the cylinder 31 is a piston 33 which is slidably and sealingly received within the cylinder 31 and slidably and sealingly mounted on a piston rod 34. A spring 35 on the piston rod 34 normally urges the piston 33 upwardly into engagement with a shoulder stop on the piston rod 34. The shoulder stop on the piston rod engages the piston 33 to move the piston 33 downwardly to transmit pressure to the hydraulic fluid 36 in the cylinder 32a and fluid passage 32. Above the piston 33 the cylinder 31 has a port 37 which opens to the mud fluid in the well bore 12. Thus mud pressure is transmitted to the piston 33 and to the hydraulic fluid 36 independently of the action of the piston rod 34 on the piston.

Above the cylinder 31 is an internal chamber 38 which receives an enlarged piston section 39 on the piston rod 34. Hydraulic fluid 36 from the cylinder 32a is admitted to the volume or space above the piston section 39 by means of an internal passageway through the piston rod 34. The volume or space in chamber 38 below the piston section 39 is at atmospheric pressure. Above the chamber 38, the piston rod 34 has an upper adapter 40 which has a nut threadedly receiving a lead screw 42. The adapter 40 is connected by a pin 41 to a vertical guideway in the tool housing. Thus, as the lead screw 42 is turned, the adapter 40 is moved longitudinally of the tool and the piston rod 34 is moved in a vertical direction. The lead screw 42 is driven by an electric, reversible motor 43 which is controlled from the surface controls in switch means 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the testing part of the tool is schematically illustrated. In the testing section 21, the pad means 25 includes a metal plate 50 with a curvature to conform to the curvature of the well bore. On the forward face of the pad plate 50 is a resilient sealing pad 51. The sealing pad has a central fluid admitting, tubular passage 53 which is generally inward and transverse to the pad 51. Longitudinally spaced apart piston and piston rods 54, 55 are respectively coupled to the pad plate 50 and are responsive to fluid pressure in the passage 32 and in the well bore to extend or retract the pad plate 50 relative to the section 21. Similarly, the back-up shoe 26 has a curvature about a vertical axis for engaging the wall of the bore hole and longitudinally spaced apart piston and piston rods 56, 57. Pistons 56, 57 are also responsive to fluid pressure in the passage 32 and in the well bore to extend or retract the shoe 26 relative to the section 21.

The fluid passage 32 is connected to a pressure transducer or sensor 18a which detects the pressure in the passage 32. The passage 32 also opens to a first seal valve means 60 which can be selectively operated to close the fluid sample chamber and opens to a second sample valve means 61 which can be selectively operated to open the fluid sample chamber. The first and second valve means 60, 61 are shown in FIG. 3 in a position suitable for the taking of multiple samples of pressure. In the position illustrated for the valve means 60, 61, the passage 53 from pad 51 is coupled by a passage 62 to the seal valve means 60. The seal valve means 60 includes a spool valve member 66 which, in the position shown, bypasses fluid through the seal valve means 60 to a passage 63. The passage 63 is coupled to an annular recess 64 about the sample valve means 61 and the recess 64 is coupled to a passage 65 in the pressure test section 21a. The passage 65 terminates at the upper end of a bore or cylinder 67. The cylinder 67, in turn, opens to a lower, enlarged bore or cylinder 68. Slidbly and sealingly mounted in the cylinders 67, 68 is a stepped piston with a segment 69 in the cylinder 67 and a segment 70 in the cylinder 68. The expandible space 71 above the piston segment 69 is connected by virtue of passage 65, recess 64, passages 63, 62 to the sampling passage 53 in the pad 51. In the passage 63, a pressure transducer 19a is coupled to the passage 63 and transmits a measurement of pressure in the passage 63 to the surface controls and gauge 19. The bottom part of the cylinder 68 below the piston segment 70 contains a spring 74 for normally urging the piston segment 70 to its uppermost position and maintaining the space 71 at its smallest volume. Cylinder 68 is also connected by a passage 75 to the mud or fluid pressure in the well bore. An expandable space 72 located above the piston segment 70 is connected by a passage 76 to a fluid choke 77. The choke 77 connects to the fluid pressure passage 32. The passage 76 is also connected to a one-way valve 78 which is connected by a passage 79 to the fluid pressure passage 32. The one-way valve 78 bypasses the choke 77 and permits return of fluid from the space 72 to the passage 32.

The foregoing system, as constituted, permits multiple testing of pressure. In addition, a fluid sampling passage 80 connects between the normally closed sample valve means 61 and a sampling chamber 81 containing a floating piston 82, a water cushion 83, a choke 84 and an air chamber 85. As will be explained hereinafter, operation of sample valve means 61 opens the sampling chamber 81 and operation of the seal valve means 60 closes the sampling chamber 81.

In the condition shown, while going into the well bore, the first pressure sensor 18a will detect the hydrostatic mud pressure as the tool goes in the well bore. The second pressure transducer 19a will also detect mud pressure prior to the pad and shoe 25, 26 being set against a well bore. To sample the pressure of the fluids in a formation at a given level, the tool is positioned at the desired location and the motor 43 operated to increase the pressure in the hydraulic fluid 36 in the passage 32. As the pressure in passage 32 is increased, the shoe 26 and the pad 25 are moved against the wall of the well bore by virtue of the pressure in the passage 32 acting on the pistons. As hydraulic pressure builds up in the passage 32 after the pad and shoe means engage the wall of the well bore, fluid is slowly passed through the choke member 77 to the passage 76. As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing of the pad 51 against the wall of the borehole permits a fluid pressure to drive the piston segment 70 downward and compresses the spring 74 so that a small fluid sample from the formation is received in the expanding space 71 above the piston segment 69. The pressure of the fluid sample in the expandable space above piston segment 69 is detected by the pressure sensing device 19a. If a fluid sample is not desired, the motor 43 is reversed thereby releasing the hydraulic pressure of the fluid 36 in passage 32 and the spring 74 provides a force to move the fluid pressure sample from the space 71 above the piston segment 69 while returning the hydraulic fluid via the bypass check valve 78 into the passage 32 of the hydraulic system. When the piston segment 69 is returned to its initial condition it is prepared to receive another sample for purposes of testing pressure. Thus, the tool can be moved to any number of locations where the pressure of a formation may be sampled in a similar manner.

When it is desired to take a fluid sample, the hydraulic pressure in passage 32 is increased to a sufficient pressure to shear a shear pin 86 in the sample valve means 61. Shearing of the pin 86 moves a valve member to a position where the passage 63 is placed in fluid communication with the sampling chamber 81 via passage 80. When it is desired to close the sample chamber 81 and entrap a fluid sample, the hydraulic pressure in passage 32 is again increased to shear a shear pin 87 in the seal valve means 60. Shearing of the pin 87 moves a valve member in the seal valve to a position blocking off the passage 63. The valve members in the valves 60, 61 are self-locking in the position assumed after shearing of a shear pin. To remove the tool, the hydraulic pressure in passage 32 is released or relieved by operation of motor 43 so that the pad 25 and shoe 26 are retracted from the wall of the well bore. In addition to the foregoing, a small port 87 is connected off of the sampling passage 53 to a normally closed valve 88 which contains an electrical explosive squib 89. Upon energization of the squib 89, the valve 88 is opened and mud pressure is immediately admitted to the sampling passage 53 to balance the pressure across the pad 25, thereby facilitating retraction of the pad system. Squib 89 is used in the event that the pad should stick to the wall of the well bore.

Referring to FIG. 5, specific details of the piston and valve sections are illustrated. The tester section 21 includes a cylindrically shaped housing member which has a first upper transverse bore 100 which receives the first seal valve means 60 and a second, lower transverse bore 101 which receives the second sample valve means 61. The first and second valve means 60, 61 for manufacturing purposes, have some similar or interchangeable parts so that a description of one part will suffice for a general description of the other. In the first seal valve means 60, the transverse bore 100 has bore sections with progressively increasing diameters from the left side of the drawing to the right side of the drawing. A valve stem housing 102 is received in the stepped bore sections together with appropriate O-ring seals and includes a tubular sleeve 103 which has its end spaced from the end surface on the left side of the bore 100 and intersects the vertical fluid passage 32 through the housing. The tubular sleeve 103 is sized relative to the bore 100 and has its lower end spaced from the end wall so that fluid may pass in the annulus about the outer surface of the tubular sleeve thus keeping passage 32 in fluid communication in bypassing valve 60 as well as admitting fluid to the central opening of the tubular sleeve 103. A second tubular sleeve member 104 has one end telescopically received in the first tubular sleeve 103. In the mid-section of sleeve 104 are longitudinally spaced apart annular grooves 105, 106 which are respectively sealed with respect to the bore by O-ring seals. Grooves 105 and 106 are connected by ports to the interior of the sleeve 104. Sleeve 104 is threadedly received in the open end of the transverse bore 100 so that it is fixed with respect to the bore.

Slidably received within the inner bore of the sleeves 103 and 104 is a valve member 108. In the position shown, the valve member 108 has a recessed portion 109 which serves to place grooves 105, 106 in fluid communication in the interior of sleeve 104. O-rings are disposed along the valve member 108 for sealing purposes. Between one set of O-rings on the valve member 108 is an annular groove 110 which is intersected by radial bores in the sleeve 104. Shear pins 87 in the radial bores releasably hold the valve member 108 in an open position.

In the forward part of the valve member 108 is an annular locking groove 111 which is sized to receive a locking ring 112 disposed in the opening of the tubular housing 102. In the position shown, the passageway 62 is coupled by the annular recess 105, 106 to the passageway 63 while the shear pins 87 retain the valve member in position. If the pressure increase in the passageway 32 is sufficient to cause the valve member 108 to shear the shear pins 87 then the valve member 108 will move to the right where the snap ring 112 will engage the groove 111. In this position the annular recess 105 will be disconnected from the passageway 62 by virtue of the O-ring seals. Thus, passage 62 is closed by operation of the seal valve 60.

In the second sample valve means 61, the valve structure is similar but the arrangement of the passageways is somewhat different. For example, the passageway 63 is connected by virtue of the annular recess 64 to other side of the tubular housing 102 and the passageway 80 which opens to the annular recess 105 is normally isolated by the O-rings in the valve member 120. If the pressure is increased to move the valve member 120 to the right and shear the shear pins 86 then the passage 63 and 65 are placed in fluid communication by virtue of the annular recess 64. Passage 63 and 65 interconnect to the top of a cylindrical space 71 which receives the piston segment 69. The passageway 32, as shown, interconnects with one end of a choke member 77 which is a commercially available from the Lee Company. The size of the choke and the viscosity of the fluid are such that the back pressure on the coke is about 2000 p.s.i. The choke member 77 provides a tortuous path for fluid, thereby delaying its movement and opens by virtue of the passage 76 to the top of a cylindrical space 72 which carries the piston segment 70. The remaining structure corresponds generally to the structure as described heretofore in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring now to FIG, 6, a section of the sealing pad 51 and the housing is illustrated where the resilient member has a central opening which receives over a metal tube 130. The tube 130 is threadably received within the metal block of the pad 25 and has an inwardly tapered, forward portion 52 which is adapted to engage the formation upon compaction of the resilient pad. Where it is anticipated that the formations encountered will be relatively unconsolidated, i.e., that they may well erode when the fluid sample is taken, a different form of the tubular member can be used and is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a cylindrical, tubular member 140 is threadably received within the metal block for the pad 25. Suitable external O-rings are disposed on either side of a sampling port 141 which is in fluid communication with the sampling passage 62. The forward end of the tubular member 140 has an inwardly extending flange 142. Along the central axis of the tubular member 140 is a tubular post 144 on which a piston 145 is slidably and sealably mounted. The piston 145 is engaged on its forward surface by a spring member 146 which is received about the post member and normally urges the piston toward a rearward position in the tubular member 140. The tubular member 140 has openings 147 in its end wall which open to mud in the well bore. Attached to the piston member 145 is a tubular member 148 which has a forward wall section extending through the outwardly extending flange 142. Midway of the length of the tubular member 148 is an outwardly extending, balancing flange 150. Ports 151 are provided in the wall section above and below the flange 150 for the passage of a fluid sample. In the position shown in FIG. 7, the outer surface of the tubular member 148 is spaced from the flange 142 to provide an annular space between the outer wall surface and the inwardly extending flange 142 so that fluid may enter into the chamber and pass through the ports 151 to the passage 62. Should the formation erode or begin to flow into the annular space and into the passage 62, the tubular member 148 will be pressed into the formation by virtue of the mud pressure applied to the piston 145 (via ports 147) and thus maintain contact of the member 148 with the wall. As shown in the extended position of the probe FIG. 8, the piston 145 engages a shoulder within the tubular member and an internal flange 160 on the tubular member 148 is disposed adjacent to the central flange 162 on the post 144 and an outwardly extending flange 161 on the tubular member 148 is disposed adjacent to the flange 142. In this position of the flanges there is an annular spacing between flanges 160, 162 and flanges 161, 142 of about 0.005 inches. The annular clearance space created between the sets of flanges thereby forms a clearance filter for sand particles. This clearance space bridges or retards the sand from flowing in the fluid sample and enhances sample taking.

Upon completion of sampling for pressure or a fluid sample, the spring 146 is used to urge the piston 145 to return to its initial position. When the piston returns to its initial position, the clearance space filters are automatically cleaned because the flanges are moved away from one another, thereby leaving open clearance spaces.

OPERATION FOR MULTIPLE PRESSURE TESTS

The operation of the tool for multiple pressure tests involves positioning the tool at the location where the pressure test is desired. The motor 43 is actuated to move the piston 33 and pressure up the hydraulic fluid 36 in the fluid pressure passage 32. The pressure in fluid passage 32 is sensed by the sensor 18a and indicated on gauge 18 while the central passage 53 in the pad is coupled to a pressure sensor 19a so that mud pressure is indicated on the pressure gauge 19. As the pressure in passageway 32 is increased, the shoe and pad means are sealingly urged against the wall to bring the pad 51 into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore. The sealing of the pad against the wall of the well bore is indicated by an increase in hydraulic pressure on gauge 18 and, as the pad seals, the fluid pressure in the passage 32 begins to find its way through the delay choke 77 to act on the piston segment 70. If the pad is in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore, the pressure sensed by the sensor 19 a will indicate a decline from the mud pressure in the well bore to the pressure in the formations as a fluid sample is ingested in the expanding space 71 above the piston segment 69. The motor 34 is shut off when the hydraulic pressure reaches a value p.sub.1 which is a selected pressure value above mud pressure. With the motor off the hydraulic pressure in the passage 32 will decrease as the piston segment 70 continues to move and when the pressure in the fluid passage drops to a second pressure p.sub.2 the motor is started up to increase the pressure to the p.sub.1 value. In the alternative, the motor 34 can be run very slowly to maintain the pressure constant or slowly varying somewhere between the pressure levels P.sub.1 and P.sub.2. When the hydraulic pressure in the passage 32 stops decreasing, this is an indication that the piston segment 69 has been moved its full length of travel and has engaged a stop. If at this time the gauge 19 reads a sample pressure of less than mud pressure, this can be taken as the formation shut-in pressure value. The motor 34 is then reversed to relieve the pressure in the passage 32 so that the pad and shoe are unseated from the wall of the well bore and the piston segment 69 is returned to its initial condition by virtue of mud pressure acting through the port 75 and the additional force of the spring 68 acting on piston 70. The hydraulic fluid in the space 72 is returned to the passage 32 via the one-way check valve 78 and bypasses the choke 77. The tool can then be moved to a second location and the above defined pressure test repeated. This pressure test may be repeated as many times as desired.

Whenever it is desired to obtain fluid sample in the sample chamber, the hydraulic pressure is increased to a P.sub.3 value which is greater than the P.sub.2 pressure. The P.sub.3 pressure value is sufficient to cause the sample valve 61 to shear the pins 86 and move the valve to its second, locked position where a fluid sample is admitted to the fluid sampling means 81. If the sample pressure gauge reading from sensor 19a goes to mud pressure soon after opening the sample valve, then the pressure in the passage 32 can be reduced by operation of the motor and the pads retracted so the tool can be moved up or down and reset against the wall bore with the pressure in passage 32 again brought up to the P.sub.3 value. After a sufficient time has been taken to gather a fluid sample, the hydraulic pressure in the passage 32 is increased to a P.sub.4 value which is greater than the P.sub.3 pressure value in order to shear the pins 87 and close the seal valve 60 thereby trapping fluid sample in the sample chamber 81.

Operation of the Probe--FIGS. 6 and 7.

When the probe in FIGS. 6 and 7 is used with the formation tester apparatus as disclosed herein, the operation of the tool to set the pad in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore and pressure sampling is as described before. Where the formations are competent, that is, no sand flows into the tool, the probe does not enter into the formation but will move out only far enough to contact the formation and formation fluids will continue flowing in through the probe during the test. Should the formation be incompetent, i.e., the sand flows into the tool along with formation fluid, then the probe will be moved into the formation as shown in FIG. 8. The probe will enter into the formation due to the differential pressure across the piston portion 140. The forward end of the probe 148 replaces the volume of sand entering the tool, thus making penetration into the formation possible. When the piston 140 is stopped on the shoulder, the probe has moved far enough out to block the openings at the flanges except for circular slits which are a few thousandths of an inch wide. These circular slits function similar to a slit sand screen in allowing the fluid to enter but blocking the flow of sand particles. Thus, the rupture of the resilient pad means is eliminated when the sand flow is stopped and the seal can be maintained.

The circular filter formed by the extended probe is cleaned each time the tool is reset because as the tool is released with respect to the wall of the well bore, the differential pressure across the piston 140 is brought to zero and the spring 146 will retract the probe. When the probe is retracted it automatically cleans the openings to full opening by moving the flanges and eliminates the clearance slits so that any plugging that might occur is eliminated. In the use of the probe, if there is filter mud cake on the walls of the well bore it is flushed into the tool before the flow is directed through the cylindrical slits, thereby reducing the possibility of plugging of the slits because of the mud cake.

An Operation of the Tool to Obtain Formation Permeability

Where it is desired to obtain an indication of formation permeability, this can be accomplished with this present invention by putting stops in the sample and seal valves so that they cannot function. Alternatively the shear pin ratings for pins 86, 87 can be increased to a point where they cannot shear under the hydraulic pressure involved. For obtaining an indication of permeability, the tool is set at a first location in the well bore and the motor 34 is actuated up to a first pressure level to seal the pad against the wall of the well bore and maintained at this pressure level. During the time subsequent the sample pressure is measured while the intake chamber 71 opens very slowly because of the delayed fluid passing through the choke 77 to the piston segment 70. The hydraulic pressure in passage 32 is then reduced by reversing the motor 34 so that the pressure is relieved back to low pressure where the intake chamber 71 is dumped. Next, the motor is operated to increase the hydraulic pressure in the passage 32 to a second pressure level which is much greater than the first pressure level so that the intake chamber 71 will open to a faster rate because fluid passes through the choke 77 at a faster rate. The sample pressure is measured as the sample comes in the intake chamber 71 of the tool at the faster rate. Thus, the differential flowing pressures are obtained from one formation at different rates of flow and can be used for a determination relative to permeability of the earth formations.

Claims

1. A method for use in obtaining multiple pressure tests of an earth formation traversed by a well bore by use of a sidewall fluid sampler well tool which has a fluid pressure sampling chamber in the well tool in open fluid communication with a pad sealing means, compromising the steps of:

for one selected level in a well bore, moving a pad sealing means on the well tool into engagement with the wall of a well bore and isolating a wall segment of the earth formation;

after the pad sealing means engages the wall segment of the earth formation, generating a hydraulic pressure in the well tool and applying said hydraulic pressure to said fluid pressure sampling chamber for increasing the volume of said fluid pressure sampling chamber thereby to draw a fluid sample from the earth formation engaged by the pad sealing means into the fluid pressure sampling chamber,

sensing the pressure of said fluid sample as it is drawn into the fluid pressure sampling chamber while the volume of the sampling chamber is being increased,

relieving the hydraulic pressure in the well tool with respect to said fluid pressure sampling chamber for decreasing the volume of said fluid pressure sampling chamber thereby to contract the sampling chamber to discharge the fluid sample through the pad sealing means;

retracting the sealing pad means and, after retraction of sealing pad means from engagement from the wall of the well bore, moving the well tool to a second location at another level in the well bore and,

at the second location, repeating the steps of the method performed at the one selected level for obtaining another fluid sample and pressure sensing at said second location.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 and further including the step, at the second location and while the wall segment is isolated, of opening another fluid sampling chamber in the well tool to access with the isolated wall segment, and

withdrawing a fluid sample from the earth formations and closing off the last mentioned fluid sampling chamber to trap a fluid sample within the well tool before retracting the sealing pad means from engagement from the wall of the well bore.

3. Formation tester apparatus adopted for passage through a well bore and for obtaining multiple tests from earth formations comprising:

an elongated well tool for passage through a well bore;

sidewall sealing means on said well tool for sealingly engaging a segment of the wall of a well bore;

an expandable and contractable fluid pressure sampling chamber means in said well tool fluidly connected to said sealing means for receiving a fluid sample;

hydraulic means in said well tool for applying and relieving hydraulic pressure with respect to said sampling chamber means so that upon application of hydraulic pressure said sampling chamber means is expanded for intaking a fluid sample into said sampling chamber and so that upon relieving of hydraulic pressure, said sampling chamber means is contracted for expelling a fluid sample from said sampling chamber; and

means connected to said sampling chamber means for sensing pressure of a fluid sample in said sampling chamber means.

4. Formation tester apparatus adopted for passage through a well bore and for obtaining multiple tests from earth formations comprising:

an elongated well tool for passage through a well bore;

sealing means on said well tool for sealingly engaging a segment of the wall of the well bore;

fluid pressure sampling chamber means in said well tool fluidly connected to said sealing means for receiving a fluid sample;

means for expanding and contracting said sampling chamber means in the well bore;

means for sensing pressure of a fluid sample received in said sampling chamber means; and

spring means for applying a force tending to contract said sampling chamber means.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 and further including hydraulic pressure generating means for extending the retracting said sealing means relative to said well tool and for expanding said sampling chamber means subsequent to extension the sealing means.

6. A method for obtaining multiple pressure tests of an earth formation traversed by a well bore, comprising the steps of:

at a selected level in the well bore, generating a hydraulic pressure in a well tool for moving a sealing pad means on the well tool into engagement with the wall of a well bore and isolating a wall segment of the earth formation where a fluid pressure sampling chamber in the well tool is opened to the isolated wall segment,

after the pad sealing means engages the wall segment of the earth formation applying said hydraulic pressure to said fluid pressure sampling chamber for expanding said fluid pressure sampling chamber to draw a fluid sample within the sampling chamber,

sensing the pressure of the fluid sample drawn into the sampling chamber,

relieving said hydraulic pressure for contracting the fluid pressure sampling chamber to discharge the fluid sample and for retracting the sealing pad means from the wall segment of the earth formation.

7. The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said hydraulic pressure is maintained at a first value while said sampling chamber is expanded and said sampling chamber is contracted by applying an additional closing force to said sampling chamber.

8. The method as defined in claim 7 and further including the step of opening another sampling chamber to the isolated wall segment by increasing the hydraulic pressure to a second value which is greater than said first value and withdrawing a fluid sample,

closing said other sampling chamber by increasing the hydraulic pressure to a third value which is greater than said second value and trapping a fluid sample in the other sampling chamber.

9. The method as defined in claim 6 and further including the step of projecting a tube member into the isolated earth formations in the occasion of unconsolidated sands until the tube member defines a clearance space to prevent sand particle passage and permit fluid flow, and

retracting the tube member after a test to open said clearance space and clean the space from retention of said particles.

10. A method for testing earth formations traversed by a well bore comprising the steps of:

locating a well tool at a selected level in a well bore and moving a sealing pad means against the wall of the well bore where said sealing pad means are in fluid communication with a pressure sampling chamber,

expanding the pressure sampling chamber at a first rate of expansion to draw a fluid sample and sensing the pressure of the fluid sample,

contracting the pressure sampling chamber to discharge the fluid sample and

re-expanding the pressure sampling chamber at a second rate of expansion to draw another fluid sample and sensing the pressure of other fluid sample thereby to obtain pressures at different rates of flow from the earth formation.

11. A method for testing earth formations comprising the steps of:

positioning a well tool in a well bore adjacent to an earth formation in which a test is desired,

generating a hydraulic pressure in the well tool for bringing a sealing member on the well tool into sealing engagement with the formation zone to be tested,

subsequent to said sealing member engaging the wall of the formation zone to be tested, applying said hydraulic pressure to expandable chamber means to expand the expandable chamber at a first rate of expansion while said chamber is coupled for fluid communication to the sealing member thereby to obtain a fluid sample,

sensing the pressure of the fluid sample during the expansion of the expandable chamber to its fully expanded position,

releasing the hydraulic pressure on said expandable chamber and applying a force thereto to contract said expandable chamber means to its initial position to discharge said fluid sample while maintaining said sealing member in contact with the formation zone,

repressuring the hydraulic fluid at an increased second hydraulic pressure relative to the first hydraulic pressure to expand said expanding chamber at a faster rate while obtaining a second sample of fluid and its pressure,

sensing the pressure of said second fluid sample during said sampling operation until said expandable chamber means is fully expanded,

relieving the second hydraulic pressure in such expandable chamber means and applying a force to said expanding chamber means to contract such expanding chamber means to its initial condition whereby tests at different flow rates from the formation are obtained.

12. A formation tester adapted for passage through a well bore traversing earth formations and for obtaining multiple pressure tests therein comprising:

an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore on an armored cable;

shoe and pad means on said tool body adapted for lateral movement relative to said tool body between a retracted position and an extended position in engagement with the wall of the well bore;

means in said tool body for generating hydraulic pressure for actuating said shoe and pad means and moving said shoe and pad means into said extended position where said pad means is in sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore;

pressure testing means in said tool body including means defining an expandable chamber in said tool body;

means for placing said expandable chamber in fluid communication with said pad means;

pressure sensing means in said fluid communication means for sensing pressure;

means responsive to said hydraulic pressure for moving said expandable chamber between a collapsed position and an expanded position, said means for moving being operative subsequent to engagement of the pad means with the wall of the well bore whereby as a fluid sample is taken, the pressure of the fluid sample is sensed by said pressure sensing means.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for moving includes a fluid choke for delaying the application of hydraulic pressure to said expandable chamber.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said expandable chamber includes a piston in a cylinder and fluid choke means for delaying the application of hydraulic pressure to said piston.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein spring means are operable to urge said piston toward a collapsed position and one way bypass means are provided around said choke means for returning fluid when said piston is moved toward a collapsed position.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 and further including:

means defining another fluid sampling chamber;

means responsive to a first hydraulic pressure having a greater value than the pressure for moving said expandable chamber for opening said other fluid sampling chamber to said pad means; and

means responsive to a second hydraulic pressure having a greater value than the first hydraulic pressure for closing said other fluid sampling chamber.

17. A formation pressure tester for use in a well bore for obtaining tests from earth formations traversed by a well bore comprising:

an elongated tool body adapted for passage through a well bore on an armored cable,

said tool body having diametrically opposed pad and shoe means for selectively engaging the wall of a well bore;

means in said tool body for selectively extending and retracting said pad and shoe means relative to said tool body;

means on said pad means for sealingly engaging the wall of a well bore when the pad means is extended and in engagement with the wall of a well bore;

means for selectively withdrawing a fluid sample from earth formations when said pad sealingly engages the wall of the well bore and for ejecting said fluid sample from said tool body when said pad is retracted from sealing engagement with the well bore; and

means for sensing the pressure of said fluid sample during the time it is withdrawn from the earth formations.