System and method for obtaining formation fluid samples for analysis

Abstract

A system and a methodology is utilized in a wellbore to collect samples of formation fluid. A single expandable packer is moved downhole into the wellbore for collection of a fluid sample. The single packer has a sample collection portion disposed in an intermediate location that is sealed off when the single packer is expanded against a wellbore wall. Once engaged with the wellbore wall, a formation fluid sample can be drawn into the single expandable packer for distribution to a sample collection location.

1 . A system for deployment in a wellbore to sample a formation fluid, comprising: 
 a single expandable packer structure having a sample collection portion disposed longitudinally between a plurality of seal members positioned for expansion against a wellbore wall, the plurality of seal members being selectively expandable against the wellbore wall to block contamination of a formation fluid sample with external well fluid while the formation fluid sample is drawn through the sample collection portion.    
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an expandable screen disposed in the sample collection portion.  
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the single expandable packer structure further comprises an inner bladder that can be filled with a fluid to expand the plurality of seal members and the expandable screen.  
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of expandable seal members comprises a pair of rubber covers.  
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the single expandable packer structure comprises an expandable mechanical structure, the inner bladder being disposed along a radial interior of the expandable mechanical structure, the expandable screen and the plurality of seal members being disposed along a radial exterior of the expandable mechanical structure.  
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a pumping system fluidly coupled to the sample collection portion to draw in a sample of formation fluid.  
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the pumping system also is coupled to the inner bladder to enable selective inflation of the inner bladder.  
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the pumping system is coupled to the sample collection portion with at least one hydraulic hose.  
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the single expandable packer structure comprises a heater element to heat the formation fluid sample.  
   
   
       10 . A method of collecting formation fluid, comprising: 
 constructing a modular dynamic formation tester tool with a single expandable packer;    moving the single expandable packer downhole into a wellbore;    expanding the single expandable packer against a wall of the wellbore to seal off an internal sample collection region; and    drawing in a formation fluid sample through the sample collection region without exposure to wellbore fluid.    
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein constructing comprises locating an intake screen at the internal sample collection region between a pair of seal members.  
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein constructing comprises positioning an inflatable bladder radially inward of the intake screen and the pair of seal members.  
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein constructing comprises separating the inflatable bladder from both the intake screen and the pair of seal members with an expandable mechanical structure.  
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein expanding comprises pumping a fluid into an inflatable bladder.  
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein drawing comprises moving the formation fluid sample through a conduit routed along the expandable mechanical structure.  
   
   
       16 . An expandable packer system, comprising: 
 a single expandable packer structure having: an inflatable bladder, an expandable mechanical structure positioned radially outward of the inflatable bladder, a screen radially outward of the expandable mechanical structure, a first seal member positioned at a longitudinal end of the screen, a second seal member positioned at an opposite longitudinal end of the screen, and a conduit to route a formation fluid sample from the screen, along the expandable mechanical structure and to a sample collection location.    
   
   
       17 . The expandable packer system as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising a pumping system for supplying a fluid to the inflatable bladder to expand the single expandable packer structure.  
   
   
       18 . The expandable packer system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the single expandable packer structure further comprises a heating element to heat the formation fluid sample.  
   
   
       19 . The expandable packer system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the single expandable packer structure as an expansion ratio of at least two to one.  
   
   
       20 . A method of collecting formation fluid, comprising: 
 positioning an expandable screen between a pair of longitudinally spaced seal members;    using an internal expandable member to simultaneously expanded the pair of longitudinally spaced seal members into engagement with the wellbore wall; and    drawing a formation fluid sample radially inward through the expandable screen.    
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising locating an expandable mechanical structure between the internal expandable member and the pair of longitudinally spaced seal members.  
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein using comprises using an inflatable bladder.  
   
   
       23 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , wherein drawing comprises using a pumping system to create suction between the longitudinally spaced seal members proximate the expandable screen.  
   
   
       24 . The method as recited in  claim 23 , further comprising routing the formation fluid sample from the screen to the pumping system via a conduit.  
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising heating the formation fluid sample as it is collected.