Single Packer System for Use in Heavy Oil Environments

Abstract

A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer comprises an outer seal layer, and the at least one drain is positioned in the outer seal layer. A viscosity system also is incorporated and enables the viscosity of a surrounding fluid to be selectively lowered for sampling.

1 . A system for collecting fluid from a specific region of wellbore, comprising:
 a single packer having:
 an outer structural layer expandable in a wellbore across an expansion zone, the outer structural layer comprising a plurality of drains within the expansion zone; 
 an inflatable bladder disposed within the outer structural layer; 
 a seal layer disposed around the outer structural layer; and 
 a viscosity system to lower the viscosity of a fluid being sampled through at least one drain of the plurality of drains. 
   
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the viscosity system comprises a heater located in the single packer. 
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the heater comprises heater elements disposed in the seal layer. 
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the seal layer is formed with a thermally conductive rubber. 
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the heater comprises heater elements disposed in at least one drain of the plurality of drains. 
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the heater comprises a heat sink to retain heat. 
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the viscosity system delivers a viscosity reducing fluid to lower the viscosity of the fluid being sampled. 
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the viscosity reducing fluid comprises a diluent for heavy oil. 
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the viscosity reducing fluid comprises steam. 
   
   
       10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the viscosity system comprises a microwave emitter. 
   
   
       11 . A method, comprising:
 forming a single expandable packer with an outer seal layer;   positioning a sample drain in the outer seal layer; and   incorporating a viscosity system into the single expandable packer to enable lowering of the viscosity of a fluid to be sampled.   
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising locating the outer seal layer on an outer structural layer; and positioning an inflatable bladder within the outer structural layer to enable selective expansion of the single expandable packer. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein incorporating comprises placing a heater in the single expandable packer. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein placing comprises placing heater elements in the outer seal layer. 
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising forming the outer seal layer with a thermally conductive seal material. 
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein placing comprises placing a heater element in the sample drain. 
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein incorporating comprises providing passages in the single expandable packer to deliver a viscosity reducing fluid. 
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising placing a sensor in the single expandable packer to detect a property of a fluid sample. 
   
   
       19 . A method, comprising:
 providing a single expandable packer with a drain in an outer seal layer;   delivering the single expandable packer downhole into a wellbore;   expanding the single expandable packer against a surrounding wellbore wall;   lowering the viscosity of a fluid to be sampled; and   intaking the fluid through the drain.   
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein lowering comprises employing a heater in the single expandable packer to lower the viscosity of oil in a formation adjacent to the drain. 
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein lowering comprises delivering a fluid through the drain to dilute an oil in a formation adjacent to the drain. 
   
   
       22 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein lowering comprises delivering a fluid through the drain to heat an oil in a formation adjacent to the drain. 
   
   
       23 . A system, comprising:
 a single packer having an outer seal layer; a drain positioned in the outer seal layer; and a viscosity system that can be selectively actuated to lower the viscosity of a surrounding fluid to be sampled.   
   
   
       24 . The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the viscosity system comprises a heater. 
   
   
       25 . The system as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the viscosity system comprises a fluid delivery system to deliver a viscosity lowering fluid through the drain.