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 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A system for deployment in a wellbore to sample a formation fluid, comprising:
 a single expandable packer structure having:
 a sample collection portion disposed in the packer structure, the structure 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; and 
 a heater element configured to heat the formation fluid sample. 
   
     
     
         27 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the heater element is disposed in the packer structure. 
     
     
         28 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the flow path is defined by the packer structure. 
     
     
         29 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the heater element is supplied power by conductors within the packer structure. 
     
     
         30 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising an expandable screen disposed in the sample collection portion 
     
     
         31 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the single expandable packer structure further comprises a plurality of seal members positioned for expansion against the wellbore wall and an inner bladder that can be filled with a fluid to expand the plurality of seal members. 
     
     
         32 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the single expandable packer structure comprises an expandable mechanical structure, an inner bladder being disposed along a radial interior of the expandable mechanical structure, and a plurality of seal members being disposed along a radial exterior of the expandable mechanical structure. 
     
     
         33 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising a pumping system fluidly coupled to the sample collection portion to draw in the formation fluid sample and wherein the pumping system also is coupled to single expandable packer structure to enable selective inflation of the packer structure. 
     
     
         34 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the heater element enables heating of the formation fluid sample along a sample flow path defined by the system and the collection of high viscosity formation fluid samples. 
     
     
         35 . The system as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising a conduit to route a formation fluid sample from the sample collection portion, along the single packer expandable structure and to a sample collection location. 
     
     
         36 . 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 a sample collection region;   drawing in a formation fluid sample through the sample collection region and along a sample flow path without exposure to wellbore fluid; and   heating the formation fluid sample.   
     
     
         37 . The method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein heating comprises heating the formation fluid sample with a heater element disposed in the packer. 
     
     
         38 . The method as recited in  claim 36  wherein drawing comprises drawing a high viscosity formation fluid sample. 
     
     
         39 . The method as recited in  claim 36  wherein heating comprises heating a cold formation fluid sample. 
     
     
         40 . The method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein drawing comprises drawing the formation fluid sample along a flow path defined by the packer. 
     
     
         41 . The method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein drawing comprises moving the formation fluid sample through a conduit routed along the packer. 
     
     
         42 . The method as recited in  claim 36  further comprising moving the formation fluid sample to a sample collection portion. 
     
     
         43 . The method as recited in  claim 36  wherein heating comprises supplying power to a heater element within the packer. 
     
     
         44 . The method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein expanding comprises pumping a fluid into an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         45 . The method as recited in  claim 36  wherein drawing comprises pumping a fluid from a pumping system fluidly coupled to the sample collection portion to draw in a sample of formation fluid.