Methods and Apparatus for Downhole Extraction and Analysis of Heavy Oil

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for downhole extraction and analysis of heavy oil are disclosed. An example method includes lowering a viscosity of formation fluid in a subterranean formation and flowing the formation fluid from the subterranean formation into a downhole tool. The example method also includes controlling the viscosity of at least a portion of the formation fluid in the downhole tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 lowering a viscosity of formation fluid in a subterranean formation;   flowing the formation fluid from the subterranean formation into a downhole tool; and   controlling the viscosity of at least a portion of the formation fluid in the downhole tool.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling the viscosity of at least a portion of the formation fluid in the downhole tool comprises:
 separating a hydrocarbon phase from the formation fluid; and 
 heating the hydrocarbon phase. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein separating the hydrocarbon phase from the formation fluid comprises flowing the formation fluid through a hydrophobic filter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising providing a pressure differential to induce the hydrocarbon phase to flow into a microfluidic flowline. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein controlling the viscosity of at least a portion of the formation fluid in the downhole tool comprises controlling a temperature of at least a portion of the formation fluid in the downhole tool. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein lowering a viscosity of the formation fluid in the subterranean formation comprises heating the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein flowing the formation fluid comprises controlling a pressurization device. 
     
     
         8 . A downhole tool, comprising:
 a pressurization device to draw formation fluid from a subterranean formation into a flowline of the downhole tool; and   a chamber to enclose at least a portion of the flowline and control a viscosity of the formation fluid flowing through the portion of the flowline enclosed by the chamber.   
     
     
         9 . The downhole tool of  claim 8  further comprising a heater to heat the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         10 . The downhole tool of  claim 8  wherein the chamber comprises a heater to heat an interior of the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The downhole tool of  claim 8  further comprising a hydrophobic filter to separate a hydrocarbon phase from the formation fluid, wherein the hydrocarbon phase is to flow through the portion of the flowline enclosed by the chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The downhole tool of  claim 8  wherein the portion of the flowline enclosed by the chamber is a microfluidic. 
     
     
         13 . The downhole tool of  claim 8  wherein the pressurization device is a piston. 
     
     
         14 . The downhole tool of  claim 8  further comprising at least one microfluidic sensor disposed in the chamber to determine a characteristic of the hydrocarbon phase. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 flowing formation fluid from a subterranean formation into a microfluidic flowline disposed in a downhole tool; and   controlling a viscosity of the formation fluid in at least a portion of the microfluidic flowline.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising heating the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein controlling a viscosity of the formation fluid in at least a portion of the microfluidic flowline comprises controlling a temperature of at least a portion of the formation fluid in the microfluidic flowline. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein flowing formation fluid from the subterranean formation into the microfluidic flowline comprises:
 flowing formation fluid from the subterranean formation into a main flowline; and 
 providing a pressure differential between the main flowline and the microfluidic flowline. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein flowing the formation fluid from the subterranean formation into a microfluidic flowline comprises controlling a pressurization device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising separating a hydrocarbon phase from the formation fluid.