Apparatus for Collecting a Representative Fluid Sample

Abstract

An apparatus for collecting a fluid sample from a reservoir contains a sample gathering chamber, a motor driven hydraulic pump, a motor mechanically coupled to the hydraulic pump, an electronic controller for influencing the actions of the motor, and a power source for running the motor. A piston which is sealably and movably disposed may be located within a tubular portion defining the sample gathering chamber. The apparatus may also further contain a metering component for regulating pressure.

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         21 . A system for sampling a subterranean reservoir fluid, the system comprising:
 (a) a subterranean reservoir fluid inlet port;   (b) a tubular portion;   (c) a piston sealably and movably disposed within the tubular portion, wherein the area in front of the piston and the subterranean reservoir fluid inlet port define a sample gathering chamber and further wherein the volume of the sample gathering chamber is expandable by lateral movement of the piston during collection of the subterranean reservoir fluid and lateral movement of the piston is reversible for compressing the collected subterranean reservoir fluid;   (d) a space for a working fluid defined by the back of the piston and one or more surfaces of the tubular portion;   (e) a metering section encased within the tubular portion and having a restrictive passage for regulating the movement of the working fluid;   (f) a motor mechanically coupled to a hydraulic pump, wherein the motor and hydraulic pump are incorporated within the tubular portion and are positioned such that the working fluid may be pressurized after collection of the subterranean reservoir fluid and further wherein the motor is capable of being rotated in one direction during collection of the subterranean reservoir fluid and the opposite direction during compression of the collected subterranean reservoir fluid;   (g) a power source for running the motor; and   (h) an electronic controller for controlling the movement of the motor in order to maintain pressure within the system.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a trigger for controlling collection of the subterranean reservoir fluid within the sample gathering chamber through the subterranean reservoir fluid inlet port. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the power source is a battery pack. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the battery pack is rechargeable or contains non-rechargeable cells. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the electronic controller is pre-programmable. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a gearbox for magnifying the torque generated by the motor. 
     
     
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         39 . A sampling apparatus for sampling a subterranean reservoir fluid, the sampling apparatus comprising:
 (a) a subterranean reservoir fluid inlet port;   (b) a tubular portion;   (c) a piston sealably and movably disposed within the tubular portion, wherein the area in front of the piston, the tubular portion and the subterranean reservoir fluid inlet port define a sample gathering chamber;   (d) a space on the side of the piston opposite the fluid inlet port for a working fluid;   (e) a motor mechanically coupled to a hydraulic pump and positioned within the tubular portion such that the working fluid may be pressurized;   (f) a power source within the tubular portion for running the motor; and   (g) an electronic controller for controlling the movement of the motor in order to maintain pressure within the system.   
     
     
         40 . A system for sampling a subterranean reservoir fluid, the system comprising:
 (a) an inlet port for collecting samples of the subterranean reservoir fluid within a sample gathering chamber;   (b) a tubular portion;   (c) a piston sealably and movably disposed within the tubular portion, wherein the area in front of the piston and the subterranean reservoir fluid inlet port defines the sample gathering chamber and further wherein the volume of the sample gathering chamber is expandable by lateral movement of the piston during collection of the subterranean reservoir fluid and further wherein lateral movement of the piston is reversible for compressing the collected subterranean reservoir fluid;   (d) a motor mechanically coupled to a hydraulic pump and capable of repeatedly pressurizing samples of the subterranean reservoir fluid while being collected within the sample gathering chamber above the pressure at which the samples are collected, wherein the motor and hydraulic pump are within the tubular portion; and   (e) a power source within the tubular portion for running the motor.   
     
     
         41 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the power source is a battery pack. 
     
     
         42 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the battery pack is rechargeable or contains non-rechargeable cells. 
     
     
         43 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the power source is an electrical cable. 
     
     
         44 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 40 , further comprising a set of gears within the tubular portion for the motor mechanically coupled to the hydraulic pump. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein each of the hydraulic pump, the motor and the battery pack have passages for entry of the working fluid. 
     
     
         46 . A sampling apparatus for sampling a subterranean reservoir fluid wellbore, the sampling apparatus comprising:
 (a) a fluid inlet port and a tubular portion;   (b) a piston sealably and movably disposed within the tubular portion, wherein one or more surfaces of the piston and the tubular portion in conjunction with the fluid inlet port define a sample gathering chamber;   (c) a space for a working fluid opposite the side of the piston defining the sample gathering chamber;   (d) a pump positioned within the tubular portion such that fluid intake into the pump is located on the low pressure side of the working fluid space;   (e) a motor mechanically positioned within the tubular portion and coupled to the pump;   (f) an electronic controller for activating the motor and pump by the differential pressure on the working fluid space; and   (g) a power source positioned within the tubular portion for running the motor.   
     
     
         47 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising a pressure monitoring device. 
     
     
         48 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising a gearbox for magnifying torque generated by the motor. 
     
     
         49 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the power source is a battery pack. 
     
     
         50 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein the battery pack is rechargeable or contains non-rechargeable cells. 
     
     
         51 . The sampling apparatus of  claim 46 , further comprising an electronic controller capable of controlling the movement of the motor in order to maintain pressure within the tubular portion.