Abstract: A method includes pumping fluid from outside of a downhole tool through a flowline of the downhole tool with a pump. The method further includes taking a first plurality of measurements over time using at least one sensor and estimating a future saturation pressure of the fluid within the flowline at constant time increments via a processor based at least in part on the first plurality of measurements and a saturation pressure model. The method further includes adjusting the flowline pressure to maintain the pressure of the flowline above the estimated future saturation pressure.

Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.

Abstract: A method includes pumping fluid from outside of a downhole tool through a flowline of the downhole tool with a pump. The method further includes taking a first plurality of measurements over time using at least one sensor and estimating a future saturation pressure of the fluid within the flowline at constant time increments via a processor based at least in part on the first plurality of measurements and a saturation pressure model. The method further includes adjusting the flowline pressure to maintain the pressure of the flowline above the estimated future saturation pressure.

Abstract: A downhole sampling tool is operated to obtain formation fluid from a subterranean formation, which then flows through a flowline of the downhole sampling tool. Real-time density and optical density sensors of the downhole sampling tool are co-located proximate the flowline. Contamination of the formation fluid in the flowline is then determined based, at least in part, on the real-time density and optical density measurements obtained utilizing the co-located sensors.

Abstract: Optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is obtained. Based on the obtained optical spectra data, a plurality of measures each relating the formation fluid to a corresponding one of a plurality of different fluid types are estimated. Blending coefficients each corresponding to a different one of the different fluid types are determined and utilized with the predetermined mapping matrices, each corresponding to a different one of the different fluid types, to obtain a blended mapping matrix. A parameter of the formation fluid is then predicted based on a projection of the obtained spectral data onto the blended mapping matrix.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the condition of a spectrometer is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring optical data from a spectrometer of a downhole tool during flushing of a flowline and selecting a data set from the acquired optical data. The method can also include estimating light scattering and optical drift for the spectrometer based on the selected data set and determining impacts of the estimated light scattering and optical drift for the spectrometer on measurement accuracy of a characteristic of a downhole fluid determinable through analysis of the downhole fluid using the spectrometer. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus to perform a drawdown of a formation fluid in a downhole environment are disclosed. An example method includes contacting a borehole wall with a fluid communication device of a formation testing tool and performing a first type of drawdown to draw fluid into the fluid communication device. The method also includes detecting a breach of a mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the first type of drawdown and performing a second type of drawdown to draw fluid into the sample probe in response to detecting the breach of the mudcake. The second type of drawdown is different than the first type of drawdown. Furthermore, the example method includes confirming the breach of the mudcake on the borehole wall during performance of the second type of drawdown.

Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. A sample container is fixed in the cavity and includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container.

Abstract: A system and/or a method collects formation fluids using a single packer with expansion rings and/or an irregular sealing layer. The packer may have an expansion ring extending around an outer circumference. The expansion ring may seal a portion of a wellbore to sample fluid from a formation. An irregular sealing layer may facilitate leaking between drains of the packer. The irregular sealing layer may have grooves through which fluid may flow. The irregular sealing layer may be composed of fibers and/or plastic.

Abstract: A downhole modular tool includes a first module, a second module, a third module, and one or more connectors for connecting the first, second, and third modules. Each module includes a drill collar, a drilling fluid passageway, a first fluid passageway, and a second fluid passageway. The one or more connectors connect any one of the first, second, and third modules, to another of the first, second, and third modules to transfer the drilling fluid, the first fluid, and the second fluid between the connected modules.

Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.

Abstract: A method includes drawing formation fluid from a formation into a pressure test chamber of a downhole tool while the downhole tool is positioned at a location within a wellbore. The method also includes, while the downhole remains positioned at the location, measuring pressure of the formation fluid drawn into the pressure test chamber and operating a first pump to route additional formation fluid from the formation through the downhole tool and out into the wellbore. Still further, the method includes operating a second pump to expel the formation fluid from the pressure test chamber and to mix the formation fluid with the additional formation fluid such that the formation fluid expelled from the pressure test chamber is also routed through the downhole tool and out into the wellbore along with the additional formation fluid.

Abstract: Optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is obtained. Based on the obtained optical spectra data, a plurality of measures each relating the formation fluid to a corresponding one of a plurality of different fluid types are estimated. Blending coefficients each corresponding to a different one of the different fluid types are determined and utilized with the predetermined mapping matrices, each corresponding to a different one of the different fluid types, to obtain a blended mapping matrix. A parameter of the formation fluid is then predicted based on a projection of the obtained spectral data onto the blended mapping matrix.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the condition of a spectrometer is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes acquiring optical data from a spectrometer of a downhole tool during flushing of a flowline and selecting a data set from the acquired optical data. The method can also include estimating light scattering and optical drift for the spectrometer based on the selected data set and determining impacts of the estimated light scattering and optical drift for the spectrometer on measurement accuracy of a characteristic of a downhole fluid determinable through analysis of the downhole fluid using the spectrometer. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.

Abstract: A method comprising using a first mass analyzer of a downhole tool to isolate specific ions within a sample received in the downhole tool, using a second mass analyzer of the downhole tool to stabilize the ions isolated by the first mass analyzer, and using a third mass analyzer of the downhole tool to catalog the stabilized ions.

Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.

Abstract: An example method of planning a sampling while drilling operation for a subterranean formation includes identifying a plurality of processes and related parameters, the processes including drilling and sampling processes and the related parameters including drilling and sampling parameters. The example method also involves processing the parameters for each of the processes via a simulation engine to generate predictions associated with sampling the formation, the simulation engine including at least one of a wellbore hydraulics simulator, a mudcake simulator, a formation flow simulator, or a tool response simulator. The example method also involves ranking the predictions associated with sampling the formation based on at least one of a sample fluid quality, a sampling process duration, a sampling process efficiency or a cost of sampling, and planning the sampling operation based on the ranked predictions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a modular cartridge assembly that includes a chassis assembly within a housing and that includes a flow line and an electrical pathway. The modular cartridge assembly includes a first connector at a first end and a second connector at a second end. The first connector and the second connector are in fluid communication with the flow line and are further in electrical communication with the electrical pathway.