Abstract: A method and/or a system determines mechanical properties of a fluid-bearing formation. One or more packers may be used to measure and/or collect data regarding mechanical properties of a formation. The formation characteristics may be, for example, the stability of the formation, design parameters for frac-pack/gravel-pack operations, and sand production. The packer may expand within a wellbore of a formation until enough pressure is applied to fracture a wall of the wellbore. Before, during and/or after the fracturing of the wall, multiple measurements may be taken by the packer. After fractures are initiated, fluid may be pumped into and/or drawn from the formation using drains disposed on the packer. Additional packers may be used above and/or below the packer for isolating intervals of the wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole compressible fluid sampling tool includes a primary fluid flow line deployed between a fluid inlet probe and a fluid outlet line. A fluid analysis module and a fluid pumping module are deployed in the primary fluid flow line. The fluid pumping module includes a pump in parallel with a bypass flow line having a bypass valve. A compressible fluid sampling vessel is deployed in parallel with and in fluid communication with the primary flow line. A method for obtaining a sample of a compressible downhole fluid includes turning off the pump and opening the bypass valve to enable the downhole fluid to flow into the fluid sampling vessel. The pump may then be optionally turned back on to pressurize the sample.

Abstract: Obtaining in-situ, at a first time, first optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus, and then obtaining in-situ, at a second time after the first time, second optical spectral data associated with the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus. A wavelength-independent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is then determined based on the first and second optical spectral data, and a wavelength-dependent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is determined based on the first and second optical spectral data.

Abstract: A system and method collects one or more measurements within a borehole formed in a subsurface reservoir. The system and method provides a first downhole component having an expandable element and a first port formed in a layer of the expandable element. A wireless transceiver is connected to the first downhole component, wherein the wireless transceiver is adapted to transmit one or more wireless signals within the borehole. A first wireless sensor located at the first port and remotely with respect to the wireless transceiver, wherein the first wireless sensor is configure to receive the one or more wireless signals and collect at least one measurement within the borehole or perform at least one task related to the borehole or subsurface reservoir about the borehole.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a first section of a drilling tool having a collar configured to hold internal components of the first section. The drilling system also includes a second section of the drilling tool configured to be coupled with the first section in a specific orientation relative to the first section. The second section is interchangeable with at least one different section.

Abstract: Obtaining in-situ optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus, and predicting a parameter of the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus based on projection of the obtained spectral data onto a matrix that corresponds to a predominant fluid type of the formation fluid.

Abstract: A packer assembly with an enhanced sealing layer is provided. The packer assembly may have an outer bladder with drains. The packer assembly may further have an inflatable inner packer disposed inside the outer bladder such that inflation of the inner packer causes the outer bladder to expand. End pieces may be coupled to the inner bladder and the outer bladder, and flowlines may be in fluid communication with the drains and the end pieces. A piston ring may reinforce the packer assembly. The piston ring may have three or more passive pistons which expand with the packer assembly during testing.

Abstract: An example method comprises collecting formation temperature data along a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, determining test operating parameter values, performing a wellbore hydraulic simulation of the response of wellbore fluid conditions to the test operating parameter values and the formation temperature data, determining whether the response of wellbore fluid conditions is indicative of one of a well control and a well stability problem, and initiating a test based on the determination whether the response of wellbore fluid conditions is indicative of one of a well control and a well stability problem.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for analyzing well data which may be encountered during formation testing are disclosed. Certain portions of the tests may exhibit an indication of anomalous behavior, defects, errors or events that may have occurred during testing. One or more confidence tokens may be identified during or after the execution of a test. One or more of these confidence tokens may be analyzed to determine whether such anomalous behavior, defects, errors or events have occurred during the test. These confidence tokens may then be used to determine a level of confidence in the results derived from the tests performed and/or their underlying data and interpretation.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a downhole tool configured for conveyance within a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises: a probe assembly configured to seal a region of a wall of the borehole; a perforator configured to penetrate a portion of the sealed region of the borehole wall by projecting through the probe assembly; a fluid chamber comprising a fluid; and a pump configured to inject the fluid from the fluid chamber into the formation through the perforator.

Abstract: A method for data processing includes transforming measurement data acquired in the time domain during an oilfield operation into a second domain to produce transformed data; identifying distortions in the transformed data; removing the distortions from the transformed data; and transforming back from the second domain to the time domain to produce cleaned-up data. The transforming measurement data may use a Fourier transform or a wavelet transform. The method may further include compressing the cleaned-up data or reconstructing signals from the cleaned-up data. A method for data processing includes decomposing measurement data, which are acquired in an oilfield operation, using a low pass filter to produce a first dataset; decomposing the measurement data using a high pass filter to produce a second dataset; removing distortions from the second dataset to yield a corrected second dataset; and reconstructing a corrected dataset from the first dataset and the corrected second dataset.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for analyzing well data which may be encountered during formation testing are disclosed. Certain portions of the tests may exhibit an indication of anomalous behavior, defects, errors or events that may have occurred during testing. One or more confidence tokens may be identified during or after the execution of a test. One or more of these confidence tokens may be analyzed to determine whether such anomalous behavior, defects, errors or events have occurred during the test. These confidence tokens may then be used to determine a level of confidence in the results derived from the tests performed and/or their underlying data and interpretation.

Abstract: A method for data processing includes transforming measurement data acquired in the time domain during an oilfield operation into a second domain to produce transformed data; identifying distortions in the transformed data; removing the distortions from the transformed data; and transforming back from the second domain to the time domain to produce cleaned-up data. The transforming measurement data may use a Fourier transform or a wavelet transform. The method may further include compressing the cleaned-up data or reconstructing signals from the cleaned-up data. A method for data processing includes decomposing measurement data, which are acquired in an oilfield operation, using a low pass filter to produce a first dataset; decomposing the measurement data using a high pass filter to produce a second dataset; removing distortions from the second dataset to yield a corrected second dataset; and reconstructing a corrected dataset from the first dataset and the corrected second dataset.

Abstract: A sample module for a sampling while drilling tool includes a sample fluid flowline operatively connectable between a sample chamber and an inlet, for passing a downhole fluid. A primary piston divides the sample chamber into a sample volume and a buffer volume and includes a first face in fluid communication with the sample volume and a second face in fluid communication with the buffer volume. A secondary piston includes a first face in fluid communication with the buffer volume having buffer fluid disposed therein and a second face.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one downhole formation property is disclosed. The apparatus includes a probe and a pretest piston positionable in fluid communication with the formation, and a series of flowlines pressure gauges, and valves configured to selectively draw into the apparatus for measurement of one of formation fluid and mud. The method includes performing a first pretest to determine an estimated formation parameter; using the first pretest to design a second pretest and generate refined formation parameters whereby formation properties may be estimated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one downhole formation property is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pretest piston positionable in fluid communication with the formation, and a series of flowlines pressure gauges, and valves configured to selectively draw into the apparatus for measurement of one of formation fluid and mud. The method includes performing a first pretest to determine an estimated formation parameter; using the first pretest to design a second pretest and generate refined formation parameters whereby formation properties may be estimated.

Abstract: Systems and methods in which data compression techniques are utilized to fill a predetermined channel capacity are shown. According to one configuration, event data points within test data are selected for communication via the data communication channel and a data decimator is utilized to identify other data points within the test data to fill or substantially fill the predetermined channel capacity. The foregoing data decimator may employ one or more variables for selecting data for communication, wherein one or more of the variables are preferably adjusted in decimator iterations to select an optimum or otherwise desirable subset of data for communication. Data decimators may additionally or alternatively implement a suitable “growth” function to select the particular data for communication and/or the amount of data communicated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one downhole formation property is disclosed. The apparatus includes a probe and a pretest piston positionable in fluid communication with the formation, and a series of flowlines pressure gauges, and valves configured to selectively draw into the apparatus for measurement of one of formation fluid and mud. The method includes performing a first pretest to determine an estimated formation parameter; using the first pretest to design a second pretest and generate refined formation parameters whereby formation properties may be estimated.

Abstract: A method for determining a property of formations surrounding an earth borehole being drilled with a drill bit at the end of a drill string, using drilling fluid that flows downward through the drill string, exits through the drill bit, and returns toward the earth's surface in the annulus between the drill string and the periphery of the borehole, including the following steps: obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a pre-bit sample of the mud in the drill string as it approaches the drill bit; obtaining, downhole near the drill bit, a post-bit sample of the mud in the annulus, entrained with drilled earth formation, after its egression from the drill bit; implementing pre-bit measurements on the pre-bit sample; implementing post-bit measurements on the post-bit sample; and determining a property of the formations from the post-bit measurements and the pre-bit measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining at least one downhole formation property is disclosed. The apparatus includes a probe and a pretest piston positionable in fluid communication with the formation, and a series of flowlines pressure gauges, and valves configured to selectively draw into the apparatus for measurement of one of formation fluid and mud; The method includes performing a first pretest to determine an estimated formation parameter; using the first pretest to design a second pretest and generate refined formation parameters whereby formation properties may be estimated.