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: 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: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a tool and a shroud. The tool is to be disposed in a wellbore and includes an opening to inject fluid into the well. The shroud at least partially surrounds the tool to eccentrically dispose the tool with respect to a longitudinal axis of the wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole tool is provided including apparatus for unsticking the tool from the wall or a borehole. The tool may include a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a sleeve coupled to the housing and mounted for rotation relative to the housing, the sleeve having an exterior surface including at least one projection extending radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis. A transmission mechanism may be coupled to and adapted to rotate the sleeve, and a motor may be coupled to the transmission mechanism. A method for unsticking the downhole tool by rotating a sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool is provided including apparatus for unsticking the tool from the wall or a borehole. The tool may include a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a sleeve coupled to the housing and mounted for rotation relative to the housing, the sleeve having an exterior surface including at least one projection extending radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis. A transmission mechanism may be coupled to and adapted to rotate the sleeve, and a motor may be coupled to the transmission mechanism. A method for unsticking the downhole tool by rotating a sleeve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A viscometer for a down hole tool positionable in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation is described. The formation contains at least one fluid therein. The down hole tool is adapted to convey at least a portion of the fluid to the viscometer. The viscometer comprises a sensor unit, and at least one magnet. The sensor unit is positionable within the down hole tool and comprises at least two spatially disposed clamps and a wire suspended in tension between the at least two clamps such that the wire is available for interaction with the fluid when the viscometer is positioned within the down hole tool and the down hole tool is positioned within the subterranean formation and receives the fluid from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The apparatuses and methods herein relate to techniques for extracting fluid from a subsurface formation. A downhole sampling tool is provided with a probe having an internal wall capable of selectively diverting virgin fluids into virgin flow channels for sampling, while diverting contaminated fluids into contaminated flow channels to be discarded. The characteristics of the fluid passing through the channels of the probe may be measured. The data generated during sampling may be sent to a controller capable of generating data, communicating and/or sending command signals. The flow of fluid into the downhole tool may be selectively adjusted to optimize the flow of fluid into the channels by adjusting the internal wall within the probe and/or by adjusting the flow rates through the channels. The configuration of the internal wall and/or the flow rates may be automatically adjusted by the controller and/or manually manipulated to further optimize the fluid flow.

Abstract: The apparatuses and methods herein relate to techniques for extracting fluid from a subsurface formation. A downhole sampling tool is provided with a probe having an internal wall capable of selectively diverting virgin fluids into virgin flow channels for sampling, while diverting contaminated fluids into contaminated flow channels to be discarded. The characteristics of the fluid passing through the channels of the probe may be measured. The data generated during sampling may be sent to a controller capable of generating data, communicating and/or sending command signals. The flow of fluid into the downhole tool may be selectively adjusted to optimize the flow of fluid into the channels by adjusting the internal wall within the probe and/or by adjusting the flow rates through the channels. The configuraton of the internal wall and/or the flow rates may be automatically adjusted by the controller and/or manually manipulated to further optimize the fluid flow.

Abstract: A coring bit, including an outer hollow coring shaft, and a rotationally uncoupled internal sleeve disposed inside the outer hollow coring shaft. The rotationally uncoupled internal sleeve may be a non-rotating internal sleeve. The rotationally uncoupled internal sleeve may be a free-floating internal sleeve.

Abstract: A core sample retaining sleeve is provided for preventing loss of a cut core sample from the distal end of a coring bit, particularly during retraction of the coring bit to within the coring tool. Preferably, the core sample retaining sleeve is disposed concentrically within the coring bit to fit around the received core sample. The core sample retaining sleeve has one or more retaining fingers formed on the distal end of the coring bit. The retaining fingers are selectively closeable, preferably by urging the one or more retaining fingers against one or more guide members. A guide member is preferably provided as a stationary ridge on the inner, distal surface of the coring bit. The core sample is contained and protected within the closed retaining sleeve.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of sampling the formation fluids in an earth formation surrounding a borehole, the region of the formation immediately surrounding the borehole being at least partially invaded by borehole fluids, and an apparatus for carrying out such a method. According to the invention, a borehole tool is adapted to be lowered into the borehole and is provided with a sampling probe device and means for urging the sampling probe device into contact with the borehole wall, the sampling probe device comprising an inner probe and an outer probe surrounding the inner probe for withdrawing respective fluid samples from the formation, wherein the ratio between the respective flow areas of the inner and outer probes is selected so as to tend to reduce the time taken to obtain via the inner probe a sample of the formation fluids having a given level of contamination by borehole fluids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting fluid from a subsurface formation is disclosed. A downhole sampling tool is provided with a probe having an internal wall capable of selectively diverting virgin fluids into one or more virgin flow channels for sampling, while diverting contaminated fluids into one or more contaminated flow channels to be discarded. The characteristics of the fluid passing through the channels of the probe may also be measured using techniques, such as optical density, to evaluate various fluid parameters, such as contamination levels. The data generated during sampling may be sent to a controller capable of generating data, communicating and/or sending command signals. The flow of fluid into the downhole tool may be selectively adjusted to optimize the flow of fluid into the channels by adjusting the internal wall within the probe and/or by adjusting the flow rates through the channels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of sampling the formation fluids in an earth formation surrounding a borehole, the region of the formation immediately surrounding the borehole being at least partially invaded by borehole fluids, and an apparatus for carrying out such a method. According to the invention, a borehole tool is adapted to be lowered into the borehole and is provided with a sampling probe device and means for urging the sampling probe device into contact with the borehole wall, the sampling probe device comprising an inner probe and an outer probe surrounding the inner probe for withdrawing respective fluid samples from the formation, wherein the ratio between the respective flow areas of the inner and outer probes is selected so as to tend to reduce the time taken to obtain via the inner probe a sample of the formation fluids having a given level of contamination by borehole fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a core sample retaining sleeve for preventing loss of a cut core sample from the distal end of a coring bit, particularly during retraction of the coring bit to within the coring tool. Preferably, the core sample retaining sleeve is disposed concentrically within the coring bit to fit around the received core sample. The core sample retaining sleeve has one or more retaining fingers formed on the distal end of the coring bit. The retaining fingers are selectively closeable, preferably by urging the one or more retaining fingers against one or more guide members. A guide member is preferably provided as a stationary ridge on the inner, distal surface of the coring bit. The core sample is contained and protected within the closed retaining sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brush bit for cutting a core sample from an unconsolidated formation with reduced fragmentation or damage to the core sample by using a plurality of stiff bristles to cut rock from around the core sample. The present invention also provides an improved method of obtaining a core sample from an unconsolidated formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coring motor for use in obtaining a core sample from the side wall of a drilled bore hole. The present invention provides controllable rotation, extension and retraction of the coring bit relative to the side wall without complicated positioning linkages and with conservation of space for use in slim tools for use downhole.