Abstract: A snorkel and pad for use with a formation testing tool is formed with a cylindrical geometry at the interface where the snorkel and pad contacts the inner surface of a borehole. The cylindrical geometry reduces or eliminates gaps that a flat interface surface would leave between the snorkel and the inner surface of the borehole, reducing the possibility that a surrounding pad could extrude through the gap. The snorkel is prevented from rotating during operation, ensuring the correct orientation of the cylindrical geometry interface surface relative to the inner surface of the borehole. The snorkel may be used as part of a formation testing system.

Abstract: A snorkel and pad for use with a formation testing tool is formed with a cylindrical geometry at the interface where the snorkel and pad contacts the inner surface of a borehole. The cylindrical geometry reduces or eliminates gaps that a flat interface surface would leave between the snorkel and the inner surface of the borehole, reducing the possibility that a surrounding pad could extrude through the gap. The snorkel is prevented from rotating during operation, ensuring the correct orientation of the cylindrical geometry interface surface relative to the inner surface of the borehole. The snorkel may be used as part of a formation testing system.

Abstract: A formation tester system with a tester tool comprising two or more functionally configured flow lines. The two or more functionally connected flow lines cooperating with one or more pumps and cooperating valves direct fluid to and from various axially disposed sections of the tester tool for analysis, sampling, and optionally ejection into the borehole or into the formation. The functionally connected flow lines extend contiguously through the sections of the tester tool. The functionally configured flow lines, cooperating with the one or more pumps and valves, can also direct fluid to and from various elements within a given tester tool section. Manipulation of fluid flows within the tester tool, as well as analysis, sampling and/or ejection operations, can be varied with the tester tool disposed in the borehole using appropriate commands from the surface of the earth.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining one or more fluid parameters of interest by irradiating fluid with a source of nuclear electromagnetic radiation and subsequently measuring attenuation and absorption properties of the fluid from which parameters of interest are determined. Measurements are made with a formation tester tool comprising preferably two functionally configured flow lines. The source simultaneously irradiates fluid contained in opposing irradiation sections that can be integral sections of each of the two flow lines. A radiation detector is dedicated to each irradiation section and measures radiation attenuation and absorption properties fluid contained within each flow line section. Absolute and relative fluid parameters of interest are determined from the responses of the two radiation detectors.

Abstract: A system for measuring pressure in a well borehole using two pressure sensing gauges that are exposed to an area of common pressure. Pressure measurements are made with preferably two pressure gauge assemblies each containing a single pressure sensing gauge. The two pressure gauge assemblies are removably disposed within a receptacle or “pocket” in the outer surface of a wall of a formation tester tool section. When disposed or “side loaded” in the pocket, the gauges within the pair of assemblies are axially aligned and positioned in a plane that is normal to the radius of the formation tester tool section. Both pressure sensing gauges can be connected to respond to the same fluid pressure originating from a probe or port section of a formation tester tool. By disposing the pressure gauge assemblies in a receptacle or “pocket” in the outer surface or wall of a formation tester tool section, the pressure sensing gauges are exposed to wellbore fluids. Pressure sensing gauges are selected to have low mass.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining one or more fluid parameters of interest by irradiating fluid with a source of nuclear electromagnetic radiation and subsequently measuring attenuation and absorption properties of the fluid from which parameters of interest are determined. Measurements are made with a formation tester tool comprising preferably two functionally configured flow lines. The source simultaneously irradiates fluid contained in opposing irradiation sections that can be integral sections of each of the two flow lines. A radiation detector is dedicated to each irradiation section and measures radiation attenuation and absorption properties fluid contained within each flow line section. Absolute and relative fluid parameters of interest are determined from the responses of the two radiation detectors.

Abstract: A system for measuring pressure in a well borehole using two pressure sensing gauges that are exposed to an area of common pressure. Pressure measurements are made with preferably two pressure gauge assemblies each containing a single pressure sensing gauge. The two pressure gauge assemblies are removably disposed within a receptacle or “pocket” in the outer surface of a wall of a formation tester tool section. When disposed or “side loaded” in the pocket, the gauges within the pair of assemblies are axially aligned and positioned in a plane that is normal to the radius of the formation tester tool section. Both pressure sensing gauges can be connected to respond to the same fluid pressure originating from a probe or port section of a formation tester tool. By disposing the pressure gauge assemblies in a receptacle or “pocket” in the outer surface or wall of a formation tester tool section, the pressure sensing gauges are exposed to wellbore fluids. Pressure sensing gauges are selected to have low mass.

Abstract: A formation tester system with a tester tool comprising two or more functionally configured flow lines. The two or more functionally connected flow lines cooperating with one or more pumps and cooperating valves direct fluid to and from various axially disposed sections of the tester tool for analysis, sampling, and optionally ejection into the borehole or into the formation. The functionally connected flow lines extend contiguously through the sections of the tester tool. The functionally configured flow lines, cooperating with the one or more pumps and valves, can also direct fluid to and from various elements within a given tester tool section. Manipulation of fluid flows within the tester tool, as well as analysis, sampling and/or ejection operations, can be varied with the tester tool disposed in the borehole using appropriate commands from the surface of the earth.