Abstract: Integrated drilling and evaluation systems and methods for drilling, logging and testing wells are provided. The drilling and evaluation systems are basically comprised of a drill string, a drill bit carried on a lower end of the drill string for drilling a well bore, logging while drilling means included in the drill string for identifying subsurface zones or formations of interest, packer means carried on the drill string above the drill bit for sealing a zone or formation of interest below the packer means, and a fluid testing means included in the drill string for controlling the flow of well fluid from the zone or formation of interest into the drill string. The drilling and evaluation systems and methods for using the systems allow one or more subsurface zones or formations of interest in a well to be drilled, logged and tested without the necessity of removing the drill string from the well.

Abstract: A hydraulic set packer for use in a well bore as part of a testing apparatus. The packer comprises a housing defining a generally annular piston chamber therein. A cylindrical portion of an annular piston is slidably disposed in the piston chamber. The piston also has a shoe portion adjacent to a packer element on the housing. An inner mandrel is disposed in the housing, and the housing and inner mandrel define a passageway therein such that fluid pressure may be applied to the piston for moving it against the packer element such that the packer is set in sealing engagement with the well bore. The passageway extends the full length of the housing so that it may be in communication with another hydraulic packer positioned therebelow. One or more packers may be used in a downhole tool on a testing string for use in testing a well formation. The packer may also be used on a tubing string for testing a blowout preventer.