Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing formations surrounding an earth borehole. The method includes the following steps: providing a tool movable through the borehole; providing a flow line in the tool; establishing fluid communication between the formations and the flow line of the tool; and providing a sand trap in communication with the flow line of the tool for trapping sand flowing with fluid from the formations.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining viscosity and density of fluid from formations surrounding an earth borehole, including the following steps: (a) suspending a formation testing device in the borehole; (b) drawing formation fluid into the device; (c) causing the fluid to flow in a flow line under a first set of conditions; (d) causing the fluid to flow in the flow line under a second set of conditions; (e) measuring a first fluid pressure differential in the flow line during fluid flow under the first set of conditions, and measuring a second pressure differential in the flow line during fluid flow under the second set of conditions; and (f) determining density and viscosity of the fluid as a function of the first and second measured pressure differentials.

Abstract: A method for determining virgin formation temperature of earth formations surrounding a borehole is provided. The time duration of drilling fluid circulation and the time after cessation of drilling fluid circulation at the borehole depth regions of interest are tracked. At a particular borehole depth region of interest, fluid flows from the formations into a device in the borehole, and the temperature of the fluid as a function of time with respect to initiation of fluid flow is measured. The thermal history of formations surrounding the particular borehole depth region is modeled for a cooling phase during drilling fluid circulation, a temperature build-up phase after cessation of drilling fluid circulation, and a formation fluid flow phase after initiation of fluid flow. The model and temperature measurements are used to determine a trend of temperature evolution and the virgin formation temperature by extrapolation from the trend.

Abstract: A method for determining virgin formation temperature of earth formations surrounding a borehole is provided. The time duration of drilling fluid circulation and the time after cessation of drilling fluid circulation at the borehole depth regions of interest are tracked. At a particular borehole depth region of interest, fluid flows from the formations into a device in the borehole, and the temperature of the fluid as a function of time with respect to initiation of fluid flow is measured. The thermal history of formations surrounding the particular borehole depth region is modeled for a cooling phase during drilling fluid circulation, a temperature build-up phase after cessation of drilling fluid circulation, and a formation fluid flow phase after initiation of fluid flow. The model and temperature measurements are used to determine a trend of temperature evolution and the virgin formation temperature by extrapolation from the trend.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining viscosity and density of fluid from formations surrounding an earth borehole, including the following steps: (a) suspending a formation testing device in the borehole; (b) drawing formation fluid into the device; (c) causing the fluid to flow in a flow line under a first set of conditions; (d) causing the fluid to flow in the flow line under a second set of conditions; (e) measuring a first fluid pressure differential in the flow line during fluid flow under the first set of conditions, and measuring a second pressure differential in the flow line during fluid flow under the second set of conditions; and (f) determining density and viscosity of the fluid as a function of the first and second measured pressure differentials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing formations surrounding an earth borehole. The method includes the following steps: providing a tool movable through the borehole; providing a flow line in the tool; establishing fluid communication between the formations and the flow line of the tool; and providing a sand trap in communication with the flow line of the tool for trapping sand flowing with fluid from the formations.