Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.

Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.

Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.

Abstract: A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.

Abstract: A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.

Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A field joint used to connect downhole tool modules. The field joint includes a bulkhead, a connector block, and various electrical connections. The bulkhead couples to a first tool module and has a first connection face, which partially defines an exterior of the first tool module and has a first conduit aperture that receives an electrical connector assembly. An electrical connector assembly received in the first conduit aperture is releasably coupled to the exterior of the first tool module, and includes a first connector. The connector block is coupled to a second tool module and has a second connection face defining a second conduit aperture positioned to face the first conduit aperture when the tool modules are joined. A second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture establishes electrical contact with the first connector when the first and second tool modules are joined.

Abstract: An extendable component for use in a downhole tool for traversing subsurface formations includes a drive element that defines an axis and has a distal end, and an abutment that is spaced radially from a distal end of the drive element. A driven element defines a driven element axis, is flexibly coupled to the drive element, and includes a proximal end disposed adjacent to the drive element and a distal end. A tilt arm is coupled to the driven element, is disposed at an angle with respect to the driven element axis, and is configured to engage the abutment. The driven element is moveable between a normal position and a tilted position. A contact head is coupled to the driven element distal end and is adapted to engage the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.

Abstract: A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.

Abstract: An extendable component for use in a downhole tool for traversing subsurface formations includes a drive element that defines an axis and has a distal end, and an abutment that is spaced radially from a distal end of the drive element. A driven element defines a driven element axis, is flexibly coupled to the drive element, and includes a proximal end disposed adjacent to the drive element and a distal end. A tilt arm is coupled to the driven element, is disposed at an angle with respect to the driven element axis, and is configured to engage the abutment. The driven element is moveable between a normal position and a tilted position. A contact head is coupled to the driven element distal end and is adapted to engage the wellbore wall.

Abstract: A probe assembly samples fluid from a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation having a virgin fluid therein beyond a layer of contaminated fluid surrounding the wellbore. The probe assembly includes a probe body extendable from a downhole tool, and a packer carried by the probe body and having a distal surface adapted for sealingly engaging the wellbore. The packer has an outer and inner periphery, with the inner periphery being defined by a bore through the packer. The packer is further equipped with channel(s) formed in the distal surface and arranged to define an annular cleanup intake intermediate the inner and outer peripheries. The passageway(s) extend(s) through the packer for conducting virgin fluid and/or contaminated fluid between the channel(s). A sampling tube is sealingly disposed in the bore of the packer for conducting virgin fluid to a second inlet in the probe body and the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.

Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.