Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in determining pressure at a formation of interest in-situ. A carrier carrying a tool is conveyed in a borehole. The tool includes a sealing member and a port exposable to the formation of interest. A formation fluid sampling chamber is separated from a hydraulic fluid chamber by a flexible member that allows pressure communication from the fluid sampling chamber to the hydraulic fluid chamber. A sensor senses pressure in the hydraulic fluid for determining pressure in the sampling chamber.

Abstract: A borehole wall cleaning apparatus and method for obtaining an improved seal between a fluid sampling device and a portion of the borehole wall. Clean drilling fluid is pumped into a drilling tool using a mud pump. A fluid diverter in the tool diverts all or part of the clean drilling fluid through a port to clear a portion of a borehole wall. A sealing pad is moved against the clean portion. A sampling port is exposed to the sealed portion for sampling and/or testing fluid from the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in determining pressure at a formation of interest in-situ. A carrier carrying a tool is conveyed in a borehole. The tool includes a sealing member and a port exposable to the formation of interest. A formation fluid sampling chamber is separated from a hydraulic fluid chamber by a flexible member that allows pressure communication from the fluid sampling chamber to the hydraulic fluid chamber. A sensor senses pressure in the hydraulic fluid for determining pressure in the sampling chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for use in a well borehole drilled into a formation. The apparatus comprises a work string disposed in the borehole. The work string includes at least one modular body portion having at least one receptacle. A modular tool is disposed in the at least one receptacle for carrying out a drilling operation. The modular tool may be a tool for use in drilling a well borehole, it may be a tool for testing a formation surrounding a borehole, or the modular tool may be a combination. For example, one aspect of the present invention provides a modular steering rib. The modular steering rib may also include modular components for sampling and testing formation fluid.

Abstract: An in-situ rock strength measurement tool features a sub that is integrated into a drill string, or other downhole tool string, and lowered into an uncased borehole. The sub includes a plurality of lateral pistons that are selectively extendable in a radial orientation to engage the wall of the borehole. The pistons exert a force against a defined area of the borehole wall and penetrate the borehole across the defined area. The force needed to penetrate the borehole may then be measured and used to calculate rock strength and to determine other formation properties.

Abstract: A borehole wall cleaning apparatus and method for obtaining an improved seal between a fluid sampling device and a portion of the borehole wall. Clean drilling fluid is pumped into a drilling tool using a mud pump. A fluid diverter in the tool diverts all or part of the clean drilling fluid through a port to clear a portion of a borehole wall. A sealing pad is moved against the clean portion. A sampling port is exposed to the sealed portion for sampling and/or testing fluid from the formation.

Abstract: A borehole wall cleaning apparatus and method for obtaining an improved seal between a fluid sampling device and a portion of the borehole wall. Clean drilling fluid is pumped into a drilling tool using a mud pump. A fluid diverter in the tool diverts all or part of the clean drilling fluid through a port to clear a portion of a borehole wall. A sealing pad is moved against the clean portion. A sampling port is exposed to the sealed portion for sampling and/or testing fluid from the formation.

Abstract: A borehole wall cleaning apparatus and method for obtaining an improved seal between a fluid sampling device and a portion of the borehole wall. Clean drilling fluid is pumped into a drilling tool using a mud pump. A fluid diverter in the tool diverts all or part of the clean drilling fluid through a port to clear a portion of a borehole wall. A sealing pad is moved against the clean portion. A sampling port is exposed to the sealed portion for sampling and/or testing fluid from the formation.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for use in a well borehole drilled into a formation. The apparatus comprises a work string disposed in the borehole. The work string includes at least one modular body portion having at least one receptacle. A modular tool is disposed in the at least one receptacle for carrying out a drilling operation. The modular tool may be a tool for use in drilling a well borehole, it may be a tool for testing a formation surrounding a borehole, or the modular tool may be a combination. For example, one aspect of the present invention provides a modular steering rib. The modular steering rib may also include modular components for sampling and testing formation fluid.