US2799347A - Side or lateral hole formation tester - Google Patents

Side or lateral hole formation tester Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2799347A
US2799347A US399303A US39930353A US2799347A US 2799347 A US2799347 A US 2799347A US 399303 A US399303 A US 399303A US 39930353 A US39930353 A US 39930353A US 2799347 A US2799347 A US 2799347A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
bore
tubing
block
formation tester
formation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US399303A
Inventor
James B Wilcox
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
S R BOWEN CO
Original Assignee
S R BOWEN CO
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by S R BOWEN CO filed Critical S R BOWEN CO
Priority to US399303A priority Critical patent/US2799347A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2799347A publication Critical patent/US2799347A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
    • E21B49/08—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
    • E21B49/10—Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a means and method of testing an oil formation, particularly by inserting a testing apparatus into a laterally extending hole, which is some times termed a side hole, thus sampling or testing the formation at a point some distance from the main vertical bore 'of the well.
  • An object of my invention is to provide a means of testing formations by means of a side wall hole which has been drilled prior to the test, or which may be drilled simultaneously with the testing of the formation.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a novel formation tester of the character stated, in which the formation may be tested with the drilling string or pipe full of fluid.
  • Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel formation tester in which it is unnecessary to remove the drilling string or pipe from the hole, either before or after the formation is tested.
  • Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel formatian tester which can be lowered into the well and retrieved thereform by either dropping the formation tester into the drill pipe or it may be lowered into the well on a line, sucker rods -or tubing.
  • Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of my formation tester in position to test the formation.
  • Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the outer end of the formation tester with the ports in closed position.
  • Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 but showing the ports in open position.
  • the numeral 1 indicates the usual vertical bore or hole of the well which is drilled in the usual manner, however, above the drilling bit I provide a drill collar or fitting 2 which is described and claimed in Patent No. 2,594,292, date April 29, 1952.
  • This drill collar consists of a tubular member with a threaded pin 3 at the upper end and a threaded box 4 at the lower end.
  • the bit of usual construction, is mounted in the threaded box 4 and drills the hole on rotation of the drill string or pipe 5 which is attached to the pin 3.
  • the drill collar 2 also includes a tubular conduit 6 which is fixedly mounted within the collar 2 and extends out through the side of the collar, as shown at 7.
  • the tube 6 is mounted at its upper end in a spider 8, whereby this tube is fixedly mounted within the collar 2 and is in alignment with the bore 9 in the upper part of the collar 2.
  • This laterally extending tube 6 is not used during the normal drilling operation of the well.
  • the side hole 10 is drilled with a bit in the manner disclosed in the patent above dened, and either during "2,799,347 Patented July 16, 1957 2 this drilling operation or subsequent thereto, the formation 'can be tested in the following manner:
  • the drill pipe 5 and the collar 2 remains stationary in the bore ⁇ 1. This means that the opening 7 of the tube 6 will be in alignment with the side hole 10.
  • My testing apparatus can, therefore, be dropped or lowered into the well and the lower position of this testing apparatus will be guided into the side hole 10.
  • the testing apparatus consists of an upper rigid pipe 11 on the upper end of which a releasable fitting or latch 12 is mounted, and t-o which the lowering apparatus 13 is secured.
  • the lowering apparatus may consist of sinker rods, cable or tubing.
  • On the lower end of the pipe 11 I provide a packing head 14 on which is mounted a packing ring 15 which thus seals olf the tube 6 and prevents 'iluid from .passing downwardly through this tube ⁇ and around the formation tested.
  • Flexible tubing or pipe 16 is attached at one end to the head 14 and this flexible 'tubing then extends vdoy'vn'wa'rdlyv through the tube 6 and into the side hole 10.
  • the exible tubing' 16 is of 'a usual commercial type, consisting of laminated fabric and rubber, and metal reinforcing, if desired, or it may be exiblemet'allic tubing.
  • This tubing is of a type which, while it will bend or move laterally as it is guided by the tube 6, it will still sustain a considerable weight and transmit compression forces to the testing shoe 17.
  • the testing shoe 17 is threaded or otherwise attached to the lower end of the tubing 16 and embodies the following structure:
  • a block 18 is threaded onto the lower end of the flexible tubing 16, a sleeve 19 slidably mounted on the lower end of the block 18, and a packing ring or rubber 20 is also mounted on the block 18 and is engaged by the upper end of the sleeve 19.
  • a slide valve 21 is slidably mounted in the bore 22 within the block 18.
  • a valve stem 23 depends from the valve 21 and is threaded into the sleeve 19.
  • An intake port 24 extends through the sleeve 19 and permits fluid to ow into this sleeve.
  • the bore 22 in the block 18 is enlarged, as shown at 25, and a duct 26 extends from the enlargement 25 upwardly through the block 18 and opens into the iiexible tubing 16.
  • valve 21 when the valve 21 is moved upwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, uid can flow through the intake port 24, thence into the enlargement 25 of the bore 22, and thence through the duct 26 into the flexible tubing 16, where the sample is retained, if desired, or if there is sufficient fluid that can also pass upwardly into the pipe 11 to ll, or partially ll, this pipe.
  • the drilling string 5 is held stationary within the well, and a side hole 10 is then drilled with a supplementary drill. Either during this supplemental drilling, or subsequent thereto, the formation can be tested in the' side hole 10 in the following manner:
  • the testing apparatus is lowered into the well and the flexible tubing 16 permits the testing shoe 17 to move laterally out of the main bore 1 and into the side hole 10.
  • the head 14 seals oif the tube 6 and prevents any fluid from passing out through the tube 6, and also blocks off the static head of iluid which may be within the drill pipe 5.
  • a downward or compressive force is now exerted on the pipe 11, either by pushing downwardly on the upper end of this pipe, or by permitting a weight (called a sinker bar) to rest on top of the pipe.
  • This compressive force is conducted through the ilexible tubing 16 and causes the sleeve 19 to be telescoped on the block 18.
  • This telescopic action of the sleeve 19 also compresses and expands the packing 20 which seals off the bore 10 above the port 24. Fluid from the formation can now iiow through the port 24, thence into the enlarged bore 25, thence through the duct 26 and can fill or partially till the exible tubing 16.
  • the formation tester is pulled upwardly by the rods, cable or tubing attached thereto, and the packing 20 will immediately expand to its normal position, thus pushing the sleeve 19 downwardly to cause the valve 21 to close the duct 26 by sealing off the enlargement of the bore 25 and thus retaining the sample within the tubing 16.
  • a side hole formation tester for 'holes extending laterally from a main vertical bore comprising a testing shoe, tlexible tubing attached to said shoe, means secured to the flexible tubing to lower said tubing into the main bore and thence into a bore extending laterally therefrom, a curved tube in the main bore, means mounting the curved tube in alignment with the laterally extending bore to deflect the shoe into the laterally extending bore and bend the exible tubing, said testing shoe including a block mounted on the lower end of said flexible tubing, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lower end of said block, and a packing ring formed of a flexible material mounted on said block, the upper end of said sleeve engaging the packing ring to expand the same on sliding movement of said sleeve, said block having a bore therein, a slide valve slidably mounted in the bore, means securing the valve at one end thereof to said sleeve, said block having ducts therein, said duct
  • a side hole formation tester for holes extending laterally from a main vertical bore comprising a testing shoe, flexible tubing attached to said shoe, means secured to the exible tubing to lower said tubing into the main bore and thence into a bore extending laterally therefrom, a curved tube in the main bore, means mounting the curved tube in alignment with the laterally extending bore to deect the shoe into the laterally extending bore and bend the flexible tubing, said testing shoe including a block mounted on the lower end of said exible tubing, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lower end of said block, said block having a bore therein, a slide valve slidably mounted in the bore, said slide valve being secured at one end to said sleeve, said block having a duct extending therethrough and communicating with the exible tubing, said slide valve opening or closing the duct as the valve is moved in the bore.

Description

July 16, 1957 J. B. wlLcox SIDE OR LATERAL HOLE FORMATION TESTER Filed Decq21, 1953' 1 llllllll w United States Patent lice 2,799,347 SIDE OR LATERAL HOLE FORMATION TESTER Calif., assignor to S. Bowen a corporation of Cali- This invention relates to a means and method of testing an oil formation, particularly by inserting a testing apparatus into a laterally extending hole, which is some times termed a side hole, thus sampling or testing the formation at a point some distance from the main vertical bore 'of the well.
An object of my invention is to provide a means of testing formations by means of a side wall hole which has been drilled prior to the test, or which may be drilled simultaneously with the testing of the formation.
Another object of my invention is to provide a novel formation tester of the character stated, in which the formation may be tested with the drilling string or pipe full of fluid.
Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel formation tester in which it is unnecessary to remove the drilling string or pipe from the hole, either before or after the formation is tested.
Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel formatian tester which can be lowered into the well and retrieved thereform by either dropping the formation tester into the drill pipe or it may be lowered into the well on a line, sucker rods -or tubing.
Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.
In the drawing:
Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of my formation tester in position to test the formation.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the outer end of the formation tester with the ports in closed position.
Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2 but showing the ports in open position.
Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates the usual vertical bore or hole of the well which is drilled in the usual manner, however, above the drilling bit I provide a drill collar or fitting 2 which is described and claimed in Patent No. 2,594,292, date April 29, 1952. This drill collar consists of a tubular member with a threaded pin 3 at the upper end and a threaded box 4 at the lower end. The bit, of usual construction, is mounted in the threaded box 4 and drills the hole on rotation of the drill string or pipe 5 which is attached to the pin 3. The drill collar 2 also includes a tubular conduit 6 which is fixedly mounted within the collar 2 and extends out through the side of the collar, as shown at 7. The tube 6 is mounted at its upper end in a spider 8, whereby this tube is fixedly mounted within the collar 2 and is in alignment with the bore 9 in the upper part of the collar 2. This laterally extending tube 6 is not used during the normal drilling operation of the well. However, when the production area of the well is reached it is sometimes desirable to drill lateral or side holes to increase the productive area of the well. The side hole 10 is drilled with a bit in the manner disclosed in the patent above dened, and either during "2,799,347 Patented July 16, 1957 2 this drilling operation or subsequent thereto, the formation 'can be tested in the following manner:
The drill pipe 5 and the collar 2 remains stationary in the bore `1. This means that the opening 7 of the tube 6 will be in alignment with the side hole 10. My testing apparatus can, therefore, be dropped or lowered into the well and the lower position of this testing apparatus will be guided into the side hole 10. The testing apparatus consists of an upper rigid pipe 11 on the upper end of which a releasable fitting or latch 12 is mounted, and t-o which the lowering apparatus 13 is secured. The lowering apparatus may consist of sinker rods, cable or tubing. On the lower end of the pipe 11 I provide a packing head 14 on which is mounted a packing ring 15 which thus seals olf the tube 6 and prevents 'iluid from .passing downwardly through this tube` and around the formation tested. Flexible tubing or pipe 16 is attached at one end to the head 14 and this flexible 'tubing then extends vdoy'vn'wa'rdlyv through the tube 6 and into the side hole 10. The exible tubing' 16 is of 'a usual commercial type, consisting of laminated fabric and rubber, and metal reinforcing, if desired, or it may be exiblemet'allic tubing. This tubing is of a type which, while it will bend or move laterally as it is guided by the tube 6, it will still sustain a considerable weight and transmit compression forces to the testing shoe 17. The testing shoe 17 is threaded or otherwise attached to the lower end of the tubing 16 and embodies the following structure:
A block 18 is threaded onto the lower end of the flexible tubing 16, a sleeve 19 slidably mounted on the lower end of the block 18, and a packing ring or rubber 20 is also mounted on the block 18 and is engaged by the upper end of the sleeve 19. A slide valve 21 is slidably mounted in the bore 22 within the block 18. A valve stem 23 depends from the valve 21 and is threaded into the sleeve 19. An intake port 24 extends through the sleeve 19 and permits fluid to ow into this sleeve. The bore 22 in the block 18 is enlarged, as shown at 25, and a duct 26 extends from the enlargement 25 upwardly through the block 18 and opens into the iiexible tubing 16. Thus, when the valve 21 is moved upwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, uid can flow through the intake port 24, thence into the enlargement 25 of the bore 22, and thence through the duct 26 into the flexible tubing 16, where the sample is retained, if desired, or if there is sufficient fluid that can also pass upwardly into the pipe 11 to ll, or partially ll, this pipe.
In operation the drilling string 5 is held stationary within the well, and a side hole 10 is then drilled with a supplementary drill. Either during this supplemental drilling, or subsequent thereto, the formation can be tested in the' side hole 10 in the following manner: The testing apparatus is lowered into the well and the flexible tubing 16 permits the testing shoe 17 to move laterally out of the main bore 1 and into the side hole 10. The head 14 seals oif the tube 6 and prevents any fluid from passing out through the tube 6, and also blocks off the static head of iluid which may be within the drill pipe 5. A downward or compressive force is now exerted on the pipe 11, either by pushing downwardly on the upper end of this pipe, or by permitting a weight (called a sinker bar) to rest on top of the pipe. This compressive force is conducted through the ilexible tubing 16 and causes the sleeve 19 to be telescoped on the block 18. This telescopic action of the sleeve 19 also compresses and expands the packing 20 which seals off the bore 10 above the port 24. Fluid from the formation can now iiow through the port 24, thence into the enlarged bore 25, thence through the duct 26 and can fill or partially till the exible tubing 16. After a sample or test has been made, the formation tester is pulled upwardly by the rods, cable or tubing attached thereto, and the packing 20 will immediately expand to its normal position, thus pushing the sleeve 19 downwardly to cause the valve 21 to close the duct 26 by sealing off the enlargement of the bore 25 and thus retaining the sample within the tubing 16.
Having described my invention, I claim:
l. A side hole formation tester for 'holes extending laterally from a main vertical bore, comprising a testing shoe, tlexible tubing attached to said shoe, means secured to the flexible tubing to lower said tubing into the main bore and thence into a bore extending laterally therefrom, a curved tube in the main bore, means mounting the curved tube in alignment with the laterally extending bore to deflect the shoe into the laterally extending bore and bend the exible tubing, said testing shoe including a block mounted on the lower end of said flexible tubing, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lower end of said block, and a packing ring formed of a flexible material mounted on said block, the upper end of said sleeve engaging the packing ring to expand the same on sliding movement of said sleeve, said block having a bore therein, a slide valve slidably mounted in the bore, means securing the valve at one end thereof to said sleeve, said block having ducts therein, said ducts being controlled by the slide valve to admit fluid into the exible tubing.
2. A side hole formation tester for holes extending laterally from a main vertical bore, comprising a testing shoe, flexible tubing attached to said shoe, means secured to the exible tubing to lower said tubing into the main bore and thence into a bore extending laterally therefrom, a curved tube in the main bore, means mounting the curved tube in alignment with the laterally extending bore to deect the shoe into the laterally extending bore and bend the flexible tubing, said testing shoe including a block mounted on the lower end of said exible tubing, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lower end of said block, said block having a bore therein, a slide valve slidably mounted in the bore, said slide valve being secured at one end to said sleeve, said block having a duct extending therethrough and communicating with the exible tubing, said slide valve opening or closing the duct as the valve is moved in the bore.
References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,108 Owen Jan. 19, 1937 2,171,000 Iden Aug. 29, 1939 2,389,512 Humason Nov. 20, 1945 2,594,292 Cornelius Apr. 29, 1952 2,626,777 True Jan. 27, 1953
US399303A 1953-12-21 1953-12-21 Side or lateral hole formation tester Expired - Lifetime US2799347A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US399303A US2799347A (en) 1953-12-21 1953-12-21 Side or lateral hole formation tester

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US399303A US2799347A (en) 1953-12-21 1953-12-21 Side or lateral hole formation tester

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2799347A true US2799347A (en) 1957-07-16

Family

ID=23579018

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US399303A Expired - Lifetime US2799347A (en) 1953-12-21 1953-12-21 Side or lateral hole formation tester

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US2799347A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2903072A (en) * 1955-09-23 1959-09-08 Schlumberger Well Surv Corp Apparatus for investigating earth formations
US2947361A (en) * 1958-07-25 1960-08-02 Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Retrievable tester for oil wells
US3075586A (en) * 1958-07-02 1963-01-29 Otis Eng Co Nipple with lateral port control
US3090440A (en) * 1960-08-10 1963-05-21 Shell Oil Co Pumpable well tool
DE1213366B (en) * 1958-10-20 1966-03-31 Pan Geo Atlas Corp Sampling device for deep boreholes
US20050279499A1 (en) * 2004-06-18 2005-12-22 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole sampling tool and method for using same

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2068108A (en) * 1935-05-27 1937-01-19 Turner A Owen Sand testing tool
US2171000A (en) * 1938-03-21 1939-08-29 Iden Christian Formation tester
US2389512A (en) * 1943-01-28 1945-11-20 Granville A Humason Tester for wells
US2594292A (en) * 1949-03-07 1952-04-29 Byron Jackson Co Side wall sampler
US2626777A (en) * 1950-04-17 1953-01-27 Standard Oil Dev Co Side wall sampling device

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2068108A (en) * 1935-05-27 1937-01-19 Turner A Owen Sand testing tool
US2171000A (en) * 1938-03-21 1939-08-29 Iden Christian Formation tester
US2389512A (en) * 1943-01-28 1945-11-20 Granville A Humason Tester for wells
US2594292A (en) * 1949-03-07 1952-04-29 Byron Jackson Co Side wall sampler
US2626777A (en) * 1950-04-17 1953-01-27 Standard Oil Dev Co Side wall sampling device

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2903072A (en) * 1955-09-23 1959-09-08 Schlumberger Well Surv Corp Apparatus for investigating earth formations
US3075586A (en) * 1958-07-02 1963-01-29 Otis Eng Co Nipple with lateral port control
US2947361A (en) * 1958-07-25 1960-08-02 Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Retrievable tester for oil wells
DE1213366B (en) * 1958-10-20 1966-03-31 Pan Geo Atlas Corp Sampling device for deep boreholes
US3090440A (en) * 1960-08-10 1963-05-21 Shell Oil Co Pumpable well tool
US20050279499A1 (en) * 2004-06-18 2005-12-22 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole sampling tool and method for using same
US7347262B2 (en) * 2004-06-18 2008-03-25 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole sampling tool and method for using same
US20080121394A1 (en) * 2004-06-18 2008-05-29 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole Sampling Tool and Method for Using Same
US7469746B2 (en) 2004-06-18 2008-12-30 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole sampling tool and method for using same
US7703517B2 (en) 2004-06-18 2010-04-27 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Downhole sampling tool and method for using same

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2688369A (en) Formation tester
US3269463A (en) Well pressure responsive valve
US2214551A (en) Method and apparatus for taking samples
US2404825A (en) Well tester
US3139147A (en) Formation testing apparatus
US4083401A (en) Apparatus and methods for testing earth formations
US3107729A (en) Apparatus for drill stem testing
US2262655A (en) Formation tester
US2742968A (en) Self-inflating balloon type formation tester
US3356137A (en) Method and apparatus for obtaining a fluid sample from an earth formation
US4108243A (en) Apparatus for testing earth formations
US3059695A (en) Drill stem testing device
US3134441A (en) Apparatus for drill stem testing
US3146837A (en) System for obtaining trube core samples
US2799347A (en) Side or lateral hole formation tester
US2609878A (en) Multiple zone testing
US2389512A (en) Tester for wells
US2741313A (en) Wire line tester
US4094359A (en) Apparatus and methods for testing earth formations
US3152639A (en) Methods and apparatus for testing wells
US4046006A (en) Tubing plug apparatus for performing down-hole pressure tests
US3097699A (en) Cementing of well pipe in stages
US2915284A (en) Reservoir coring
US4187911A (en) Slant hole foam cleanout
US2327610A (en) Circulating valve