Downhole Measurements Laboratory

Fluid Sampling

Water Sampling Temperature Probe

Two or three water-sampling temperature probes (WSTP) are routinely available for sampling fluids ahead of the bit in sediments soft enough for the probe to penetrate without cracking. The WSTP is run on the coring line between cores and therefore requires a break in coring and drilling operations (perhaps as long as 2-4 hours, depending on water and hole depth and measurement plan) to collect a sample. The probe lands in the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) so that it extends up to 1 m into the sediment ahead of the bit; thus, the sediment to be cored next is disturbed. Fluid is drawn into the sample chamber (by the contrast between ambient [hydrostatic] pressure in the formation and surface atmospheric pressure initially trapped in the sampling system) through a series of titanium and stainless steel filters, and through the end of a 1/16-in. titanium sampling tube mounted near the tip of the probe.

In open hole, the WSTP also can be used to sample borehole fluids ahead of the bit. In addition, Schlumberger tools for sampling open-hole fluids may be available through LDEO.

For more information, see the following sections of Technical Note 10:

• Introduction
• Pore-Fluid Sampling with the WSTP
• Borehole Fluid Sampling with WSTP and Kuster Tools

Experimental Tools

The Fissler Experimental Water Sampler (FWS) was designed to combat two problems associated with the WSTP. One: it has a tapered point to minimize formation cracking on penetration and two: it utilizes a piston driven sampling system to slow the abrubt pressure change experienced by the WSTP which sometimes causes borehole fluids to be present in formation samples. Further work is required on the tool and future designs may include combination with the Davis-Villanger Temperature Probe (DVTP) which has a similar design and is discussed in the Formation Temperature Measurements section of the Downhole Measurements page.

Modified on Wednesday, 05-Jan-2005 11:49:43 CST.