Single packer system for fluid management in a wellbore

摘要

A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer is designed with an outer structural layer that expands across an expansion zone to facilitate creation of a seal with a surrounding wellbore wall. An inflatable bladder can be used within the outer structural layer to cause expansion, and a seal can be disposed for cooperation with the outer structural layer to facilitate sealing engagement with the surrounding wellbore wall. One or more drain features are used to improve the sampling process and/or to facilitate flow through the drain over the life of the single packer.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
providing a single expandable packer comprising:
a first plurality of guard drains collectively disposed at a first axial position relative to the single expandable packer;a second plurality of guard drains collectively disposed at a second axial position relative to the single expandable packer, wherein the second axial position is axially offset from the first axial position; anda plurality of sample drains collectively disposed at a third axial position relative to the single expandable packer, wherein the third axial position is axially between the first and second axial positions; delivering the single expandable packer downhole into a wellbore; expanding the single expandable packer against a surrounding wellbore wall, whereby the first plurality of guard drains, the second plurality of guard drains, and the plurality of sample drains collectively contact the wellbore wall at a plurality of different radial positions spaced around a substantial portion of the circumference of the wellbore wall; operating a pumping system to draw well fluid in through the first plurality of guard drains, the second plurality of guard drains, and the plurality of sample drains; and removing mud cake from each of a plurality of regions of the wellbore wall prior to sampling via the single expandable packer.