SINGLE PHASE SAMPLING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

A single phase sampling apparatus and method for retrieving a formation flui d sample at or above the bubble point of the sample. The apparatus utilizes a gas charge contained between a sample piston (1) and a charging piston (3) t o maintain a formation sample at the desired pressure. The charging piston utilizes the hydrostatic pressure present at the depth of the desired formation sample to compress and therefore increase the gas charge to the appropriate pressure necessary to maintain the formation sample at the desir ed pressure. The utilization of hydrostatic pressure to increase the pressure o f the gas charge allows the use of a low pressure gas charging system to prepa re the apparatus prior to sampling, thereby increasing the safety and ease of u se of the device.