In-situ formation strength testing with formation sampling

Abstract

A method and apparatus for estimating a property include evaluating a formation at a formation evaluation location using a formation evaluation tool, and estimating the property at least in part by engaging a borehole wall substantially adjacent the formation evaluation location with a formation strength test device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional application 60 / 990,521 filed on Nov. 27, 2007, the entire specification being hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present disclosure generally relates to wellbore tools and in particular to methods and apparatus for estimating formation properties.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]Oil and gas wells have been drilled at depths ranging from a few thousand feet to as deep as five miles. A large portion of the current drilling activity involves directional drilling that includes drilling boreholes deviated from vertical by a few degrees to horizontal boreholes, to increase the hydrocarbon production from earth formations.[0006]Information about the subterranean formations traversed by the borehole may be obtained by any number of techniques. Techniques used to obtain formation information include obtaining one or mor...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The following presents a general summary of several aspects of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of at least some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of the claims. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the disclosure in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

[0009]Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property. The apparatus may include a formation evaluation tool conveyable to a formation evaluation location, and a formation strength test device having a member that engages a borehole wall substantially adjacent the formation evaluation location for estimating the property.

[0010]In one aspect, an apparatus for estimating a property

Problems solved by technology

These recreated conditions may not accurately reflect actual in-situ conditions and the core and fluid samples may have undergone irreversible changes in transit from the downhole location to the surface laboratory.

Furthermore, downhole fluid tests do not provide information relating to formation direction and other rock properties.

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