Downhole Fluid Communication Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.

1 . A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising: 
 a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool;    at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough;    at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall whereby the packer forms a seal with the wellbore wall.    
   
   
       2 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the at least one embedded member is a sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The probe of  claim 2  wherein the sensor measures one of a formation parameter and downhole parameter.  
   
   
       4 . The probe of  claim 2  wherein the sensor measures one of pressure, fluid properties, stress, temperature, displacement, and load.  
   
   
       5 . The probe of  claim 1  wherein the at least one embedded member is a reinforcement member.  
   
   
       6 . The probe of  claim 5  including a plurality of reinforcement members selectively positioned near an outer surface of the packer.  
   
   
       7 . A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising: 
 a base operatively connected to the downhole tool;    at least one packer operatively connected to the base, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough;    a first rigid portion fixedly attached to the packer; and    a second rigid portion slidably engaged with the first rigid portion to permit movement of at least a portion of the packer relative to the second rigid portion as the packer is pressed against a wellbore wall.    
   
   
       8 . The probe of  claim 7  wherein the first rigid portion is disposed around a periphery of the packer.  
   
   
       9 . The probe of  claim 7  wherein the packer includes a stop member for restricting movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.  
   
   
       10 . The probe of  claim 9  wherein the stop member includes an outwardly extending lip on the first rigid portion and an inwardly extending lip the second rigid portion, the lips being adapted to engage each other to stop the relative movement.  
   
   
       11 . The probe of  claim 7  further including a void in the packer disposed adjacent the first rigid portion.  
   
   
       12 . The probe of  claim 10  wherein a void is disposed around a periphery of the packer between the lip of the first portion and the base.  
   
   
       13 . The probe of  claim 7  wherein the hole is disposed near a center of the packer and defines a first inlet.  
   
   
       14 . The probe of  claim 13  further including a second packer disposed about a periphery of the at least one packer, wherein a gap disposed between the at least one packer and the second packer defines a second inlet.  
   
   
       15 . A packer for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising: 
 a central axis, wherein the central axis of the packer is substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis of the wellbore;    an outer surface adapted to engage a borehole wall, the outer surface having a first radius an a first center point;    an inner surface disposed a first distance apart from the outer surface and being adapted to engage a base, the inner surface having a second radius and a second center point, wherein the first and second center points are on the central axis such that a second distance between the two center points is between zero and the first distance; and    wherein the second radius is substantially equal to the sum of the first radius and the second distance minus the first distance.    
   
   
       16 . The packer of  claim 15  wherein the first distance is substantially equal to the second distance.  
   
   
       17 . The packer of  claim 15  wherein the second distance is substantially equal to zero.  
   
   
       18 . The packer of  claim 15  further including an aperture disposed through a center of the packer for providing fluid communication between a formation and the tool.  
   
   
       19 . The packer of  claim 18  wherein the aperture defines a first inlet and the packer further includes a second inlet disposed about the first inlet.  
   
   
       20 . The packer of  claim 15  further including a base platform disposed adjacent the inner surface of the packer.  
   
   
       21 . The packer of  claim 15  wherein a pressure between the outer surface and the borehole wall is substantially similar at all areas of contact when the packer is pressed against the borehole wall.  
   
   
       22 . A packer for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising: 
 a central axis substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis of the wellbore;    a base operatively connected to the downhole tool and to the packer, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough;    an outer surface adapted to engage a borehole wall, the outer surface having a first radius about the vertical axis of the packer, wherein the first radius is smaller than a radius of the wellbore.    
   
   
       23 . The packer of  claim 22  wherein the hole defines a first inlet and the packer further includes a second inlet disposed about the first inlet.  
   
   
       24 . The packer of  claim 22  wherein the first radius is approximately 6.125 inches and the wellbore radius is approximately one of 8, 10 and 12.25 inches.  
   
   
       25 . The packer of  claim 22  wherein a pressure between the outer surface and the borehole wall is substantially similar at all area of contact when the packer is pressed against the borehole wall.  
   
   
       26 . A method of establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising: 
 providing a packer having a contact surface adapted to engage a borehole wall and an inner surface;    abutting the contact surface of the packer against a borehole wall;    applying a force against the inner surface of the packer, thereby pressing the packer against the borehole wall; and    creating a substantially homogenous pressure between the borehole wall and the contact surface.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  further including shaping the contact surface of the packer to a first radius along a horizontal axis of the packer, wherein the first radius is smaller than a radius of the wellbore.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein providing the packer includes providing a contact surface having a first radius and a first center point, and an inner surface disposed a first distance apart from the contact surface and being adapted to engage a base, the inner surface having a second radius and a second center point, wherein the first center point is located at approximately the same location as the second center point and the first radius is approximately equal to the second radius plus the first distance.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein providing the packer includes providing a contact surface having a first radius and a first center point, and an inner surface disposed a first distance apart from the contact surface and being adapted to engage a base, the inner surface having a second radius and a second center, wherein the first and second radii are substantially similar and the first center point is disposed approximately the first distance away from the second center point.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26  further including extending a probe from the downhole tool including the packer.  
   
   
       31 . A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation, the downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, comprising: 
 a base operatively connected to the downhole tool;    at least one packer having an inner portion and an outer portion operatively connected to the base, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough;    at least one support structure disposed along a portion of the packer, the structure having a first end disposed between the base and an outer surface of the packer, wherein the end includes a curved portion extending away from the portion of the packer.    
   
   
       32 . The probe of  claim 31  further including a second packer disposed around a periphery of the at least one packer, wherein the at least one hole defines a first inlet and a gap between the first and second packers defines a second inlet.