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.

1 . An apparatus for estimating a property, the apparatus comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the formation evaluation tool is conveyable on a wireline, a while drilling sub or both. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a rotatable section that is rotatable with respect to a longitudinal axis of a carrier, the member being coupled to the rotatable section. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising an articulated coupling that couples the member to the formation strength test device, and a positioning device that adjusts an angular position of the member with respect to a longitudinal axis of a carrier. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the formation evaluation tool and the member is movably disposed within a mandrel. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the formation evaluation tool comprises a fluid sampling tool for extracting fluid from a formation. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising one or more sample chambers for receiving fluid extracted from the formation. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  further comprising one or more sensors for estimating at least one fluid characteristic of the fluid extracted from the formation. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the formation evaluation tool comprises a coring tool for extracting one or more core samples from a formation. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  further comprising one or more sample chambers for receiving the one or more core samples extracted from the formation. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one measurement device that includes one or more of an acoustic sensor, an optical sensor, a displacement sensor, a strain sensor, a deflection sensor, and a pressure sensor. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a downhole information processor for processing information relating to formation property. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for estimating a property, the apparatus comprising:
 a carrier conveyable in a borehole to a formation;   two or more packers to isolate an annular zone about the carrier;   a formation evaluation tool disposed on the carrier, the formation evaluation tool adapted to evaluate the formation at a formation evaluation location;   a formation strength test device coupled to the carrier and adapted to provide information indicative of the property, the property relating to the isolated annular zone substantially adjacent the formation evaluation location.   
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the formation evaluation tool comprises a fluid sampling tool for extracting fluid from the formation. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  further comprising one or more sample chambers for receiving fluid extracted from the formation. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 14  further comprising one or more sensors for estimating at least one fluid characteristic of the fluid. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the formation evaluation tool comprises a coring tool for extracting one or more core samples from the formation. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17  further comprising one or more sample chambers for receiving the one or more core samples. 
   
   
       19 . A method for a estimating property, the method comprising:
 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.   
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the formation evaluation tool includes one or more of a coring tool and a fluid sampling tool.