Downhole sample module with an accessible captured volume adjacent a sample bottle

Abstract

Systems and methods for accessing a second or additional volume of sampled formation fluids identical to a first volume of formation fluids collected in a primary sample bottle during the downhole sampling process. The second volume can be accessed, extracted and analyzed without having to interfere with the first volume or the integrity of the primary sample. The second volume may be captured in a flowline coupled to the primary sample bottle and accessed using a secondary or mini-sample bottle.

1 . An apparatus for accessing a formation fluid sample comprising:
 a downhole sample bottle module including a formation fluid flowline coupled to a primary sample bottle;   an adapter coupled into the formation fluid flowline; and   a second sample bottle to couple to the adapter and communicate with the formation fluid flowline.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the coupling between the primary sample bottle and the flowline is separate and apart from the coupling at the adapter between the second sample bottle and the flowline. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the adapter seals the formation fluid flowline, and a transport valve seals the primary sample bottle such that the second sample bottle is connectable to and removable from the flowline independently of the primary sample bottle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a fluid flow is established between the second sample bottle and the flowline while a primary formation fluid sample is contained in the primary sample bottle. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a transport valve to seal the primary sample bottle from the formation fluid flowline, and wherein the adapter is coupled into the formation fluid flowline upstream of the transport valve. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a sample valve upstream of the adapter to capture a second volume of formation fluid separated from the primary sample bottle by the transport valve. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a first fluid transfer sensor coupled to the second sample bottle, a second fluid transfer sensor coupled to the adapter, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a sample module including a formation probe to receive formation fluids and direct the formation fluids to the flowline. 
     
     
         9 . A method for accessing a formation fluid sample comprising:
 drawing a formation fluid into a sample module and through a flowline;   flowing the formation fluid toward a sample bottle module and into a first sample bottle to capture a first formation fluid volume;   capturing a second formation fluid volume in the flowline; and   coupling a second sample bottle into the flowline to access the second formation fluid volume.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising re-directing at least a portion of the second formation fluid volume into the second sample bottle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising maintaining the re-directed portion of the second formation fluid volume in a single phase. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising removing the second sample bottle from the flowline independently of the first sample bottle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising testing the second formation fluid in the second sample bottle independently of the first formation fluid sample in the first sample bottle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising removing the second sample bottle from the flowline and transporting the second sample bottle from a well site. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising collecting evolved gas from the second formation fluid in the second sample bottle. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising accessing the second sample bottle prior to accessing the first sample bottle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising, prior to coupling the second sample bottle into the flowline:
 retrieving the sample module and sample bottle module to the surface of a well; 
 applying pressure from an external source to the first sample bottle to increase the formation fluid pressure in the first sample bottle and the flowline; 
 closing a valve in the first sample bottle; and 
 capturing the second formation fluid volume in the flowline at the increased pressure. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising maintaining the increased formation fluid pressure in the flowline using a drain adapter, then coupling the second sample bottle to the drain adapter to access and retrieve the increased formation fluid pressure from the flowline. 
     
     
         19 . A method for accessing a formation fluid sample comprising:
 capturing a second formation fluid volume in a flowline coupled to a primary sample bottle with a primary formation fluid volume;   accessing the second formation fluid volume with a second sample bottle coupled into the flowline; and   receiving the second formation fluid with the second sample bottle.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the capturing the second formation fluid volume in the flowline further comprises:
 drawing a formation fluid into a sampling tool and through the flowline; 
 flowing the formation fluid into the primary sample bottle; and 
 closing a primary sample bottle valve to capture the primary formation fluid volume and isolate the second formation fluid volume in the flowline. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising closing a sample valve upstream of the primary sample bottle valve to capture the second formation fluid volume in the flowline upstream of the primary sample bottle. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising analyzing the second formation fluid at a well site. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising analyzing the second formation fluid, and determining a quality of the primary formation fluid based on the second formation fluid analysis. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 analyzing a plurality of second formation fluid volumes each corresponding with a different primary sample bottle; and 
 removing or replacing one or more of the primary sample bottles based on the second formation fluid analyses. 
 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 analyzing a plurality of second formation fluid volumes each corresponding with a different primary sample bottle; and 
 returning one or more of the primary sample bottles to the wellbore based on the second formation fluid analyses.