Realtime downhole sample volume collection

Abstract

A method and apparatus for realtime downhole sample volume collection is described. The sampler apparatus includes a sample chamber and a sensor for real-time measurement disposed proximate to the sample chamber. In one embodiment, the sample chamber may include a piston, and the sensor may be mounted on the piston. The sensor may comprise a flow meter, a light sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a movement sensor, an acceleration sensor, a continuity sensor, or other sensor types known to those of skill in the art, and it may measure fluid volume, pressure, composition, or other properties. Optionally, a telemetry system may be included to transmit the real-time sensor measurements to the surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sampler carrier, comprising:
 a sample chamber; and   a sensor for real-time measurement disposed proximate to said sample chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The sampler carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor is a flow meter. 
     
     
         3 . The sampler carrier of  claim 2 , wherein said flow meter is an impeller flow meter. 
     
     
         4 . The sampler carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a piston disposed within said sampler chamber, wherein said sensor is coupled to said piston. 
     
     
         5 . The sampler carrier of  claim 4 , wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a flow meter, a light sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a movement sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a continuity sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The sampler carrier of  claim 4 , wherein said piston is a sampler entry piston. 
     
     
         7 . The sampler carrier of  claim 4 , wherein said piston is a junk piston. 
     
     
         8 . The sampler carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a telemetry system communicatively coupled to said sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The sampler carrier of  claim 8 , wherein said telemetry system communicates directly with a surface receiver. 
     
     
         10 . The sampler carrier of  claim 8 , wherein said telemetry system communicates indirectly with a surface receiver via a second downhole telemetry system. 
     
     
         11 . A method for sampling, comprising:
 deploying a sample chamber downhole;   filling said sample chamber with a downhole fluid; and   performing at least one measurement of said fluid with a sensor proximate to said sample chamber while said sample chamber is downhole.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said sensor is a flow meter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said flow meter is an impeller flow meter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said sensor is coupled to a piston. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said piston is a sampler entry piston. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said piston is a junk piston. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a flow meter, a light sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a movement sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a continuity sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one measurement includes at least one of said fluid's volume, pressure, or composition. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising transmitting said at least one measurement using a telemetry system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said telemetry system transmits said at least one measurement to a second downhole telemetry system.