Enhanced Downhole Packer

Abstract

An expandable packer assembly for coupling within a tool string deployable within a wellbore. The expandable packer assembly includes a guard inlet, a sample inlet surrounded by the guard inlet, and a sealing member surrounding the sample inlet and fluidly isolating the sample inlet from the guard inlet when the sealing member contacts a sidewall of the wellbore.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an expandable packer assembly for coupling within a tool string deployable within a wellbore, wherein the expandable packer assembly comprises:
 a guard inlet; 
 a sample inlet surrounded by the guard inlet; and 
 a sealing member surrounding the sample inlet and fluidly isolating the sample inlet from the guard inlet when the sealing member contacts a sidewall of the wellbore. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the expandable packer assembly comprises a packer having an outer layer, and wherein the sealing member is detachably connected with the outer layer. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the expandable packer assembly comprises a packer having an outer layer, and wherein the sealing member is manually connectable with and disconnectable from the outer layer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the expandable packer assembly comprises a packer having an outer layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a cavity in which the sealing member is received, and wherein the sealing member comprises a shoulder latching against a corresponding shoulder of the outer layer to connect the sealing member to the outer layer. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the expandable packer assembly further comprises a support member abutting the sealing member and inhibiting extrusion of the sealing member when a pressure differential exists between the sample and guard inlets. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the sealing member surrounds the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the support member comprises a material that is stiffer than material forming the sealing member. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the support member comprises a plurality of sliding metal members. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the expandable packer assembly comprises a packer having an outer layer, and wherein a shoulder protrudes from the outer layer, abuts the sealing member, and inhibits extrusion of the sealing member when a pressure differential exists between the sample and guard inlets. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus comprising:
 an expandable packer assembly for coupling within a tool string deployable within a wellbore, wherein the expandable packer assembly comprises:
 an expandable packer having an outer layer; 
 a sample drain at least partially located on the outer layer and operable to receive formation fluid; 
 a guard drain at least partially located on the outer layer and surrounding the sample drain; and 
 a sealing member at least partially located on the outer layer and surrounding the sample drain, wherein the sealing member fluidly isolates the sample drain from the guard drain when the sealing member contacts a sidewall of the wellbore, and wherein the sealing member is detachably connected with the outer layer. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the sealing member is manually connectable and disconnectable with the outer layer. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the outer layer comprises a cavity in which the sealing member is received, and wherein the sealing member comprises a shoulder latching against a corresponding shoulder of the outer layer to connect the sealing member to the outer layer. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the expandable packer assembly further comprises a support ring abutting the sealing member. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the sealing member surrounds the support ring. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the support ring comprises a plurality of sliding metal members. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the outer layer comprises a protruding shoulder abutting the sealing member. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 an expandable packer assembly for coupling within a tool string deployable within a wellbore, wherein the expandable packer assembly comprises:
 an expandable packer having an outer layer; 
 a sample drain at least partially located on the outer layer and operable to receive formation fluid; 
 a guard drain at least partially located on the outer layer and surrounding the sample drain; and 
 a sealing member at least partially located on the outer layer and surrounding the sample drain, wherein the sealing member fluidly isolates the sample drain from the guard drain when the sealing member contacts a sidewall of the wellbore, and wherein the outer layer comprises an external shoulder abutting the sealing member. 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein a drain comprises the sample drain and guard drain, wherein the drain comprises a cavity in which the sealing member is received, and wherein the sealing member comprises a shoulder latching against a corresponding internal shoulder of the drain to connect the sealing member to the drain. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the expandable packer assembly further comprises a support ring abutting the sealing member. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the external shoulder is a first external shoulder abutting the sealing member on a first side, and wherein the outer layer comprises a second external shoulder abutting the sealing member on a second side opposite the first side.