US2222829A - Well tester - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 26, 1940. G A HUMASON ETAL 2,222,829

WELL TESTER Nov. 26, 1940. G. A. HUMASON ErAL WELL TESTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1938 5. N. uw E m .c x.. V n# 0b flu M m M04 W w n n 60% e 888 6, w u .w 5 O 4//// 'Y/f/r/ Il 7 .4l lo 9 l 0 u 2 uw ww 3 9 3 3 Mu. 4. 9 \|||l nu 6 :Il y!! ff ,rr/f f 'ff/f m 2 W. a n a w e ,as a .u

Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 4. 1938, Serial N0. 188,625

8Claims.

The invention relates to a well sampling device for obtaining a sample of uid at a desired level within an oil well. together with informe.- tion o1' the temperature and pressure conditions at the level of sampling.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described having few working parts to get out; oi' order and a device which is easy to construct and operate.

i0 Another object is the provision of a' device for obtaining uncontaminated iiuid sample from within the well bore and at the same time will permit fluid to be pumped downwardly into the w'ell to assist in releasing and lifting the device from the weil.

Another object is to provide a sample taking device in which the essential moving parts of the device are surrounded by a lubricant.

Still another object is the provision of a device for obtainin'r a sample in an oil well together with inforn. tion of the maximum temperature and pressure at the level of sampling. the device being so constructed that the pressure indication will not be ail'ected by pumping pressure which may be applied after the sample has been taken.

Other objects together with the foregoing will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the drawings'in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section through the upper portion of the device of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section comprising a continuation o! the view shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a continuation of the viewehowu in Fig. 2 and shows the lower end of the device in position within a rat hole at the bottom o! a well bore.

Figs. 4 and 5 are successive sectional views ci the device showing the relative positions of parte when a sample is being taken.

Fig. 6 is an elevation partly in section comprising a continuation o!r the view shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of a maximum pressure gauge comprising an element of the invention.

Referring more particularly` tothe drawings the device is shown as connected to a tubing 5o string i and comprising essentially s. composite stem structure l surrounded by a tubular casing 3 having a rat hole packer I secured to the lower g bore I may enter the axial bore 9 within the packer l.

A head I l at the upper end of the casing 3 is provided with a central opening I8 and upwardly extending Jaws i1 which are adapted to co- 5 operate with complementary Jaws i8 on a coupling I! which interconnects the tubing string I and the stem 2. A nipple 20 is threadedly connected to the lower end of the head Il in a manner to provide an internal annular groove 1 2i to receive an annuiariiange 22 on a ring 23. This ring has upwardly and downwardly facing annular grooves 24 and 2t within which seal rings 2l and 11 are secured whereby a sealing u unit generally designated as 28 is provided between the casing 3 and the stem 2.

A coupling 3i is attached to the lower end of the nipple 2l and has a reduced central section provided with threads 32 bymeans or which a releasable connection is effected between the 20 casinglandthestem2.aswiilbeiurtherde Tubular sections ll and It extend downwardly from the coupling li and areinterconnected by means o! coupling Il to provide en annular internal groove 3l whereby a sealing unit 39 similar to the sealing unit 2l. above described. is ilxed in spaced relation with the sealing unit 2s. The packer l is secured to the lower end oi the casing a through s tubular section u con- 3 nested to the casing structure just described by mans o! a special coupling 4i. This coupling and the tubular -section Il likewise provide an internal annular groove!! by means of which a third sealing unit Il similar to that above'described is secured within the annular space between the easing land the stem I. The coupling .he's e central reduced cross section at u to serve e Illll'pethat will be described.

'rhs tubular section u er tnecssing s is o threadably connected to the head It of the rat hole packer l which includes a downwardly extending mandrel!! surrounded by packing discs l1 et decreasing diameter whereby a tapered 45 .packeris provided. The packinis` discs 41 are .heid inessembled relation by means of 'a nange nut- Il to which the tubular-.extension l is at- Athreadedopeninginthelowerendofthegq tubular extension l receives a plug It bearing a maximum temperature indicating device ti. It is believed obvious that with this construction the temperature indicating device li will provide an indication or the maximum temperature of 5s the iiuid which enters the bore 8 through openings 8 in the extension l.

The stem 2 passes through the opening I6 in the head I8 and has a. special coupling 80 inter- 5 mediate its ends. This coupling is provided with peripheral threads which are adapted to releasably engage the threads 82 on the coupling 3| whereby the stem 2 may be held in xed relation with the casing 8.

The stem 2 terminates at its lower end in an enlarged head 6I having a packing ring 82 to seal between the head 6I and the reduced section 44 oi the coupling 4I. Vertical passage ways 68 about the axis oi the head 6I permit movement oi iluid downwardly through the head to a downwardly opening valve 68. This valve comprises a cage 68 within which a `bali valve 61 is resilientiy urged upwardly againstga seat 69 by means of a spring 68. This construction closes the passage into the stem 2 against inward now o1' fluid. 'I'he tension on the spring 68 may be adjusted so that a valve will open downwardly when a predetermined pressure within the stem is reached.

g5 'I'he head BI is also provided with an axial opening 16 into which a maximum pressure indicating device 18 is threadably secured. A radial port 11 connects the axial opening 18 with the periphery oi the stem intermediate the sealing 30 rings on the assembly 42 when the device is being lowered to sample taking position as shown in Figs. 1 .to 3. A maximum pressure gauge of any type maybe used. one ci such gauges being illustrated in Fig. 7 as comprising a body 80 35 having therein a piston or plug 8I which is urged downwardly within the body by means o! a spring 82 placed under compression by plug 83 screwed into the body 80. The piston 8| is provided with a stylus or other recording element o 84 which is urged sidewardly under the iniiuence oi' spring 88 to contact with the recording strip 68. By means of this construction a mark will be inscribed upon the strip 86 which can subsequently be removed. the height of the 45 record produced upon the strip indicating the maximum pressure to which the sauge was sub- Jected during the sample taking operation.

A plus 90 within the stem 2 divides the stem into upper and lower chambers 8| and 92. This 50 plug is provided with longitudinal passages 98 about its axis so that iiuid may iiow from chamber 8| to chamber 82. An axial opening 89 in the plug 60 is threaded to receive the lower end of the sample tube 84 'which extends upwardly 55 within the stem 2 and is provided with a relief valve 89 at its upper end. A radial opening 81 extends from the hole 88 to the exterior oi the stem 2 and is provided with a removable plugV 98 having an oriilce 88 therein whereby liquid o may be admitted to the interior of the sample chamber 64 in a manner that will be further brought out in the description o! the operation of the device.

'I'he relief valve 89 comprises a cage 82 within 65 which a ball valve 88'i`s engaged by a plug 84 urged downwardly by means of compression spring 88 adiustably positioned within the cage by the plug 88. 'Ihe cage 82 is provided with a plurality oi ears 81 extending radially therefrom 70 serving to keep the sample chamber centered within the stem 2.

It is to be noted that the device described may be of any desired length and that while the device is shown as provided with a rat hole packer u for taking samples within the rat hole in the bottom oi a well bore, the invention is not conilned thereto but the device may be Provided with other types oi packer or wall eng' ns devices to obtain a sample at any level vthin a well bore.

When using the construction illustrated, the device is lowered within the well bore until the packer 4 is seated within the rat hole 1 preliminary to the taking o! a sample oi liquid within the rat hole and below the packer. When the device is so positioned the liquid within the-'rat hole contacts the maximum temperature indieating device 8| and sui'ilcient time will elapse during the taking of a sample that the temperature indicator will reach the temperature oi the surrounding liquid.

In order to obtain an indication oi bottom hole pressure and to obtain the desired sample of liquid, the tubing string I is rotated to release the threaded connection between the stem 2 and the casing 8. When this connection is released the stem is moved downwardly whereupon the sealing ring 62 will move from engagement between the head 8| and the coupling 4| and iluid under bottom hole pressure will be admitted to the maximum pressure indicator 16. Continued downward movement oi the stem 2 'will cause the o. lnced plug 88 to move below the sealing unit 48 whereupon iiuid will move upwardly from within the rat hole into the sample chamber at a rate determined by the dimensions of the orince 88.

As is clearly shown in Fig. 4, when the device is actuated i'or taking a sample. the collar I9 on the tubing I- moves downwardly until the jaws I8 thereon engage the complementary Jaws I1 on the upper end oi the casing 8. Hence if necessary the entire unit may be rotated through the tubing I preliminary to lifting the device from sample taking position. Normally, however. the tubing string may be lifted without'l such rotation whereby the passage 11 -to the pressure gauge 18 and the oriiice 98 leading to the sample chamber 64 will be closed of! from the well liquid as the stem 2 moves upwardly within the casing 8 until the ring 82 makes sealing engagement within the reduced section 44. In order to release the device from its setting within the rat hole, suitable drilling fluid may be pumped downwardly through the tubing string l. It is to be note'd that any pressure exerted by this pumping cannot affect the pressure reading on the gauge 18 since the passage 11 leading to the gauge is closed when the stem 2 is drawn upwardly within the surrounding casing. Furthermore as the bottom hole temperature is higher than the temperature oi duid that will be pumped into the well, the reading of the maximum temperature indicating device 8| will not be changed by this procedure.

What is claimed is:

1. A sampling device i'or oil wells for connection between a packer and a string oi pipe, comprising a stem attached to said string, a casing surrounding said stem, spaced seals between the stem and casing, a connection between the stem and casing releasable by operation oi the string whereby the stem may move longitudinally of the casing, a separate receiving chamber and a maximum pressure indicator within said stem, and .an outwardly opening port through the stem from each said chamber and said indicator, whereby passages to the chamber and indicator are oplned by downward movement of the stem within the casing.

2. A sampling device comprising a casing, a packer on the lower end of said casing to seal with the surrounding walls in a well bore, a tubing stringl a stem within said casing and connected to the tubing string. spaced seals between said stem and casing to form a lubricant chamber within the casing, a threaded connection between the stem and casing whereby the stem may be released for movement longitudinally of the casing, and a sample receiving chamber within the stem and in spaced relation with the walls thereof so that fluid may be pumped downwardly past said chamber, said chamber having an outwardly opening port whereby a passage to the chamber is opened when the stem is moved longitudinally of the casing.

3. A sampling device comprising a casing, a packer on said casing to seal with the surrounding walls of a well bore, a stem within said casing, spaced seals Ibetween said stem. and casing, a releasable connection between the stem and casing intermediate said seals, and a separate sample receiving chamber within said stem so that uid may be circulated downwardly past said chamber, there being a passage from the exterior of the stem to said chamber whereby iiuid is admitted to the chamber when the stem is moved downwardly within the casing.

4. A well sampling device comprising a tubular casing, a stem movable longitudinally within said casing, spaced sealing means between said stem and casing, a sample chamber within said stem, said chamber having a port adapted to be valved to admit iiuld thereto by movement of the stem relative to the casing. and separate passages downwardly within said stem past the chamber whereby circulating fluid may be pumped downwardly through the stem.

5. A well sampling device comprising a tubing string, a stem attached to the lower end oi said string, a casing surrounding said stem and releasably connected thereto, spaced seals between said stem and casing. a cylindrical sample chamber ':thln said stem, a second chamber within the stem. a maximum pressure indicator in said second chamber, and a port leading from each said chamber and indicator to the exterior of the stem between the seals whereby iuid is admitted'to the chambers and admit fluid when the stem is moved longitudinally of the casing.

6. A device of the class described comprising a sample chamber. a stem surrounding said chamber and in spaced relation therewith, there being a passage from the interior of the chamber to the exterior of the stem, a casing surrounding said stem, a slidable connection between the casing and stem, and seals between said stem and casing bove and below said passage.

7. In a device of the class described, a sample chamber, a stem surrounding said chamber, a passage from said chamber to the exterior of said stem, a downwardly opening valve at the lower end of the stem. a casing surrounding the stem and releasabiy connected thereto s that the stern may move longitudinally relative to the casing and spaced seals between the stem and casing whereby fluid may be admitted to the sample chamber when the passage from the chamber moves from between the seals.

8. A sampling device comprising a casing, means for ilxing the position of the casing within a well bore. a stem movably mounted within said casing, maximum temperature indicating means mounted within said device. whereby the maximum temperature oi' fluid surrounding the device will -be registered thereon. a sample chamber within the stem, there being a passage through the stem past said chamber. and means for admitting uid to said chamber after the device is positioned within the well bore.

GRANVILLE A. HUMASON. WALTER J. CLAY.

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