Patent ID: 6941804
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: E21B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of determining at least one of the in situ PVT properties of a hydrocarbon reservoir fluid that is present in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation layer traversed by a borehole, which method comprises the steps of: a1) providing a first tool, said first tool comprising a central conduit having an inlet and outlet and being provided with a pressure sensor; b1) lowering said first tool into said borehole to a first location; c1) establishing exclusive fluid communication between said formation and the inlet of said central conduit and measuring formation fluid pressure; d1) repeating step c1) for a plurality of new locations; e1) calculating along the hydrocarbon-bearing formation layer the pressure gradient for each location from the plurality of formation fluid pressure measurements; and f1) determining at least one in situ PVT property from the pressure gradients utilizing a relationship in which a formation pressure gradient has been empirically related to the at least one PVT properties for similar hydrocarbon bearing formation layers.