Patent ID: 7111682
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for sampling fluid within a well having a riser pipe having an internal wall, the riser pipe extending from a ground surface to a fluid inlet structure comprising any of a filter and a screen, the apparatus comprising: a removable valve structure; means for extending the removable valve structure down the riser pipe from the ground surface toward the fluid inlet structure; a sample return line located in the riser pipe above the removable valve structure; means for controllably establishing a seal between the removable valve structure and the riser pipe; means for applying direct pneumatic pressure down the riser pipe structure; means for sampling at least a portion of the fluid within the well; means for controllably releasing the seal between the removable valve structure and the riser pipe; and means for retrieving the sampling means and at least a portion of the removable valve structure up the riser pipe toward the ground surface, while retaining at least a portion of the removable valve structure within the well.