Patent ID: 7654321
Filing Date: 2010-02-02
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A fluid sampling system for retrieving a formation fluid sample from a formation surrounding a wellbore extending along a wellbore axis, the formation having a virgin fluid and a contaminated fluid therein, comprising: a sample inlet provided on a sample inlet assembly including a sample inlet extension mechanism; a first guard inlet spaced from the sample inlet in a first direction along the wellbore axis, wherein the first guard inlet is provided on a first guard inlet assembly including a first guard inlet extension mechanism; a second guard inlet spaced from the sample inlet in a second, opposite direction relative to the first guard inlet along the wellbore axis, wherein the second guard inlet is provided on a second guard inlet assembly including a second guard inlet extension mechanism; at least one cleanup flowline fluidly connected to the first and second guard inlets for passing the contaminated fluid; an evaluation flowline fluidly connected to the sample inlet for collecting the virgin fluid; an inlet packer completely surrounding outer peripheries of the sample inlet, the first guard inlet, and the second guard inlet, wherein the inlet packer includes a first packer segment disposed between the sample inlet and the first guard inlet and a second packer segment disposed between the sample inlet and the second guard inlet; wherein the sample inlet extension mechanism, the first guard inlet extension mechanism, and the second guard inlet extension mechanism are operable independently of one another.