A method for sampling fluid from a subterranean formation that is intersected by a wellbore , the method comprising: isolating a section of the wellbore with a fluid tester, the fluid tester including an inlet , wherein isolating the section of the wellbore with the fluid tester includes providing a space between the inlet of the fluid tester and the subterranean formation ; pumping a fluid mixture from the subterranean formation into the wellbore and into the inlet of the fluid tester, characterized in that the fluid tester comprises a straddle packer having two expandable members which are spaced apart and the inlet of the fluid tester is positioned between the expandable members; isolating the section of the wellbore comprises expanding the expandable members of the straddle packer to isolate a dead volume within the wellbore between the expandable members and, when the expandable members are expanded, the dead volume provides the space between the inlet of the straddle packer and the subterranean formation; wherein during the pumping, the fluid mixture which enters the dead volume from the formation at least partially separates within the dead volume into at least two phases, the at least two phases including a hydrocarbon-based phase and a water-based phase; when the hydrocarbon-based and water-based phases enter the inlet of the fluid tester, pumping a sample of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-based phase with a first pump from the fluid tester inlet to a sample chamber and using a second pump to pump a remainder of fluid from the fluid tester inlet into the wellbore , wherein the second pump exhibits a higher pump rate than a pump rate of the first pump ; and testing a hydrocarbon content of the sample. isolating a section of the wellbore with a fluid tester, the fluid tester including an inlet , wherein isolating the section of the wellbore with the fluid tester includes providing a space between the inlet of the fluid tester and the subterranean formation ; pumping a fluid mixture from the subterranean formation into the wellbore and into the inlet of the fluid tester, the fluid tester comprises a straddle packer having two expandable members which are spaced apart and the inlet of the fluid tester is positioned between the expandable members; isolating the section of the wellbore comprises expanding the expandable members of the straddle packer to isolate a dead volume within the wellbore between the expandable members and, when the expandable members are expanded, the dead volume provides the space between the inlet of the straddle packer and the subterranean formation; wherein during the pumping, the fluid mixture which enters the dead volume from the formation at least partially separates within the dead volume into at least two phases, the at least two phases including a hydrocarbon-based phase and a water-based phase; when the hydrocarbon-based and water-based phases enter the inlet of the fluid tester, pumping a sample of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon-based phase with a first pump from the fluid tester inlet to a sample chamber and using a second pump to pump a remainder of fluid from the fluid tester inlet into the wellbore , wherein the second pump exhibits a higher pump rate than a pump rate of the first pump ; and testing a hydrocarbon content of the sample. <EOS>