Patent ID: 7380599

Claim:
An apparatus for characterizing a subsurface formation, comprising: a tool body adapted for conveyance within a borehole penetrating the subsurface formation; a probe assembly carried by the tool body for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; an actuator for moving the probe assembly between a retracted position for conveyance of the tool body and a deployed position for sealing off a region of the borehole wall; a perforator extending through the probe assembly for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall, wherein the perforator penetrates at least one of a consolidated formation, casing and cement; a power source disposed in the tool body and operatively connected to the perforator for operating the perforator; a flow line extending through a portion of the tool body and fluidly communicating with at least one of the perforator, the actuator, the probe assembly, and a combination thereof for admitting formation fluid into the tool body; and a pump carried within the tool body for drawing formation fluid into the tool body via the flow line.