Schlumberger introduced the Saturn 3D radial probe as the newest module for the MDT modular formation dynamics tester. With the Saturn probe, customers can now obtain pressure measurements and fluid samples where they were not previously possible due to reservoir conditions.
“Customers expect Schlumberger to be able to fully characterize reservoir fluids in today’s complex reservoir environments,” said Catherine MacGregor, president, Schlumberger Wireline. “Whether the reservoir is unconsolidated, has low permeability or contains heavy oil, we can now perform pressure measurements and downhole fluid analysis and bring high-quality samples to surface.”
The Saturn probe is comprised of four elliptical suction probes mounted at 90 degree intervals circumferentially around the tool, providing the largest surface flow area of any probe in the industry—more than 500 times that of a standard probe.
Analyzing reservoirs from more than 85 tool settings, the Saturn probe has been run in South America, Africa and the Middle East in environments ranging from onshore to deepwater. In Mexico, the Saturn probe successfully sampled fluids as low as 7 API gravity from unconsolidated formations with unconfined compressive strength as low as 300 psi, which would have been difficult using conventional probes. In the Middle East, the Saturn probe sampled fluid in formations with mobility less than 2 mD/cP, enabling the customer to accurately identify the location of the hydrocarbon-water contact point.
[mappress] Press Release, October 08, 2012