Apparatus for testing well formations

Claim 2

Apparatus for obtaining formation fluids from well bores comprising: formation fluid receiving means; formation perforating means; fluid passageway means operable to define a flow path leading from a formation perforation to said formation fluid receiving means; sealing means for isolating said flow path; and unitary valve means for sequentially closing said isolated flow path to said formation fluid receiving means and for releasing said sealing means in response to a continued, unidirectional valving movement of said valve means; and said valve means being movable centrally and longitudinally of said apparatus and contains a relatively large, longitudinally extending passageway defining a portion of said fluid passageway means leading from said formation perforation to said formation fluid receiving means.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said valve means is powered by pressure applied thereto by well bore fluid dispose the well and ambient to said apparatus, with said pressure being transmitted, in sequence, through larger passage means during movement of said valve means.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 1: wherein said valve an elongated valve stem having said longitudinally extending passageway; and wherein said apparatus includes a plurality of sequentially openable passage means operable to transmit well bore pressure to said valve means and induce movement thereof.

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 3 with: said valve stem being generally cylindrical in configuration and having a cylindrical wall portion; a first axial end of said valve stem being formed with a wall extending radially across said longitudinally extending passageway; said radially extending wall being operable to prevent the passage of fluids through said first axial end of said valve stem; a second axial end of said valve stem being open so as to permit the flow of fluids into or out from said longitudinally extending passageway of said valve stem through said second axial end; first generally radially extending port means being formed in said cylindrical wall portIon of said valve stem adjacent said first axial end of said stem, said port means being adapted to transmit well bore fluid to said formation fluid receiving means; and second generally radially extending, equaling port means formed in said cylindrical wall portion and in continuous communication with said longitudinally extending passageway, said second port means being adapted to transmit the pressure of well bore fluid to said sealing means to effect the release thereof.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein: said first generally radially extending port means in said valve stem is disposed in fluid flow communicating relation with the interior of said formation fluid receiving means for the filling of said formation fluid receiving means with formation fluids; said valve stem is formed with an outer, radially outwardly enlarged cylindrical portion having first and second radially extending surface areas formed at each axial end thereof; said apparatus is provided with a valve body for supporting said valve stem; a first fluid passageway means in said valve body extends from well bore fluid surrounding the overall apparatus to said first radially extending surface area formed on said outer cylindrical portion of said valve stem; a plug means is disposed within said first valve body fluid passageway means; said apparatus includes means for imparting an impulse of energy to said plug means to rupture said plug means; the rupturing of said plug member is operable to direct said well bore fluid to said first radially extending surface of said outer cylindrical portion of said valve stem through said first fluid passageway means; and an axial force is developed on said valve stem by said well bore fluid acting on said first radially extending surface of said stepped-up portion, said axial force being operable to slide said valve stem axially away from said formation fluid receiving means whereby said first radially extending port means formed in said valve stem is withdrawn from fluid flow communicating relation with the interior of said formation fluid receiving means, and said formation fluid receiving means is sealed from said isolated flow path to said formation perforation by said radially extending wall disposed across said first axial end of said longitudinally extending passageway through said valve stem.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: said valve body is formed with second fluid passageway means in said valve body and operable to extend from the well bore fluid surrounding the overall apparatus to said cylinder portion formed on said valve stem; said second fluid passageway means is spaced longitudinally of said stem from the said first fluid passageway means by an increment of axial distance; the movement of said valve stem through said last mentioned increment of axial distance in response to the well bore fluid passing through said first fluid passageway means and acting against said first radially extending surface on said cylindrical portion of said stem being operable to expose said first radially extending surface on said cylindrical portion of said valve stem to said second fluid passageway means to direct additional well bore fluid against said first radially extending surface.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: said second radially extending port means is operable to place said well bore fluid in fluid flow communicating relation with said longitudinally extending fluid passageway defined through the interior of said stem when said stem is moved a sufficient axial distance to withdraw said first port means from flow communicating relation with said formation fluid receiving chamber.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein: an annular space is formed in said valve body about said stem when said cylindrical portion of said stem is moved in a direction away from said formation fluid receiving means; and one axial end of said annular space is defined by said first radially extending surface of said cylindrical portion of said valve stem.

Claim 10

An apparatus according to claim 3 with: said valve stem being generally cylindrical in configuration and having a cylindrical wall portion; a first axial end of said valve stem being formed with a wall extending radially across said longitudinally extending passageway; said radially extending wall being operable to prevent the passage of fluids through said first axial end of said valve stem; a second axial end of said valve stem being open so as to permit the flow of fluids into or out from said longitudinally extending passageway of said valve stem through said second axial end; first generally radially extending port means being formed in said cylindrical wall portion of said valve stem adjacent said first axial end of said stem, said port means being adapted to transmit well bore fluid to said formation fluid receiving means; and equalizing port means formed in a valve body surrounding said valve stem and in continuous communication with said longitudinally extending passageway, said equalizing port means being adapted to transmit the pressure of well bore fluid to said sealing means in response to a terminal movement of said valve stem; and latch means operable to engage and secure said valve stem subsequent to said terminal movement.

Claim 11

Apparatus for obtaining formation fluids from well bores comprising: formation fluid receiving means; formation perforating means; fluid passageway means for defining a flow path from a formation perforation to said formation fluid receiving means; sealing means for isolating said flow path; unitary valve means for sequentially closing said isolated flow path to said formation fluid receiving means and for releasing said sealing means in response to a continued, unidirectional valving movement of said valve means; said valve means comprising an elongated valve stem having a longitudinally extending passageway formed therethrough; said longitudinally extending passageway formed in said stem comprising a portion of said fluid passageway means leading from said formation perforation to said formation fluid receiving means; and a plurality of sequentially openable passage means operable to transmit well bore pressure to said valve means and induce movement thereof, with the first operable one of said passage means being opened in response to the detonation of explosive means, and a later operable one of said passage means being larger in flow capacity than said first operable one of said passage means and continuously in communication with the exterior of said tool.

Claim 12

Apparatus for obtaining formation fluids from well bores comprising: formation fluid receiving means; formation perforating means; fluid passageway means for defining a flow path from a formation perforation to said formation fluid receiving means; sealing means for isolating said flow path; unitary valve means for sequentially closing said isolated flow path to said formation fluid receiving means and for releasing said sealing means in response to a continued, unidirectional valving movement of said valve means; said valve means comprising an elongated valve stem having a longitudinally extending passageway formed therethrough; said longitudinally extending passageway formed in said stem comprising a portion of said fluid passageway means leading from said formation perforation to said formation fluid receiving means; and a plurality of sequentially openable passage means operable to transmit well bore pressure to said valve means and induce movement thereof, with the first operable one of said passage means being opened in response to the detonation of explosive means, and a later operable one of said passage means being larger in flow capacity than said first operable one of said passage means and continuously in communication with the exterior of said tool.

Claim 13

An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein an additional passageway is provided which communicates with said valve means and is operable to be connected with a source of pressurized fluid whereby hydraulic fluid may be forced inwardly through said additional passageway and be directed against said stem to force said stem toward said formation fluid receiving chamber and cause said stem to open a portion of said isolated flow path and permit fluid to move out of said formation fluid receiving means.

Claim 14

An apparatus according to claim 10 with the addition of latch means; said latch means operable to lock said valve means in a position where said isolated flow path is closed and said sealing means are released.