IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,473,823
Granted Patent B2
US 12,473,823 · App. 18/439,918 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Formation testing tool and methods for performing a formation pressure test using battery power

Inventors: Jason Charles Parker (Houston, TX); Anthony Herman VanZuilekom (Houston, TX); Thiago Santos Magalhaes (Houston, TX)
Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
E21B47/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,473,823
App. No.
18/439,918
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems for performing a formation pressure test include inserting a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) into a wellbore. The BHA includes a drill bit and a formation testing tool with a battery. An initial formation pressure test is performed. At least a portion of a planned formation pressure test is performed powering the formation testing tool with the battery. The method also includes determining, using a processor, at least one characteristic of the formation based on results of the initial formation pressure test and the planned formation pressure test.

Claims (39)

1 . A method of performing a formation pressure test, comprising:

inserting a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) into a wellbore from the earth's surface to a first location within the wellbore through a subterranean formation, wherein the BHA comprises:

a drill bit; and

a formation testing tool comprising a battery configured to power the formation testing tool during a formation pressure test;

performing an initial formation pressure test with the formation testing tool;

determining, using a processor, drawdown parameters for a drawdown phase of a planned formation pressure test using parameters and results of the initial formation pressure test, wherein the planned formation pressure test comprises the drawdown phase and a buildup phase;

performing at least a portion of the planned formation pressure test with the formation testing tool while powering the formation testing tool with the battery only while not circulating fluid in the wellbore; and

determining, using a processor, at least one characteristic of the formation based on results of the planned formation pressure test.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing all of the planned formation pressure test while powering the formation testing tool with the battery while not circulating fluid in the wellbore.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling the performing of the initial formation pressure test and the planned formation pressure test using an information handling system at the surface and comprising a controller.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein:

the formation testing tool further comprises a fluid powered generator configured to power the formation testing tool during the formation pressure test;

performing the planned formation pressure test further comprises powering the formation testing tool with the fluid powered generator during at least a portion of the planned formation pressure test; and

powering the formation testing tool with the fluid powered generator further comprises circulating fluid in the wellbore using a pump at the earth's surface and controlling operation of the pump with the information handling system.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising communicating between the information handling system and the formation testing tool before the planned formation pressure test to turn off the pump.

6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising communicating, using the BHA, results of the initial formation pressure test and the planned formation pressure test with the information handling system and wherein determining the at least one characteristic of the formation further comprises using a processor in the information handling system.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing, using the processor, results of the initial formation pressure test with the results of the planned formation pressure test to determine an efficiency of a mud cake formed on a wall of the wellbore.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing data relating to the results of the planned formation pressure test in a memory in the BHA.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising continuing to drill the wellbore with the drill bit to a second location after the planned formation pressure test and performing another initial formation pressure test and another planned formation pressure test at the second location.

10 . A system for performing a formation pressure test in a wellbore extending from the earth's surface through a subterranean formation, the system comprising:

a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) comprising:

a drill bit; and

a formation testing tool comprising a battery and a fluid powered generator, both of which are configured to power the formation testing tool during a formation pressure test; and

an information handling system at the surface comprising a controller, the information handling system being configured to control the formation testing tool,

wherein the formation testing tool is configured to perform an initial formation pressure test,

wherein the information handling system is configured to determine drawdown parameters for a drawdown phase of a planned formation pressure test using parameters and results of the initial formation pressure test,

wherein the planned formation pressure test comprises the drawdown phase and a buildup phase, and

wherein the formation testing tool is configured to perform at least a portion of the planned formation pressure test powered by the battery while not circulating fluid in the wellbore.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the formation testing tool is further configured to perform all of the planned formation pressure test while powering the formation testing tool with the battery while not circulating fluid in the wellbore.

12 . The system of claim 10 , further comprising:

a pump configured to circulate the fluid in the wellbore to power the fluid powered generator and also configured to be controllable by the information handling system; and

wherein the formation testing tool is configured to perform at least a portion of the planned formation test powered by the fluid powered generator while the pump circulates fluid in the wellbore.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the information handling system and the formation testing tool are operable to communicate with each other before the formation pressure test to turn off the pump for the planned formation pressure test.

14 . The system of claim 10 , wherein:

the BHA further comprises a telemetry system configured to communicate results of the initial formation pressure test and the planned formation pressure test with the information handling system; and

the information handling system further comprises a processor configured to determine at least one characteristic of the formation based on the results of the initial formation pressure test and the planned formation pressure test.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the information handling system comprises a processor configured to compare results of the initial formation pressure test with results of the planned formation pressure test to determine an efficiency of a mud cake formed on a wall of the wellbore.

16 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the BHA further comprises a memory and the formation testing tool is configured to store data relating to results of the planned formation pressure test in the memory.

17 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the drill bit is operable to continue to drill the wellbore after performance of the planned formation pressure test and the formation testing tool is operable to perform multiple initial formation pressure tests and multiple planned formation pressure tests at different locations in the wellbore.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 13, 2024
From: PARKER, JASON CHARLES; VANZUILEKOM, ANTHONY HERMAN; MAGALHAES, THIAGO SANTOS
To: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 066452/0138 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 18439846 · Feb 13, 2024
Related Publication 20250257649A1 · Aug 14, 2025
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