The Performed by Schlumberger programwas intro-
duced in 2000 to recognize the people and the teams
behind the projects that demonstrate outstanding
teamwork, innovation, and business impact—for the
customer and for Schlumberger. In 2013 there were 545
nominations, from which “Saturn—Out-of-this-World
Formation Testing” received the highest accolade—the
Schlumberger Chief Executive Officer’s Award.
The Saturn 3D radial probe is the latest in a long
line of Schlumberger Wireline formation sampling
and testing services. As early as 1950, the need to
extract representative samples of reservoir fluids in situ
had been identified. The first tool, the Formation
Tester, used an extensible probe and a single sample
chamber to recover a fluid sample. Over the years, this
service evolved into the Formation Interval Tester,
which could capture better and more representative
reservoir samples and was used well into the 1970s.
The next-generation tool, the RFT* repeat forma-
tion tester, introduced in the mid-1970s, used advanced
developments in hydraulics and incorporated two
pretest chambers with pressure sensors. It was rapidly
realized that the tool’s pressure measurements yielded
valuable information about the reservoir. As a result,
the RFT tester gained wide acceptance. The technol-
ogy continued to evolve into the early 1990s, when the
MDT* modular formation dynamics tester was intro-
duced. The MDT tester brought flexibility and platform
capability that includes downhole fluid analysis. The
technology still represents the state of the art today.
The Saturn 3D radial probe uses multiple self-seal-
ing ports to extract fluid from around the borehole
wall with previously unachievable accuracy and
purity. Field tested and rolled out in 27 Schlumberger
GeoMarket regions, the service extracts fluids from a
total surface flow area that is 12 times greater that of
conventional single-probe technology, quickly estab-
lishing uncontaminated fluid flow for pressure testing
and collecting samples even in low-mobility and low-
permeability formations. The tool has seen one of the
most rapid market deployments of any Schlumberger
service, with its innovative features bringing a new
dimension to wireline formation testing.
3
Performed by Schlumberger
The Chief Executive Officer’s Award 2013
Teamwork, innovation,
and business impact
Above, Saturn team leaders
Stephane Metayer, Jonathan
Leonard, Emmanuel Gonzalez,
Chris Tevis, and Pierre-Yves Corre
receive their awards from CEO
Paal Kibsgaard and Marketing
Senior Vice President Bill Coates
at the annual celebratory dinner
in Paris. Right, reservoir fluids
enter the Saturn probe through
four orthogonal self-sealing ports
that draw fluids circumferentially
from the reservoir.
