Abstract: A component, such as a submersible motor, having a lubrication distribution system. The component includes an outer housing having a rotatable shaft disposed within the housing. The shaft is supported by one or more bearings and a lubricant is disposed within the housing. A conduit is provided for conducting a lubricant from the lubricant pump to desired locations, such as the one or more bearings.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for achieving proper space-out of well components. One aspect of the invention utilizes a dummy production string with a sliding measurement device to measure the proper space-out distance.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a subterranean well includes a liner and a wiper. The liner is to be cemented inside the well bore, and the wiper, in a first mode, is connected to the liner when the liner is run downhole. In a second mode, the wiper is released to respond to a cement flow.

Abstract: This invention includes an apparatus and method for completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore. One embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for connecting a first sand screen assembly and a second sand screen assembly. The apparatus comprises a tubular housing having an eccentric longitudinal bore therethrough, providing a first fluid communication path through the apparatus, the longitudinal bore defining a housing wall. A longitudinal passageway is disposed within the housing wall, providing a second fluid communication path through the apparatus. The first fluid communication path is capable of communicating fluid flow from a sand screen in the first sand screen assembly to a sand screen in the second sand screen assembly. The second fluid communication path is capable of communicating fluid flow from an alternate path element in the first sand screen assembly an alternate path element in the second sand screen assembly.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for protecting a downhole connection is disclosed. The sealing assembly includes independently energized metal—metal seals and a housing that prevents the energization of individual seals from affecting other seals.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system using a conduit run into a well on a service string. In one embodiment the conduit includes outlets along its length to permit a sand control treatment to exit the conduit along the length of the conduit and distribute the sand control treatment along the length of the conduit. The conduit can have a plurality of such outlets spaced to provide an even distribution of the sand control treatment. The conduit can be attached to the delivery tubing (such as coiled tubing or service string tubing) via a releasable connector. The conduit is deployed on the delivery tubing and connector (and is in fluid communication therewith) in the well adjacent to an area to be treated. The sand control treatment is pumped into the well. Once the sand control treatment is complete, the releasable connector is released to disconnect the conduit from the delivery tubing and the delivery tubing is removed from the well.

Abstract: A new process of fracture stimulating a carbonate reservoir in a subterranean formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbon fluids from the formation is described. During the process, the composition and reactivity of the fracture stimulation fluid that is injected into the formation surrounding a wellbore is varied from a lower reactive fluid to a higher reactive fluid. The process is designed to stimulate the fracture starting from the tip of the fracture and progressing along the fracture back to the wellbore. The reactivity of the fracture stimulation fluid is increased to maintain optimum stimulation conditions for the formation of conductive flow channels along the faces of the fracture. An optimum fracture stimulation efficiency number, Ff, is used (generally integrated into a fracture simulator computer program) to regulate the fluid composition by reactivity and flow rate, based on formation and fluid parameters.

Abstract: This invention is a sand screen comprising a base pipe with openings cut directly thereon. The size, shape, and configuration of the openings may be varied depending on the filtration, inflow, and strength characteristics desired by the operator. The openings may be cut directly on the base pipe by use of water jet, laser, or saw cutting techniques.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for perforating, completing, testing, and abandoning a wellbore in a single trip. One embodiment of the invention is a method that comprises perforating an interval within the wellbore, positioning a sand screen assembly adjacent the perforated interval, gravel packing the perforated interval, performing testing on the perforated interval, and then abandoning the well, all in a single trip in the wellbore.

Abstract: A wavefield separation method and apparatus for 3D VSP data, which handles arbitrary 3D source and receiver geometries, and common shot 3C data oriented to North, East and Vertical geographical coordinates and makes use of anisotropic medium properties at the downhole receivers. When given a range of propagation angles, slowness and polarization vectors are computed for each plane wave and a linear system is solved at each frequency to yield the scalar plane-wave amplitudes. A novel regularization scheme is used that obviates the need for eigen analysis of the steering matrix. Sums within subsets of these scalar plane waves are constructed to provide up and down qP (P), qS (Sv) and Sh wavefields. Vector residuals can be computed for parameter testing, quality control and imaging purposes.

Abstract: A completion assembly for use in a lateral well bore has a base pipe with a plurality of holes through the sidewall of the base pipe. Flow through the holes is regulated to produce an influx difference between the ends of the base pipe. Flow can be regulated by variably spacing or sizing the holes. Flow can also be regulated by selectively inserting a rod between adjacent splines located on the base pipe to cover and block the flow through certain holes in the base pipe. Flow can also be regulated using a rotatable sleeve adjacent to the base pipe such that rotation of the sleeve brings the holes and openings in the pipe and sleeve, respectively, into and out of alignment. A filter can be used to filter sand and other particulates. An erosion inhibitor can be used to extend the useful life of the assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for steering a rotating downhole drilling tool is provided. The downhole tool includes an inclinometer having directional accelerometers capable of measuring drilling parameters, such as angular position and centripetal acceleration, of the downhole tool. An offset accelerometer is further included for determining centripetal acceleration of the downhole tool. Collar rotation rate and the toolface may be determined from the drilling parameters. Filters, analog to digital converters and processor devices may be used to process the signals and send commands in response thereto for steering the tool.

Abstract: A sleeve for an acoustic logging tool has a structure with a window section having fewer bars than a conventional sleeve separated by a slotted region with thin circumferential slots which are stress-relieved at the ends (“dumb-bell” shaped). Steel receiver mounts are provided for hydrophone pressure sensors and this, together with the axially oriented hydrophones makes the tool less susceptible to interfering vibration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a junction of plural wellbores includes providing a casing junction assembly having plural outlets for communicating with corresponding wellbores. A tool has plural extendable conduits for engaging in the outlets. The casing junction assembly has an integral diverter with guiding surfaces to guide the conduits into the outlets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore. One aspect of the invention comprises a housing member with a longitudinal bore and a valve member located within the housing member that is movable between open and closed positions. A sliding sleeve having a longitudinal bore is disposed within the housing member and can move between an upper position and a lower position. Attached to the sliding sleeve is a seating element where the valve member can seat. When the sliding sleeve is in the lower position, the valve member is held in the open position and communication is established between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member. When the sliding sleeve is in the upper position, the valve member is held in the closed position and communication between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member is restricted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a transient underbalance condition is provided. Transient underbalance can be enhanced by using a porous material, such as a porous solid, around the explosive device. The porous material contains a volume to receive wellbore fluids in response to activation of the explosive device. This causes a local drop in pressure, which enhances the transient underbalance effect. In another application, it is desired to reduce the transient underbalance effect. This is accomplished by reducing the pressure drop generated as a result of explosive detonation. In one arrangement, the shot density is reduced by using solid masses.

Abstract: A well completion method performed in a single trip into a well includes inserting a service tool into the well to a desired location; gravel packing the well; and circulating fluids within the wellbore through the service tool to dislodge and remove filter cake residue. A method of completing a subterranean well performed in a single trip into a wellbore includes running a service tool into the well, the service tool defining multiple, selectable flow paths; gravel packing the well; selecting a different flow path of the service tool; removing a filter cake from the wellbore by circulating a fluid through the service tool; spotting specially fluids within the wellbore at desired locations; and removing the service string from the well.

Abstract: A system for protecting the transmission of signals from and/or to a tool in a high pressure environment. The system includes a tool connected to a signal transmission line, such as an electrical cable or optical fiber. The signal transmission line is surrounded by a protective tube that is connected to the tool by a connector having a hollow chamber in communication with the interior of the tube. A fluid, such as a dielectric liquid, is disposed within the connector and the tubing at a pressure higher than the environmental pressure. In the event of a leak at, for instance, the connector, the high pressure fluid flows outwardly rather than allowing the inflow of deleterious fluid from the environment.

Abstract: A system that is usable in a subsea well includes a tubular string that extends from a surface platform toward the sea floor. The string has an upper end and a lower remote end that is located closer to the sea floor than to the platform. At least one sensor of the system is located near the remote end of the string to monitor deployment of subsea equipment.

Abstract: A structure is positioned on the outer surface of a casing or liner to enable cutting the casing in substantially any azimuth over a given length of casing without damaging the structure. After placing the casing in a wellbore, the position of the structure on the casing may be determined with reference to an orienting slot in an indexing coupling. Thereafter, a non-colliding region on the casing may be identified for cutting the casing.