Abstract: The present invention relates to a well-bore sensor apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a downhole tool carrying at least one sensor plug for deployment into the sidewall of a well-bore. The apparatus may also be used in conjunction with a surface control unit and a communication link for operatively coupling the sensor plug to the surface control unit. The sensor plug is capable of collecting well-bore data, such as pressure or temperature, and communicating the data uphole via a communication link, such as the downhole tool or an antenna. The downhole data may then be analyzed and control commands sent in response thereto. The sensor plug and/or the downhole tool may be made to respond to such control commands. In some embodiments, multiple surface control units for corresponding wells may be networked for decision making and control across multiple well-bores.

Abstract: A core sample retaining sleeve is provided for preventing loss of a cut core sample from the distal end of a coring bit, particularly during retraction of the coring bit to within the coring tool. Preferably, the core sample retaining sleeve is disposed concentrically within the coring bit to fit around the received core sample. The core sample retaining sleeve has one or more retaining fingers formed on the distal end of the coring bit. The retaining fingers are selectively closeable, preferably by urging the one or more retaining fingers against one or more guide members. A guide member is preferably provided as a stationary ridge on the inner, distal surface of the coring bit. The core sample is contained and protected within the closed retaining sleeve.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring neutron interaction properties of an earth formation. The method includes irradiating the formation with bursts of high energy neutrons. The bursts have a duration selected to enable detection of short duration burst related phenomena. After at least one of the bursts, short duration burst related phenomena are measured. After a selected number of the bursts, long duration neutron burst-related phenomena are detected. In some embodiments, the short duration burst related phenomena include at least one of inelastic gamma ray related phenomena, neutron slowing down related phenomena and short capture cross section related phenomena.

Abstract: Solutions and process are described useful to produce coated HE powder granules in an aqueous slurry agglomeration process. A reaction mixture is made utilizing a lacquer stock solution comprising a binder material dissolved in a substantially aqueous-immiscible organic lacquer solvent, and an aqueous HE powder slurry solution comprising a non-aqueous soluble HE powder and an at least partially aqueous-miscible organic co-solvent. The co-solvent acts as an entrainer and improves the immiscible of the lacquer solvent in the water phase of the aqueous HE powder slurry solution, resulting in formation of HE powder agglomerates that remain stable as the solvents are removed from the reaction mixture during the agglomeration process. Further, the process is adjustable to substantially eliminate organic solvent contamination of the waste water stream.

Abstract: A well completion apparatus and method comprises a junction assembly having a template and a lateral branch connector engageable with the template to couple a main bore to a lateral branch bore. To improve inter-engagement characteristics of the template and connector, one arrangement of the junction assembly utilizes a continuous rail and groove inter-engagement mechanism. In another arrangement, a portion of the rail and groove inter-engagement mechanism is segmented instead of continuous. A method and apparatus is also provided in some arrangements to enable placement of intelligent completion devices in a lateral branch. Additionally, some junction assemblies comprise flow control mechanisms to control commingling, or not, of fluids from different regions in the well bore.

Abstract: A technique for deploying a liner within a wellbore. The technique utilizes a flush bore running tool that may be coupled to the interior of the liner during deployment of the liner. The mechanism for coupling the running tool and the liner permits the use of the full diameter of the liner after the running tool is released and removed from the liner.

Abstract: A shield apparatus for use in conjunction with a well tool to selectively attenuate one or more electromagnetic energy field components as the components interact with the shield. The shield composed of a flexible strip or conductive body and comprising at least one sloped slot or sloped conductive element therein. The shield being adapted to surround an antenna mounted on a well tool. A method for rotating the axis of the magnetic dipole of a transmitter or receiver coil. A method for winding and shielding an electric coil such that the resultant coil emits or receives selected electromagnetic energy field components.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining the standoff of a well logging instrument from the wall of a wellbore and the shape of the wellbore itself. The methods include measuring a compensated gamma-gamma formation density at a rotary orientation proximate a bottom of the wellbore, and measuring an apparent density at at least one other rotary orientation. The apparent density is related to the compensated density, a density of a fluid disposed between the logging instrument and a wall of the wellbore, and the standoff. Repeated measurements at a plurality of axial positions along the wellbore provide a log of the wellbore.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a multilateral production system. The production system has one or more flow control valves for controlling flow from the one or more lateral bores, and has a main flow control valve for controlling flow from the main bore. All flow control valves are in communication with the main wellbore.

Abstract: A whipstock-less milling apparatus and method for use in a wellbore having a first structure (e.g., a tubular structure such as a casing, liner, or other tubular structure) includes a support element, at least one mill supported by the support element, and a deflection apparatus to deflect the at least one mill to engage the first structure to form an opening in the first structure. In one example, the opening is a window cut through a casing or liner to allow a change in the trajectory of the wellbore or to form a lateral branch from the wellbore in a multilateral well. In another example, one or more axial slots can be formed in the casing or liner to enable propagation of electromagnetic (EM) waves through the slotted casing or liner to measure characteristics of the surrounding formation. In yet a further example, sensors, gauges, and other measurement devices may be placed in a window or outside pocket formed by the whipstock-less milling apparatus.

Abstract: An assembly for formation and completion of deviated wellbores is disclosed which includes a toolguide and a casing section which can be used together or separately. The toolguide includes a lower orienting section and a whipstock having a sloping face, commonly known as the directional portion of a whipstock. The toolguide is coated with a material such as epoxy or polyurethane to provide a repairable surface and one which can be removed to facilitate removal of the toolguide from the well bore. The lower orienting section has a latch which extends radially outwardly from the section and can be locked in the outwardly biased position.

Abstract: An assembly for formation and completion of deviated wellbores is disclosed which includes a toolguide and a casing section which can be used together or separately. The toolguide includes a lower orienting section and a whipstock having a sloping face, commonly known as the directional portion of a whipstock. The toolguide is coated with a material such as epoxy or polyurethane to provide a repairable surface and one which can be removed to facilitate removal of the toolguide from the well bore. The lower orienting section has a latch which extends radially outwardly from the section and can be locked in the outwardly biased position.

Abstract: An earth formation tool measures pressure from within a borehole. A portion of the borehole wall is isolated from surrounding borehole fluids by placing a chamber of a borehole tool against the borehole wall. The chamber comprises a recess in an exterior surface of a borehole tool. Mudcake present on the isolated portion of the borehole wall is disintegrated by an ultrasonic transducer within the chamber. In this manner, there is no resistance to fluid flow from the chamber to the formation. A pressure gauge measures pressure of the chamber to indicate pressure of the earth formation. This approach can be used to make moving or stationary measurements of earth formation pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for determining the properties of formations surrounding an earth borehole that have been invaded by borehole fluid to form an invaded zone.

Abstract: Inception of hydrocarbon extraction from a reservoir causes the oil-water interface to warp and cusp toward the extraction gates along a well. This invention proposes time-lapse DC/AC measurements with an array of permanently deployed sensors in order to detect and estimate the change in geometry and proximity of the oil-water interface as a result of production, and therefore as a function of time. The estimation is carried out with a parametric inversion technique whereby the shape of the oil-water interface is assumed to take the form of a three-dimensional surface describable with only a few unknown parameters. A nonlinear optimization technique is used to search for the unknown parameters such that the differences between the measured data and the numerically simulated data are minimized in a least-squares fashion with concomitant hard bound physical constraints on the unknowns.

Abstract: An x-ray generator including a light source; a high temperature photocathode arranged so as to be illuminated by light from the light source; an accelerator for accelerating electrons emitted by the photocathode; and a target onto which accelerated electrons impinge so as to produce x-rays, the target being held at substantially ground potential. The accelerator is arranged so that the photocathode is at a low voltage end of a voltage multiplier, typically held at about -100 kV, and the target is at the high voltage end at ground potential. The voltage multiplier can include a bank of nested tubular capacitor members which surround the photocathode and accelerator section and are arranged such that the outer surface is at ground potential, the same as the target.