Abstract: Drill bits and methods of drilling curved boreholes comprising a drill bit including a bit body and one or more cutting blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for drilling a curved borehole. The method includes: providing a drill string including a drill bit including a bit body and one or more blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths; rotating the drill string; and selectively actuating the one or more blades to a plurality of cut depths; thereby drilling a curved borehole.

Abstract: A technique is used to control the direction of a drill bit or bottom hole assembly via hydraulic steering utilizing a plurality of steering pads. A portion of hydraulic fluid, e.g. drilling fluid, is directed under pressure to a pad interface region proximate each pad. The hydraulic fluid provides additional force against a surrounding wall and/or reduces or eliminates contact between the pads and the surrounding wall.

Abstract: A technique for communicating data within a wellbore is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving digital data and encoding the digital data into symbols each representative of one or more data bits of the digital data. In this embodiment, the method also includes modulating the phase of an acoustic wave within the wellbore to represent the plurality of symbols, wherein modulating the phase of an acoustic wave includes changing the phase of the acoustic wave such that the acoustic wave includes smooth phase transitions between successive phases representative of the plurality of symbols. Various additional methods, systems, and devices are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods compress data and control data compression in borehole communication. The systems and methods convert original data collected by a sensor from a first domain into a second domain, wherein the original data is associated with one or more properties of an underground formation. A predetermined number of significant coefficients is selected from components of the second domain, wherein the predetermined number of significant coefficients are components of the second domain with largest amplitudes. The selected predetermined number of significant coefficients is quantized via an quantization technique and the selected predetermined number of significant coefficients is encoded into compressed data via an encoder.

Abstract: A downhole steering system comprises a first full gauge stabilizer 34, a bias unit 28, a universal joint 26, and a second full gauge stabiliser 22, the bias unit 28 and universal joint 26 being located between the first and second full gauge stabilizers 34, 22. The system further comprises a drill bit 10 and a fluid powered downhole motor 14, the motor being located, at least partially, between the drill bit 10 and the second stabilizer 22.

Abstract: A digital signal processing receiver, a system and/or a method identifies a decoded signal. The receiver, system and/or method extract at least one sequence of one or more symbols from a digital incoming signal to generate an extracted sequence of symbols. The receiver, system and/or method generate a first result based on a comparison of the extracted sequence of symbols and one or more possible matching digital signals of a set of idealized model data according to a Bayesian probability theory. The receiver, system and/or method generates a second result based on a comparison of an equalized version of the digital incoming signal and the one or more possible matching digital signals. The receiver, system and/or method generates a third result based on a comparison of the extracted sequence of symbols and one or more possible matching digital signals of a modified set of idealized model data.

Abstract: A perforating gun, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, comprises a loading tube and a plurality of charges mounted in the loading tube with at least a portion of the plurality of charges being tilted relative to an axis of the loading tube. Wherein the plurality of tilted charges are tilted relative to the axis to create a selected reactive dynamic force on the perforating gun to counter a detrimental force on the perforating gun in response to detonation of the plurality of charges.

Abstract: A downhole plug can include a housing having an aperture disposed generally through the center of the housing. A stopper can be disposed in the aperture and adapted to block fluid flow therethrough. The stopper can have a composition of at least two different materials. One or more covers can be at least partially disposed on the stopper, wherein and the stopper can be at least partially encapsulated by the one or more covers. A flow control device can be disposed adjacent the stopper to selectively introduce fluid to at least a portion of the stopper.

Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided for use in oilfield operations to detonate an explosive downhole including a capacitor discharge unit and initiator electrically connected together to form a single unit. Further, provided is a method of fabricating an integrated detonator. Additionally, a method of use for an integrated detonating unit is provided.

Abstract: Oilfield elements are described, one embodiment comprising a combination of a normally insoluble metal with an element selected from a second metal, a semi-metallic material, and non-metallic materials; and one or more solubility-modified high strength and/or high-toughness polymeric materials selected from polyamides, polyethers, and liquid crystal polymers. Methods of using the oilfield elements in oilfield operations are also described. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A downhole device having an explosive component includes a high temperature stable explosive having thermal stability greater than 200° C.

Abstract: According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a piezoelectric pump may include a hydraulic fluid path between a low pressure source and a high pressure tool port; a fluid disposed in the hydraulic fluid path; a piston in communication with the fluid; and a piezoelectric material connected to the piston to pump the fluid through the high pressure tool port.

Abstract: Whipstocks and deflectors comprising a degradable composition, and methods of using same are described. A degradable composition may consist essentially of one or more reactive metals in major proportion, and one or more alloying elements in minor proportion, with the provisos that the composition is high-strength, controllably reactive, and degradable under defined conditions. Methods of using degradable whipstocks in oilfield operations are also described. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A system for dynamic underbalanced perforation of a hydrocarbon well includes a perforation fluid located within the hydrocarbon well. A perforation gun is suspended within the perforation fluid and a completion fluid is located within the hydrocarbon uphole of the perforation fluid. An isolation fluid is located within the hydrocarbon well uphole of the perforation fluid and downhole of the completion fluid. A method of perforating a hydrocarbon well includes a perforation fluid placed in the hydrocarbon well. A perforation gun is placed within the perforation fluid. A completion fluid is placed in the hydrocarbon well. An isolation fluid is placed in the hydrocarbon well. A local dynamic underbalance condition is created in the hydrocarbon well. A flow of the completion fluid downhole is inhibited.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aluminum alloy that is both age-hardenable and degradable in water-containing fluids. Some embodiments include aluminum alloy compositions with about 0.5 to 8.0 wt. % Ga (Gallium); about 0.5 to 8.0 wt. % Mg (Magnesium); less than about 2.5 wt. % In (Indium); and less than about 4.5 wt. % Zn (Zinc).

Abstract: Compositions, apparatus incorporating a composition, and methods of use are described, one composition embodiment consisting essentially of one or more reactive metals in major proportion, and one or more alloying elements in minor proportion, with the provisos that the composition is high-strength, controllably reactive, and degradable under defined conditions. Compositions of the invention may exist in a variety of morphologies, including a reactive metal or degradable alloy processed into an alloy of crystalline, amorphous or mixed structure that may constitute the matrix of other composition, for instance a composite. Methods of using apparatus comprising a composition, particularly in oilfield operations are also described (e.g. flow and displacement control, sensors, actuators). This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A model of at least one rheological characteristic of a fluid is provided. According to the model, a behavior of the tool that includes an actuator that uses the fluid is predicted. The behavior of the tool is predicted for at least one expected condition in a well.

Abstract: A downhole propellant gas generator includes a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material packed in a selected configuration and at least one initiator. A method for creating a pressure pulse includes igniting an initiator, wherein the one or more initiators are packed with a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material in a propellant assembly; igniting the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material subsequent to the igniting of the one or more initiators. A method for stimulating a well includes disposing in the well a propellant gas generator having a propellant assembly that comprises a plurality of individual lengths of an energetic material, and at least one initiator packed among the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material; igniting the at least one initiator, which in turn ignites the plurality of individual lengths of the energetic material.

Abstract: A system includes a subsea well and a carousel of tools. The carousel of tools is adapted to automatically and selectively deploy the tools in the well to perform an intervention in the well. The flow of fluid in a well is halted, and a tool is deployed from within the well while the fluid is halted. The tool is allowed to free fall while the fluid is halted. The flow is resumed to retrieve the tool.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus that is usable with a well includes a shaped charge. The shaped charge includes a case, an explosive and a liner. The liner is adapted to form a perforation jet to form a perforation tunnel and promote an exothermic reaction inside the tunnel to create a pressure wave to force debris from the tunnel.