Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having at least one opening (60) and an internal flow path (44). A swellable material layer (46) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (42). A fluid collection subassembly (50) is disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (46). The fluid collection subassembly (50) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (44). A filter medium (62) is operably associated with the sand control screen assembly (40) and is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (40) and the internal flow path (44). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (46) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (50) to contact the wellbore (48).

Abstract: A liner (18) for a shaped charge (10) that utilizes a high performance powered metal mixture to achieve improved penetration depths during the perforation of a wellbore is disclosed. The high performance powdered metal mixture includes powdered tungsten and powdered metal binder. The powered metal binder may be selected from the group consisting of tantalum, molybdenum, lead, cooper and combination thereof. This mixture is compressively formed into a substantially conically shaped liner (18).

Abstract: A communication tool (100) includes a housing (102) having recesses (110) and a set of axial locating elements (112) radially extendable through the recesses (110) and engageably positionable within a profile of a tubing retrievable safety valve (50). An anti rotation device (140) is radially outwardly extendable relative to the housing (112). The anti rotation device (140) operably engages the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) to substantially prevent relative rotation between at least a portion of the communication tool (100) and the tubing retrievable safety valve (50). A cutting tool (148) is radially outwardly extendable relative to the housing (102). The cutting tool (148) is operable to create a fluid passageway (150) between a non annular hydraulic chamber (60) and an interior the tubing retrievable safety valve (50).

Abstract: A flow control apparatus (800) includes a tubular member (818) having a plurality of openings (820, 822, 824, 826) that allow fluid flow between an exterior and an interior flow path (828) of the tubular member (818) and a multi-stage flow restricting section (804) operably positioned in a fluid flow path between a fluid source disposed exteriorly of the tubular member (818) and the interior flow path (828). The flow restricting section (804) including a plurality of flow restricting devices (838, 844, 850) each operable to create a pressure drop. Actuatable devices (830, 832, 834, 836) operably associated with the openings (820, 822, 824, 826) are sequentially actuatable to allow fluid flow through the associated openings (820, 822, 824, 826), thereby sequentially reducing the pressure drop experienced by fluids flowing from the fluid source to the interior flow path (828).

Abstract: An apparatus (300) for obtaining a fluid sample in a subterranean well includes a housing (302) having a sample chamber (314) defined therein. The sample chamber (314) is selectively in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing (302) and is operable to receive the fluid sample therefrom. A debris trap piston (318) is slidably disposed within the housing (302). The debris trap piston (318) includes a debris chamber (326). Responsive to the fluid sample entering the sample chamber (314), the debris trap piston (318) receives a first portion of the fluid sample in the debris chamber (326) then displaces relative to the housing (302) to expand the sample chamber (314).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (44) having a plurality of openings (45) in a sidewall portion thereof and a swellable material layer (46) disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (44) and having a plurality of openings (47) that correspond to the openings (45) of the base pipe (44). A plurality of telescoping perforations (48) are operably associated with the openings (45) of the base pipe (44) and at least partially disposed within the corresponding openings (47) of the swellable material layer (46). A filter medium (56) is disposed within each of the telescoping perforations (48). In operation, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (46), in response to contact with an activating fluid, causes the telescoping perforations (48) to radially outwardly extend.

Abstract: Methods are provided including a method comprising: placing a sand control screen in the wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the sand control screen comprises: a base pipe having at least one opening in a sidewall portion thereof; a swellable material layer disposed exteriorly of the base pipe and having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one opening of the base pipe; a telescoping perforation operably associated with the at least one opening of the base pipe and at least partially disposed within the at least one opening of the swellable material layer; and a filter medium disposed within the telescoping perforation; and introducing a consolidating agent into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: A seal element (70) for providing a static or dynamic seal between two components (74, 78) in a downhole tool includes a polymer host material (212) and a plurality of nanostructures (220) forming a nanocomposite material (210). The polymer host material (212) has a plurality of regions of free volume (222) that receive the nanostructures (220). The nanostructures (220) and the polymer host material (212) form interfacial interactions that improve the useful life of the seal element (70) by minimizing seal failures associated with explosive decompression, extrusion, spiral failure, abrasion, temperature degradation and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a pressure delivery system of a fluid sampler. The apparatus includes a housing (302) having a longitudinal passageway and defining first and second chambers (338, 348). A piston (346) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway between the first and second chambers (338, 348). A valving assembly (356) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The valving assembly (356) is operable to selectively prevent communication of pressure from a pressure source of the fluid sampler to the second chamber (348). The valving assembly (356) is actuated responsive to an increase in pressure in the first chamber (338) which longitudinally displaces the piston (346) toward the valving assembly (356) until at least a portion of the piston (346) contacts the valving assembly (356), thereby releasing pressure from the pressure source into the second chamber (348) and longitudinally displacing the piston (346) away from the valving assembly (356).

Abstract: A downhole seal (50) includes an elastomeric element (98) operably to provide a seal between two downhole components. A strain sensor (102) is embedded in the elastomeric element (98). The strain sensor (102) has a mechanical flexibility that is substantially matched to the mechanical flexibility of the elastomeric element (98). The strain sensor (102) is operably connected to circuitry that is operable to identify changes in a property of the strain sensor (98) indicative of the strain being experienced by the strain sensor (98), which is representative of the strain experienced by the elastomeric element (98).

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting movement downhole includes a first downhole component (106) having a sensor (114) coupled thereto and a second downhole component (102) positioned relative to the first downhole component (106). The sensor (114) generates a primary magnetic field that is imposed on the second downhole component (102) thereby generating an induced magnetic field that interacts with the primary magnetic field. Movement of the first downhole component (106) relative to the second downhole component (102) is detected by the sensor (114) by sensing a change in the induced magnetic field.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus (100) includes a plurality of shaped charges (102) each having an initiation end and a discharge end. A detonating cord (116) is operably coupled to the initiation ends of the shaped charges (102). A carrier (106) contains the shaped charges (102). The carrier (106) includes at least one discharge location corresponding to the discharge ends of the shaped charges (102) when the perforating apparatus (100) is in its operable position. The discharge location has first and second material layers (122, 124) wherein the second material layer (124) exhibits resilient recovery such that an opening created by a jet formed from detonating one of the shaped charges (102) in the second material layer (124) is smaller than an opening created by the jet in the first material layer (122), thereby retaining debris in the perforating apparatus (100) with the second material layer (124).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples in a subterranean well includes a carrier (104), a plurality of sampling chambers (102) and a pressure source (108). The carrier (104) has a longitudinally extending internal fluid passageway (112) and a plurality of externally disposed chamber receiving slots (159). Each of sampling chamber (102) is positioned in one of the chamber receiving slots (159) of the carrier (104). The pressure source (108) is selectively in fluid communication with each of the sampling chambers (102) such that the pressure source (108) is operable to pressurize each of the sampling chambers (102). after the samples are obtained.

Abstract: A downhole tool system includes a downhole tool operably positionable within a wellbore and a sensor positioned within the downhole tool. The sensor has a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the sensor is responsive to RF interrogation. In the second mode, the sensor is not responsive to RF interrogation. The sensor is operable to transition from the first mode to the second mode upon the occurrence of a predetermined level of erosion of the downhole tool proximate the sensor. A detector is operably positionable relative to the downhole tool and in communicative proximity to the sensor. The detector interrogates the sensor to determine whether the predetermined level of erosion has occurred.

Abstract: A liner (18) for a shaped charge (10) that utilizes a high performance powered metal mixture to achieve improved penetration depths during the perforation of a wellbore is disclosed. The high performance powdered metal mixture includes powdered tungsten and powdered metal binder. The powered metal binder may be selected from the group consisting of tantalum, molybdenum, lead, cooper and combination thereof. This mixture is compressively formed into a substantially conically shaped liner (18).

Abstract: A surge chamber assembly (70) for use in a wellbore includes a housing (80) having one or more openings (112), a surge chamber (100) and a combustion chamber (98). The openings (112) provide fluid communication between the exterior (82) of the housing (80) and the surge chamber (100). A sleeve (114) is slidably positioned within the housing (80) and has a first position wherein fluid communication through the openings (112) is prevented and a second position wherein fluid communication through the openings (112) is allowed. A combustible element (124) is positioned in the combustion chamber (98) such that combusting the combustible element (124) generates pressure in the combustion chamber (98) that actuates the sleeve (114) from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A reverse out valve (100) comprises an outer housing (120) and a mandrel (144) that form a bypass region (130) therebetween. The mandrel (144) includes a central flow path (164) with a valve seat (152) positioned therein and first and second side wall ports (148, 150). A valve element (168) is positioned in the central flow path (164). The valve element (168) and the valve seat (152) having a one way valve configuration that prevents downhole fluid flow and allows uphole fluid flow. The mandrel (144) is axially movable relative to the outer housing (120) between first and second positions. In the first position, a bypass passageway (184) is formed between the first and second side wall ports (148, 150) via the bypass region (130) thereby allowing bypass flow around the valve element (168) and the valve seat (152). In the second position, bypass flow is prevented.

Abstract: A communication tool (100) includes a housing (102) having recesses (110) and a set of axial locating elements (112) radially extendable through the recesses (110) and engagably positionable within a profile of a tubing retrievable safety valve (50). An anti rotation device (140) is radially outwardly extendable relative to the housing (112). The anti rotation device (140) operably engages the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) to substantially prevent relative rotation between at least a portion of the communication tool (100) and the tubing retrievable safety valve (50). A cutting tool (148) is radially outwardly extendable relative to the housing (102). The cutting tool (148) is operable to create a fluid passageway (150) between a non annular hydraulic chamber (60) and an interior the tubing retrievable safety valve (50).

Abstract: An apparatus (300) for obtaining a fluid sample in a subterranean well includes a housing (302) having a sample chamber (314) defined therein. The sample chamber (314) is selectively in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing (302) and is operable to receive the fluid sample therefrom. A debris trap piston (318) is slidably disposed within the housing (302). The debris trap piston (318) includes a debris chamber (326). Responsive to the fluid sample entering the sample chamber (314), the debris trap piston (318) receives a first portion of the fluid sample in the debris chamber (326) then displaces relative to the housing (302) to expand the sample chamber (314).

Abstract: A downhole perforator assembly (10) for establishing communication between the interior of a tubular string (18) and a surrounding annulus (24) includes a downhole power unit (100) having a power unit housing (150) and a moveable shaft (130) and a downhole perforator (260) having a perforator housing (262), a mandrel (278) slidably positioned within the perforator housing (262) and a penetrator (288) radially outwardly extendable from the perforator housing (262). The power unit housing (150) is operably associated with the perforator housing (262) and the moveable shaft (130) operably associated with the mandrel (278) such that when the downhole power unit (100) is activated and the moveable shaft (130) is longitudinally shifted relative to the power unit housing (150), the mandrel (278) is longitudinally shifted relative to the perforator housing (262) and at least a portion of the penetrator (288) is extended radially outwardly from the perforator housing (262).