Abstract: A fluid flow control device (60) for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprises a sand control screen (62) having a base pipe (64) with a first set of openings (66) that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough and a sleeve (74) coaxially disposed adjacent to the base pipe (64). The sleeve (74) has a second set of openings (76) that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough. The sleeve (74) is selectively positionable relative to the base pipe (64) such that a pressure drop in the production fluids is selectively controllable by adjusting an alignment of the first set of openings (66) relative to the second set of openings (76).

Abstract: A downhole force generator (60) adapted to be moved to a target location within a wellbore (70) for interaction with a well tool (74) previously positioned in the wellbore (70) comprises a downhole power unit (62) having a moveable shaft (68). An anchor (64) is operably associated with the downhole power unit (62). The anchor (64) has an anchoring configuration and a running configuration. In the anchoring configuration, the anchor (64) longitudinally secures the downhole force generator (60) within the wellbore (70). An operating tool (66) is operably associated with the downhole power unit (62) and is operably engageable with the well tool (74) such that when the operating tool (66) is operably engaged with the well tool (74) and the anchor (64) is in the anchoring configuration, movement of the moveable shaft (68) will transmit a force to the well tool (74).

Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable safety valve (50) having a non annular hydraulic chamber (60) in a sidewall portion thereof is operable to received a communication tool (100) therein such that relative rotation between at least a portion of the communication tool (100) and the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) is substantially prevented. The communication tool (100) is operable to create a fluid passageway (150) between the non annular hydraulic chamber (60) and the interior of the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) by penetrating through the sidewall portion and into the non annular hydraulic chamber (60). Thereafter, when a wireline retrievable safety valve (44) is positioned within the tubing retrievable safety valve (50), hydraulic fluid is communicatable thereto through the fluid passageway (150).

Abstract: A drill bit (100) for drilling a wellbore that traverses subterranean formations includes a drill bit body (106) having a plurality of journal pins (112), each having a bearing surface (128), and a rotary cutter (104) rotatably mounted on each journal pin (112), each rotary cutter (104) including a bearing surface (126). A pressure-compensated reservoir (130) is in fluid communication with the bearing surfaces (126, 128) and has a lubricant therein. A seal element (144) is positioned between each journal pin (112) and rotary cutter (104) and retains the lubricant in the bearing surfaces (126, 128). The seal element (144) is formed from a nanocomposite material including a polymer host material and a plurality of nanostructures.

Abstract: A multi zone isolation tool (50) for use in a subterranean wellbore includes a first tubular and a second tubular disposed within the first tubular forming an annular flow path (110a, 110b) therebetween and a central flow path (70a, 80a, 80b) through the second tubular. An annular valving assembly (90, 80) is positioned in the annular flow path (110a, 110b) and a central valving assembly (148, 186) is positioned in the central flow path (70a, 80a, 80b). The central valving assembly (186) is operably coupled to the annular valving assembly (90) such that when the central valving assembly (148, 186) is in a closed position, a pressure variation in the central flow path (70a, 80a, 80b) will operate the annular valving assembly (90, 80) from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (60) comprises a base pipe (62) having at least one opening (64) that allows fluid flow therethrough and a filter medium (66) positioned about the exterior of the base pipe (62) that allows fluid flow therethrough and prevents particulate flow therethrough. An inflatable seal member (72) is disposed within the at least one opening (64) of the base pipe (62) and controls fluid flow through the at least one opening (64). An inflation fluid source (74) is in fluid communication with the inflatable seal member (72) and provides an inflation fluid to the inflatable seal member (72) to selectively urge the inflatable seal member (72) into sealing engagement with the at least one opening (64).

Abstract: A well screen assembly (70) with a controllable variable flow area. The well screen assembly (70) comprises an outer tubular section (80), the outer tubular section (80) containing a first plurality of openings (90) disposed in a pattern (100) throughout a length “L” of the outer tubular section (80); an inner tubular section (110) that is disposed within the outer tubular section (80), the inner tubular section (110) containing a second plurality of openings (120) disposed in the same pattern (100) throughout a length L of the inner tubular section (110), and when the first plurality of openings (90) and second plurality of openings (120) align, the openings form a plurality of passageways (130) through the outer tubular section (80) and inner tubular section (110). The well screen assembly (70) may therefore, vary the flow of production fluid through it and upwards through the interior of a production tubing (40).

Abstract: A tubing retrievable safety valve (50) having a non annular hydraulic chamber (60) in a sidewall portion thereof is operable to received a communication tool (100) therein such that relative rotation between at least a portion of the communication tool (100) and the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) is substantially prevented. The communication tool (100) is operable to create a fluid passageway (150) between the non annular hydraulic chamber (60) and the interior of the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) by penetrating through the sidewall portion and into the non annular hydraulic chamber (60). Thereafter, when a wireline retrievable safety valve (44) is positioned within the tubing retrievable safety valve (50), hydraulic fluid is communicatable thereto through the fluid passageway (150).

Abstract: An apparatus (60) and method for treating an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (62) disposed within the wellbore. A sand control screen (92) is disposed within the outer tubular (62). A slurry passageway (88) is formed between the sand control screen (92) and outer tubular (62). In addition, a production pathway (90) is formed between the sand control screen (92) and outer tubular (62). When the apparatus (60) is in an operable position, the region between the outer tubular (62) and the wellbore serves as a primary path for delivery of a fluid slurry, the production pathway (90) serves as a secondary path for delivery of the fluid slurry if the primary path becomes blocked and the slurry passageway (88) serves as a tertiary path for delivery of the fluid slurry if the primary and secondary paths become blocked.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic control unit for operating an actuator of a hydraulically controllable device is disclosed. The electrohydraulic control unit comprises a housing including a chamber for hydraulic fluid. The housing is coupled to the actuator such that a path for fluid communication between the chamber and the actuator is created. Disposed within the chamber is a piston for regulating the flow of the hydraulic fluid between the chamber and the actuator. An electric motor is securably attached to the housing. The electric motor includes a selectively rotatable shaft. The electrohydraulic control unit also comprises a converter configured to transform the rotational motion of the shaft to translational motion of the piston, thereby controlling the actuation of the hydraulically controllable device.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) and method for treating formations traversed by a wellbore (34) in a single trip are disclosed. The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (56) with a plurality of openings (58) that allow fluid flow therethrough. A filter medium (62) is positioned about the exterior of the base pipe (56) to filter particulate matter out of the production fluids. One-way valves (70) are operably associated within the openings (58) of the base pipe (56) to prevent fluid flow from the interior of the base pipe (56) to the exterior of the base pipe (56) during a treatment process. The one-way valves (70), however, are actuatable to allow fluid flow from the exterior of the base pipe (56) to the interior of the base pipe (56) to allow production of fluids from the formation (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the viscosity of a sample fluid are disclosed. In one embodiment, a holding vessel (82) receives the sample fluid (94) and a weighted fluid (96). The weighted fluid (96) has a greater specific gravity than the sample fluid (94). A floating spacer (100) is buoyantly disposed in the weighted fluid (96) such that an interface (116) between the sample fluid (94) and the weighted fluid (96) is defined between the holding vessel (82) and the floating spacer (100). A capillary tube 86 is positioned in fluid communication with the holding vessel (82) such that a pressure drop is created across the capillary tube (86) when at least a portion of the sample fluid (94) is forced therethrough. The viscosity of the sample fluid (94) may be determined by utilizing Hagen-Poiseuille's Law.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (80) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a base pipe (82) having at least one opening (84) that allows fluid flow therethrough and a filter medium (86) positioned about the exterior of the base pipe (82) that selectively allows fluid flow therethrough and prevents particulate flow of a predetermined size therethrough. An internal isolation member (88) that has at least one opening (90) is positioned within the base pipe (82). A one-way valve (92) is operably associated with the opening (90) of the internal isolation member (88). The one-way valve (92) controls the flow of fluid through the opening (90) of the internal isolation member (88) such that fluid flow is prevented from the interior to the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (80) but is allowed from the exterior to the interior of the sand control screen assembly (80).

Abstract: A system for communicating hydraulic fluid to a wireline retrievable safety valve (44) comprises a tubing retrievable safety valve (50) having a non annular hydraulic chamber (60) in a sidewall portion thereof and a communication tool (100) that is selectively locatable within the tubing retrievable safety valve (50). The communication tool (100) creates a fluid passageway (150) between the non annular hydraulic chamber (60) and the interior of the tubing retrievable safety valve (50) by penetrating through the sidewall portion and into the non annular hydraulic chamber (60). Thereafter, when the wireline retrievable safety valve (44) is positioned within the tubing retrievable safety valve (50), hydraulic fluid is communicatable thereto through the fluid passageway (150).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (90) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a base pipe (92) having a blank pipe section (94) and a perforated section (96) having at least one opening (98) that allows fluid flow therethrough. A filter medium (100) is positioned about the exterior of the base pipe (92) that selectively allows fluid flow therethrough and prevents particulate of a predetermined size from flowing therethrough. An internal seal element (104) is positioned at least partially within the perforated section (96) of the base pipe (92). The internal seal element (104) controls the flow of fluid through the opening (98) of the base pipe (92) such that fluid flow is prevented from the interior to the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (90) but is allowed from the exterior to the interior of the sand control screen assembly (90).

Abstract: A well completion system for creating a seal between a production tubing (30) and a well casing (34) positioned within a wellbore (32) comprises a production packer (46) that includes a section of the production tubing (30) and at least one seal element (60). The production tubing (30) is then positioned within the well casing (34) that lines the wellbore (32). An expander member (56) that is positioned within the production tubing (30) then travels longitudinally through the production packer (46) to expand the section of the production tubing (30) downhole that includes the seal element (60). This expansion creates a sealing and gripping relationship between the production tubing (30) and the well casing (34).

Abstract: An expandable wirefinder (60) for locating a wire downhole comprises a sleeve (62) and a dual collet assembly (72). The dual collet assembly (72) has first and second collet members (78, 82) each having plurality of collet fingers (80, 84). The dual collet assembly (72) is slidable relative to the sleeve (62) to operate between running and finding positions. In the running position, the first collet member (78) is partially disposed within the sleeve (62) with its collet fingers (80) inwardly radially biased by the sleeve (62) and the second collet member (82) is disposed within the first collet member (78) with its collet fingers inwardly (84) radially biased by the sleeve (62). In the finding position, the collet fingers (80) of the first collet member (78) radially expand to form gaps therebetween and the collet fingers (84) of the second collet member (82) radially expand into the gaps.

Abstract: A power generating system (100) for a downhole operation (10) having production tubing (40) in a wellbore (12) includes a magnetized rotation member (110) coupled to the wellbore (12) within the production tubing (40), the rotation member (110) having a passageway (112) through which objects, such as tools, may be passed within the production tubing (40). Support braces (170, 172) couple the rotation member (110) to the production tubing (40) and allow the rotation member (110) to rotate within the production tubing (40). Magnetic pickups (150, 152) are predisposed about the rotation member (110) within the wellbore (12) and a power conditioner (200) is provided to receive currents from the magnetic pickups (150, 152) for storage and future use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacture and testing of semiconductor chips (14) is disclosed. The invention comprises the use of an interposer (22) having a plurality of electrical contact pads (26) on each surface connected by a plurality of conductors (32, 34). After assembly of the interposer (22) to a semiconductor wafer (12), the wafer-interposer assembly (10) is attached to a testing unit (46) wherein the semiconductor chips (14) on the wafer (12) are tested. After testing, the interposer-wafer assembly (10) is singulated into a plurality of chip assemblies (62), each chip assembly (62) comprising a silicon chip (64) and the permanently attached interposer (66).