Abstract: An apparatus for remotely launching cementing plugs is configured such that the length of a dart need not necessarily be the same as the corresponding plug to be launched. A hydraulic-liquid reservoir and a piston are incorporated into a plug-launching system. The size of the reservoir may be adjusted such that the axial displacement of the piston after the dart lands is sufficient to cause the expulsion of a plug from the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for remotely launching cementing plugs during the primary cementation of a subterranean well. The apparatus includes a flexible sleeve that absorbs force exerted by activation devices as they arrive at a cementing head, thereby preventing premature release of a cementing plug.

Abstract: Equipment for servicing subterranean wells, and in some cases, an apparatus and method for remotely launching cementing plugs during the primary cementation of a subterranean well. The top plug and bottom plug are launched by different mechanisms, thereby preventing premature release of the top plug during a cementing operation.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating a zone in a well is disclosed. A tube that is permeable to a material is inserted into a wellbore, creating an annulus inside the wellbore. Two zones—the annular region and the formation surrounding the wellbore—may be treated. The method comprises the following steps. (1) A setting section surrounded by a sleeve is placed inside the tube near the zone to treat, the sleeve being expandable and impermeable to the material. (2) The sleeve is inflated inside the tube near the zone to treat, ensuring that a first zone of the tube is impermeable to the material, but leaving a second zone permeable to the material. (3) A treatment fluid is pumped to the zone to treat, the treatment fluid passing into the annulus via the second zone. (4) The zone to treat is treated with the treatment fluid.

Abstract: An activation-device launching system, mounted on a cementing head, allows the deployment of a combination of darts, balls, bombs, canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A valve controls the flow of process fluid, and holds an activation device in place until it is time for launching. The valve also has a hollow axle through which balls may be launched into the process-fluid stream at any time.

Abstract: Fiber-optic cable systems are useful for locating a cementing apparatus in the wellbore, for example a cement plug. A reel of fiber-optic cable is attached to the cementing apparatus. At the surface the cable is attached to a stationary position where it is connected to a light transmitter/receive device. As the cementing apparatus travels down the cased wellbore, the cable unwinds, thereby changing the nature of the reflected light signal and allowing one to deduce the position of the cement plug within the well.

Abstract: A cement slurry composition comprises a plugging agent with a glass-transition temperature lower than about 150° C. The plugging agent is preferably an including polyethlene wax, polypropylene wax, carnauba wax or scale wax. After the cement slurry sets, it may be heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the wax. The molten wax may then flow into pores in the set cement. Upon cooling, the wax solidifies. As a result, the porosity and permeability of the set cement are reduced.

Abstract: Compositions having shear-gelling and shear-thickening properties are based on an amphiphilic polymer combined with hydrophilic particles and polyethyleneoxide. The hydrophilic particles preferably consist of a hydrous sodium lithium magnesium silicate. The amphiphilic polymer may be a synthetic polymer, a hydrophobically modified biopolymer, or both. The compositions may be employed in enhanced oil recovery operations.

Abstract: A cement slurry comprising a mixture of a cement blend and water, wherein the cement blend comprises at least about 70% by volume of blend of cementitious particulate material and water is present in the mixture in an amount of not more than 50% by volume of the slurry.

Abstract: Cementing compositions for use in oilfield applications are designed such that, after setting, a significant amount of cement remains unhydrated. After placement in a subterranean well, the unhydrated cement remains dormant. If the cement sheath becomes damaged, the unhydrated cement hydrates upon exposure to formation fluids, thereby restoring zonal isolation in the wellbore. The compositions comprise emulsions that allow a substantial reduction of the water-to-cement ratio, yet the rheological properties remain suitable for placement in the well.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing the self-healing properties of a set cement based material in contact with hydrocarbons in an oil- and/or gas-well are described. The methods comprise: providing a test cell (10); providing said test cell (10) with a sample (31, 40) of the set cement based material; damaging the sample to simulate a loss of zonal isolation resulting from damages made to the set cement based material in the oil- or gas-well; injecting a hydrocarbon fluid in the test cell; allowing the cement based material to heal by itself; measuring the differential pressure (?P) across the sample (31, 40); and characterizing the self-healing properties of the cement based material from the measure of said differential pressure (?P).

Abstract: A cement slurry comprising a mixture of a cement blend and water, wherein the cement blend comprises at least about 70% by volume of blend of cementitious particulate material and water is present in the mixture in an amount of not more than 50% by volume of the slurry.

Abstract: A flow rate of a fluid flowing in a tubing is determined using a flow meter. The flow meter measures a value related to the flow rate. The tubing has a valve for controlling the fluid flowing through the flow meter. The method of determination of the flow rate includes closing the valve and measuring a first zero flow rate value at a first time and a second zero flow rate value at a second time, estimating an error of the value measurement based on the first and second zero flow rate values, opening the valve and measuring value of the flowing fluid, applying an error correction to the measured value of the flowing fluid, and calculating a corrected flow rate based on the corrected value of flowing fluid.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer program product for determining values of flow rates of components of a liquid hold up of a gaseous and liquid (water and oil) multiphase flow in an oil well. Including measuring total quantities of flow (Qtot), gas (Qgas) and liquid phase (Qliq) with a multiphase flow meter. Disposing an inlet of a core sampler inside a main pipe of the oil well at a place where a concentration of the liquid phase is greater than an average concentration of the liquid phase in the main pipe, to obtain a derived sample having a greater concentration of oil and water than the average concentration. Measuring quantities of water (Qwater) and oil (Qoil) of the derived sample. And calculating from Qwater, Qoil and Qliq, quantities of water and oil in the flow.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for electromagnetically measuring physical parameters of a pipe that includes measuring a pipe inner diameter ID and a pipe ratio of magnetic permeability to electrical conductivity ?2/?2 by means of a measuring arrangement 1 comprising a transmitter coil 2 and a receiver coil 3, both coils being coaxial to and longitudinally spaced from each other, the measuring arrangement being adapted to be positioned into the pipe CS and displaced through the pipe.

Abstract: A fluid flow metering device comprises a ball valve locatable in a fluid flow, having at least two transverse bores through the ball valve, a first transverse bore and a second transverse bore. The first transverse bore includes a fluid flow metering apparatus for measuring the rate of fluid flow through the first transverse bore. The ball valve is preferably rotatable between a first metering position where fluid is flowable through the first transverse bore and a second open position where fluid is flowable through the second transverse bore. In addition, the second transverse bore is dimensioned so that a tool is movable through the second transverse bore when the ball valve is in the second open position.

Abstract: A sealant composition, comprising an alkali metal silicate and a calcium containing inorganic compound, wherein the particles of the calcium containing compound have a mean particle size that is submicron, is useful for sealing cracks, fissures and voids in subterranean wells, thereby restoring zonal isolation. The mean particle size of the calcium containing compound is preferably smaller than 100 nm.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a subsurface formation fluids monitoring system, and a method thereof, integrated on a casing or tubing sub having an inner and an outer surface and defining an internal cavity. The system also includes a sensor mounted on the outer surface and wireless data communication between an interrogating tool located in the internal cavity and the sensor. The system also able to provide fluid communication between the sensor and fluids of the formation with a tool that can be moved through the well to a number of locations.

Abstract: A vessel system comprising a vessel is presented. The vessel system comprises at least one internal wall located within the vessel. The vessel system further comprises at least one inflatable seal to create a seal between an outer periphery of the internal wall and an internal cavity wall of the vessel. The vessel system further comprises a shaft longitudinally traversing the vessel and adapted to transmit a force applied on the at least one internal wall to an end of the vessel.

Abstract: A method of inverting induction logging data for evaluating the properties of underground formations surrounding a borehole, the data including induction voltage measurements obtained from a tool placed close to the formations of interest, the method includes: (a) defining a relationship relating the induction voltage to wave number, dielectric permittivity and conductivity; defining a cubic polynomial expansion of the relationship; and solving the cubic polynomial relationship using the voltage measurements to obtain values for conductivity that includes skin-effect correction, and apparent dielectric permittivity; and (b) using the obtained values for conductivity and apparent dielectric permittivity to derive a simulated value of induction voltage; determining the difference between the simulated value of the induction voltage and the measured induction voltage; and iteratively updating the values of conductivity and dielectric permittivity used for the derivation of the simulated value of induction voltag