Abstract: Fluid column weight correction using discrete point and fiber optic temperature measurement. A method for determining pressure at a distal end of a fluid column in a well includes the steps of: dividing the fluid column into multiple segments; determining a temperature of each segment; and determining a pressure and density for each segment. Another method includes the steps of: determining the temperature of each segment by measuring a temperature in the well near a proximal end of the fluid column, and using the measured temperature in conjunction with a thermal wellbore model to generate a temperature profile of the fluid column. Another method includes the steps of: causing a pressure change in the fluid column; recording multiple pressure measurements during the pressure change; and generating a temperature profile of the fluid column for each of the pressure measurements.

Abstract: Methods of monitoring various downhole conditions are described, including a system for determining and/or identifying the flow of fluid in a well, determining sand production in a well, identifying localized events in a well, determining the apparent flow velocity of fluid flowing through a downhole conduit, and/or monitoring the strain in downhole tubulars. These determinations may be made by monitoring signals received from one or more sensors located in a well and analysing the signals, such as their frequency and timing.

Abstract: A suspension system having a reduced weight arm construction. In one vehicle suspension system, an axle is constructed at least partially of a metal alloy. An arm assembly of the suspension system includes an axle attachment constructed at least partially of a material which cannot be welded directly to the metal alloy. To interconnect the axle to the axle attachment of the arm assembly, a transition device is permanently secured to the metal alloy and permanently secured to the axle attachment material.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.

Abstract: A trailer having sides with a combination of extruded panel and sheet material. A trailer wall construction for use as part of a trailer assembly includes at least one panel comprising spaced apart inner and outer shells, and at least one sheet. An edge of the sheet is attached to an edge of the panel. Another trailer wall construction includes a vertical side having a lower portion with spaced apart inner and outer shells, and an upper portion with only a single sheet thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus for deploying equipment in a fluid container or fluid conduit comprises a fluid housing having an outlet aperture, the fluid housing being adapted to be secured to the container or conduit such that the outlet aperture is in fluid communication with an aperture in the container or conduit. The apparatus further includes a piston in the fluid housing dividing the fluid housing into first and second fluid chambers, the second fluid chamber being in fluid communication with the interior of the container or conduit via the outlet aperture when the fluid housing is secured in fluid communication with the container or conduit. The piston is movable within the fluid housing toward the outlet aperture in response to increases of fluid pressure in the first fluid chamber. The apparatus further includes a guide means for guiding deployment of the equipment into the container or conduit.

Abstract: Safety valve apparatus for a pressure telemetry system utilizing a small diameter tubing conveying pressure from a downhole pressure chamber to the surface, the system pressurized with a monitoring gas, is presented. A check valve assembly is placed along the fluid flow path having a check valve with an operating member. The operating member moves to a sealed position by floating on an activating fluid. The operating member must be of low effective specific gravity to float on wellbore hydrocarbon fluids, either liquid or gas. Consequently, in one preferred embodiment, the check valve operating member is a hollow dart which retains the monitoring gas inside the hollow portion, thereby effectively reducing its specific gravity such that it will float on the activating fluid.

Abstract: A head member having a piston provided thereon is connected to an elongate tube such as a micro-tube. The micro-tube contains one or more optical fibres, preferably suspended therein by a protective fluid such as a scavenging gel. The head member is preferably inserted into an already-deployed downhole tubular and fluid is pumped down that already deployed tubular behind the piston such that the head member and attached micro-tube and optical fiber(s) are pumped downhole. A sealing means such as a resin material may be pumped downhole in the annulus between the outer circumference of the micro-tube and the inner circumference of the already-deployed tubular downhole in low viscosity form and which may be adapted to cure or harden after a passage of time and/or under application of heat.

Abstract: A liftable independent suspension system which may also be steerable. In a described embodiment, a liftable suspension system for use on a vehicle includes wheel spindles positioned to extend outwardly at each respective lateral side of the vehicle. The spindles are displaceable independent of each other. An actuator is operable to raise at least one of the spindles, so that a tire rotatably connected to the spindle is liftable out of engagement with a road surface when the actuator raises the spindle.

Abstract: A suspension system for a dump truck which is to be connected to a paver using a truck hitch. In one example, a system for connecting a dump truck to a paver includes a liftable and steerable suspension of the truck, the suspension having an adapter with a laterally outwardly facing concave side. A truck hitch of the paver engages the concave side of the adapter to attach the truck hitch to the suspension. In another example, a method of connecting a dump truck to a paver includes the steps of: interconnecting a hydraulic actuator between a frame of the truck and an axle of a suspension of the truck to thereby transmit a load from the frame to the axle; then raising a bed of the truck, the load increasing as the bed is raised; and increasing pressure in the hydraulic actuator in response to the increasing load.

Abstract: A system and method of damping fluid pressure waves in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, pressure waves are damped by positioning a dampener in the well during a perforating operation. The dampener may attenuate the pressure waves by absorbing the pressure waves, flowing the pressure waves through viscously damping material, generating complementary pressure waves, changing a material phase, or by a combination of these methods.

Abstract: A downhole electrical power generator. A downhole electrical power generating system includes a flow restricting device which variably restricts flow through an opening, the restricting device vibrating in response to flow through the opening and the restricting device thereby alternately increasing and decreasing flow through the opening; and an electricity generating device which generates electricity in response to vibration of the restricting device.

Abstract: A direct proportional control system for remotely controlling actuation of a tool. A well control system includes an actuator for a downhole well tool, the actuator including an actuator member which displaces to operate the well tool. A control system member is positioned at a remote location. A displacement of the control system member is proportional to a displacement of the actuator member.

Abstract: A fiber optic conduit for use in a hostile environment includes a hydrogen barrier shell that is disposed outwardly from an inner axial tube. The hydrogen barrier shell comprises a material that is capable of reducing hydrogen permeation through the fiber optic conduit and a thickness of at least approximately one-thousandth of an inch. The inner axial tube is operable to receive one or more optical fibers. The conduit further includes an outer axial tube that is disposed outwardly from the hydrogen barrier shell and is operable to form a hydrostatic pressure boundary for the fiber optic conduit.

Abstract: A deep water subsea tree completion having a distributed temperature sensing system. In a described embodiment, a method of installing an optical fiber in a well includes the steps of: conveying an optical fiber section into the well; and monitoring a light transmission quality of the optical fiber section while the section is being conveyed into the well.

Abstract: A hydraulically set concentric packer with multiple umbilical bypass through the piston. In a described embodiment, a packer for use in a subterranean well includes a piston which displaces to set the packer in the well, and a line extending through the piston. The piston has concentric inner and outer diameters, and is concentric with an inner mandrel and an outer housing of the packer.

Abstract: A trailer wall construction having reduced weight. A trailer wall construction includes a spherical shaped corner at a juncture of three walls. Each of the walls includes at least one panel having spaced apart inner and outer shells. Another trailer wall construction includes a generally vertically extending front or side wall and a floor. The floor and front or side wall each includes at least one panel comprising spaced apart inner and outer shells. A curved connector connects a lower edge of the front or side wall to an edge of the floor. Yet another trailer wall construction includes a wall with panels attached to one another along opposing edges of the panels, each of the panels including spaced apart inner and outer shells. One connector is attached to each of the panels along a third edge. Another connector is attached to each of the panels along a fourth edge.