Abstract: A method and system is shown to passively monitor cement integrity within a wellbore. Different types of sensors (pressure, temperature, resistivity, rock property, formation property etc.) are “pumped” into place by placing them into a suspension in the cement slurry at the time a well casing is being cemented. The sensors are either battery operated, or of a type where external excitation, (EMF, acoustic, RF etc.) may be applied to power and operate the sensor, which will send a signal conveying the desired information. The sensor is then energized and interrogated using a separate piece of wellbore deployed equipment whenever it is desired to monitor cement conditions. This wellbore deployed equipment could be, for example, a wireline tool.

Abstract: A one-trip squeeze pack system has a unique service seal unit design using concentric tubing, with the inner tubing an extension of the traditional wash pipe and is later used as the production tubing. The inner tubing contains a ported sub which can be isolated in various positions within the outer tubing by way of seals located above and below the ported sub. This seal unit is raised and lowered on the production string and isolated at various positions in order to accomplish setting the packer, running a packing job, reversing out packing fluid, and receiving production fluids.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus (100) for determining the constituent composition of a produced fluid is disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a vessel (106) having an interior chamber (108) that receives and contains a sample of the produced fluid. In the interior chamber (108), the sample of the produced fluid is allowed to separate into its constituents. A gauge (200) having an array of transmitter elements (E1-E17) and an array of corresponding receiver elements (R1-R17) disposed oppositely of one another on the vessel (106), is used to transmit and receive energy waves that propagate through the sample of the produced fluid. The receiver elements (R1-R17) detect changes in absorption or scattering of the energy waves transmitted from the corresponding transmitter element (E1-E17) caused by the constituent of the sample of the produced fluid through which that energy wave propagated.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing suspended particulate and liquid medium in a fluid stream by transmitting acoustic signals into the fluid, detecting scattered acoustic energy, and determining a parameter related to the density and compressibility of the fluid. In one embodiment, the fluid analysis tool comprises two transmitting transducers intermittently emitting acoustic signals, and two receiving transducers being differently azimuthally positioned with respect to the transmitters. The ratio of the amplitude of scattered signals measured by the two receivers as a result of emission from the first and second transmitters are used to calculate the parameter. In another embodiment, a tool comprising one transmitter and at least three receivers with azimuthal angles in both forward and backward scattering regions with respect to the incident wave is disclosed. The scattering signal amplitudes normalized by the amplitude from one of the receivers is used to identify and monitor the system.

Abstract: The flapper valve assembly can be used in series to provide collapsible closures in a drill pipe. Thus, when work strings are withdrawn through the flapper valve, it will close in a conventional manner. However, when the work string must be reinserted through the closed flapper, a collar holding the flapper in its closed position can be sheared from its position within the assembly housing.

Abstract: A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool (100) adapted for placement within production tubing (30). The tool (100) has a control valve (126) that controls the rate of injection of a lift fluid (102) into the formation fluids (104) being produced through the production tubing (30). A sensor (140) monitors the flow rate of the formation fluids (104) through the production tubing (30). The sensor (140) generates a signal indicative the flow rate of the formation fluids (104) which is sent to an electronics package (142). The electronics package (142) generates a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor (140) that is received by an actuator (176). The actuator (176) adjusts the position of the control valve (126) to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid (102) therethrough in response to the control signal, thereby optimizing the flow rate of the formation fluids (104).

Abstract: A well has a vertical casing with a window, and a lateral wellbore which communicates with the window, and which may have a casing or liner. A window assembly aligned with the window has respective passageways for first and second tubing strings, and has a concave surface for deflecting the first tubing string out into the lateral wellbore. The passageway for the second tubing string has a portion which is inclined at a very small angle with respect to a vertical centerline of the vertical casing. As the first tubing string is run into the vertical casing, a rotational locator is releasably coupled thereto by a soft release coupling mechanism. After the locator effects rotational orientation, the coupling mechanism is released and then permits the first tubing string to move therepast without damage. A seal assembly on the first tubing string is covered by a protective sleeve as it is inserted into the well, and exits the protective sleeve after entering the lateral wellbore.

Abstract: A releasable no-go tool and associated methods provide enhanced capabilities in positioning an item of equipment in a wellbore. In a described embodiment, a releasable no-go tool includes a circumferentially continuous key which is radially outwardly displaced by a series of pistons. In use, the tool is interconnected in a tubing string, which is lowered into a casing string in a wellbore. The casing string has a nipple interconnected therein, the nipple having an internal profile. The tool is positioned below the nipple, pressure is applied to the tubing string to extend the key, and the tubing string is raised to thereby engage the key with the profile.

Abstract: A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and apparatus that use ultrasonic signals to measure rheological properties of a fluid flow such as, e.g., the consistency index K, the flow behavior index n′, the yield stress &tgr;0, or other parameters of any given model for shear rate dependent viscosity &eegr;. In one embodiment, the method includes: (a) transmitting an acoustic signal into the fluid flow; (b) receiving acoustic reflections from acoustic reflectors entrained in the fluid flow; (c) determining a Doppler shift of the acoustic reflections in a set of time windows corresponding to a set of desired sampling regions in the fluid flow; and (d) analyzing the Doppler shifts associated with the set of sampling regions to determine one or more rheological properties of the fluid flow. The frequency shift caused by motion of the fluid is proportional to the velocity of the fluid, and this allows the construction of a velocity profile of the fluid flow stream.

Abstract: A shaped charge is provided which includes features enhancing its manufacturability. In a described embodiment, an oilwell perforator is provided which includes a case and a liner, at least one of which is a molding. The molding has a metal loaded polymer matrix.

Abstract: A system of downhole communication and control is provided in methods and associated apparatus for data retrieval, monitoring and tool actuation. In a described embodiment, an item of equipment installed in a tubular string has a first communication device associated therewith. A tool conveyed into the tubular string has a second communication device therein. Communication is established between the first and second devices. Such communication may be utilized to control operation of the tool, retrieve status information regarding the item of equipment, supply power to the first device and/or identify the item of equipment to the tool.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for fiber optic tomographic analysis and imaging of fluids. This invention includes a method for providing information on downhole fluid flowing in a hydrocarbon well, utilizing at least one downhole tomograph chamber (10). Light is introduced into the tomograph chamber (10) by an optical fiber bundle (24), and portions of the light are collected in other optical fiber bundles (32, 34). The collected portions of light are conveyed through the optical fiber bundles (32, 34) to a surface system (14), where the light is detected to produce signals proportional to the portions of light to provide information on optical properties of downhole fluid flowing in the well. This invention allows the generation of two or three dimensional images of multiple phase flow in the wellbore and allows determination of production parameters of multiple zones on an individual zone basis.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for actuating a hydraulically controllable device (102) disposed in a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus (100) comprises a downhole hydraulic fluid source (134), a hydraulic fluid passageway (136) providing a communication path between the downhole hydraulic fluid source (134) and the hydraulically controllable device (102), a valve (144) disposed within the hydraulic fluid passageway (136) and a downhole electronics package (138). The downhole electronics package (138) receives a signal from the surface to operate the valve (144) from the closed position to the open position such that hydraulic pressure from the downhole hydraulic fluid source (134) actuates the hydraulically controllable device (102).

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are provided which facilitate underbalanced drilling and completion of wells. In a described embodiment of a well control valve, the valve is opened and closed when a drill string is displaced therethrough. A shifting device is carried on a drill bit and deposited in the valve when the drill string enters and opens the valve. The valve is closed and the shifting device is retrieved from the valve when the drill string is tripped out of the well. A packer hydraulic setting tool usable in conjunction with the well control valve in underbalanced completions is also provided.

Abstract: A system of downhole communication and control is provided in methods and associated apparatus for data retrieval, monitoring and tool actuation. In a described embodiment, an item of equipment installed in a tubular string has a first communication device associated therewith. A tool conveyed into the tubular string has a second communication device therein. Communication is established between the first and second devices. Such communication may be utilized to control operation of the tool, retrieve status information regarding the item of equipment, supply power to the first device and/or identify the item of equipment to the tool.

Abstract: A method of performing a downhole well completion cleanup is provided. In a described embodiment, completion fluids from a first zone are flowed into a tubular string, and then the fluids are discharged into a second zone. An apparatus usable in the method is provided, in which a downhole pump is utilized to pump the fluids from one zone to the other. The pump may be operated in a variety of manners. The apparatus may also include fluid identification sensors and telemetry devices for monitoring the progress of the cleanup operation.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved apparatus and methods of separation and control of drilling fluids in under-balanced drilling. Separation is conducted at reduced pressures to improve gas separation efficiencies. Preferably, separation is performed in multiple steps of pressure drops to eliminate foaming and to enhance gas removal. Solids are removed from the shaped bottom of a separation pressure chamber by creating a slurry and fluidizing and agitating the slurry to enhance solids removal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.

Abstract: A multi-lateral well has a casing, and has lateral wellbores which communicate with the casing through respective windows. A tool at the end of a coiled tubing string is introduced into the well, while disposed in a tool receiving recess of an auxiliary member that is releasably coupled against upward movement relative to the tool. At a selected vertical position within the casing, the auxiliary member is secured against further downward movement, and the releasable coupling is then interrupted to permit the tubing string to move downwardly with respect to the auxiliary member. The auxiliary member may have an inclined surface to deflect the tool into a lateral wellbore. When use of the tool is completed, the tubing string with the tool thereon is moved upwardly, and an arrangement is provided to limit upward movement of the tool relative to the auxiliary member, so that the tool and the auxiliary member are simultaneously withdrawn from the well.