Abstract: A method of controllably disintegrating a downhole article comprises disposing the downhole article in a downhole environment, the downhole article containing a matrix material; a first chemical; and a second chemical physically isolated from the first chemical, and allowing the first chemical to contact and react with the second chemical generating an acid, a salt, heat, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing that accelerates the degradation of the matrix material in a downhole fluid.

Abstract: A fuel cell for use in downhole applications stores steam created by the chemical reaction in a desiccant like Zeolite. The fuel cell also uses ambient hydrostatic pressure to increase cell voltage and power-density.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a linear motor (e.g., for an ESP), where the motor's mover moves in a reciprocating motion within a bore of the stator. Hard stops are located at the ends of the bore. The motor has a first set of sensors in the stator positioned proximate to the bore. When the mover moves in the bore, the sensors produce corresponding output signals, except when the mover is in a position near, but not in contact with a hard stop. While the sensors produce output signals, the motor is driven in a first direction toward the hard stop. When the sensors stop producing the output signals, the mover has reached the first position, and the motor is controlled to reverse the direction of the mover.

Abstract: An earth-boring drill bit is described, the bit having a bit body having a central longitudinal axis that defines an axial center of the bit body and configured at its upper extent for connection into a drill string; at least one primary fixed blade extending downwardly from the bit body and inwardly toward, but not proximate to, the central axis of the drill bit; at least one secondary fixed blade extending radially outward from proximate the central axis of the drill bit; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the primary and secondary fixed blades; at least one bit leg secured to the bit body; and a rolling cutter mounted for rotation on the bit leg; wherein the fixed cutting elements on at least one fixed blade extend from a center of the bit outward toward a gage region of the bit but do not include a gage cutting region, and wherein at least one roller cone cutter portion extends from substantially the drill bit's gage region inwardly toward the center of the bit, an apex of the roller cone cu

Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a formation-engaging structure with a formation-engaging surface at a distal end and a side surface between a proximal end and the distal end along a central axis of the formation-engaging structure. A generally linear recess may be formed in the side surface along an axis oriented at a non-parallel angle relative to the central axis of the formation-engaging structure. A generally helical recess may be formed in the side surface, and the generally helical recess may intersect the generally linear recess. Earth-boring tools may include such formation-engaging structures. Methods may be used to form such formation-engaging structures.

Abstract: A liner tube for a core barrel assembly includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve having an inner surface configured to be coupled to a layer of material that is configured to absorb or adsorb formation fluids or parts of formation fluids. At every longitudinal location of the sleeve with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a transverse cross-section of a wall of the sleeve may include at least one gap extending radially through the entire wall of the sleeve, such that the at least one gap separates a portion of the sleeve wall on one circumferential side of the at least one gap from another portion of the sleeve wall on an opposite circumferential side of the at least one gap. The sleeve has flexibility in a circumferential direction greater than that of a sleeve without a gap extending radially through an entire wall of the sleeve at a transverse cross-section of the sleeve at every longitudinal location of the sleeve.

Abstract: A thread shear based wireline adapter kit and downhole tool setting arrangement including a downhole tool having an inside diameter flow path extending therethrough after setting of the downhole tool, a wireline adapter kit disposed in the flow path, a member disposed at a downhole end of the downhole tool, the member having a threadform therein, the threadform threaded to the wireline adapter kit, the threadform shearable to release the wireline adapter kit from the downhole tool after setting leaving the flow path open. A method for setting a downhole tool including pulling a wireline adapter kit (WLAK) that is secured to a downhole tool by a threadform, loading the threadform axially to set the tool, further loading the threadform to axially shear the threadform, releasing the WLAK from the downhole tool leaving a flow path through the downhole tool.

Abstract: An embodiment of a communication system for communicating between a wired pipe string in a borehole and a surface location includes at least a first wired pipe downhole component and a second wired pipe downhole component in the wired pipe string, a coupler configured to transmit a transmission signal between the first wired pipe downhole component and the second wired pipe downhole component, and a wireless transmission assembly in at least one of the first wired pipe downhole component and the second wired pipe downhole component. The wireless transmission assembly is configured to wirelessly transmit a wireless transmission signal to a receiver antenna, and the receiver antenna is disposed at the surface location and configured to receive the wireless transmission signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a permanent magnet synchronous motor to eliminate the need to filter a PWM output of the motor's drive system. In one embodiment, the motor's drive transforms measured output currents to a d-q reference frame and uses these to determine demanded Vd and Vq voltages. An inverter angle is determined from the difference between the demanded Vd and Vq voltages. A demanded bus voltage is determined as the square root of the sum of the square of the demanded Vq and the demanded Vd, multiplied by 2/pi. An inverter angle is determined as the arctangent of (?demanded Vd/demanded Vq). The demanded and actual bus voltages are used to determine a firing angle for the converter. The controller uses this information to generate a six-step waveform that can be provided to the motor without requiring output filtering.

Abstract: Polymer-modified asphalt is used in drilling fluids for filtration control, lost circulation control, drill string differential sticking prevention, or wellbore stabilization. The latex modified asphalt provides a mixture of latex-asphalt complex, asphalt, and latex particles that help maintain wellbore stability while drilling into shale formations. The polymer-modified latex is effective for controlling laminated and microfractured shale. Polymers may be functionalized to react with the asphalt to create copolymer modifications of the asphalt for improved performance as drilling fluid additives. The drilling fluids may be water-based or oil-based, or based on an emulsion of oil and water.

Abstract: A method of controllably disintegrating a downhole article comprises disposing a first article in a downhole environment, the first article being the downhole article to be disintegrated; disposing a second article in the downhole environment after the first article is disposed, the second article carrying a device, a chemical, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and disintegrating the first article with the device, chemical, or the combination comprising at least one of the foregoing from the second article.

Abstract: A pressure control valve for downhole treatment operations includes a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat. A valve assembly is arranged in the valve body. The valve assembly includes a valve member selectively positionable on the valve seat to control fluid flow through the valve body. A piston assembly including a piston and a control fluid inlet is arranged in the valve body. The piston is operatively connected to the valve assembly. The piston is operable to bias the valve member toward a closed configuration upon exposure to a control fluid.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a volume of superabrasive material having a cutting face and a shaped feature on the cutting face. The shaped feature may include at least one of a recess extending into the volume of superabrasive material from the cutting face and a protrusion extending outward from the cutting face. A first portion of the cutting face may have a first surface roughness, and a second portion of the cutting face may have a second surface roughness greater than the first surface roughness of the first portion of the cutting face. The volume of superabrasive material may be disposed on a substrate. Methods of forming cutting elements may include forming one or more shaped features in a cutting face of the cutting elements. Earth-boring tools may include such cutting elements.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond include subjecting a particle mixture to high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) conditions to form inter-granular diamond-to-diamond bonds. Before being subjected to HPHT conditions, the particle mixture includes a plurality of non-diamond nanoparticles, diamond nanoparticles, and diamond grit. The non-diamond nanoparticles includes carbon-free cores and at least one functional group attached to the cores. Cutting elements for use in an earth-boring tool include a polycrystalline diamond material formed by such processes. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements.

Abstract: Method of operating earth-boring tools may involve activating a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device secured to the earth-boring tool to impact an underlying earth formation with a fluid from the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. A crack may be at least one of initiated or propagated in a portion of the underlying earth formation utilizing the fluid in response to activation of the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. The selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device may be subsequently deactivated. Earth-boring tools may include a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device configured to transition between an activated state in which fluid is permitted to flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device to engage with an underlying earth formation and a deactivated state in which fluid does not flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device.

Abstract: A method of determining a condition within a wellbore. The method comprises introducing a tubular member in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation, the tubular member comprising a downhole article including a deformable material disposed around a surface of the tubular member, electrically conductive elements dispersed within the deformable material. The method includes measuring at least one electrical property of the deformable material. At least one of water ingress into the wellbore or an amount of expansion of the deformable material is determined based on the at least one measured electrical property. Related downhole systems and other related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of boriding a metal comprises forming a molten electrolyte comprising between about five weight percent and about fifty weight percent boron oxide, and contacting at least a portion of a metal with the molten electrolyte. Electrical current is applied to at least a portion of the metal while maintaining a temperature of the molten electrolyte below about 700° C. to diffuse boron atoms from the molten electrolyte into a surface of the at least a portion of the metal. A downhole tool including at least one borided component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a stator includes positioning an inner tubular member having an inner surface within an outer tubular member, installing a rigid mandrel within the inner tubular member, and applying a compressive force to at least one of the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a collar of a casing of a wellbore is disclosed. A sensor for measuring a magnetic field is conveyed through the casing on a tool string. A physical model is formed of a process of obtaining a magnetic measurement of the casing with the sensor. A simulation of the physical model is run through a processor to select a design parameter of the tool that allows for using the sensor at a determined value of an operational parameter for obtaining the measurement at a selected signal-to-noise ratio. The tool is conveyed into the wellbore and the sensor set to the determined value of the operational parameter. The magnetic measurement of the casing is obtained using the sensor, and the collar is located using the obtained magnetic measurement.

Abstract: A ring seal system includes a first segment having a first support member formed from a first support material, and a first seal portion mounted to the first support. The first seal portion is formed from a first seal material. A second segment includes a second support member formed from a second support material that is distinct from the first support material, and a second seal portion mounted to the second support. The second seal portion is formed from a second seal material distinct from the first seal material. The second segment is operatively connected to the first segment.