Abstract: A safety valve (100) replaces an existing safety valve (102) in order to isolate a production zone from a tubing string when closed. Preferably the safety valve (100) includes a flow interruption device (106) displaced by an operating conduit extending from a surface location to the safety valve (100) through the inside of the production tubing. A by-pass conduit (150) allows communication from a surface location to the production zone through the safety valve (100) without affecting the operation of the safety valve (100).

Abstract: In some embodiments a method of shifting a downhole-located device between positions with an actuator includes inserting the actuator into the well, engaging the actuator with the shiftable device and actuating the actuator to shift the shiftable device between positions.

Abstract: This invention provides acrylate polymers having at least two different ester groups. The ester groups are selected from the following: a) an aralkyl group; b) a linear alkylether group; c) a polyethoxylated alkylaryl group; and d) a polyethoxylated alkyl group, with the proviso that at least one of said ester groups is selected from b) or d). Processes for preparing such polymers and processes for breaking emulsions with these acrylate polymers are also provided.

Abstract: A thermal insulating fluid contains microspheres of hollow spherical particulates. The presence of the hollow spherical particles improves the thermal insulating properties of the fluid by imparting to the thermal insulating fluid a low heat transfer coefficient. The hollow particulates may be inorganic or organic in nature and include hollow spheres of glass, ceramics and plastics. The thermal insulating fluid is capable of controlling the heat transfer from a production tubing or transfer pipe to one or more surrounding annuli and the environment. In addition to reducing heat transfer in the producing well, heat transfer in the fluid produced from the well is also minimized.

Abstract: Corrosive effects arising during oilfield treatment applications are inhibited and/or prevented by introducing into an oil or gas well at least one compound of formula I: wherein: R1 is independently H, —[—CnH2nO—]a—H, or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms; R2 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]b—H, R3 is independently —[—CH2]c—, or —CdH2d—[—OCnH2n—]e—, R4 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]f—H, R5 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]g—H, a is from about 1 to about 8; b+f+g is between 0 to about 30; c is from about 1 to 6; d is from about 1 to 6; e is from about 1 to about 8; and n is 2 or 3. Such corrosive effects are especially inhibited in the treatment of sour wells where H2S corrosion is a potential problem as well as conduits used during the treatment of subterranean formations.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting or preventing the formation of emulsions and asphaltic sludges in the presence of treating acids during the acid stimulation of hydrocarbon wells is provided. The composition includes an alkyl aryl sulfonic acid or salt thereof, an acetylenic alcohol, an alkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonic acid or derivative thereof, in an alkyl alcohol solvent. The disclosed compositions can be used in an acid treatment solution, such as 15% hydrochloric acid, to prevent and resolve live acid and spent acid emulsions for a wide range of crude oils.

Abstract: A method including exposing a substance to a first type of electromagnetic waves generated by a first device. The frequency of the first type of electromagnetic waves is in the radio frequency range and the device consumes no more than about 1,000 Watts of power. The exposure takes place for a period of time and at a frequency sufficient to detectably alter at least one physical property of the substance as it existed prior to the exposure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a small diameter continuous hydraulic conduit or capillary tube down a well bore is presented. The methods and apparatus allow either the injection of chemicals to enhance production of oil and gas, or to provide a conduit for production up through the small diameter tubing in marginal wells, into a hanger below a well valve to permit its removal from below the valve if the valve should be required to be closed and its reinsertion without pulling the tubing from the well bore.

Abstract: A synergistic blend for foaming concentrated brines comprises at least one foaming agent (in an amount between from about 10 to about 90 weight percent of the blend) and a compound of the formula: CnH2n+1—N—[(CH2)mCOOM]2??(I) wherein n is 4 to 11, M is an alkali metal and m is 1 to 3. Especially suitable as foaming agent are quaternary ammonium salts, alkyl betaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, sulfabetaines, hydroxysultaines, amphoteric perfluorohydrocarbons, as well as alkylether sulfates. Such synergistic blends are especially useful in the foaming of saturated or near saturated brines.

Abstract: A fluid flow model is comprised of one cross-flow style core holder and a multitude of standard style core holders, all connected by a concurrent combination of serial and parallel flow paths. The sum of these flow paths yields a fluid flow model that closely approximates a small radial slice of a conventional reservoir. The fluid flow model has particular applicability to estimate the requisite treatment fluid for use in acidizing as well as water control methods.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus useful for determining at least one dimension of at least one geological feature of an earthen formation from a subterranean well bore includes at least two emitting electrodes and at least one sensing electrode disposed in the well bore. The emitting electrodes are configured to create an electric field and the at least one sensing electrode is configured to detect perturbations in the electric field created by at least one target object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a subterranean well is described. The apparatus typically includes a mandrel and a packing element. The mandrel may have an outer surface and a non-circular cross-section and the packing element may be arranged about the mandrel, the packing element having a non-circular inner surface matching the mandrel outer surface such that concentric rotation between the mandrel and the packing element is precluded. The apparatus may include slips having cavities to facilitate removal of the apparatus. The apparatus also may include a valve for controlling upward fluid flow through a hollow mandrel. The valve may include a flapper having at least one tab to engage at least one recession in the mandrel such that rotation between the mandrel and the valve is precluded when the valve is in a closed position. The apparatus may further include a central member which is releaseably attached to the mandrel by a release mechanism.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions comprising an aqueous well fluid and at least one nonionic acetylenic alcoholic surfactant. The compositions may further comprise at least one fluoroaliphatic surfactant. Methods for recovery of aqueous well fluids involving the use of at least one nonionic acetylenic alcoholic surfactant are also provided, and these methods may further comprise the use of at least one fluoroaliphatic surfactant.

Abstract: Composites containing a hydrocarbon-soluble well treatment agent may be supplied to a well using a porous particulate. Such well treatment agents may for example inhibit the formation of paraffins, salts, gas hydrates, asphaltenes and/or other deleterious processes such as emulsification (both water-in-oil and oil-in-water). Further, other well treatment agents include foaming agents, oxygen scavengers, biocides and surfactants as well as other agents wherein slow release into the production well is desired.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus useful for providing fluids or equipment into a subterranean well through a production tubing and associated dead string includes an injection system that is movable into and out of the well without removing the production tubing. The injection system includes a stopper that forms the seal that creates the dead string.

Abstract: A safety valve assembly comprises a valve body, a flapper mount, flapper and a hinge used to rotate the flapper in an opened or closed position. Torsional pins are mounted adjacent the flapper mount, each having ends which extend into the hinge and terminating adjacent each other at a location along the hinge. Torsional springs are circumferentially mounted around the torsional pins. Tabs extend from the torsional springs and contact an actuation member extending over the top of the flapper. As such, the torque created by the torsional springs is transferred to the actuation member via the tabs, thereby reducing the stress on the torsional springs.

Abstract: A selectively communicatable hydraulic nipple is provided which includes an upper and lower communications component adapted to communicate with tools landed inside the hydraulic nipple. Each communications component communicates with a control line used by the hydraulic nipple. An operator is allowed to selectively communicate with tools landed inside the nipple via the upper and lower communications components via the nipple control line. As a result, should the TRSCSSV control line loose integrity, the operator has the option of utilizing the nipple control line to continue oil and gas production without the need for well modifications. Alternatively, an operator could land a chemical injection tool, with an injection string suspended therefrom, in the nipple and inject chemicals into the well via the nipple control line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of chalcogen heterocyclic electron donating compounds as thermal decomposition reduction additives for gels used in well treatment fluids such as drilling fluids, fracturing fluids, and well completion and workover fluids.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of treating high temperature subterranean formations of up to about 500° F. (260° C.) are provided. The compositions and methods utilize a high molecular weight synthetic copolymer and a pH buffer than maintains a pH in a range of about 4.5 to about 5.25 for the compositions.

Abstract: A high temperature well treatment fluid comprising an electron donating compound comprising phenothiazine as thermal decomposition reduction additives for gels used in well treatment fluids is provided. The electron donating compound comprising phenothiazine performs as a stabilizer in well treatment fluids at temperatures of up to about 500° F. (260° C.). Methods of treating wells having subterranean formation temperatures of up to about 500° F. (260 ° C.) using such high temperature well treatment fluids are provided.