Abstract: A tubing section coupling comprises a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion (18,20) having an external surface adapted to slidingly engage an internal surface defined by the first tubular portion. The first and second tubular portions (18, 20) are axially restrained by means of a fixing device adapted to releasably connect the first and second tubular portions together. The first and second tubular portions (18, 20) each define a profile; the profiles are adapted to be connected to rotationally restrain the tubular portions.

Abstract: A system (10,100) for isolating a wellbore (12,112) having a fluid flow passage (18,118) extending from surface to a subterranean location has a first, downhole, valve (20,120) and a second, uphole, valve (22,122). The downhole valve (20,120) is located in the wellbore (12,112) at a first subterranean location and the uphole valve (22,122) is located in the wellbore (12,112) at a second subterranean location spaced from the first valve (20,120). Downhole valve (20,120) is operable between a first configuration which permits access through the flow passage (18,118) and a second, well isolation, configuration which isolates the flow passage (18,118) below the valve (20,120). Uphole valve (22,122) is operable between a first configuration which permits access therethrough and a second, isolation, configuration which provides an isolated or isolatable volume (24,124) between the first and second valves (20, 22,120,122).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a downhole tool is disclosed. The method involves providing a conduit for the passage of fluid. The conduit includes at least one reader which can read data and is arranged for the passage of fluid. A downhole tool is coupled to the reader and has at least one tag capable of containing data. The tag is moved within the conduit and at least partially through the reader such that the reader can read data from the tag when the tag passes. This enables remote operation of the downhole tool. An antenna is provided for use in a downhole tubular. The antenna comprises a generally cylindrical housing and a coiled conductor located within a portion of the housing and separated therefrom by insulating material. The portion of housing has a greater internal diameter than an external diameter of the coiled conductor.

Abstract: The switching device comprises an electronic switch (111) embedded within a downhole tool (100) and an activator (20) for remote switching of the electronic switch (111). The activator (20) may be a handheld unit that is used at the surface of the wellbore by an operator or may be a wireline run unit. The activator (20) permits wireless and contactless activation of the electronic switch (111) without the need for mechanical switches which could provide a point of failure for the downhole tool (100). The electronic switch (111) comprises an electronics module and a power source such as one or more batteries (126) wherein in the active configuration, the switch (111) can allow electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source (126) and in the inactive configuration, the switch (111) prevents electrical connection between the electronics module and the power source (126).

Abstract: A completion apparatus for completing a wellbore includes a tool to alternatively open and close a throughbore; a tool to alternatively open and close an annulus between the outer surface of the completion and the inner surface of the wellbore; a tool to alternatively provide and prevent a fluid circulation route from the throughbore of the completion to the annulus; and at least one signal receiver and processing tool capable of decoding signals received. The apparatus is run into the well bore, the throughbore is closed and the fluid pressure in the tubing is increased to pressure test the completion; the annulus is closed and a fluid circulation route is provided from the throughbore to the annulus and fluid is circulated through the production tubing into the annulus and back to surface. The fluid circulation route is then closed and the throughbore is opened.

Abstract: A plug for sealing a conduit comprises a body having a first section and a second section, and at least one seal element for creating a seal between the plug and the conduit. The at least one seal element is adapted to be energized by movement in a setting direction of the first body section relative to the second body section. The plug further comprises seal locking means comprising a first portion and a second portion wherein as the at least one seal is energized, the seal locking means first portion is rotatable unidirectionally relative to the seal locking means second portion to take up the movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in the setting direction and prevent movement of the first body section relative to the second body section in a releasing direction, opposite the setting direction. In one embodiment the seal locking means first portion is a locking nut.

Abstract: A control system for use in a subterranean well comprises at least one power generation device positioned within the subterranean well, the at least one power generation device adapted to supply electrical power to at least one apparatus positioned within the subterranean well and at least one control line positioned in the subterranean well. The at least one control line connects each power generation device to surface and is adapted to supply a hydraulic pressure applied from surface to the at least one power generation device from which the at least one power generation device generates the electrical power to be supplied to the at least one apparatus.

Abstract: A downhole tool (10) and method for controlling fluid flow into and/or from a formation zone (FZ), the downhole tool (10) comprising a sliding sleeve device (12) disposed between, and forming a fluid coupling between a first screen (14) and a second screen (16), the sliding sleeve device (12) configured to provide axial fluid communication between the screens (14, 16) and to provide selective lateral passage of fluid through the screens (14, 16) into a throughbore (24,36,42) of the downhole tool (10).

Abstract: A centralizer for centralizing a tubular in a conduit is described. The centralizer comprises a body comprising a upper body portion and a lower body portion and a plurality of arms linking the upper body portion to the lower body portion. Relative movement of the upper and lower body portions towards each other causes the arms to buckle radially outwards into a set configuration in which the arms are engaged, in use, with a conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of downhole fluids comprises a body having a throughbore and at least one port extending through a sidewall of the body to enable fluid communication between the throughbore and an exterior of the body. The apparatus comprises a flow control device for controlling the flow of fluids through the port. The flow control device is arranged to change configuration between a closed configuration in which fluid flow through the port is restricted and an open configuration in which fluid flow through the port is permitted. The apparatus further comprises an actuator mechanism associated with the flow control device for selective actuation of the flow control device to change the configuration of the flow control device between the closed and open configurations.

Abstract: An antenna for use in a downhole tubular. The antenna comprises a generally cylindrical housing and a coiled conductor located within a portion of the housing and separated therefrom by insulating material. The portion of housing has a greater internal diameter than an external diameter of the coiled conductor.

Abstract: A plug for sealing a conduit. The plug comprises a housing, a setting member, at least one anchor and at least one seal element. Rotation of the setting member with respect to the housing in a setting direction sets the at least one anchor and the at least one seal element.

Abstract: A completion apparatus (4) for completing a wellbore comprises a) a tool to alternatively open and close a throughbore (15) of the completion; b) a tool (13) to alternatively open and close an annulus defined between the outer surface of the completion and the inner surface of the wellbore; c) a tool to alternatively provide and prevent a fluid circulation route from the throughbore of the completion to the said annulus (11); and d) at least one signal receiver and processing tool (9) capable of decoding signals received relating to the operation of tools a) to c).

Abstract: A flow control device typically for protecting a seal (20) in a valve, wherein a body portion (5) has an orifice (8) allowing fluid flow, and the valve has a control portion (10) to allow and restrict fluid flow through the orifice. The flow control device has a fluid flow controller (30) between the body portion and the control portion in the form of at least one annular ring (35), disposed in a recess in one of the body portion and the control portion (10). The fluid flow controller (30) defines a leak path through the device that is opened and closed by a pressure differential acting across the annular member. Typically the application of a pressure differential across the fluid flow controller moves the ring(s) to one end of the recess and reduces the cross sectional area of the leak path available to the fluid, thereby diffusing the fluid flow through the orifice (8).

Abstract: A centraliser (10) for centralising a tubular (12) within a conduit is described. The centraliser comprises a centraliser body, at least one finger (14) pivotally mounted to the body and at least one collar (20), the/each collar being moveable with respect to the at least one finger. Relative movement between the/each collar and the body pivots the at least one finger from a run-in configuration to an extended configuration.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a housing defining a main bore and an actuatable member moveable from a first configuration to a second configuration to permit actuation of the tool. The tool includes an indexer mounted within the housing and arranged to progress linearly in a first direction along the main bore of the housing in a predetermined number of discrete sequential and progressive steps of linear movement in said first direction by passage of a corresponding number of objects through the indexer to cause said actuatable member to move towards its second configuration.

Abstract: A downhole tool (10) and method for controlling fluid flow into and/or from a formation zone (FZ), the downhole tool (10) comprising a sliding sleeve device (12) disposed between, and forming a fluid coupling between a first screen (14) and a second screen (16), the sliding sleeve device (12) configured to provide axial fluid communication between the screens (14, 16) and to provide selective lateral passage of fluid through the screens (14, 16) into a throughbore (24,36,42) of the downhole tool (10).

Abstract: A packer for a well is described. The packer comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which, in use, the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. In use, the packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal.

Abstract: A mechanical counting device for actuating a plurality of output devices, the device comprising: linear indexing means adapted to count a plurality of actuating signals and to cause actuation of the output devices when a predetermined number of actuating signals for each output device has been received, wherein the mechanical counting device is adapted to cause actuation of a particular output device when a different predetermined number of actuating signals has been received such that the output devices are sequentially actuable.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a formation surrounding a wellbore comprises the steps of: (i) providing a tubular including at least two portions, each portion comprising an annulus isolation means, a selective flow path between the interior and the exterior of the tubular and a throughbore isolation means; (ii) running the tubular into the wellbore; (iii) isolating an annulus between the exterior of the tubular and the wellbore to thereby create at least two isolated zones; (iv) selecting any zone to be fractured; (v) remotely opening the flow path in the portion of tubular corresponding to the selected zone; (vi) remotely isolating the throughbore of the tubular by closing the throughbore isolation means in the portion of tubular corresponding to the selected zone; and (vii) fracturing at least part of the formation surrounding the well.