Abstract: A flow control nozzle for regulating flow of fluid into a pipe comprises a body having a portion that is adapted to be received within an opening in the pipe, wherein the body includes a channel extending from an inlet to an outlet opening into the pipe. The channel includes a first section extending from the inlet and a second section extending to the outlet, wherein the first and second sections are connected at an elbow and wherein the first section has a constant cross-sectional area and the second section has a diverging cross-sectional area. An apparatus comprising the flow control nozzle and a base pipe and a screen.

Abstract: A system for securing at least one flow control device, FCDs, to a pipe used for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises a strap provided over the pipe and over the at least one flow control device.

Abstract: A nozzle for mitigating against solvent flashing in a solvent-assisted hydrocarbon extraction process comprises a fluid passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the fluid passage comprises a converging region, a throat, and a diverging region, and wherein at least the converging region is provided with a gradually reducing internal diameter. Preferably, the angle of convergence of the converging region is equal to or less than about 5 degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of reservoir fluids into production tubing comprises abase pipe, a screen, a nozzle being adapted to receive filtered reservoir fluids passing through the screen, and a diverter adapted to receive the fluids from the nozzle and to divert such fluids into a port extending into the base pipe. The nozzle includes at least one converging-diverging section, whereby pressure of the fluids passing there-through is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing rib wires of a wire wrap screen on a pipe comprises one or more straps adapted to receive a plurality of rib wires and to engage the pipe, at least one of the straps being adapted to align at least a portion of the rib wires generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the pipe and generally equidistantly spaced apart over the circumference of the pipe. The pipe with rib wires, once secured with the straps, can then be introduced into a wire wrap machine to form the wire wrap screen over the rib wires.

Abstract: An open flow area test apparatus and test method for characterizing the performance of a sand control insert, such as slotted liner or wire-wrapped screen or other sand control apparatus. A sand control insert is set at or near the base of a pressure tight body, a sand pack is provided above the sand control insert, and a piston head applies a simulated overburden pressure to the sand pack. A test fluid is pumped through the sand control insert and differential pressures and sand flow through measured.

Abstract: An apparatus for keeping a slotted tubular liner in axial alignment with a seamer head through which it is passing adjusts the spatial position of the seamer head in response to inputs from liner centerline sensors. The seamer head is mounted on a seamer head carrier that is vertically movable relative to a seamer head frame, which in turn is horizontally movable relative to a base structure. A programmable logic controller is programmed to continually poll the liner centerline sensors to determine the position of the seamer head relative to the liner, and to instruct vertical and horizontal axis positioners to move the seamer head as necessary to make the seamer head's rotational axis substantially coincident with the centerline of the liner as the liner passes through the seamer head.