Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning an oil and gas well riser section or assembly. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for cleaning oil and gas well riser sections wherein a specially configured cap or pair of caps are fitted to the ends of the riser which enable pressure washing cleaning tools (or a camera) to be inserted into and through the riser cleaner fluid continuously recirculates so that relatively small volume of cleaning fluid (for example between about 700 and 1,000 gallons) is required. The cleaning process uses a volume of cleaning fluid that is discharged from the riser pipe at a relatively high temperature of about between 100 and 180° F. Such a high temperature cleaning fluid could possibly damage the pump that is used for supplying pressurized fluid to the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A bell nipple assembly includes a tubular main body and a catcher assembly positioned above the tubular main body that includes an upper opening with a diameter greater than an inner diameter of the tubular main body and one or more inwardly sloping inner surfaces configured to catch fluids falling from the rig floor or from an exterior surface of the drill string and to direct the fluids to the tubular main body. The bell nipple assembly also includes one or more magnets configured to direct a magnetic field toward an interior of the catcher assembly and to attract a metallic object falling within the interior of the catcher assembly towards the inwardly sloping inner surfaces.

Abstract: A new horizontal directional drilling (HDD) bit comprising a bit body is provided with illustrated embodiments including a flat bit design and a cobble bit design. Cutter teeth may be cut (e.g. formed or machined) into the base steel material of the bit body. Additionally, a broken edge profile may be generated to avoid sharp corners for better receipt of hard facing material such as laser clad beads that may be applied in higher wear regions.

Abstract: A fluid signal generator configured to produce fluid pulses in a fluid column of a wellbore are described. The fluid pulses represent data and/or other information to be transmitted from a downhole device, such as a fluid plug apparatus located within the borehole of the wellbore, to one or more other devices located away from the downhole device, including devices located above a surface of the wellbore. The fluid plug may be configured to provide a fluid seal between a first portion of the wellbore and a second portion of the wellbore prior to and during a fluid treatment procedure being performed on the wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool, forming part of a subterranean drilling system, may include at least one plate secured to an exterior of an elongate body. Electronics may be disposed between the plate and the body to be protected by the plate while still readily accessible. A dynamic element may be radially extendable from the plate to engage an inner wall of a borehole being drilled. If this radially-extendable element becomes worn or damaged from this engagement, the plate may be replaced. More expensive components of the drilling tool may be contained within the elongate body, rather than the plate, thus reducing replacement frequency. Additionally, plates including unique features may be employed at different times without altering the underlying elongate body.

Abstract: A method of identifying hydrocarbon production information is disclosed. In in a first hydrocarbon management environment, a first audio signal is detected and a characteristic acoustic fingerprint is identified therefrom. The fingerprint is stored in a memory, along with identifying information associated with the first signal. A second audio signal is detected and a characteristic acoustic fingerprint is identified therefrom. The fingerprints are compared, and if the fingerprints match the identifying information of the first audio signal is assigned to the second audio signal. A notification regarding the matching of the characteristic acoustic fingerprints of the first and second audio signals is issued.

Abstract: A method of cleaning production tubing in a producing petroleum well comprising the steps: i) providing collection tool configured for both selectively collecting debris while residing downhole to obtain collected debris as well as selectively releasing collected debris while residing downhole; ii) lowering collection tool to specific location at certain depth into production tubing of the producing petroleum well where there is at least a partial choking of local production flow due to accumulated debris deposited on production tubing; iii) collecting accumulated debris with collection tool to obtain collected debris; iv) pulling collection tool to production zone of production tubing or downstream of production zone where there will be enough production flow during production to ensure lifting capacity for collected debris; and v) releasing collected debris into production zone of production tubing to obtain released debris being lifted by production flow when production is running.

Abstract: A method of deliquification of production wells includes placing an artificial lift tool in a gas wellbore, where the artificial lift tool includes a rack and multiple piezoelectric transducers. The rack includes multiple trays. Each piezoelectric transducer of the multiple piezoelectric transducers is positioned on a respective tray of the multiple trays. The method further includes providing, by a pump, a liquid on surfaces of the multiple piezoelectric transducers and providing, by a signal source, an electrical signal to the multiple piezoelectric transducers. The method also includes generating, by the multiple piezoelectric transducers, acoustic waves from the electrical signal, where at least some of the liquid provided to the multiple piezoelectric transducers is atomized by the acoustic waves.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium that stores instructions executable by one or more processors, in which the instructions cause the one or more processors to determine a threshold value associated with an axial acceleration oscillation amplitude at a drill bit, in which the drill bit is a part of a drilling system. The instructions further cause the one or more processors to receive an operating parameter value of the drilling system, compare the operating parameter value with the threshold value, and adjust an operation of the drilling system in response to comparing the operating parameter value with the threshold value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an underreamer. In one aspect, the underreamer comprises a body, the body comprising at least one pocket therein, the underreamer further comprising at least one cutter secured with respect to the body, at least one actuating mechanism for moving the cutter between a retracted position in the pocket, and an extended position in which only the cutter projects from the body. In one aspect, the or each actuating mechanism comprises a piston for driving extension of the cutter, and a linkage to a cutter arm with respect to which the cutter is mounted, and a return spring for biasing the cutter to the retracted position.

Abstract: A parallel gas separator apparatus and method used in an electric submersible pump (ESP) system includes two or more internal mechanical separation chambers which operate in parallel to significantly increase both the processing capacity of the gas separator and the liquid production rate of the ESP system.

Abstract: A variable flow resistance system for use with a subterranean well includes a first flow path configured to receive a fluid, a sensor configured to measure a property of the fluid received into the first flow path, and an actuator configured to control an inflow rate of the fluid received into the first flow path based upon the property of the fluid measured by the sensor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a multiple ridge diamond compact for a drill bit, comprising a hard alloy substrate (cemented carbide substrate) (102) and a diamond composite layer (101), wherein an end surface of the diamond composite layer is provided with at least two ridges angled relative to each other, and converging ends of two adjacent ridges extend to an edge of the diamond composite layer (101) so as to form a concave cutting edge portion on the edge.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that enable efficient well completion operations and provide the ability of flushing the wellbore before, during and after a fracturing or treatment operation, such that a resettable plug and associated bottom hole assembly is not trapped or buried by fluids and particulates in the hole and the sealing element of the resettable plug is not damaged. Systems and methods which mitigate and prevent accumulation of fluids and particulates above a resettable plug are also provided. Systems and methods for delivering pressurized fluid to a subterranean formation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole device for installation in a petroleum well, comprising a sensor, a controller and a power source. The device further comprises an acoustic speaker configured to output a sound signal from the downhole device to a fiber optic cable in the well.

Abstract: A system for producing fluids from a wellbore extending from a well surface to a fluid-producing formation has a Y-tool installed in fluid communication with the tubing string placed in the wellbore. A pump, which may be an electric submersible pump (ESP), is installed in the Y-tool for lifting fluids from the formation to the surface. A blanking plug is positioned in the tubing string between the upper and lower connections of the Y-tool. A flushing port extends through a wall of the tubing string, positioned above and near the upper end of the blanking plug when in its operating position, and a flushing tube is located in the annular space between the tubing string and the wellbore casing. The flushing tube is in fluid communication with the flushing port and extends from the flushing port to the well surface. Flushing fluid is pumped downhole through the flushing tube to agitate and disperse any accumulated sand, scale and other particulate matter on top of the blanking plug.

Abstract: A cutting element may include a fluid passage passing through the cutting element. The cutting element may further include a cutting edge and an aperture proximate the cutting edge. The aperture may be coupled to the fluid passage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for selecting a drill bit design that reduces or eliminates bit induced stick-slip. In some embodiments, each of a set of test drill bits is correlated with stick-slip events, wherein each of the test drill bits has a different design pattern comprising a combination of structural attributes. The design pattern stick-slip correlation includes, for each of the test drill bits, detecting variations in motion of the test drill bit during drilling operation. Stick-slip for each of the test drill bits is detected based on the detected variations in motion of the test drill bits during operation. The correlation further includes in response to detecting stick-slip, recording a stick-slip event in association with the corresponding test drill bit.

Abstract: A piston for use in a rotary steerable system includes a body formed from a first material. A sealing surface extends around the circumferential wall of the body. The sealing surface is formed from a plurality of layers of a second material. The second material is harder than the first material. The piston can be within a downhole piston assembly that also includes a housing, and the piston being longitudinally movable in a bore in the housing. A method for producing a piston includes preparing a piston formed from a first material, with the piston including a first end. A sealing surface is applied to the piston using laser cladding, with the sealing surface including a second material harder than the first material. The sealing surface is finished to a sealing surface diameter.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a drill bit including a bit body and a blade extending from the bit body. The blade includes a first element protruding from a surface of the blade and a second element protruding from the surface of the blade. The first element and the second element are each configured to extend or retract relative to the surface of the blade and are coupled to each other such that when the second element retracts relative to the surface of the blade, the first element extends relative to the surface of the blade. The first element is disposed within a first pocket formed in the surface of the blade, and the second element is disposed within a second pocket formed in the surface of the blade. A communication channel is formed between the first pocket and the second pocket.