Abstract: A method to increase the production of oil from an oil reservoir is described. The method includes injecting a magnetic or magnetostrictive material through an oil well into the oil reservoir, vibrating the material with the aid of an alternating electric field and removing oil from the oil well.

Abstract: Process for reducing the adsorption of hydrosoluble polymers onto rock matrix, which comprises putting the rock matrix in contact with an aqueous solution of polymers containing sacrificial agents, preferably selected from ionic and non-ionic oligomeric surface-active agents. In the preferred embodiment the surface-active agents are non-ionic.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for injecting a fluid into a borehole. The method includes the step of injecting an injection fluid into a primary injection zone in a borehole at an injection fluid pressure. The primary injection zone is bounded by a proximal injection zone interface and a distal injection zone interface. The proximal injection zone interface and the distal injection zone interface are maintained at pressures which are substantially balanced with the injection fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a body adapted for passage through a borehole, at least four radially extendable and retractable zone interface elements spaced longitudinally along the body which when extended define at least three zones along the body, a zone interface element actuator for selectively extending and retracting the zone interface elements, and a fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid to each zone.

Abstract: A plunger lift for a hydrocarbon well includes a multipart piston that is dropped into the well in separate pieces. When the pieces reach the bottom of the well, they fall into an accumulation of the formation liquid in the bottom of the well and unite. Gas from the formation pushes the unit upwardly, pushing liquid above the piston toward the surface. In one embodiment, the piston is made of a low density, high strength material such as silicon nitride and/or titanium alloys.

Abstract: A process is provided to enhance fluid production, recovery, and/or injection from and/or into fluid-bearing formations. The process includes the stimulation of the formation by vibrations, generated by the vibration source installed in the vicinity of the productive layer so that the stimulation is performed on the frequency coinciding with the eigen frequency bandwidth of filtration process of productive layer/sublayer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for use in coiled tubing operations wherein fatigue of the coiled tubing owing to short trips is reduced by reducing the number of bending and straightening events that coiled tubing undergoes to accomplish a particular wellbore objective. The invention relates to a method that allows the coiled tubing reel and tubing reeled thereon to remain stationary while making small movements of coiled tubing using the injector. The invention also relates to a method that permits synchronized movement of coiled tubing between the coiled tubing reel and injector.

Abstract: An expandable well screen provides increased collapse, torsional and tensile strength. In a described embodiment, an expandable well screen includes a generally tubular base pipe and an external filtering media. The well screen is configured to have sufficient torsional and tensile strength for conveyance and positioning in a wellbore, while also having sufficient strength to prevent collapse when the screen is radially expanded.

Abstract: A cutter element for use in a drill bit, comprising a substrate and a plurality of layers thereon. The substrate comprises a grip portion and an extending portion. The layers are applied to the extending portion such that at least one of the layers is harder than at least one of the layers above it. The layers can include one or more layers of polycrystalline diamond and can include a layer in which the composition of the material changes with distance from the substrate.

Abstract: An interrupted annular solenoid activator for use in well or subsea tools is provided. An interrupted annular armature member of a ferromagnetic material has a wire coil wound about it. A separate curved annular segment of the generally toroidally shaped armature is mounted for axial motion in the direction of the axis of revolution of the annular toroidally shaped member. Passage of electrical current through the coil causes axial motion (reciprocal) of the separate annular curved segment. This motion is coupled to a hydraulic pump piston in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a tong comprises a piston and cylinder assembly (101) and a mounting assembly (102) therefor. The mounting assembly (102) is mounted on a support beam in the drilling derrick and the piston and cylinder assembly (101) is pivotally mounted on the mounting assembly. The piston and cylinder assembly (101) can be pivoted between an operative position in which it can be extended and retracted to move a tong towards and away from a string of tubulars, and an inoperative position in which the piston and cylinder assembly (101) extends along an upwardly extending axis with part of the piston and cylinder assembly (101) disposed to either side of the mounting assembly (102).

Abstract: A method and system is shown to passively monitor cement integrity within a wellbore. Different types of sensors (pressure, temperature, resistivity, rock property, formation property etc.) are “pumped” into place by placing them into a suspension in the cement slurry at the time a well casing is being cemented. The sensors are either battery operated, or of a type where external excitation, (EMF, acoustic, RF etc.) may be applied to power and operate the sensor, which will send a signal conveying the desired information. The sensor is then energized and interrogated using a separate piece of wellbore deployed equipment whenever it is desired to monitor cement conditions. This wellbore deployed equipment could be, for example, a wireline tool.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for completing a subterranean well bore in at least one subterranean formation. At least one perforating gun assembly is positioned on the outside of casing in a subterranean well bore. A suitable signal, such as a hydraulic, electric or wave signal, is transported to the perforating gun assembly so as to detonate one or more explosive charges in the perforating gun assembly which are aimed toward the casing. At least one wall in the casing is perforated thereby establishing fluid communication through the wall of the casing. Usually, cement surrounding the casing and a subterranean formation surrounding the casing are also perforated to establish fluid communication between the formation and the interior of the casing.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing fluids, particularly hydrocarbons and water, from a subterranean well are provided. The method and system can be used with a well in which the production zone is above the injection zone, or with a well in which the production zone is below the injection zone. The method includes the step of separating a well fluid into a hydrocarbon stream and a separate water stream, while simultaneously injecting a chemical into a selected zone of the well. The system includes a downhole separation system for performing the separating step, and a chemical injection system for performing the injecting step.

Abstract: Hybrid pipe for deep water, comprising a metallic rigid central part having an upper end of which is connected to an upper portion of flexible pipe of predetermined length and having a lower end of which is connected to a lower portion of flexible pipe of a length at least equal of the length of the upper portion of flexible pipe. The lower portion may have a wave-shaped form to absorb motion. The wave is formed by buoyant members on the lower flexible portion by an arch tethered to the sea bed on which the wave-shaped portion rests.

Abstract: A drill bit having a canted or non-canted leg backface, a canted or non-canted seal in the interface between the cone backface and the shirttail, and a canted seal that can be semi-encapsulated so that there is no straight-line path across the seal.

Abstract: A method for installing a submersible pump assembly that allows deployment in a live well under pressure. In some of the embodiments, a pressure barrier is installed in the well lower than a length of the submersible pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly is lowered on a line into the chamber, then a lubricator at the surface seals around the line by allowing the pressure barrier to be released and the submersible pump assembly to be lowered into the well to a desired depth. Preferably, there is a lower pressure barrier in the well. The upper pressure barrier may be a packer that may be collapsed and retrieved alongside the submersible pump assembly. The pressure barrier also may be a packer that is temporarily set in the well, then engaged by the submersible pump assembly, with the pump assembly and packer then being lowered as a unit to a further depth in the well.

Abstract: A power control system for a turbogenerator which provides electrical power to one or more pump-jack oil wells. When the induction motor of a pump-jack oil well is powered by three-phase utility power, the speed of the pump-jack shaft varies only slightly over the pumping cycle but the utility power requirements can vary by four times the average pumping power. This power variation makes it impractical to power a pump-jack oil well with a stand-alone turbogenerator controlled by a conventional power control system. This power control system comprises a turbogenerator inverter, a load inverter, and a central processing unit which controls the frequency and voltage/current of each inverter.

Abstract: An liner hanger setting mechanism is provided. The setting mechanism of the present invention is basically comprised of a tubular pump down plug receptacle having a plug seat defined therein. A cylindrical pump down setting plug having a central flow passage and a rupturable member disposed therein to prevent flow therethrough is dropped into a work string and the tubular plug receptacle. The pump down setting plug will engage the plug seat and pressure can be increased to the setting pressure required to set a hydraulically actuated liner hanger. The pressure can then be further increased to the rupture pressure of the rupturable member to provide for full bore flow through the pump down setting plug.

Abstract: A flush valve for a multiple line hydraulic system includes a bifurcated manifold, the bifurcation being provided by a piston actuatable hydraulically, mechanically, electrically magnetically or by fiber optic means. The piston or gate is provided with a port extending diametrically therethrough and oriented to become coaxial with an inlet and outlet of the manifold upon actuation of the piston. With the port aligned the hydraulic fluid in the system can be displaced by fresh fluid. The piston is then deactivated which results in the port becoming misaligned with the inlet and outlet of the manifold. In this condition the hydraulic system is again sealed and functions normally.

Abstract: The invention provides an eccentric subsurface safety valve that may include an eccentric body member having a thick side, a thin side, and a longitudinal bore therethrough. A closure member, such as a curved flapper, is mounted within the body member to control fluid flow through the longitudinal bore, and is moveable between an open and a closed position. The curved flapper may be disposed within a recess in the thick side of the eccentric body member when in its open position. A valve actuator, such as a flow tube, may be disposed within the body member and remotely shiftable to move the curved flapper between its open and closed positions. The flow tube may be shifted downwardly in response to movement of a piston. At least one return spring and/or a contained volume of pressurized gas may be provided to urge the flow tube away from the curved flapper. The piston may be connected to an eccentric plate slidably disposed about the flow tube and between a first and a second shoulder on the flow tube.