Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for positioning a flexible hose into a wellbore with a protective housing are disclosed. A flexible hose is contained within a protective housing and both are positioned into a wellbore to a desired depth. Pressure can be applied to an interior of the protective housing, and a packoff seals between the flexible hose and the protective housing, causing the pressure to eject the hose from the protective housing.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore is described. The system includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. A drone magazine contains a plurality of the drones and selectively releases/feeds the drones into the platform receiver. More than one drone magazine, each containing different drone types, may supply drones to the platform receiver such that different drones may be ordered for disposal into the wellbore. The platform receiver prepared the drones to be moved from the platform to the wellhead by the conveyance. The wellhead receiver accepts the drones from the conveyance and prepares each received drone for dropping into the wellbore via the wellhead.

Abstract: A system provides for the remote activation and deactivation of a downhole tool such as an agitator tool. The downhole tool uses a dart-catching section configured with a profile that engages with a corresponding key section of a dart. Different tools in the string may have different profiles, allowing darts to pass through tools to reach a tool with a matching profile further downhole. The dart includes a removable nozzle that can be detached by a object dropped from the surface, after which a second dart may be dropped to engage with the first dart to change operating parameters of the tool.

Abstract: An anti-vibration sub for a downhole drill string having a shortened section of steel drill pipe having a reduced diameter body portion with a plurality of axially spaced annular rings and a non-rotating protector sleeve molded to the smaller diameter body portion having an outside diameter that is equal to or greater than the drill string causing the sub to act as a nodal point to absorb vibrational energy from the drill string.

Abstract: A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. A bypass that extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake may also be included.

Abstract: Detecting discontinuities in a well casing according to some aspects includes actively monitoring the electric current response in an antenna or in antennas during the insertion of a tubing string. The method does not require permanent magnets, or any hardware elements beyond those that are already present in a typical behind-casing measurement system. A system according to some aspects includes an antenna that is mounted in or on a tubing string and a voltage source that can be connected to the antenna. A processing device is connected to the antenna and the voltage source. The processing device applies an AC voltage to the antenna and monitors a current generated in the antenna while the AC voltage is being applied.

Abstract: A space-out mechanism that may be used in a tubing hanger system to install a tubing hanger and rigidize the tubing hanger and a casing hanger within a wellhead housing in a single trip is provided. The space-out mechanism may include two pieces that are configured to rotate against each other such that the axial length of the space-out mechanism can be adjusted to remove any axial gaps created in the installation of the tubing hanger or rigidizing of the tubing hanger and casing hanger within the wellhead housing. The two pieces of the space-out mechanism may include a ramp ring and a piston. The ramp ring and piston may each have ramp surfaces that rotate and bear against each other until the system is rigidized.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) for controlling pressure within a wellbore includes a body having a front side and a back side, the front side being opposite the back side. The BOP also includes a door opening extending through the front side. The BOP further includes an operator opening extending through the body, perpendicular to the door opening. The BOP includes an outlet extending from an inner cavity of the body through the back side, the inner cavity being fluidly coupled to both the outlet and the door opening. The BOP also includes a ram passage forming at least a portion of the inner cavity, wherein the ram passage is arranged substantially perpendicular to the door opening.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a downhole pump to a sucker rod string is disclosed. The coupling includes a core having a first end, a central portion, and a second end. The first end and the second end each have an end surface. The first end tapers linearly inwards from the central portion to the first end surface. The second end has a rounded edge along the second end surface. The coupling is made from a spinodally-hardened copper-nickel-tin alloy and has a sliding coefficient of friction of less than 0.4 when measured against carbon steel.

Abstract: A jarring apparatus includes first and second jarring assemblies which are axially moveable relative to each other between first and second axial configurations, and a thrust assembly interposed between the first and second jarring assemblies to limit relative axial movement therebetween at the second axial configuration and permit axial loading in one axial direction to be transferred between the first and second jarring assemblies via the thrust assembly. The apparatus further includes a jarring mass axially moveable within the jarring apparatus in reverse first and second directions upon relative rotation between the first and second jarring assemblies.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) for controlling pressure within a wellbore includes an internal cavity and a front side including a door opening, the door opening providing access to the internal cavity. The BOP also includes a door assembly associated with the door opening. The door assembly includes a door, movable between a first position and a second position, the door blocking access to the internal cavity in the first position and enabling access to the internal cavity in the second position. The door assembly also includes a hinge coupled to the door to facilitate movement of the door between the first position and the second position. The door assembly further includes a coupling device associated with the door, the coupling device securing the door to the front side. The BOP also includes a back side including an outlet, the outlet being fluidly coupled to the internal cavity.

Abstract: An in-situ method of assessing an oil recovery process from a subsurface reservoir includes the steps of accessing the subsurface reservoir by means of a vertical or horizontal well, conducting a first test to determine a residual oil saturation, and conducting a second test to determine in-situ emulsion formation.

Abstract: A drone conveyance system and a wellhead receiver for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. The wellhead receiver prepares the drone to be inserted into the wellbore via the wellhead. Preparation of the drone to be inserted into the wellbore includes adjusting the physical conditions surrounding the drone to approximate the physical conditions in the wellbore. The preparation may be performed using fluid inputs and outputs connected to a compartment of the wellhead receiver. Other preparation processes may also take place in the wellhead receiver such as assuring the appropriate drone is being inserted, that the drone has been programmed appropriately, that safety devices have been deactivated and charging an onboard power supply of the drone.

Abstract: Spherical projectiles may be used to form one or more holes in geologic or other material. These holes may be used for drilling, tunnel boring, excavation, and so forth.

Abstract: An automated sand management system includes a frame, a power source, a control panel, an input pipe supported at the frame and configured to receive fluid removed from the existing wellbore, a gas buster tank configured to stabilize the fluid by relieving gas pressure from the fluid removed from the existing wellbore, an adjustable chain suspended chute configured to receive the fluid from the gas buster tank, a power-actuated sandbox configured to receive the fluid from the adjustable chain suspended chute, and a scale operably coupled to the power-actuated sandbox and the control panel. The scale is configured to weigh and report actual sand production in the fluid removed from the existing wellbore.

Abstract: A single-trip cut and pull system for a wellbore including a cutter, a power section, and an anchor selectively actuable independently of the power section; a method for cutting and pulling casing in a single run including running a cut and pull system on a string to a target depth, rotating a cutter of the cut and pull system to cut a casing section, and actuating an anchor of the cut and pull system after cutting the casing section; and a method for cutting and pulling casing in a single run including running a cut and pull system on a string to a target depth, rotating a cutter of the cut and pull system by rotating the string to cut a casing section, and pulling the cut casing in the single run.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods to perform in-situ analysis of reservoir fluids. In some embodiments, the system includes a first vial containing a first insulating cylinder having a first internal cavity for storing electrolytes, a capillary tube, and a first sealable end having a first seal that prevents the electrolytes that are stored in the first internal cavity from flowing through the first sealable end while the first seal remains intact. The system also includes a second vial containing a second insulating cylinder having a second internal cavity for receiving the electrolytes that are stored in the first insulating cylinder, and a second sealable end having a second seal. The system further includes a tube positioned between the first vial and the second vial, where the tube provides at least one fluid flow path between the first vial and the second vial.

Abstract: A hydraulic drilling system and method for drilling a borehole from a wellbore are disclosed. The system comprises a whipstock that is selectively rotatable about the central long axis of the work string, for repositioning the whipstock exit radially, without extracting the whipstock or the workstring from the wellbore. The system includes an extendable and contractible second work string for absorbing any axial forces on the work string. The system may also include a positional measurement device and the distal end of the drill tubing may be selectively steerable. The system may be used to drill a plurality of boreholes from the same wellbore. In one aspect of the method, an earth measurement device and/or an earth manipulation device is placed downhole.

Abstract: A well testing apparatus includes tank manifold skids connected to tanks, a pump manifold skid, and a control system. Each tank manifold skid includes first pipework, second pipework, and valves. The first pipework of each tank manifold skid cooperates with the first pipework of another tank manifold skid to enable fluid communication between the tank manifold skids. The second pipework of each tank manifold skid enables fluid communication between the first pipework and a connected tank, while the valves can control flow through the second pipework to the tank. The pump manifold skid is coupled to the tank manifold skids and includes fluid manifolds, pumps, and valves. The control system includes a control unit for remotely actuating the valves to selectively control fluid flow from a separator to the tanks via the pump manifold skid and the tank manifold skids. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a maintenance device (1) for determining the position of a blockage point (2) of a tubular member (3), characterized in that it includes a fiber-optic cable (40) and a plurality of holding guides (20), each holding guide (20) being attached to the fiber-optic cable (40) and including a means (21) for attaching to the tubular member (3). The invention also relates to a method and a system for determining the position of a blockage point of a tubular member.