Abstract: A wellscreen assembly has first and second screen joints connected together and has at least first and second adjoining tubes with opposed ends separated by a gap from one another. At least one jumper tube has first and second tubulars and fits in the gap between the adjoining tubes. The first tubular has a first end connectable to one of the opposed ends, while the second tubular has a second end connectable to another of the opposed ends. The second tubular is telescopically connected to the first tubular, and a biasing element biases the first and second tubulars away from one another. The first and second tubulars are operable between (i) a retracted condition retracting the first and second ends from the opposed ends and (ii) an extended condition extending the first and second ends to the opposed ends of the adjoining tubes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method automatically tally drill string rods for use with a drilling machine. The machine comprises a rack and a rotary drive configured for longitudinal displacement between first and second longitudinal positions. A sensor system is configured to monitor the machine to detect a clamping force applied to rotationally immobilize the drill string and to detect a break-out torque generated by the rotary drive, detect a first longitudinal position of the rotary drive whereat the break-out torque is generated, and detect a second longitudinal position of the rotary drive whereat a make-up torque is generated by the rotary drive. A controller is configured to prevent release of the clamping force until the make-up torque is detected, and automatically enable release of the clamping force after the make-up torque is detected and, concordantly, to update a drill rod tally only when the first and second longitudinal positions are different.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes determining a distance between a portion of the drilling tool and the formation based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: In one embodiments, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes determining torsion associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and characterizing well bores, subterranean formations, and/or fluids in a subterranean formation using well evaluation pills are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: introducing a well evaluation pill into a portion of a well bore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation; allowing the well evaluation pill to interact with one or more components in the portion of the subterranean formation; detecting a change in the composition or properties of the well evaluation pill; and determining the presence of one or more components in the portion of the subterranean formation based at least in part on the detected change in the composition or properties of the well evaluation pill.

Abstract: Electrically-operated downhole tools are run into a wellbore on a coiled tubing string which includes tube-wire that is capable of carrying power and data along its length. During operation, a downhole tool is provided power from surface using the tube-wire. Downhole data is provided to the surface via tube-wire.

Abstract: Provided is an improved bypass durable dart plunger that descends faster in a hydrocarbon well, is capable of lifting more fluids and has a durable and replaceable clutch assembly. The various components of the durable dart plunger includes a sleeve, a dart body with a one or more flow ports (chokes) cut at right angles through the dart body, a pin and a replaceable clutch assembly (also referred to a retention assembly). The chokes can be of varying sizes. In one embodiment, the clutch assembly includes a plurality of clutch mechanisms wherein each mechanism includes a ball, a socket screw and a resilient spacer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation using an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes detecting vibrations associated with drilling the wellbore based on the received electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A downhole closed-loop magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic field generating member and a waveguide operatively connected to the magnetic field generating member. At least one of the waveguide and the magnetic field generating member is responsive to a parameter being sensed. A sensor is operatively connected to the waveguide, and a housing includes a chamber enclosing the magnetic field generating member, the waveguide and the sensor. The housing is configured and disposed to withstand a downhole environment.

Abstract: A wire cross-sectional shape for a wire wrap screen provides a primary and secondary gap with a contained circumferential volume in between. The secondary gap extends screen life by taking the place of the primary gap if erosion opens the primary gap and lets the larger solids get past. The closed space between the primary and secondary gaps also has the effect of reducing velocity due to the enlarged volume before the secondary gap is reached while also creating turbulence between the gaps to slow the fluid velocity to protect the secondary gap. All or parts of the wire outer surface can optionally be coated to extend service life.

Abstract: A system for drilling a borehole according to the present invention includes a drill rig and a control system. The drill rig includes a drill, an air injection system and a water injection system. The control system, which is operatively associates with the drill rig, receives information from the drill rig that relates to at least one drill parameter. The control system processes information relating to the drill parameter, determines whether the drill parameter is within a predetermined specification for the monitored drill parameter, chooses a hole defect mitigation routine based on the monitored drill parameter when the monitored drill parameter is outside the predetermined specification, and controls the drill rig to implement the chosen hole defect mitigation routine.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling formations in dry-drilling environments is disclosed. The rotary drill bit may include a bit body rotatable about a central axis. The rotary drill bit may also include at least one cutting element coupled to the bit body. The at least one cutting element may have a cutting face, a cutting edge adjacent the cutting face, and a back surface opposite the cutting face. The at least one cutting element may be oriented so that a substantial portion of the cutting edge has a positive clearance angle, which may be defined by a first vector that is normal to the cutting face and a second vector that is tangential to a helical path traveled by the cutting edge during drilling.

Abstract: Disclosed are subsurface safety valves having an expanding piston used to increase the opening force for the safety valve. One disclosed safety valve includes a housing having a piston bore defined therein and configured to receive hydraulic fluid pressure, the piston bore providing a tapered portion having a first end and a second end, wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the tapered portion progressively increases from the first end to the second end, and a piston assembly movably arranged within the piston bore and comprising a piston rod that extends longitudinally within at least a portion of the piston bore and an expanding piston coupled to the piston rod, wherein the expanding piston is configured to move between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration to sealingly engage the tapered portion as the piston assembly moves between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A joint element connects casing sections of a casing string for transporting fluids and/or gases. The joint element includes a first longitudinal part arranged to be at least partly overlapping a second longitudinal part or a casing section. The first longitudinal part is connected with the second longitudinal part or with the casing sections in a mounted state with the first longitudinal part adapted to move axially relative to the second longitudinal part or the casing sections in an operative state. The joint element includes at least one shear member with a predefined shear value and the shear member is adapted to shear when an axial force exceeding the total shear value of the shear member is exerted, allowing a relative axial movement between the first longitudinal part and the second longitudinal part or the casing sections.

Abstract: An improved free piston assembly for use in combination with a plunger lift assembly is provided. The improved free piston assembly includes a sleeve member, a flow restriction member, and retention means. In some embodiments of the invention the sleeve member has an inner surface that is contoured to provide a seat for the flow restriction member during lifting operations. The flow restriction member can be a ball held in the interior of the sleeve by retention means capable of overcoming the force of gravity but at the same time designed to release the flow restriction member when a rod of the plunger lift assembly contacts the flow restriction member. In one embodiment of the invention the retention means is a plurality of inwardly biased spring loaded held in place by a retention ring that is fittably received by a groove in the exterior surface of the sleeve. In other embodiments of the invention the retention means are in the form of a raised lip or a retention sleeve.

Abstract: A downhole tool, tool assembly, and method, of which the downhole tool includes an expandable sleeve defining a bore extending axially therethrough, and including a shoulder that extends inward from the bore, a first swage positioned at least partially within the bore and including a valve seat configured to receive an obstructing member, such that the obstructing member and the first swage substantially prevent fluid communication through the bore when the obstructing member is seated in the valve seat, a second swage positioned at least partially within the bore. The first and second swages are configured to deform the expandable sleeve radially outwards when the first and second swages are moved toward one another within the expandable sleeve, and the shoulder is configured to prevent at least one of the first and second swages from sliding therepast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole punch for insertion into a wall of a casing. The downhole punch comprises a body having a first end and a second end and a through-bore forming an inner face of the body and an outer face of the body, wherein the first end comprises at least one cutting edge at least forming a leading tip or a leading edge for punching an opening in the casing, and a component is arranged in the through-bore. The present invention also relates to a downhole valve for insertion into a wall of a casing. The downhole valve comprises a housing having a first end and a second end and an inner face and an outer face. Furthermore, the invention relates to a downhole tool for inserting a downhole valve into a wall of a casing, to a downhole system comprising the downhole tool as well as to a downhole method for insertion of a downhole unit into a casing downhole.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for treating a formation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a first string for placement in the wellbore that includes a first flow port that enables a treatment fluid to flow from inside the first string to the formation via an annulus between the first string and the formation, a second string for placement in the first string, wherein the second string includes a second flow port that supplies the treatment fluid to the first flow port along a selected radial orientation to direct the treatment fluid in the selected radial direction.

Abstract: A sand control screen pipe includes couplings, movable spacer bushes, an outer movable radial slotted screen pipe, a split supporting ring and an inner axial slotted screen pipe. In downhole sand control construction work, a movable combined sand control pipe of axial and radial slotted screen pipes is required to be aligned with an oil layer position, this sand control screen pipe adopts the outer radial slotted screen pipe and the inner axial slotted screen pipe for blocking sand, and the outer radial slotted screen pipe can carry out limited axial movement along the inner axial slotted screen pipe and free rotational motion around the axial line of the inner axial slotted screen pipe, so that the controlled sand can be effectively prevented from hardening and an oil leakage channel is kept smooth for a long time to improve the production efficiency of an oil well.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.