Abstract: Methods of evaluating a parameter of interest of a formation intersected by a borehole, including exposing a radiation sensor in the borehole to a calibration radiation source while a measurement operation using the radiation sensor is suspended. Methods may include exposing the radiation sensor to the calibration radiation source when the radiation sensor is stationary relative to the formation or during interruption of drilling operations or at predetermined intervals; processing response information, including performing a mitigation process on a portion of the response information relating to exposure of the radiation sensor to a calibration radiation source during measurement operations; or using the calibrated measurement information to estimate parameters of interest. Devices may include a radiation sensor, a calibrator including a calibration radiation source, and an actuator configured to intermittently expose the radiation sensor to the calibration radiation source.

Abstract: An expandable seal features a ring structure with internal and external seal. The seals are mounted in grooves and extend beyond a base outer dimension on the ring on the inside and the outside surfaces. Bumps are positioned in axial alignment with the seals but in opposition to each seal so that the exterior seal has a bump axially aligned but on the inside of the ring and the inner seal has a bump axially aligned and on the outside surface of said ring. The bumps have end transitions to the base dimension to create a volume for the seal material to travel axially when radially expanded from a mandrel extending within for effective seal containment. Seal rings can be stacked to adjust to dimensional irregularities in the surrounding tubular or the mandrel and to back each other up in the event of seal failure in any one seal ring.

Abstract: A debris barrier is installed and locked to the liner tieback extension. When it is time to check release from the liner before initiating a cement job the inner running string is lifted. The lock stays engaged to the liner tieback extension tube as the inner running string is lifted. In that manner the debris barrier remains in position during the lifting to determine release from the liner before cementing. After cementing, the inner running string is lifted further to eventually undermine the lock and capture the debris barrier to bring the debris barrier to the surface with the inner running string. The lock can be dogs or collets or the like. An inner sleeve or a lift sub with an upset can be the support whose axial movement beyond a predetermined value undermines the lock to release the debris barrier.

Abstract: Fractures are induced from lobe shaped inflatable members disposed at different axial locations along a string with frac ports in the circumferential gaps between the lobes. The lobes are inflated by landing a ball on a seat on a sleeve that is initially shifted enough to expose a fill port on each lobe. The lobes are inflated to a pressure that initiates fractures in the formation as the lobes extend. Further raising the pressure induces the sleeve to move a second time to open frac ports. The annulus can be cemented and fracturing can penetrate the cement to further propagate the initiated fractures from lobe inflation. The process is repeated at different levels until the zone of interest is completed. Sensors can relay information by telemetry techniques as to the onset of fractures or other well conditions. The sleeve for the frac ports can be moved in a variety of ways without intervention tools.

Abstract: An additive may be added to an oil-based fluid having at least one wax foulant therein. The additive may be or include an alpha olefin copolymer, an alkyl phenol-formaldehyde resin, an alkyl acrylate, a polyalkyl methacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymer, ethylene vinyl acetate terpolymer, imidazoline, and combinations thereof. The additive may alter at least one property of the wax foulant as compared to an otherwise identical oil-based fluid absent the additive. The altered property may be or include the amount of wax foulant deposited, the amount of paraffinic wax dispersed, settling rate of the paraffinic wax foulant, viscosity of the paraffinic wax foulant, shape of the paraffinic wax foulant, such as but not limited to softening the wax foulant, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Shear member designs in various formats are presented with additional features for segment retention and subsequent removal after a shearing event and removal of the tool from a subterranean location. In some embodiments a portion of the shear member is retained by threads so that the segment stays in the part and then can be removed at the surface with putting a notch in the segment and removing it with a screwdriver. In another embodiment a retaining pin in an intersecting bore can hold onto a sheared remnant of the shear pin by pushing the remnant laterally in the bore that it is mounted. Another design for a shear ring uses a split design with the right angle portion of the ring that gets sheared appearing in segments so that the ring can be rapidly snapped into a groove at its outer periphery followed by a retaining cap facilitating removal.

Abstract: In a steerable drilling liner system the liner running tools that support the bottom hole assembly have the capability of sealingly latching into the liner to allow circulation through the drill bit as the hole is made and reamed. Before removing a seal in a polished bore receptacle inside the liner, the BHA is picked up to confirm release from the liner while leaving the seal in the polished bore. Picking up a second time allows dogs to extend so that setting down weight opens a circulation port to allow debris removal from near the top of the liner along with continued circulation through the BHA. After removal of the BHA and leaving the liner in the hole, the redressed BHA with the spring loaded dogs retained enters the liner and sealingly latches to the liner so that drilling can resume.

Abstract: A seal assembly for an electrical submersible pumping system that communicates downhole pressure to a pump motor and seals wellbore fluids from the motor. The seal assembly includes a chamber circumscribing a pump shaft and a bladder in the chamber. The outer surface of the bladder is in fluid communication with the wellbore fluid. The inside of the bladder contains dielectric fluid that is ported to the pump motor in an annulus between the pump shaft and a sleeve. A water absorbing elastomer is disposed inside of the bladder for absorbing water that may migrate into the bladder from the wellbore.

Abstract: Devices and method for engaging a casing member for manipulation. A hydraulic torque locking mechanism is incorporated into a casing manipulation assembly. The hydraulic torque locking mechanism includes a clutch mechanism that is actuated using surface pump pressure from tool circulation.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting a workpiece. A cutter is provided with a fluid jet generator that creates and projects a jet of fluid proximate the cut being made in a workpiece.

Abstract: An earth boring drill bit is described, the bit having a bit body having a central longitudinal axis that defines an axial center of the bit body and configured at its upper extent for connection into a drillstring; at least one primary fixed blade extending downwardly from the bit body and inwardly toward, but not proximate to, the central axis of the drill bit; at least one secondary fixed blade extending radially outward from proximate the central axis of the drill bit; a plurality of fixed cutting elements secured to the primary and secondary fixed blades; at least one bit leg secured to the bit body; and a rolling cutter mounted for rotation on the bit leg; wherein the fixed cutting elements on at least one fixed blade extend from the center of the bit outward toward the gage of the bit but do not include a gage cutting region, and wherein at least one roller cone cutter portion extends from substantially the drill bit's gage region inwardly toward the center of the bit, the apex of the roller cone cutte

Abstract: Additives may be used to improve certain physical properties of bitumen. The additives are prepared using a formulation comprising: a first component selected from the group consisting of (alkoxylated)-(di or tri)-alkyl phenol-aldehyde (amine) resins; ?-Olefin-maleic anhydride co-polymers and grafted polymers including half ester/amide and full ester/amide derivatives; and combinations thereof; and a second component which is a synergist and selected from the group consisting of polyamines, amidoamines, imidazolines, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Polyboronic compounds useful as delayed crosslinking agents may be produced by using a polyamine as base scaffold and incorporating boron via reaction with intermediate borates which may be formed in the condensation reaction between boric acid and a diol. A di-aldehyde, such as glyoxal, may be introduced following caustic treatment of the reaction mixture of polyaminoboronate to form the polyboronic compound.

Abstract: Introducing a fluid composition and a heat-generating fluid into a wellbore may improve timing and/or conditions of generating in situ heat downhole. The generated heat may be used to melt wax, and dissolve paraffins and asphaltenes or other deposits within the wellbore or in the reservoir itself. The fluid composition may include a base fluid and a metallic powder having a plurality of metallic powder particles. The base fluid may be or include a drilling fluid, a completion fluid, a stimulation fluid, a workover fluid, an activation fluid, and mixtures thereof. Each metallic powder particle may have a metallic particle core, and a coating disposed on the metallic particle core having a coating material. The metallic particle core may be released from the metallic powder particle. A heat-generating fluid may contact the released metallic particle core and thereby generate heat.

Abstract: A biodiesel may be prepared using an admixture of petroleum diesel and an algal derived hydrotreated renewable diesel which can be treated with petroleum diesel cold flow additives. The resulting diesel fuel may be employed even in cold climates despite the high paraffin content and high degree of saturation of the hydrotreated renewable diesel component of the fuel.

Abstract: Apparatus, computer readable medium, program code, and methods for performing a parameter recalibration on parameters for an electrical submersible pump application model, are provided. An example of a method can include generating a data set containing a plurality of winning data sets or rows containing ESP application model input parameters and associated theoretical output parameters for an ESP application model substantially matching a corresponding set of measured ESP output parameters, through application of a self-organizing map analysis on a substantial number of training data sets. An averaging analysis is performed on the plurality of winning data sets or rows to obtain a set of ESP application model input parameters that can be used to recalibrate the ESP application model.

Abstract: Cutting elements for an earth-boring tool include a substrate base and a cutting tip. The cutting tip may include a first generally conical surface, a second, opposite generally conical surface, a first flank surface extending between the first and second generally conical surfaces, and a second, opposite flank surface. In some embodiments, the cutting tip includes a central axis that is not co-linear with a longitudinal axis of the substrate base. In some embodiments, the cutting tip includes a surface defining a longitudinal end thereof that is relatively more narrow in a central region thereof than in a radially outer region thereof. Earth boring tools include a body and a plurality of such cutting elements attached thereto, at least one cutting element oriented to initially engage a formation with the first or second generally conical surface thereof. Methods of drilling a formation use such cutting elements and earth-boring tools.

Abstract: Well treatment particulates are coated with polyionic material and a composite is formed comprising multiple layers of polyelectrolyte, each layer composed of polyionic material counter to the polyionic material of the polyelectrolyte layer to which it is adjacent.

Abstract: Bitumen may be prepared by mixing at least two bitumen feed streams to prepare a bitumen product stream; analyzing the feed streams and the product stream to determine a stability index for each using a Bitumen Asphaltene Stability Index Test; and when the index value for the bitumen product stream is less than about 90% of the weighted average index value for the feed streams, modifying the product stream to achieve a stability index value that is at least 90% of the weighted average index value for the feed streams.

Abstract: A composition useful for reducing catalyst fines in an FCC slurry oil from a fluid catalytic cracking process is disclosed wherein the composition comprises a first resin which is an nonyl-phenol formaldehyde resin that has been ethoxylated and a second resin which is a p-t-amyl-phenol formaldehyde resin that has been ethoxylated.