Abstract: A valve stem arrangement for use in an adjustable choke, the valve stem being configured to prevent damage to components of the adjustable choke during downstream overpressure conditions. The valve stem generally connects a valve gate to an actuator for moving the valve gate within the choke. A set of shear screws couple components of the valve stem together. During overpressure conditions, the shear screws shear, permitting retraction of the valve gate towards an open position, thereby relieving loads on various choke components.

Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore includes a prediction unit operable to predict a change in a drilling event while the wellbore is being drilled and prior to the drilling event change occurring. The prediction unit monitors surface and downhole data and well inflows to predict drilling events. The prediction unit may activate alarms for predefined drilling conditions, such as a kick alarm to provide an early warning of a dangerous influx of formation fluids into the wellbore.

Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore includes a prediction unit operable to predict a change in a drilling event while the wellbore is being drilled and prior to the drilling event change occurring. The prediction unit monitors surface and downhole data and well inflows to predict drilling events. The prediction unit may activate alarms for predefined drilling conditions, such as a kick alarm to provide an early warning of a dangerous influx of formation fluids into the wellbore.

Abstract: Well control systems and associated methods. A well control method includes the steps of drilling a wellbore and predicting a change in flow between the wellbore and a reservoir prior to the change occurring, the predicting step being performed, and the change in flow occurring while drilling. Another well control method includes the steps of: sensing at least one first drilling operation variable while drilling a wellbore, thereby generating first sensed variables; sensing at least one second drilling operation variable while drilling the wellbore, thereby generating second sensed variables; and training a predictive device, using the first and second sensed variables, to predict the second drilling operation variable at a selected time.

Abstract: A method of real time field wide reservoir management comprising the steps of processing collected field wide reservoir data in accordance with one or more predetermined algorithms to obtain a resultant desired field wide production/injection forecast, generating a signal to one or more individual well control devices instructing the device to increase or decrease flow through the well control device, transmitting the signal to the individual well control device, opening or closing the well control device in response to the signal to increase or decrease the production for one or more selected wells on a real time basis. The system for field wide reservoir management comprising a CPU for processing collected field wide reservoir data, generating a resultant desired field wide production/injection forecast and calculating a target production rate for one or more wells and one or more down hole production/injection control devices.

Abstract: A method of real time field wide reservoir management comprising the steps of processing collected field wide reservoir data in accordance with one or more predetermined algorithms to obtain a resultant desired field wide production/injection forecast, generating a signal to one or more individual well control devices instructing the device to increase or decrease flow through the well control device, transmitting the signal to the individual well control device, opening or closing the well control device in response to the signal to increase or decrease the production for one or more selected wells on a real time basis. The system for field wide reservoir management comprising a CPU for processing collected field wide reservoir data, generating a resultant desired field wide production/injection forecast and calculating a target production rate for one or more wells and one or more down hole production/injection control devices.

Abstract: A subsea test tree having a spherical ball valve member is modified to accommodate cutting of a string of coiled tubing extending through the ball valve member. This is accomplished by providing an eccentric recess in an inner bore of the subsea test tree, with the eccentric recess being positioned to receive a lower portion of the coiled tubing string as the coiled tubing string is cut by the ball valve member. This reduces the plastic deformation of the lower portion of the coiled tubing string as the coiled tubing string is cut by the closing ball valve member, and thus reduces the closing force necessary to reliably cut a coiled tubing string when the spherical ball valve member of the subsea test tree is closed in an emergency situation.