Abstract: A screen assembly, such as a downhole/sand screen assembly, comprising first and second screen portions or screens longitudinally coupled together, wherein there is provided a fluid flow path between the first and second screen portions or screen. Optionally, the first and second sleeves are coupled or connected by a centraliser or further sleeve or screen, and/or optionally by or via first and second support ring.

Abstract: A method 200, system and device for range finding are provided. The method 200 comprises determining 204 a first optical signature of a spool of optical fibre 16 wound in a winding pattern. The winding pattern comprises repeated changes in a winding parameter to provide a different optical response such that the first optical signature comprises a plurality of markers representing each change in the winding parameter. The method 200 further comprises despooling the fibre 16 from the spool; determining a second optical signature of the spool of optical fibre 16 after despooling the fibre 16 from the spool; and calculating 208 the length of despooled fibre based on a comparison of the first and the second optical signatures. The determined length may be used to determine a range of the spool of optical fibre 16 deployed in a wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deploying an elongate medium in a bore is described. The apparatus includes a housing defining an internal spool cavity, and the housing is configured to be deployed in the bore. A spool of elongate medium is mounted within the spool cavity. The housing defines an outlet to permit the elongate medium to be deployed from the spool cavity, and an inlet to permit bore fluid to enter the housing during deployment of the elongate medium from the spool cavity. In use, the housing includes an isolating fluid to isolate the elongate medium from the bore fluid entering the housing. Also described is a kit for deploying elongate medium in a bore and a method of preparing an apparatus for deployment of an elongate medium in a bore.

Abstract: An expansion apparatus and a method of manufacturing an expansion apparatus are provided. The expansion apparatus comprises an expandable element having a monolithic wall structure circumscribing a longitudinal axis and enclosing a space for receiving a pressurised fluid for use in inflating the expandable element between a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration. The wall structure is formed by additive manufacturing to have an initial non-expanded profile in which a perimeter length of the wall structure is greater than an outer gauge perimeter of the wall structure. Expansion during inflation is achieved by reforming the initial non-expanded profile of the wall structure to increase the outer gauge perimeter.

Abstract: A through-bore spool apparatus for use in deploying multiple spoolable media in a bore is disclosed. The through-bore spool apparatus comprises a first spool comprising a first spool axis and a first spoolable medium wound around the first spool axis, and a second spool comprising a second spool axis and a second spoolable medium wound around the second spool axis. The first and second spoolable media are de-spoolable simultaneously from the respective first and second spools during movement of the through-bore spool apparatus along a bore.

Abstract: A downhole optical communications system provided at a downhole location in use, the downhole communications system being for communicating between the downhole location and an uphole location, such as a surface location. The downhole optical communications system comprises a downhole optical transmitter configured to emit an optical signal for transmission over an optical transmission channel between the uphole location and the downhole optical transmitter; wherein the downhole optical transmitter is configured so as to produce a response to an optical signal received from the optical transmission channel and the downhole optical communications system is configured to determine data represented by the received optical signal from the response produced by the downhole optical transmitter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deploying an elongate medium in a bore is described. The apparatus includes a housing defining an internal spool cavity, and the housing is configured to be deployed in the bore. A spool of elongate medium is mounted within the spool cavity. The housing defines an outlet to permit the elongate medium to be deployed from the spool cavity, and an inlet to permit bore fluid to enter the housing during deployment of the elongate medium from the spool cavity. In use, the housing includes an isolating fluid to isolate the elongate medium from the bore fluid entering the housing. Also described is a kit for deploying elongate medium in a bore and a method of preparing an apparatus for deployment of an elongate medium in a bore.

Abstract: A downhole optical communications system provided at a downhole location in use, the downhole communications system being for communicating between the downhole location and an uphole location, such as a surface location. The downhole optical communications system comprises a downhole optical transmitter configured to emit an optical signal for transmission over an optical transmission channel between the uphole location and the downhole optical transmitter; wherein the downhole optical transmitter is configured so as to produce a response to an optical signal received from the optical transmission channel and the downhole optical communications system is configured to determine data represented by the received optical signal from the response produced by the downhole optical transmitter.

Abstract: A through-bore spool apparatus for use in deploying multiple spoolable media in a bore is disclosed. The through-bore spool apparatus comprises a first spool comprising a first spool axis and a first spoolable medium wound around the first spool axis, and a second spool comprising a second spool axis and a second spoolable medium wound around the second spool axis. The first and second spoolable media are de-spoolable simultaneously from the respective first and second spools during movement of the through-bore spool apparatus along a bore.

Abstract: A through-bore spool apparatus for use in deploying multiple spoolable media in a bore is disclosed. The through-bore spool apparatus comprises a first spool comprising a first spool axis and a first spoolable medium wound around the first spool axis, and a second spool comprising a second spool axis and a second spoolable medium wound around the second spool axis. The first and second spoolable media are de-spoolable simultaneously from the respective first and second spools during movement of the through-bore spool apparatus along a bore.

Abstract: A downhole optical communications system provided at a downhole location in use, the downhole communications system being for communicating between the downhole location and an uphole location, such as a surface location. The downhole optical communications system comprises a downhole optical transmitter configured to emit an optical signal for transmission over an optical transmission channel between the uphole location and the downhole optical transmitter; wherein the downhole optical transmitter is configured so as to produce a response to an optical signal received from the optical transmission channel and the downhole optical communications system is configured to determine data represented by the received optical signal from the response produced by the downhole optical transmitter.

Abstract: A screen assembly, such as a downhole/sand screen assembly, comprising first and second screen portions or screens longitudinally coupled together, wherein there is provided a fluid flow path between the first and second screen portions or screen. Optionally, the first and second sleeves are coupled or connected by a centraliser or further sleeve or screen, and/or optionally by or via first and second support ring.

Abstract: A deployable device including a deployable member. The deployable member includes an optical fibre. The deployable member is stowed at the device in a first wound configuration and arranged to be deployed from the device to a second unwound configuration within a well. In examples, the deployable device is configured such that, when unwound, the deployable member has a propensity to adhere to a wall within the well. In examples, the deployable member includes at least a first length and second length, the first and second lengths having different mechanical properties.

Abstract: A spool of optical fibre comprises a spool axis and a length of optical fibre wound around the spool axis to form a plurality of wrap segments arranged axially along the spool axis, wherein adjacent wrap segments partially overlap in the axial direction. Each wrap segment comprises a first wrap layer wound in a first axial direction over a first axial distance, and a second wrap layer wound over the first wrap layer in a reverse second axial direction over a second axial distance greater than the first axial distance, the optical fibre extending from the second wrap layer of one wrap segment to the first wrap layer of an adjacent wrap segment. The spool may be mounted in a device such that the optical fibre can be despooled and deployed from the device.

Abstract: A system or apparatus for use in downhole communication or detection comprises a downhole arrangement defining a throughbore and primary and secondary elements. One of the primary and secondary elements is provided on the downhole arrangement and the other of the primary and secondary elements is provided in the throughbore. The primary and secondary elements are configurable for coupling of an electromagnetic field therebetween. The primary or secondary element which is provided in the throughbore may be provided on a tool such as a shifting tool which is deployable through the throughbore. The secondary element may be configured to provide the electromagnetic field coupled between the first and second elements with one or more characteristic features. The system may be configured for use, in particular though not exclusively, for communicating information to and/or from a downhole tool in an oil or gas well.

Abstract: A screen assembly, such as a downhole/sand screen assembly, comprising first and second screen portions or screens longitudinally coupled together, wherein there is provided a fluid flow path between the first and second screen portions or screen. Optionally, the first and second sleeves are coupled or connected by a centralizer or further sleeve or screen, and/or optionally by or via first and second support ring.

Abstract: A screen assembly, such as a downhole/sand screen assembly, comprising first and second screen portions or screens longitudinally coupled together, wherein there is provided a fluid flow path between the first and second screen portions or screen. Optionally, the first and second sleeves are coupled or connected by a centralizer or further sleeve or screen, and/or optionally by or via first and second support ring.

Abstract: A through-bore spool apparatus for use in deploying multiple spoolable media in a bore is disclosed. The through-bore spool apparatus comprises a first spool comprising a first spool axis and a first spoolable medium wound around the first spool axis, and a second spool comprising a second spool axis and a second spoolable medium wound around the second spool axis. The first and second spoolable media are de-spoolable simultaneously from the respective first and second spools during movement of the through-bore spool apparatus along a bore.

Abstract: A method of actuating at least one of a plurality of downhole tools connected to at least one hydraulic fluid line is disclosed. The method includes the steps of:— a) providing each of the downhole tools with a control unit comprising a timer which permits fluid communication between the at least one hydraulic fluid line and the downhole tool during a window of time; and b) controlling the pressure in the at least one hydraulic fluid line for at least a sufficient period of time required to at least actuate the said downhole tool, wherein the said sufficient period of time coincides at least partially with the said window of time.

Abstract: A system or apparatus for use in downhole communication or detection comprises a downhole arrangement defining a throughbore and primary and secondary elements. One of the primary and secondary elements is provided on the downhole arrangement and the other of the primary and secondary elements is provided in the throughbore. The primary and secondary elements are configurable for coupling of an electromagnetic field therebetween. The primary or secondary element which is provided in the throughbore may be provided on a tool such as a shifting tool which is deployable through the throughbore. The secondary element may be configured to provide the electromagnetic field coupled between the first and second elements with one or more characteristic features. The system may be configured for use, in particular though not exclusively, for communicating information to and/or from a downhole tool in an oil or gas well.