Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: Durable pumps for abrasives are provided. In one implementation, an example centrifugal pump or pump stage for subsurface operation has a thrust washer located inside the circumference of a close-fitting clearance seal between an impeller shroud and the diffuser. The relocation of the thrust washer allows the clearance seal to protect the thrust washer from abrasives while the thrust washer supports the impeller against the reaction forces of axial fluid flow. In one implementation, the radius or size of a thrust washer or other seal-like feature is reduced in order to increase exposure of the bottom impeller shroud to pressured fluid, thus balancing pressure at the top and bottom of the impeller to decrease friction between the impeller and the thrust washer. Reducing the radius of the thrust washer also reduces surface area of the washer subject to friction and reduces the moment arm of a braking torque on the rotating impeller, thereby reducing power loss in the pump.

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: Zonal isolation tools and methods of using same are described. The zonal isolation tools include a wellbore sealing member expandable by fluid pressure to contact a wellbore over an initial contact area, an inflation valve open during expansion of the sealing member to the initial contact area and closed upon the fluid pressure reaching a predetermined setting, a vent between the sealing member and a wellbore annulus adapted to open after the inflation valve is closed, and a compressive load imparted to the sealing member via a linear piston to achieve a sealing point at the leading edge of the sealing member. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: Centrifugal pumps and methods of making and using them are disclosed. One inventive pump includes a plurality of flow passages, at least one pump component having one or more non-axisymmetric flow passage contours defined at least in part by non-equal blade or vane heights.

Abstract: A formation treatment tool assembly is conveyed within a well casing by a tubing string and has a housing defining treatment fluid supply and discharge passages and a fluid injection port through which treatment fluid is directed from the supply passage into a packer isolated casing interval and a fluid inlet port permitting flow from the isolated casing interval to the fluid discharge passage. Spaced straddle packer elements of the tool are energized to establish sealing engagement with the well casing and define an isolated casing interval and are de-energized to retract from sealing engagement with the well casing and permit tubing conveyance. A dump valve connected with the tool housing is opened to permit flow of treatment fluid from the isolated casing interval through the treatment fluid discharge passage and is closed to confine treatment fluid to the isolated casing interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid treatment of a selected interval of a well and then cleaning the selected interval and the apparatus of treatment residue. An straddle tool is run into the well to treatment depth on fluid supplying tubing and has upper and lower packers that establish sealing with the casing and define an annular interval between the packers and between the tool and casing. Fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped through the tubing to the tool and is diverted through an outlet port of the tool into an upper portion of the annular interval. Fluid then flows from a lower portion of the annular interval through an inlet port below the outlet port and at low flow rate is dumped into the casing through a pressure responsive dump valve. The outlet port and inlet port are located to accomplish cleaning of residue from the packers.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method useful for discouraging the extrusion of at least one deformable member of a device into a space adjacent to the deformable member when the device is disposed within a borehole and the deformable member extends from the device to the borehole wall involves at least one expandable member disposed upon the device. The expandable member is expandable into the annulus to reduce the width thereof and retractable therefrom to allow movement of the device within and out of the borehole and redeployment of the expandable member. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly suited for limiting the extrusion of packer elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opposing pressure-induced forces acting on a mandrel of a downhole tool. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use with a packer and include a piston engageable with the mandrel. Forces placed upon the piston by pressure communicated from the tubing bore are transferred to the mandrel.

Abstract: A formation treatment tool assembly is conveyed within a well casing by a tubing string and has a housing defining treatment fluid supply and discharge passages and a fluid injection port through which treatment fluid is directed from the supply passage into a packer isolated casing interval and a fluid inlet port permitting flow from the isolated casing interval to the fluid discharge passage. Spaced straddle packer elements of the tool are energized to establish sealing engagement with the well casing and define an isolated casing interval and are de-energized to retract from sealing engagement with the well casing and permit tubing conveyance. A dump valve connected with the tool housing is opened to permit flow of treatment fluid from the isolated casing interval through the treatment fluid discharge passage and is closed to confine treatment fluid to the isolated casing interval.

Abstract: A tubing conveyed multi-position well treating tool having a tubular housing and a tubular inner member which are relatively positionable at “Set”, “Treat”, “Dump” and “Release” positions actuated by a mechanical indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism is loaded by a spring, such as a compressed gas spring or mechanical spring, which urges the tubular housing away from the tubing connection of the inner tubular member, thus requiring no set-down forces for tool actuation or indexing. The treating tool is anchored within the well casing by hydraulic pressure actuated buttons, thus eliminating the typical requirement for anchoring actuation by set-down forces. The treating tool is sealed within the casing by pressure energized packers which are activated by the hydraulic pressure of fluid supplied from the tubing. The tool provides a bypass passage to allow communication of the zones above and below the tool while isolating the straddled interval to be treated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid treatment of a selected interval of a well and then cleaning the selected interval and the apparatus of treatment residue. An Out/In straddle tool is run into the well to treatment depth on fluid supplying tubing and has upper and lower packers that establish sealing with the casing and define an annular interval between the packers and between the tool and casing. Fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped through the tubing to the tool and is diverted through an Out port of the tool into an upper portion of the annular interval. Fluid then flows from a lower portion of the annular interval through an In port below the Out port and at low flow rate is dumped into the casing through a pressure responsive dump valve. The Out port and In port are located to accomplish cleaning of residue from the packers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opposing pressure-induced forces acting on a mandrel of a downhole tool. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use with a packer and include a piston engageable with the mandrel. Forces placed upon the piston by pressure communicated from the tubing bore are transferred to the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method useful for discouraging the extrusion of at least one deformable member of a device into a space adjacent to the deformable member when the device is disposed within a borehole and the deformable member extends from the device to the borehole wall involves at least one expandable member disposed upon the device. The expandable member is expandable into the annulus to reduce the width thereof and retractable therefrom to allow movement of the device within and out of the borehole and redeployment of the expandable member. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly suited for limiting the extrusion of packer elements.

Abstract: An improved cup packer for use on wellbore tools is disclosed. The open end of the cup packer bore is filled with an elastomer to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the packer body includes an angularly protruding section at at least one of its ends, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the packer body is at its maximum at its bore. In an additional alternative embodiment of the invention, the open end of the packer is sealed by a screen to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A straddle packer tool for treatment of wells has a tool body supporting sealing elements in spaced relation for defining a sealed annulus zone within a wellbore. The tool body defines a treatment fluid passage having treatment ports that open to the sealed annulus zone for formation fracturing or other well treatment. The tool body has a bypass passage therethrough which is isolated from the treatment fluid passage and communicates with the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A check valve permits downward flow of well fluid from the bypass passage into the wellbore below the tool and prevents upward flow of fluid into the bypass passage. Bypass ports conduct fluid flow to and from the bypass passage and the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A packer actuated bypass valve is opened or closed to control the flow of well fluid within the bypass passage.

Abstract: A tool string, such as one used for performing fracturing operations or other types of operations, includes a valve, a valve operator, and a sealing assembly that in one arrangement includes packers to define a sealed zone. The tool string is carried on a tubing, through which fluid flow may be pumped to the sealed zone. The valve operator is actuated in response to fluid flow above a predetermined flow rate. When the flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate does not exist, the valve operator remains in a first position that corresponds to the valve being open. However, in response to a fluid flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate, the valve operator is actuated to a second position to close the valve.