Abstract: A technique facilitates sand control in a wellbore. A lower completion and an upper completion are run downhole into the wellbore and deployed. The lower completion assembly employs a plurality of packers to isolate well zones. The lower completion assembly also has gravel pack ports which are independently opened to enable gravel packing of each individual zone via a tool run downhole. Additionally, the lower completion assembly has a production port in each zone. A shifting tool is employed to open the production ports and to enable production from the well zones.

Abstract: A computer system programmed to process a large data set includes means for analysing the data set. The means for analysing the data set typically comprises a means for finite element analysis. The computer system also includes means for applying a data compression technique to the analysed data set such that the compressed analysed data set has high fidelity in regions of interest and has lower fidelity in regions of lesser interest. The data compression technique comprises the use of a wavelet compression technique. The computer system comprises a high specification server and a local workstation. This compressed analysed data set is easily managed by the local workstation to produce different cross-sectional displays without reusing the high capability server. The analysed data set for example comprises a 4D data set of a fan blade containment analysis of a casing.

Abstract: A service tool and methods for performing subterranean hydrocarbon services in a wellbore. The service tool can include a body that having an aperture formed therethrough. A valve system can be connected to the body. The valve system can selectively form a flow path between a first portion of the aperture and a second portion of the aperture; a flow path between a first flow port formed through a first portion of the body, the aperture, and the outer diameter of the body; and/or a flow path between a channel formed in a portion of the body, a second flow port formed through a second portion of the body, and the second portion of the aperture.

Abstract: A stabilizer comprises a body having first and second ends, each of which is formed with a respective connector means, the body having an outer wall upon which is formed a plurality of the upstanding blades radially outer surfaces of which define gauge pads, flow channels being defined between adjacent ones of the blades, and at least one bridging region interconnecting two adjacent ones of the blades to form an enclosed passage communicating with an associated one of the flow channels, the bridging region having a surface defining part of an outer gauge surface of the stabilizer, the at least one bridging region being located intermediate and spaced from the first and second ends.

Abstract: A ureteroscope comprising a stem receiving an optics, a light guide and a duct is characterized in that the stem comprises at least along one segment of its length at least one substantially longitudinal indentation.

Abstract: A drill bit for drilling a borehole with a steerable drilling system, the drill bit comprising a longitudinal axis, and a cutting profile with a leading face section blended with a curved region into a tapered gauge region having a tapered gauge profile. The tapered gauge region being tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis determined by the steerable drilling system. The cutting profile and the gauge profile lie wholly within a bit profile envelope made up of a three dimensional surface of two complimentary conical sections set at the tilt angle and separated by and blended with a rounded section which forms an outermost diameter of the bit profile envelope. The rounded section has a diameter substantially equal to a maximum allowable API diameter for the drill bit, and further has a radius of curvature substantially equal to one-half the diameter.

Abstract: A method for the automated analysis of digital images, particularly for the purpose of assessing mitotic activity from images of histological slides for prognostication of breast cancer. The method includes the steps of identifying the locations of objects within the image which have intensity and size characteristics consistent with mitotic epithelial cell nuclei, taking the darkest 10% of those objects, deriving contours indicating their boundary shape, and smoothing and measuring the curvature around the boundaries using a Probability Density Association Filter (PDAF). The PDAF output is used to compute a measure of any concavity of the boundary—a good indicator of mitosis. Objects are finally classified as representing mitotic nuclei or not, as a function of boundary concavity and mean intensity, by use of a Fisher classifier trained on known examples. Other uses for the method could include the analysis of images of soil samples containing certain types of seeds or other particles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system using a conduit run into a well on a service string. In one embodiment the conduit includes outlets along its length to permit a sand control treatment to exit the conduit along the length of the conduit and distribute the sand control treatment along the length of the conduit. The conduit can have a plurality of such outlets spaced to provide an even distribution of the sand control treatment. The conduit can be attached to the delivery tubing (such as coiled tubing or service string tubing) via a releasable connector. The conduit is deployed on the delivery tubing and connector (and is in fluid communication therewith) in the well adjacent to an area to be treated. The sand control treatment is pumped into the well. Once the sand control treatment is complete, the releasable connector is released to disconnect the conduit from the delivery tubing and the delivery tubing is removed from the well.

Abstract: A computer system programmed to process a large data set includes means for analysing the data set. The means for analysing the data set typically comprises a means for finite element analysis. The computer system also includes means for applying a data compression technique to the analysed data set such that the compressed analysed data set has high fidelity in regions of interest and has lower fidelity in regions of lesser interest. The data compression technique comprises the use of a wavelet compression technique. The computer system comprises a high specification server and a local workstation. This compressed analysed data set is easily managed by the local workstation to produce different cross-sectional displays without reusing the high capability server. The analysed data set for example comprises a 4D data set of a fan blade containment analysis of a casing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for use in wellbores that comprise an inflatable element. The inflatable element is adapted for inflation by gravel. One embodiment of the invention is a method of sealing an annulus in a well that comprises expanding the inflatable element with a gravel laden slurry. The inflatable element comprises a passageway communicating between an exterior and an interior of the inflatable element. The inflatable element is capable of being connected to a sand screen and the inflatable element can be inflated with the gravel laden slurry during a gravel packing of the well.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods for use in wellbores that comprise an inflatable element. The inflatable element is adapted for inflation by gravel. One embodiment of the invention is a method of sealing an annulus in a well that comprises expanding the inflatable element with a gravel laden slurry. The inflatable element comprises a passageway communicating between an exterior and an interior of the inflatable element. The inflatable element is capable of being connected to a sand screen and the inflatable element can be inflated with the gravel laden slurry during a gravel packing of the well.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system using a conduit run into a well on a service string. In one embodiment the conduit includes outlets along its length to permit a sand control treatment to exit the conduit along the length of the conduit and distribute the sand control treatment along the length of the conduit. The conduit can have a plurality of such outlets spaced to provide an even distribution of the sand control treatment. The conduit can be attached to the delivery tubing (such as coiled tubing or service string tubing) via a releasable connector. The conduit is deployed on the delivery tubing and connector (and is in fluid communication therewith) in the well adjacent to an area to be treated. The sand control treatment is pumped into the well. Once the sand control treatment is complete, the releasable connector is released to disconnect the conduit from the delivery tubing and the delivery tubing is removed from the well.

Abstract: A choke device for controlling fluid flow, particularly in a modulated bias unit, drill bit or other item downhole drilling component, comprises a passage for the flow of fluid, a choke aperture separating an upstream portion of the passage from a downstream portion thereof, and an impingement surface located in the downstream portion of the passage opposite and spaced from the choke aperture, so that fluid flowing through the choke aperture impinges on the impingement surface. The impingement surface is formed from superhard material, such as polycrystalline diamond, and may comprise the front facing table of a two-layer polycrystalline diamond compact of the kind used as cutting elements in drag-type drill bits.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for use in drilling holes in subsurface formations comprises a bit body having a leading face and a gauge region, a number of blades formed on the leading face of the bit and extending outwardly away from the axis of the bit so as to define between the blades a number of fluid channels leading towards the gauge region, a number of cutting elements mounted side-by-side along each blade, and a number of nozzles in the bit body for supplying drilling fluid to the fluid channels for cleaning and cooling the cutting elements. In each of the fluid channels, adjacent the gauge region, is an opening into an enclosed passage which passes internally through the bit body to an outlet which, in use, communicates with the annulus between the drill string and the wall of the borehole being drilled. The gauge region of the drill bit comprises a substantially continuous bearing surface which extends around the whole of the gauge region.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling holes in subsurface formations comprises a bit body having a leading face and a gauge region, and a plurality of blades formed on the leading face of the bit body and extending outwardly away from the axis of the bit towards the gauge region so as to define a fluid flow channel between the leading edge of each blade and the trailing edge of the adjacent preceding blade. A plurality of cutting elements are mounted along the leading edge of each blade, and there is provided, in one or more of the channels, a main nozzle which directs fluid along the leading edge of one blade so as to clean and cool the cutting elements on it, and a subsidiary nozzle which is located and orientated so as to direct fluid along the trailing edge of the preceding blade in a direction opposite to the direction of flow from the main nozzle, so as to tend to enhance partial recirculation of fluid flow in the flow channel between the blades.

Abstract: A folding device for folding a sheet of thin material, such as paper, comprises a first sheet holder for holding a first portion of the sheet, a second sheet holder for holding a second portion of the sheet, and a pivoted linkage connecting the first sheet holder to the second sheet holder in such a way as to allow relative movement between them. In use relative movement between the holders causes the sheet to be folded in opposite directions along two lines so as to form a zig-zag shape.

Abstract: Calculi, stones, calcified tissue and other material are broken down for removal from within a body using laser pulses that are delivered via an optical fiber and have a wavelength, intensity, energy per pulse and pulse duration selected to break down the object into smaller particles without delivering energy sufficient to cause damage to other tissue.

Abstract: Calculi, stones, calcified tissue and other material are broken down for removal from within a body using laser pulses that are delivered via an optical fiber and have a wavelength, intensity, energy per pulse and pulse duration selected to break down the object into smaller particles without delivering energy sufficient to cause damage to other tissue.