Abstract: According to an embodiment, an exit assembly comprises: a fluid inlet; an exit chamber; a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid outlet is located within the exit chamber; and a fluid diverter, wherein the fluid diverter is connected to the fluid inlet and the exit chamber, wherein a fluid is capable of flowing from the fluid inlet, through the fluid diverter, and into the exit chamber, and wherein the shape of the fluid diverter is selected such that the fluid diverter is capable of displacing the pathway of the fluid from the fluid inlet into a first fluid pathway, a second fluid pathway, or combinations thereof, wherein the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway are located within the exit chamber.

Abstract: A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, an internal chamber containing a dielectric fluid, and a flow path which alternates direction, and which provides pressure communication between the internal chamber and the flow passage. A method of controlling operation of a well tool can include actuating an actuator positioned in an internal chamber of the well tool, a dielectric fluid being disposed in the chamber, and the chamber being pressure balanced with a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, and varying the actuating, based on measurements made by at least one sensor of the well tool.

Abstract: Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential can be realized through incorporation of colloidal particles therein. The invert emulsion drilling fluids can be free of organophilic clays. The organophilic clay-free drilling fluids can comprise: an oleaginous fluid continuous phase; an aqueous fluid internal phase; a surfactant; a weighting agent; and a plurality of colloidal particles, the colloidal particles comprising fibrous colloidal particles and at least one other type of colloidal particle; wherein at least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting data in a fluid pressure signal in a conduit comprises an optical fiber loop comprises a measurement section and a delay section wherein the measurement section is disposed substantially circumferentially around at least a portion of the conduit, and wherein the measurement section changes length in response to the fluid pressure signal in the conduit. A light source injects a first optical signal in a first direction into the measurement section and a second optical signal in a second direction opposite the first direction into the delay section. An optical detector senses an interference phase shift between the first optical signal and the second optical signal and outputs a first signal related thereto.

Abstract: A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising placing a first module adjacent to a second module along an axis, engaging a bridge with each of the first module and the second module by, while the bridge radially overlaps one of the first module and second module, substantially restricting movement of the bridge to movement radially toward the first module and the second module and toward the axis. A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising angularly aligning a first module with a second module, joining the first module to the second module while maintaining the angular alignment between first module and the second module. A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising assembling a cement head without using torque to join components of the cement head, and passing a fluid through the cement head into a wellbore.

Abstract: A flow control system for use with a subterranean well can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows, and a closure device which is biased toward a closed position in which the closure device prevents flow through the flow chamber. The closure device can be displaced to the closed position in response to an increase in a ratio of undesired fluid to desired fluid in the fluid composition. A structure can prevent the closure device from being displaced to the closed position. The fluid composition can flow through the structure to an outlet of the flow chamber.

Abstract: A system for opening a window (320) in lateral wellbore construction. The system includes a window joint (300) that is operable to be interconnected within a casing string. The window joint (300) has a window (304) formed therein that is defined by at least one score line (306) that creates a preferentially weaken region within the window joint (300) enabling internal removal of the window (304) in a predictable manner without generating wellbore debris. A window removal tool (310) is operable to be run in the casing string. The window removal tool (310) is operably engagable with the window (304) such that actuation of the window removal tool (310) internally removes the window (304) from the window joint (300), thereby opening the window (320).

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous carrier fluid, a crosslinking agent, a pH-adjusting agent, and a terpolymer that comprises 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, acrylamide, and acrylic acid monomer units, or any salt thereof, where the treatment fluid does not include any gel stabilizers, or only minimal amounts of gel stabilizers. The treatment fluid is introduced into a subterranean formation and is allowed to form a gel in the subterranean formation. The gel is broken, without using an external breaker, after the gel has been in the subterranean formation for at least about one day.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to draw a formation fluid sample into a sampling port included in a down hole tool or tool body, to vaporize some part of the fluid sample to substantially fill an injection port with a gas phase, to differentiate gas components in the gas phase to provide differentiated gas components along a concentration gradient in a receiving section, to detect the differentiated gas components with a detector, and to determine a fingerprint of the differentiated gas components. A reaction section and a vacuum section may be used for waste consumption and/or absorption.

Abstract: One method of monitoring a formation core during coring operations can include measuring resistivities of a formation internal and external to a core barrel assembly, comparing the resistivities of the formation internal and external to the core barrel assembly, and determining a displacement of the core into the core barrel assembly, based at least in part on the comparing, while the core is being cut. A formation core analysis system can include multiple longitudinally spaced apart sets of transmitters and receivers which measure resistivity of a core while the core displaces into a core barrel assembly, and multiple longitudinally spaced apart sets of transmitters and receivers which measure resistivity of a formation external to the core barrel assembly while a coring bit penetrates the formation. A speed of displacement of the core may be indicated by differences in time between measurements taken via the different sets as the core displaces.

Abstract: A method of actuating multiple valves in a well can include applying one or more pressure cycles to the valves without causing actuation of any of the valves, and then reducing pressure applied to the valves, thereby resetting a pressure cycle-responsive actuator of each valve. A pressure cycle-operated valve for use in a well can include a closure member, a piston which displaces in response to pressure applied to the valve, and a ratchet mechanism which controls relative displacement between the piston and the closure member. The ratchet mechanism may permit relative displacement while one or more pressure cycles are applied to the valve, and the ratchet mechanism may prevent relative displacement in response to a pressure sequence of: a) a reduction in pressure applied to the valve, b) a predetermined number of pressure cycles applied to the valve, and c) an increase in pressure applied to the valve.

Abstract: A variable flow resistance system for use with a subterranean well can include a structure which displaces in response to a flow of a fluid composition, whereby a resistance to the flow of the fluid composition changes in response to a change in a ratio of desired to undesired fluid in the fluid composition. Another system can include a structure which rotates in response to flow of a fluid composition, and a fluid switch which deflects the fluid composition relative to at least two flow paths. A method of variably resisting flow in a subterranean well can include a structure displacing in response to a flow of a fluid composition, and a resistance to the flow of the fluid composition changing in response to a ratio of desired to undesired fluid in the fluid composition changing. Swellable materials and airfoils may be used in variable flow resistance systems.

Abstract: A formation core analysis system can include an inner barrel and a toroidal electromagnetic antenna which transmits electromagnetic signals into a formation core when the core is received in the inner barrel. Another formation core analysis system can include an inner barrel and multiple longitudinally spaced apart electrodes which electrically contact a formation core when the core is received in the inner barrel. A speed of displacement of the core into the inner barrel may be indicated by differences between measurements taken via the electrodes as the core displaces into the inner barrel. A method of measuring resistivity of a formation core as the core is being cut can include transmitting electromagnetic signals into the core from a toroidal electromagnetic antenna as the core is being cut by a coring bit.

Abstract: A fluid discrimination system can include a fluid discriminator which selects through which of multiple outlet flow paths a fluid composition flows, the selection being based on a direction of flow of the fluid composition through the discriminator, and the direction being dependent on a fluid type in the fluid composition. Another fluid discriminator can include a structure which displaces in response to a fluid composition flow, whereby an outlet flow path of the fluid composition changes in response to a change in a ratio of fluids in the fluid composition. A method of discriminating between fluids can include providing a fluid discriminator which selects through which of multiple outlet flow paths a fluid composition flows in the well, the selection being based on a direction of flow of the fluid composition through the discriminator, and the direction being dependent on a ratio of the fluids in the fluid composition.

Abstract: Disclosed are spacer fluids and methods of use in subterranean formations. Embodiments may include use of consolidating spacer fluids in displacement of drilling fluids from a well bore annulus.

Abstract: A method of controlling pressure in a well can include transmitting an instruction to change flow through an annulus formed radially between a drill string and a wellbore, and adjusting a pressure setpoint in response to the transmitting. A well drilling system can include a flow control device which varies flow through a drill string, and a control system which changes a pressure setpoint in response to an instruction for the flow control device to change the flow through the drill string. A method of controlling pressure in a well can include transmitting an instruction to divert flow from a drill string, and adjusting a pressure setpoint in response to the transmitting.

Abstract: A fluid discrimination system can include a fluid discriminator which selects through which of multiple outlet flow paths a fluid composition flows, the selection being based on a direction of flow of the fluid composition through the discriminator, and the direction being dependent on a fluid type in the fluid composition. Another fluid discriminator can include a structure which displaces in response to a fluid composition flow, whereby an outlet flow path of the fluid composition changes in response to a change in a ratio of fluids in the fluid composition. A method of discriminating between fluids can include providing a fluid discriminator which selects through which of multiple outlet flow paths a fluid composition flows in the well, the selection being based on a direction of flow of the fluid composition through the discriminator, and the direction being dependent on a ratio of the fluids in the fluid composition.

Abstract: A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, an internal chamber containing a dielectric fluid, and a flow path which alternates direction, and which provides pressure communication between the internal chamber and the flow passage. A method of controlling operation of a well tool can include actuating an actuator positioned in an internal chamber of the well tool, a dielectric fluid being disposed in the chamber, and the chamber being pressure balanced with a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, and varying the actuating, based on measurements made by at least one sensor of the well tool.

Abstract: Construction and operation of an oilfield molten salt battery. A battery includes an outer case, an elongated mandrel positioned within the outer case, and the mandrel being an electrical component of the battery. Another battery includes an electrical pickup, and a polymer insulator providing insulation between the outer case and the pickup. A method of charging a battery for use in a subterranean well includes the steps of: providing the battery including an electrolyte, and anode and cathode electrodes, the electrolyte being a molten salt comprising lithium salt, and at least one of the electrodes comprising lithium atoms; positioning the battery within a wellbore; and then charging the battery. Another method includes the steps of: heating the lithium ion molten salt battery; then charging the battery; and then positioning the battery within a wellbore.

Abstract: A well treatment composition comprises a surfactant comprising a substituted ethoxylated phenol having at least one substituent, 1 to 14 moles of ethylene oxide, and the substituent being an alkyl, alkene, or alkyne with a carbon chain length in the range of 4 to 25, wherein the substituted ethoxylated phenol is selected from the group consisting of: ortho-, para-, or meta-substituted ethoxylated phenol; cardanol ethoxylate; derivatives thereof; and combinations of any of the foregoing. Preferably, the surfactant comprises cardanol ethoxylate, a substituted cardanol ethoxylate, and derivatives thereof. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises: (A) cement; (B) water; and (C) the surfactant; and allowing the cement composition to set.