Abstract: A method of forming a seal circumferentially about a liner having pre-formed openings that is positioned in a wellbore includes the steps of running a perforating device and a seal applicator into the slotted liner, the seal applicator carrying a sealing fluid and a pumping mechanism, creating an aperture through the slotted liner at the region by activating the perforating device and pumping the sealing fluid from the seal applicator through the aperture and circumferentially about the liner to form a sealing plug in the annulus between the slotted liner and the wellbore.

Abstract: A technique enables sensing one or more wellbore parameters along a specific well zone. A section of instrumented coiled tubing is provided with a sensor array extending along its exterior. The sensor array is designed to sense well fluid related parameters and may comprise an optical fiber sensor. A cross-over allows the sensor array to communicate with a surface location via a control line routed along a coiled tubing interior.

Abstract: A method for operating a downhole tool. The method includes moving an instrument through a wellbore, and the instrument includes a first non-acoustic transponder that is adapted to detect identification codes. An identification code detected from at least one second non-acoustic transponder is compared to a reference code. The at least one second non-acoustic transponder is attached to an emplaced structure in the wellbore, and the comparison is performed when the instrument moves by the at least one second non-acoustic transponder. The downhole tool is then operated if the identification code matches the reference code. A downhole tool operation system including at least one first non-acoustic transponder emplaced in a wellbore and adapted to communicate an identification code.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for moving tubulars into and out of a well bore, and particularly, a tubular injector with two or more gripping members which bind the outer surface of the tubular, two or more actuators which cause the gripping members to bind or release the tubular, and at least one reciprocator for translating a gripping member to move the tubular, or for repositioning the gripping member. A method of translating a tubular is also provided which includes the steps of binding the outer surface of a tubular with at least one gripping members by engagement with an actuator, and translating a gripping member by reciprocator to move the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and a mechanism having one or more impact elements adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in an oscillating manner to impart a back and forth force on the housing to vibrate the housing. In another arrangement, an apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing and at least one impact element rotatably mounted in the housing. The at least one impact element is rotatable to oscillate back and forth to impart a vibration force to the housing.

Abstract: A method for actuating or installing downhole equipment in a wellbore employs non-acoustic signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) to locate, inventory, install, or actuate one downhole structure in relation to another downhole structure. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first downhole structure that comprises a non-acoustic (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for internal data conveyance within a well from the surface to a downhole tool or apparatus and for returning downhole tool data to the surface, without necessitating the provision of control cables and other conventional conductors within the well. One embodiment involves sending telemetry elements such as tagged drop balls or a fluid having specific chemical characteristics from surface to a downhole tool as a form of telemetry. The telemetry element or elements are provided with identification and instruction data, which may be in the form of data tags, such as RF tags or a detectable chemical constituent. The downhole tool or apparatus is provided with a detector and microcomputer and is capable of recognizing the telemetry element and communicating with it or carrying out instructions that are provided in the telemetry data thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and a mechanism having one or more impact elements adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in an oscillating manner to impart a back and forth force on the housing to vibrate the housing. In another arrangement, an apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing and at least one impact element rotatably mounted in the housing. The at least one impact element is rotatable to oscillate back and forth to impart a vibration force to the housing.

Abstract: A technique for facilitating the use of a variety of completion elements in a wellbore environment. The technique utilizes an insertion guide disposed within an open-hole section of a wellbore. The insertion guide may be radially expanded towards the surrounding formation to remove excess annular space. The expansion of the insertion guide further allows the use of a completion element having a greater diameter than would otherwise be afforded.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and a mechanism having one or more impact elements adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in an oscillating manner to impart a back and forth force on the housing to vibrate the housing. In another arrangement, an apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing and at least one impact element rotatably mounted in the housing. The at least one impact element is rotatable to oscillate back and forth to impart a vibration force to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for internal data conveyance within a well from the surface to a downhole tool or apparatus and for returning downhole tool data to the surface, without necessitating the provision of control cables and other conventional conductors within the well. One embodiment involves sending telemetry elements such as tagged drop balls or a fluid having specific chemical characteristics from surface to a downhole tool as a form of telemetry. The telemetry element or elements are provided with identification and instruction data, which may be in the form of data tags, such as RF tags or a detectable chemical constituent. The downhole tool or apparatus is provided with a detector and microcomputer and is capable of recognizing the telemetry element and communicating with it or carrying out instructions that are provided in the telemetry data thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and a mechanism having one or more impact elements adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in an oscillating manner to impart a back and forth force on the housing to vibrate the housing. In another arrangement, an apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing and at least one impact element rotatably mounted in the housing. The at least one impact element is rotatable to oscillate back and forth to impart a vibration force to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and a mechanism having one or more impact elements adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in an oscillating manner to impart a back and forth force on the housing to vibrate the housing. In another arrangement, an apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing and at least one impact element rotatably mounted in the housing. The at least one impact element is rotatable to oscillate back and forth to impart a vibration force to the housing.

Abstract: A method of machining a workpiece in a subterranean wellbore comprises the steps of: (a) providing a workpiece that comprises (1) a first section that comprises a first material, and (2) a second section that comprises a second material, the second section forming at least one surface of the workpiece; (b) placing the workpiece in a subterranean wellbore that is surrounded by a geologic formation; and (c) machining the workpiece to remove at least part of the second material in the second section, whereby at least one surface of the workpiece is formed into a desired configuration. This method allows, for example, a landing nipple to be installed in a wellbore, and customized locking recesses to be formed in the inner surface of the nipple at a later time.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises (1) a first structure that comprises (a) at least one extendable member that can be reconfigured from a coiled form to an extended form, the member having a flattened transverse cross-section when in the coiled form and a curved transverse cross-section when in the extended form, (b) a downhole well tool attached to the extendable member, and (c) a housing in which the extendable member can be coiled; (2) a well mounting device for supporting the first structure from the wellbore or the surface of a well; and (3) means for reconfiguring the extendable, coilable member in a wellbore from the coiled form to the extended form. Preferably, the extendable member is reversibly configurable between the coiled form and the extended form.

Abstract: A method for operating a downhole tool. The method includes moving an instrument through a wellbore, and the instrument includes a first non-acoustic transponder that is adapted to detect identification codes. An identification code detected from at least one second non-acoustic transponder is compared to a reference code. The at least one second non-acoustic transponder is attached to an emplaced structure in the wellbore, and the comparison is performed when the instrument moves by the at least one second non-acoustic transponder. The downhole tool is then operated if the identification code matches the reference code.

Abstract: An expandable tubing (12) for a well bore hole (14) in which selected length portions (24, 26, 28) are weakened by a slot configuration (FIGS. 2, 3, 4) to obtain predetermined expansion characteristics. The slot configurations are tailored or selected for a predetermined bore hole length and may be expanded to different radial diameters to conform generally to the peripheral contour of the bore hole. Tubing portions (29) between the slotted length potions (24, 26, 28) are unweakened.

Abstract: A method for actuating or installing downhole equipment in a wellbore employs non-acoustic signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) to locate, inventory, install, or actuate one downhole structure in relation to another downhole structure. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first downhole structure that comprises a non-acoustic (e.g.

Abstract: A method for actuating or installing downhole equipment in a wellbore employs non-acoustic signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) to locate, inventory, install, or actuate one downhole structure in relation to another downhole structure. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first downhole structure that comprises a non-acoustic (e.g.

Abstract: A well treating tool string run on coiled tubing and having packers to isolate a zone to be treated in response to operation of a selector valve, pressure and temperature transducers in the tool string and a telemetry system which samples the measurements made by the transducers, an electrical conductor cable extending from the telemetry system up to the surface through the coiled tubing and to the inner end thereof on its storage reel, and a surface telemetry, data processing and display system that sends and receives encoded signals to and from the downhole telemetry system from which temperature and pressure values can be read out on the surface display in real time as the treating operation proceeds.