Abstract: A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.

Abstract: A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.

Abstract: A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making shape memory polyphenylene sulfide, comprising: curing polyphenylene sulfide to produce cured polyphenylene sulfide; comminuting the cured polyphenylene sulfide to form cured polyphenylene sulfide particles; disposing the cured polyphenylene sulfide particles in a mold; heating the mold for flowing the cured polyphenylene sulfide; compressing, by applying a compressive force, the cured polyphenylene sulfide; cooling the cured polyphenylene sulfide; relieving the compressive force; and de-molding the cured polyphenylene sulfide to produce the shape memory polyphenylene sulfide.

Abstract: A downhole sealant includes a composition that includes a polymer; an absorbent material; a primary crosslink network including primary bonds between chains of the polymer; and a secondary crosslink network which is transient. A method of regulating the swell rate of the downhole sealant includes disposing a downhole sealant comprising a polymer and an absorbent material in a borehole; maintaining a primary crosslink network of the polymer; and decomposing a secondary crosslink network of the absorbent material in response to a condition to regulate the swell rate of the downhole sealant.

Abstract: A downhole element to isolate or complete a wellbore includes a shape memory material including polyphenylene sulfide. The polyphenylene sulfide is the cure product of being cured at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. The shape memory material is thermally activated between an actuated and unactuated shape, and the polyphenylene sulfide in the shape memory material is a closed cell foam, open cell foam, or solid.

Abstract: A system for separating fluids of a fluid mixture including a filter element operatively arranged for enabling a first component of a fluid mixture to flow therethrough while impeding flow of at least one other fluid component of the fluid mixture. An additive is configured to improve a first affinity of the filter element for the first component relative to a second affinity of the filter element for the at least one other fluid component of the fluid mixture. A method of separating fluids is also included.

Abstract: A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.

Abstract: A system for separating fluids of a fluid mixture including a filter element operatively arranged for enabling a first component of a fluid mixture to flow therethrough while impeding flow of at least one other fluid component of the fluid mixture. An additive is configured to improve a first affinity of the filter element for the first component relative to a second affinity of the filter element for the at least one other fluid component of the fluid mixture. A method of separating fluids is also included.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making shape memory polyphenylene sulfide, comprising: curing polyphenylene sulfide to produce cured polyphenylene sulfide; comminuting the cured polyphenylene sulfide to form cured polyphenylene sulfide particles; disposing the cured polyphenylene sulfide particles in a mold; heating the mold for flowing the cured polyphenylene sulfide; compressing, by applying a compressive force, the cured polyphenylene sulfide; cooling the cured polyphenylene sulfide; relieving the compressive force; and de-molding the cured polyphenylene sulfide to produce the shape memory polyphenylene sulfide.

Abstract: A downhole sealant includes a composition that includes a polymer; an absorbent material; a primary crosslink network including primary bonds between chains of the polymer; and a secondary crosslink network which is transient. A method of regulating the swell rate of the downhole sealant includes disposing a downhole sealant comprising a polymer and an absorbent material in a borehole; maintaining a primary crosslink network of the polymer; and decomposing a secondary crosslink network of the absorbent material in response to a condition to regulate the swell rate of the downhole sealant.

Abstract: A downhole article includes an ion exchange polymer; and a composition that includes an elastomer and an absorbent material. A method of maintaining expandability of a downhole article includes disposing a downhole article comprising an elastomer, absorbent material, and an ion exchange material in a borehole, the ion exchange material comprising host ions; and exchanging fluid ions in a fluid with host ions from the ion exchange material to maintain the expandability of the downhole article.

Abstract: A downhole element to isolate or complete a wellbore includes a shape memory material including polyphenylene sulfide. The polyphenylene sulfide is the cure product of being cured at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. The shape memory material is thermally activated between an actuated and unactuated shape, and the polyphenylene sulfide in the shape memory material is a closed cell foam, open cell foam, or solid.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating seismic body waves in a hydrocarbon reservoir includes a closed-loop borehole source having a resonant cavity for generating resonant energy, a drive source and a control unit. The drive source injects pressure pulses to the resonant cavity at a predetermined or selectable pressure and frequency. The fluid circulates between the cavity and the drive source in a closed-loop fashion. In another embodiment, the borehole source utilizes a smart or controllable material that is responsive to an applied excitation field. The cavity includes an excitation coil for providing an excitation field that changes a material property of the smart fluid. The control unit is programmed to adjust operating parameters to produce seismic waves having a selected frequency and amplitude. In one embodiment, a control unit adjusts operating parameters in response to measured parameters of interest or surface commands.

Abstract: A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material.

Abstract: A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material.

Abstract: A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material.

Abstract: Inflatable packer assemblies and bridge plugs that incorporate selective components made of a composite material, thereby providing improvements in weight, drillability and corrosion resistance. A through-tubing packer assembly is described having end sleeves fashioned partially from composite material of high strength fiber and polymer resin. The inflatable packer element has longitudinal ribs fashioned from composite material with a specialized cross-section having a larger cross-section of rib material in locations where additional bending resistance is required and permits additional elastomeric material to be placed about the ribs in sealing areas. An external casing packer is also described having a composite valve assembly and central mandrel formed primarily of composite material. The mandrel includes metallic fittings for threaded attachments to be made.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating seismic body waves in a hydrocarbon reservoir includes a closed-loop borehole source having a resonant cavity for generating resonant energy, a drive source and a control unit. The drive source injects pressure pulses to the resonant cavity at a predetermined or selectable pressure and frequency. The fluid circulates between the cavity and the drive source in a closed-loop fashion. In another embodiment, the borehole source utilizes a smart or controllable material that is responsive to an applied excitation field. The cavity includes an excitation coil for providing an excitation field that changes a material property of the smart fluid. The control unit is programmed to adjust operating parameters to produce seismic waves having a selected frequency and amplitude. In one embodiment, a control unit adjusts operating parameters in response to measured parameters of interest or surface commands.