Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and providing flow control through the downhole completion assembly. One downhole completion system includes a first sealing structure arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, a second sealing structure arranged axially adjacent the first sealing structure and also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flow control device arranged between the first and second sealing structures and configured to provide a flow path for fluids to communicate between a surrounding subterranean formation and an interior of the downhole completion system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly selectively positionable within a wellbore. The sand control screen assembly comprises a pipe having an internal flow path, an external fluid collection subassembly in fluid communication with the internal flow path, a filter medium disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly and the internal flow path, a biasing mechanism, configured to bias the fluid collection subassembly towards a wall of the wellbore, disposed between the fluid collection subassembly and the pipe, and a retaining mechanism configured to release the biasing mechanism in response to a trigger.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly selectively positionable within a wellbore. The sand control screen assembly comprises a pipe having an internal flow path, an external fluid collection subassembly in fluid communication with the internal flow path, a filter medium disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly and the internal flow path, a biasing mechanism, configured to bias the fluid collection subassembly towards a wall of the wellbore, disposed between the fluid collection subassembly and the pipe, and a retaining mechanism configured to release the biasing mechanism in response to a trigger.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: A well screen assembly for use in a wellbore comprises a base pipe comprising one or more fluid passageways, and a shape-memory alloy disposed about the base pipe. The one or more fluid passageways are configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of the base pipe and a central flowbore, and the shape-memory alloy is configured to transition between an expanded state and a compressed state in response to a trigger.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element, an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal transmitted through the impervious body.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprises: a first composition, wherein the first composition comprises: (A) a first substance; and (B) a second substance, wherein the first composition has a solid-liquid phase transformation temperature less than the solid-liquid phase transformation temperatures of at least the first substance or the second substance at a specific pressure. A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprises: increasing the temperature surrounding the wellbore isolation device; and allowing at least a portion of the first composition to undergo a phase transformation from a solid to a liquid. A method of inhibiting or preventing fluid flow in a wellbore comprises: decreasing the temperature of at least a portion of the wellbore; positioning the wellbore isolation device in the at least a portion of the wellbore; and increasing the temperature of the at least a portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprises: at least a first material, wherein the first material: (A) is a metal or a metal alloy; and (B) is capable of at least partially dissolving when an electrically conductive path exists between the first material and a second material and at least a portion of the first and second materials are in contact with an electrolyte, wherein the second material: (i) is a metal or metal alloy; and (ii) has a greater anodic index than the first material. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprises: contacting or allowing the wellbore isolation device to come in contact with an electrolyte; and allowing at least a portion of the first material to dissolve.

Abstract: A magnetostrictor assembly (100) includes a magnetostrictor element (105), a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictor element, and a bluff body (101) coupled to the magnetostrictor element via a transfer arm (103). The bluff body is to be placed in a fluid flow path to, at least in part, produce motion that, at least in part, causes strain in the magnetostrictor element. A preload mechanism comprising a control circuit (1100) may optimize a magnetostrictive generator.

Abstract: Remote operation of downhole tools in a subterranean wellbore is performed by inserting untethered, mobile devices sequentially into the wellbore. The mobile devices can include motive means, power supply, communication and data storage means, etc. In one embodiment, the method comprises maneuvering a first mobile device into proximity with a downhole tool, the device powering the tool. The first device is then removed, such as by flowing up or dissolving. The now-powered tool is used to perform a test or other operation. A second mobile device is maneuvered into proximity with the downhole tool and data is transferred. The second device is retrieved with the data or, using on-board logic devices, provides “if-then” commands to the downhole tool. Alternately, a third mobile device can be used to power and transfer commands to the tool. The method can be used for various tasks, such as opening bypass ports on ICD valves.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element, an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal transmitted through the impervious body.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a thermally sensitive component. The temperature of the thermally sensitive component is at least partially controlled by a temperature management system thermally coupled to the thermally sensitive component.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the health state of hydrocarbon production equipment is disclosed. The device has a plurality of targets, which are associated with the hydrocarbon production equipment. A record of the initial target positions and/or dimensions relative to the hydrocarbon production equipment is created. A sensor that is compatible with the targets is used to observe the targets and produce a sensor output. An analysis device uses the record of the initial positions, dimensions and the sensor output to determine one or more health state parameters, which may be used to determine the health state of the hydrocarbon production equipment.

Abstract: Magnetorheological fluids, which solidify in response to a magnetic field, offer the ability to simplify many of the valves and control systems used downhole in the search for and production of oil and gas. They lessen the need for moving parts, provide solid-state valves, and can provide a differential movement of fluid through the valves by varying the strength of the magnetic field. Combinations of permanent and electro-magnets can improve safety by providing valves that fail, when power is lost, in either an open or closed position, depending on design. A number of examples are given.

Abstract: Thin flexible piezoelectric transducers are bonded to or imbedded into oilfield tubular members or structural members. The transducers may be used to telemeter data as acoustic waves through the members. By proper spacing of transducers and phasing of driving signals, the transmitted signals can be directionally enhanced or encoded to improve transmission efficiency. The transducers may be used for health monitoring of the tubular or structural members to detect cracks, delaminations, or other defects. The flexible transducers are very thin so that overall dimensions of tubular or structural members are essentially unchanged by incorporation of the transducers.

Abstract: Electrical connections between different materials. An electrical connection system includes electrical components and an electrical connection between the electrical components. The electrical connection includes a functionally graded material. A method of making an electrical connection between different materials includes the steps of: providing an electrical component which includes a material; providing another electrical component which includes another material; and electrically connecting a functionally graded material between the electrical components. An electrical connection system includes an electrical component and a functionally graded material electrically connected to the electrical component. The functionally graded material provides a gradual transition between at least two dissimilar materials.

Abstract: The invention provides a proppant for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, wherein a typical specimen of the proppant has a non-globular and non-fibrous shape. The invention also provides a method for stimulating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of forming the treatment fluid and introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore and into the subterranean formation at a sufficient pressure to fracture the formation.