Abstract: A downhole tool and a method for operating the downhole tool, in which the downhole tool includes a first sensing member, and a second sensing member. The first and second sensing members have a first communication status when the downhole tool is in a first configuration. The first and second sensing members have a second communication status that is different from the first communication status when the downhole tool is in a second configuration. The downhole tool is prevented from actuating prior to the first and second sensing members having the second communication status, and the downhole tool is permitted to actuate after the first and second members have the second communication status.

Abstract: Drill bits comprise a body having an uphole end and a downhole end. The uphole end is adapted for connection to a tool assembly for rotating the drill bit. The tool assembly has an axis of rotation. The downhole end has one or more cutting members adapted for removing material in contact with the downhole end when the drill bit is rotated. The body has an uphole major axis and a downhole major axis. The uphole axis and the downhole axis are offset from each other. The uphole axis is central to the uphole end and is aligned with the tool assembly axis of rotation. The uphole axis defines an axis of rotation for the drill bit. The downhole axis is central to the downhole end.

Abstract: A compact and simplified frac plug apparatus is provided with improved drillability. The frac plug includes an annular wedge, a sealing ring, and an annular slip. An adapter kit apparatus is provided for connecting the plug assembly to a setting tool. Methods of operation for setting the plug apparatus in a well are also disclosed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technique provides a method for operating a valve in a wellbore by: applying a first fluid pressure to a bore of the valve; trapping the first fluid pressure in a portion of the valve; reducing the pressure in the bore of the valve to a second fluid pressure thereby creating a pressure differential between the portion of the valve and the bore of the valve; and opening the valve responsive to the pressure differential. The valve may employ a first piston disposed in the body to trap a first fluid pressure in a chamber to create a differential pressure across a second piston when a second fluid pressure is applied to open the valve to fluid flow therethrough. The valve and the method may be used to actuate another valve downhole.

Abstract: A plug apparatus comprises a wedge, a sealing ring, and a slip. The wedge comprises an axial wedge bore. A seat is defined in the wedge bore. The seat is adapted to receive a ball. The wedge has a tapered outer surface which decreases in diameter from the upper to the lower extent of the tapered outer surface. The sealing ring is received around the tapered outer surface of the wedge. The sealing ring has an axial ring bore and is radially expandable. The slip comprises an axial slip bore having a tapered inner surface. The tapered inner surface decreases in diameter from the upper to the lower extent of the tapered inner surface. The inner surface is adapted to receive the wedge. The wedge is adapted for displacement from an unset position generally above the slip to a set position wherein the wedge is received in the slip bore.

Abstract: Stimulation valves for a well tubular having a cylindrical housing adapted for assembly into a tubular for a well. The valves have ports allowing fluid communication between a central conduit and the exterior of the housing and a valve body adapted for movement from a closed position to an open position allowing fluid communication through the ports. A ball seat is mounted in the valve conduit above the ports. The ball seat has an initial ball-catch state in which a ball may be received in the ball seat to move the valve body from its closed position to its open position. The ball seat is adapted to transition to a ball-pass state and release the ball as the valve body is moved to the open position. The ball seat remains in the ball-pass state after the transition from the ball-catch state.

Abstract: A downhole tool, a retrievable bridge plug system, and a method. The downhole tool includes a release mandrel, a plurality of slips disposed at least partially around the release mandrel, an upper cone disposed at least partially around the release mandrel and on a first axial side of the plurality of slips, a lower cone disposed at least partially around the outer mandrel and on a second axial side of the plurality of slips, and a collet positioned axially and radially between the release mandrel and the lower cone. The collet is configured to prevent downward movement of the lower cone relative to the release mandrel at least when the downhole tool is in a run-in configuration and when the downhole tool is in a set configuration.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a body having one or more openings. A main sleeve is disposed in the body. The main sleeve is configured to move between a first position in which the main sleeve blocks fluid flow through the one or more openings and a second position in which the main sleeve allows fluid flow through the one or more openings. An actuator is disposed in the body. The actuator is configured to actuate from a first state to a second state in response to application of a first level of pressure, and to a third state in response to application of a second level of pressure. Actuating the actuator to the third state causes the main sleeve to move from the first position to the second position, and the second level of pressure is less than or equal to the first level or pressure.

Abstract: An emergency lighting module for providing emergency power to a solid state luminaire. The emergency lighting module includes a first input configured to receive a DC input voltage from the solid state luminaire, a second input configured to receive a status signal indicative of the status of an AC line voltage, and a first output configured to supply a DC output voltage to the solid state luminaire. The emergency lighting module is configured to supply the DC output voltage to the solid state luminaire in response to a reduction of the AC line voltage.

Abstract: A plug apparatus comprises a wedge, a sealing ring, and a slip. The wedge comprises an axial wedge bore. A seat is defined in the wedge bore. The seat is adapted to receive a ball. The wedge has a tapered outer surface which decreases in diameter from the upper to the lower extent of the tapered outer surface. The sealing ring is received around the tapered outer surface of the wedge. The sealing ring has an axial ring bore and is radially expandable. The slip comprises an axial slip bore having a tapered inner surface. The tapered inner surface decreases in diameter from the upper to the lower extent of the tapered inner surface. The inner surface is adapted to receive the wedge. The wedge is adapted for displacement from an unset position generally above the slip to a set position wherein the wedge is received in the slip bore.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a mandrel, a sealing element, a cone, a plurality of fingers, and a slip. The sealing element may be positioned around the mandrel. The sealing element is configured to expand radially-outward from a contracted state to an expanded state. The cone may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the sealing element. The plurality of fingers may be positioned at least partially around the mandrel. The fingers may be axially-aligned with at least a portion of the sealing element. The fingers are coupled to a base and configured to break away from the base at a weak point when the sealing element expands into the expanded state. The slip may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the cone. The slip may include a tapered inner surface configured to slide along a tapered outer surface of the cone.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a mandrel, a sealing element, a cone, a plurality of fingers, and a slip. The sealing element may be positioned around the mandrel. The sealing element is configured to expand radially-outward from a contracted state to an expanded state. The cone may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the sealing element. The plurality of fingers may be positioned at least partially around the mandrel. The fingers may be axially-aligned with at least a portion of the sealing element. The fingers are coupled to a base and configured to break away from the base at a weak point when the sealing element expands into the expanded state. The slip may be positioned around the mandrel and proximate to the cone. The slip may include a tapered inner surface configured to slide along a tapered outer surface of the cone.

Abstract: A plug apparatus comprises a wedge, a sealing ring, and a slip. The wedge comprises an axial wedge bore. A seat is defined in the wedge bore. The seat is adapted to receive a ball. The wedge has a tapered outer surface which decreases in diameter from the upper to the lower extent of the tapered outer surface. The sealing ring is received around the tapered outer surface of the wedge. The sealing ring has an axial ring bore and is radially expandable. The slip comprises an axial slip bore having a tapered inner surface. The tapered inner surface decreases in diameter from the upper to the lower extent of the tapered inner surface. The inner surface is adapted to receive the wedge. The wedge is adapted for displacement from an unset position generally above the slip to a set position wherein the wedge is received in the slip bore.

Abstract: A smooth bore toe valve includes a first sub defining a through bore and a fluid flow path through a wall thereof; a second sub; a housing mechanically engaged with the first and second subs to define a valve cavity axially between the first and second subs and to define a chamber radially between the first and second subs and the housing, the housing further defining a plurality of openings in a wall thereof; and a sleeve disposed within the chamber between the housing and the first and second subs to close the openings and, upon application of fluid pressure horn the through bore through the fluid flow path, open the openings to fluid flow from the valve cavity to the exterior of the housing. A method for using such a valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool and method for actuating a downhole tool, of which the downhole tool includes a housing having a housing port formed radially-therethrough, a shifter sleeve positioned within the housing, wherein the shifter sleeve has a port formed radially therethrough, and a drive sleeve positioned at least partially within an annulus between the housing and the shifter sleeve. Downward movement of the shifter sleeve causes the drive sleeve to move downward, and downward movement of the drive sleeve causes fluid to flow through the port in the shifter sleeve and into the annulus. The downhole tool also includes a filter coupled to the shifter sleeve and configured to prevent particles from flowing through the port in the shifter sleeve and into the annulus.

Abstract: A downhole tool and method. The downhole tool includes a first sensing member, and a second sensing member. The first and second sensing members have a first communication status when the downhole tool is in a first configuration. The first and second sensing members have a second communication status that is different from the first communication status when the downhole tool is in a second configuration. The downhole tool is prevented from actuating prior to the first and second sensing members having the second communication status, and the downhole tool is permitted to actuate after the first and second members have the second communication status.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for content contribution validation. A content contribution validation method includes receiving in memory of a host computing system, from over a computer communications network, a content contribution to existing content stored in data storage coupled to the host computing system. The method also includes selecting a portion of textual terms the contribution and generating a search query utilizing the selected portion. The method yet further includes querying the existing content by a processor of the host computing system using the search query and receiving a result set from the search query. Finally, the method includes determining by the processor whether or not the result set exceeds a threshold match and applying the content contribution to the existing content in response to a determination that the result set exceeds the threshold match, but otherwise rejecting the content contribution.

Abstract: A smooth bore toe valve includes a first sub defining a through bore and a fluid flow path through a wall thereof; a second sub; a housing mechanically engaged with the first and second subs to define a valve cavity axially between the first and second subs and to define a chamber radially between the first and second subs and the housing, the housing further defining a plurality of openings in a wall thereof; and a sleeve disposed within the chamber between the housing and the first and second subs to close the openings and, upon application of fluid pressure horn the through bore through the fluid this path, open the openings to fluid flow from the valve cavity to the exterior of the housing. A method for using such a valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: A compact and simplified frac plug apparatus is provided with improved drillability. The frac plug includes an annular wedge, a sealing ring, and an annular slip. An adapter kit apparatus is provided for connecting the plug assembly to a setting tool. Methods of operation for setting the plug apparatus in a well are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for contextually related sharing of commentary for different portions of an information base. A method of the invention includes receiving a query for a portion of content in an information base and identifying a portion of different content in the information base that is related to the queried portion. The method also includes retrieving both commentary posted to the information base in respect to the queried portion, and also commentary posted to the information base in respect to the identified portion. Finally, the method includes transmitting the queried portion and the retrieved portion, but annotating the retrieved commentary in respect to the identified portion so as to direct a display of the commentary posted to the information base in respect to the different portion in a manner visually distinguishable from a display of commentary posted to the information base in respect to the queried portion.