Abstract: A sensing apparatus in the present disclosure is configured to measure magnetic flux of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic source and flowing through a sample slurry to determine magnetic permeability of the sample slurry. The sensing apparatus comprises a magnetic sensor inside a sensor housing that measures magnetic flux through a sensor housing made of a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic sensor sends measurements of the magnetic flux to a computing device that determines the presence of cementing fluids in the slurry based on the magnetic flux measurements.

Abstract: A sealing element can be used to create a seal in a wellbore or components of a downhole tool. The sealing element can include an elastomer matrix and a substance embedded within the elastomer that expands at a phase change temperature. The substance can be an organic-based substance, such as a polymeric plastic, a thermoplastic, or a wax. The organic-based substance can expand at a temperature greater than or equal to the phase change temperature. The substance can also be a metal-based substance. The metal-based substance can expand at a temperature less than or equal to the phase change temperature. After expansion, the substance can fill small gaps or cracks formed in the elastomer matrix from temperature fluctuations. The sealing element can be included on a downhole tool. The sealing element can be an O-ring or a gasket or included on packer assembly, a plug, or a liner hanger.

Abstract: A completion assembly to aid in gravel packing a wellbore which assembly includes a plurality of interconnected sand screen assemblies, each sand screen assembly having a wireless adjustable electronic flow control node disposed along the sand screen base pipe to control flow of a gravel packing slurry from the base pipe into the wellbore annulus. Each electronic flow control node includes a valve that can be adjusted by an electric actuator powered by a power harvesting mechanism disposed in a flow path of the completion assembly. A wireless transmitter receives a control signal to control the electric actuator. The control signal may be transmitted sequentially from a distal most sand screen assembly to a proximal sand screen assembly in order to sequentially build the gravel pack.

Abstract: A screen assembly for wellbore production wherein a base pipe is wrapped with a screen constructed one or more cables formed from a plurality of non-metallic fibers bonded to one another with a metal binder. The non-metallic fibers may be basalt fibers or another ceramic material. The metal binder forms a metal matrix that has a first diameter about a primary cable axis, with the metal matrix securing the non-metallic fibers so that they have a second diameter about the primary cable axis, where the second diameter is larger than the first diameter, minimizing exposure of the metal matrix to wellbore fluids.

Abstract: A frac sleeve system includes a well casing with a tubular wall having a frac port defined therethrough for hydraulic fracturing. A sleeve within the well casing includes a sleeve body. The sleeve is mounted for axial movement relative to the tubular wall of the well casing among three positions including: a closed position in which the sleeve body blocks the frac port, a frac position in which the sleeve body clears the frac port so the frac port is open for hydraulic fracturing therethrough, and a production position in which the sleeve at least partially blocks the frac port.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sub-surface safety valve (SSSV) to be positioned in a wellbore. The SSSV is configurable to move between a closed position and an open position. While in the closed position, the SSSV prevents downhole fluid in the wellbore to flow to a surface of the wellbore. While in the open position, the SSSV allows the downhole fluid in the wellbore to flow to the surface of the wellbore. The apparatus further includes an electrostatic motor to be positioned in the wellbore and to be coupled to the SSSV. The electrostatic motor is to be selectively powered to move the SSSV between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling system and a method of balancing a magnetic coupler are provided. The magnetic coupling system includes a follower magnet magnetically coupled to a drive magnet, and a magnetic balancing component located to a side of the follower magnet. Movement of the drive magnet induces corresponding movement of the follower magnet. The magnetic balancing component and the drive magnet exert attractive magnetic forces on the follower magnet in opposite directions.

Abstract: Provided is a multilateral junction. The multilateral junction, in one aspect, includes a y-block. The multilateral junction additionally includes a mainbore leg coupled to the y-block, the mainbore leg defining a second overlapping space, and a lateral bore leg coupled to the y-block, the lateral bore leg defining a third overlapping space. The multilateral junction, in this aspect, additionally includes an expanded metal joint located in at least a portion of the second overlapping space or the third overlapping space, the expanded metal joint comprising a metal that has expanded in response to hydrolysis.

Abstract: The disclosure presents processes to locate one or more quantum gravimeters at a hydrocarbon well site, with at least one quantum gravimeter at a surface location. Zero or more additional gravimeters, whether quantum gravimeters or non-quantum gravimeters, can be located downhole a wellbore of the well site. Gravitational data collected from various gravimeters can be analyzed to produce analyzed gravitational parameters and subterranean formation parameters. In some aspects, the gravitational data can be processed, such as by an inversion algorithm or a noise reduction algorithm. The generated results can be used to calibrate non-quantum gravimeters located proximate the well site or downhole the wellbore, identify a depth and direction of a water front, identify the fluid flow of hydrocarbons or water in the subterranean formation, to identify orphaned hydrocarbon reservoirs, or other characteristics of fluid flow or subterranean formation parameters, such as subterranean formation damage.

Abstract: Methods for treating a wellbore. An example method includes positioning a conduit in the wellbore. The conduit is a liner hanger or a tie-back liner. The conduit includes a conduit body and a reactive metal sealing element disposed on the conduit body. The reactive metal sealing element includes a reactive metal having a first volume. The method further includes contacting the reactive metal with a fluid that reacts with the reactive metal to produce a reaction product having a second volume greater than the first volume. The method further includes contacting a surface adjacent to the reactive metal sealing element with the reaction product.

Abstract: A system comprising a tubing encased conductor (TEC), a transformer inductively coupled to the TEC, and a wireless downhole device coupled to the transformer. The wireless downhole device may include a transceiver configured to receive and/or transmit, from the transformer, a digital signal encoded in a variable current in the TEC. The digital signal may correspond to a command. In some aspects, the wireless downhole device may be powered via the transformer, a battery, or a turbine.

Abstract: Seal elements for establishing fluid seals in a wellbore may be constructed of expandable metal materials. For example, an elongated gland of expandable metal may replace some or all the components in a packing stack of a locking mandrel. The gland may be recessed within the locking mandrel, or narrower than a seal bore of a landing nipple, such that the gland is protected from damage as the locking mandrel passes through landing nipples to reach a target landing nipple. The expandable metal may be induced to chemically react with a brine or other water-based fluid to form metal hydroxides and may thus create a seal with the target landing nipple. Once an intended purpose of the locking mandrel has been achieved, a pressure reversal may be employed to break the seal and/or a mild acid may be introduced to accelerate dissolving of the expandable metal seal.

Abstract: A gas-lift valve in a wellbore may include a valve housing and a flow restrictor. The valve housing may at least in part define a chamber for receiving an actuation fluid. The flow restrictor may have a position that is controllable by adjusting a downhole pressure to change a density of the actuation fluid in the chamber. The gas-lift valve may be positioned on production tubing in an annulus of a wellbore. Controlling the position of the flow restrictor may restrict an opening in the production tubing through which gas may flow.

Abstract: Provided is a wellbore tractor and method for operating a well system. The wellbore tractor, in one aspect, includes a base member, and one or more turbines fixed to the base member for rotating the base member in a first rotational direction based upon a first direction of fluid flow. The wellbore tractor, according to this aspect, further includes one or more wellbore engaging devices radially extending from the base member, the one or more wellbore engaging devices contactable with a surface of a wellbore for displacing the base member and one or more turbines axially downhole as the one or more turbines rotate in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A variable flow resistance system for use with a subterranean well includes a first flow path configured to receive a fluid, a sensor configured to measure a property of the fluid received into the first flow path, and an actuator configured to control an inflow rate of the fluid received into the first flow path based upon the property of the fluid measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A coated structure may be formed with a hydrogen-resistant coating for use in a corrosive service environment. The structure may include a ferrous base metal with sufficient structural strength, despite being susceptible to hydrogen degradation in an uncoated state. A hydrogen-resistant coating is formed on the base metal without increasing a temperature of the base metal beyond a tempering temperature of the base metal. A preferred coating method is cold spraying. The cold spraying may be performed at sufficiently high pressures to achieve a low porosity without requiring a post-coating heat treatment that may otherwise reduce the strength of the base metal.

Abstract: Provided is a buoyant guide sub for use with a downhole oilfield conveyance. The buoyant guide sub, in one aspect, includes a hollow tubular structure, the hollow tubular structure including one or more tubular walls. The buoyant guide sub, according to at least one aspect, further includes a housing coupled to and slidable relative to the hollow tubular structure, the hollow tubular structure and the housing operable to form a pressurized chamber, the hollow tubular structure and housing having a combined mass per unit volume less than a specific gravity of 2.

Abstract: A metal patch for patching a downhole well casing comprises a metal sealant having a shape congruent with a section of the downhole well casing and transition-able from a first state to a second state. The metal sealant expands and hardens in response to hydrolysis. The metal sealant is one of an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, and a metal oxide. The metal sealant can be one of an alkaline earth metal, a transition metal, and a metal oxide and at least one alloy, wherein the at least one alloy is selected from a group consisting of Al, Zn, Mn, Zr, Y, Nd, Gd, Ag, Ca, Sn, and RE. The at least one alloy can be alloyed with a dopant that promotes corrosion, such as Ni, Fe, Cu, Co, Ir, Au, and Pd. The at least one alloy can be alloyed with a dopant that inhibits passivation.

Abstract: A system is described for forming a debris barrier downhole in a wellbore. The system may include a mandrel, a retrievable downhole tool, and a debris ring. The mandrel may be positionable within a wellbore. The retrievable downhole tool may be positionable around the mandrel to perform tasks downhole in the wellbore. The debris ring may include an expandable material positionable around the mandrel to form a debris barrier. The debris barrier may be formed in response to exposing the expandable material to wellbore fluid.

Abstract: Methods of capturing carbon dioxide in a wellbore can include installing a sealing element in the wellbore. The sealing element swells in the presence of carbon dioxide and can be used for capturing the carbon. The sealing element can include a carbon-swelling material, such as a carbon-swelling polymers, metal-based materials, or combinations of elastomeric polymers and metal-based materials. The sealing element can also include combinations of different carbon-swelling materials, fillers or other compounds, and materials that are not carbon swellable. The sealing element can create a seal, form an anchor, or create a seal and form an anchor in the wellbore after swelling.