Abstract: A hydraulic control and actuation system for downhole tools. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic control and actuation system includes an internal chamber serving as a low pressure region and a well annulus serving as an energy source. A valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between alternating opposite sides of a piston and each of the energy source and low pressure region. Displacement of the piston operates a well tool. Operation of the valve assembly is controlled via telemetry between a remote location and an electronic circuit of the system.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.

Abstract: Fiber optic wet connector acceleration protection and tolerance compliance. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system for use in a subterranean well includes two assemblies, each having a fiber optic connector. A biasing device applies a biasing force which maintains the fiber optic connectors operatively connected to each other while the assemblies are secured to each other in the well.

Abstract: A fiber optic delivery system and side pocket mandrel removal system. In one example, a system for making optical connections in a well includes an optical connector positioned in the well, and another optical connector displaceable into operative connection with the first optical connector after the first optical connector is positioned in the well. In another example, a method of making optical connections in a well includes the steps of: positioning a tubular string in the well; then installing an assembly in the tubular string, the assembly including an optical connector; and then displacing the optical connector into operative engagement with another optical connector in the tubular string.

Abstract: Safety valve apparatus for a pressure telemetry system utilizing a small diameter tubing conveying pressure from a downhole pressure chamber to the surface, the system pressurized with a monitoring gas, is presented. A check valve assembly is placed along the fluid flow path having a check valve with an operating member. The operating member moves to a sealed position by floating on an activating fluid. The operating member must be of low effective specific gravity to float on wellbore hydrocarbon fluids, either liquid or gas. Consequently, in one preferred embodiment, the check valve operating member is a hollow dart which retains the monitoring gas inside the hollow portion, thereby effectively reducing its specific gravity such that it will float on the activating fluid.

Abstract: Fiber optic wet connector acceleration protection and tolerance compliance. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system for use in a subterranean well includes two assemblies, each having a fiber optic connector. A biasing device applies a biasing force which maintains the fiber optic connectors operatively connected to each other while the assemblies are secured to each other in the well.

Abstract: A deep water subsea tree completion having a distributed temperature sensing system. In a described embodiment, a method of installing an optical fiber in a well includes the steps of: conveying an optical fiber section into the well; and monitoring a light transmission quality of the optical fiber section while the section is being conveyed into the well.

Abstract: A hydraulic control and actuation system for downhole tools. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic control and actuation system includes an internal chamber serving as a low pressure region and a well annulus serving as an energy source. A valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between alternating opposite sides of a piston and each of the energy source and low pressure region. Displacement of the piston operates a well tool. Operation of the valve assembly is controlled via telemetry between a remote location and an electronic circuit of the system.

Abstract: A single phase sampling apparatus and method for retrieving a formation fluid sample at or above the bubble point of the sample. The apparatus utilizes a gas charge contained between a sample piston and a charging piston to maintain a formation sample at the desired pressure. The charging piston utilizes the hydrostatic pressure present at the depth of the desired formation sample to compress and therefore increase the gas charge to the appropriate pressure necessary to maintain the formation sample at the desired pressure. The utilization of hydrostatic pressure to increase the pressure of the gas charge allows the use of a low pressure gas charging system to prepare the apparatus prior to sampling, thereby increasing the safety and ease of use of the device.

Abstract: An integrated drilling and evaluation system includes a drill string having an interior portion and a drill bit, carried on a lower end, that includes ports for communicating fluid between the interior portion of the drill string and an uncased well bore. A packer, carried above the drill bit, is operable for sealingly closing a well annulus, A tester valve inserted in the drill string is operable for sealingly closing the drill string. The packer and tester valve are cooperatively operable for isolating a subsurface zone of interest. The system includes monitoring means inserted in the drill string for monitoring a parameter of well fluid from the subsurface zone. Once the subsurface zone is isolated, well fluid is communicated into the interior portion of the drill string through the ports of the drill bit, received by the monitoring means, and tested without removing the drill string form the well.

Abstract: An integrated drilling and evaluation system includes a drill string having an interior portion and a drill bit, carried on a lower end, that includes ports for communicating fluid between the interior portion of the drill string and an uncased well bore. A packer, carried above the drill bit, is operable for sealingly closing a well annulus. A tester valve inserted in the drill string is operable for sealingly closing the drill string. The packer and tester valve are cooperatively operable for isolating a subsurface zone of interest. The system includes monitoring means inserted in the drill string for monitoring a parameter of well fluid from the subsurface zone. Once the subsurface zone is isolated, well fluid is communicated into the interior portion of the drill string through the ports of the drill bit, received by the monitoring means, and tested without removing the drill string form the well.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus for insertion into and sealing engagement with a wellbore. The downhole tool includes upper and lower casing engaging members and an intervening sealing member. In one aspect the intervening sealing member may be a deformable material. In another aspect, the intervening sealing member may be a flowable material cured in the well bore.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus for insertion into and sealing engagement with a wellbore. The apparatus comprises a tube having an expandable diameter, and a gripping member joined to the tube adapted to engage a portion of the wellbore to limit movement of the tube within the wellbore. The tube may also include a sealing member adapted to mate with the wellbore to form a sealing engagement.

Abstract: A single phase sampling apparatus and method for retrieving a formation fluid sample at or above the bubble point of the sample. The apparatus utilizes a gas charge contained between a sample piston and a charging piston to maintain a formation sample at the desired pressure. The charging piston utilizes the hydrostatic pressure present at the depth of the desired formation sample to compress and therefore increase the gas charge to the appropriate pressure necessary to maintain the formation sample at the desired pressure. The utilization of hydrostatic pressure to increase the pressure of the gas charge allows the use of a low pressure gas charging system to prepare the apparatus prior to sampling, thereby increasing the safety and ease of use of the device.

Abstract: A hydraulic control and actuation system for downhole tools. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic control and actuation system includes an internal chamber serving as a low pressure region and a well annulus serving as an energy source. A valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between alternating opposite sides of a piston and each of the energy source and low pressure region. Displacement of the piston operates a well tool. Operation of the valve assembly is controlled via telemetry between a remote location and an electronic circuit of the system.

Abstract: Electrical power generators and methods of producing power in a subterranean well are provided. In a described embodiment, fluid flow through a fluid conduit causes a member to displace or vibrate. The displacement of the member is utilized to induce strain in a piezoelectric material, thereby causing the piezoelectric material to produce electricity. Various means may be used to create turbulence in the fluid flow, thereby increasing displacement of the member, resulting in increased power output from the generator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for perforating a subterranean formation so as to establish fluid communication between the formation and a wellbore, the wellbore having casing cemented therein, the casing having a cement sheath therearound. The casing is perforated with a mechanical perforator and thereafter a propellant material is ignited within the casing thereby perforating the cement sheath. The formation may thereafter be stimulated with an acid stimulator. The mechanical perforator may include use of a toothed wheel, or a needle-punch perforator. The propellant may be deployed in a sleeve and may comprise an abrasive material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus for insertion into and sealing engagement with a wellbore. The downhole tool includes upper and lower casing engaging members and an intervening sealing member. In one aspect the intervening sealing member may be a deformable material. In another aspect, the intervening sealing member may be a flowable material cured in the well bore.