Abstract: Methods of expanding well tools, which permit operation of the well tools after expansion, are provided. In a described example, a cementing tool includes a valve and a packer. After the cementing tool is expanded, the valve is selectively opened and closed, and the packer is sealingly engaged in a wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole fluid flow control device (188) and method for minimizing erosion are disclosed. The downhole fluid flow control device (188) includes a downhole surface (190) subjectable to an erosive stress (196, 198) which may be a moving fluid or an erosive agent, for example. A shape memory alloy (192) is integrated with the downhole surface (190) in order to provide erosion resistance by reversibly transforming from an austenitic phase (194) to a martensitic phase (200) in response to the application of the erosive stress (196, 198). Further, the shape memory alloy (192) reversibly transforms from the martensitic phase (200) to the austenitic phase (192) in response to the presence of sufficient heat.

Abstract: A downhole oil and water separator for an oil well includes a water-selective membrane disposed in a production flowpath of the well. The water-selective membrane is operable to selectively pass water from the production flowpath to a disposal zone to increase the concentration of oil in the production flowpath at the surface.

Abstract: A separating system for separating a fluid mixture incorporates a smart surface having reversibly switchable properties. A voltage is selectively applied to the smart surface to attract or repel constituents of a fluid mixture, such as oil and water produced from a hydrocarbon well. The smart surface can be used in a conditioner to increase droplet size prior to entering a conventional separator, or the smart surface and other elements of the invention can be incorporated into an otherwise conventional separator to enhance separation. In a related aspect, a concentration sensor incorporating smart surfaces senses concentration of the fluid mixture's constituents.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a neural network ensemble. Conventional algorithms are used to train a number of neural networks having error diversity, for example by having a different number of hidden nodes in each network. A genetic algorithm having a multi-objective fitness function is used to select one or more ensembles. The fitness function includes a negative error correlation objective to insure diversity among the ensemble members. A genetic algorithm may be used to select weighting factors for the multi-objective function. In one application, a trained model may be used to produce synthetic open hole logs in response to inputs of cased hole log data.

Abstract: A subterranean well completion has a tubular structure in which a remote controlled robot is permanently disposed. The robot is self-propelled, programmable, receives instructions from and communicates data to the surface, and is adapted to receive power from a downhole source and perform a variety of well tasks such as, for example, positioning valves and other well tools and sensing the values of predetermined downhole parameters and relaying the sensed information to the surface. The robot, which is operable without physical intervention through the tubular structure to the robot, propels itself to a location in the tubular structure at which a desired well task is to be performed, performs the task and then parks itself in the tubular structure until another well task is to be performed by the robot.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and removing scale from a wellbore according to which fluid is passed through a discharge head at a pressure and flow rate so that it discharges against the inner wall of the well to remove scale from the wall, and the pressure and flow rate of the fluid are measured so that the changes in the pressure and flow rate provide an indication of scale removal.

Abstract: An orbital downhole separator for separating well fluids into constituents of different specific gravities. Specifically, it is designed to separate water from oil or gas. The apparatus comprises a housing with a rotating member therein driven by a motor in the housing. Well fluid flows through the rotating member and is subjected to centrifugal force to separate the components. A flow conditioner is used to facilitate separation. The invention includes several different versions of the flow conditioner including an impeller, a stator and controllers for controlling the speed of the motor in response to signals related to the amount of petroleum in the water.

Abstract: Methods of expanding well tools, which permit operation of the well tools after expansion, are provided. In a described example, a cementing tool includes a valve and a packer. After the cementing tool is expanded, the valve is selectively opened and closed, and the packer is sealingly engaged in a wellbore.

Abstract: A method for preconditioning a CMP polishing pad and retaining ring prior to semiconductor wafer polishing. In the method of the present invention, the retaining ring is lowered to contact the rotating polishing pad, and a cleaning chemistry of ammonium citrate is applied to the pad. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning chemistry comprises an aqueous solution of ammonium citrate, and a surfactant and/or copper inhibitor. After a sustained preconditioning period in which the retaining ring and polishing pad are polished, the pad is rinsed, lowering particulate buildup on the pad between wafer polishing steps, and bringing defect levels into an equilibrium state prior to each wafer polishing step.

Abstract: Methods of expanding well tools, which permit operation of the well tools after expansion, are provided. In a described example, a cementing tool includes a valve and a packer. After the cementing tool is expanded, the valve is selectively opened and closed, and the packer is sealingly engaged in a wellbore.

Abstract: Screen assemblies (40, 42) and a single trip method for selectively fracturing multiple formations (14, 16) traversed by a wellbore (32) are disclosed. Each formation (14, 16) has a screen assembly (40, 42) having a plurality of valves (60, 66) positioned adjacent thereto. During the treatment process, the formations (14, 16) are selectively treated with a treatment fluid that is pumped into the interior of the adjacent screen assembly (40, 42). The valves (60, 66) of the respective screen assemblies (40, 42) progressively allow the treatment fluid to exit from the interior to the exterior of the screen assemblies (40, 42) such that each formation (14, 16) is progressively fractured.

Abstract: A screen assembly (38) and method for progressively treating an interval (48) of a wellbore (32) is disclosed. The screen assembly (38) comprises a sand control screen (40) that is positioned within the wellbore (32) and a plurality of diverter members (42) that are positioned along the sand control screen (40). During a treatment process when a treatment fluid is pumped into the interior of the sand control screen (40), the diverter members (42) progressively allow the treatment fluid to exit from the interior of the sand control screen (40) to the exterior of the sand control screen (40) from a first end (46) of the interval (48) to a second end (44) of the interval (48) to progressively treat the interval (48) of the wellbore (32).

Abstract: A method for preconditioning a CMP polishing pad and retaining ring prior to semiconductor wafer polishing. In the method of the present invention, the retaining ring is lowered to contact the rotating polishing pad, and a cleaning chemistry of ammonium citrate is applied to the pad. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning chemistry comprises an aqueous solution of ammonium citrate, and a surfactant and/or copper inhibitor. After a sustained preconditioning period in which the retaining ring and polishing pad are polished, the pad is rinsed, lowering particulate buildup on the pad between wafer polishing steps, and bringing defect levels into an equilibrium state prior to each wafer polishing step.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a training data set from a set of multidimensional geophysical input data samples for training a model to predict target data. The input data may be data sets produced by a pulsed neutron logging tool at multiple depth points in a cases well. Target data may be responses of an open hole logging tool. The input data is divided into clusters. Actual target data from the training well is linked to the clusters. The linked clusters are analyzed for variance, etc. and fuzzy inference is used to select a portion of each cluster to include in a training set. The reduced set is used to train a model, such as an artificial neural network. The trained model may then be used to produce synthetic open hole logs in response to inputs of cased hole log data.

Abstract: A packer set monitoring and compensation system and method according to which the compression of the packer is sensed and a corresponding output signal is generated. The compression of the packer is changed in response to the sensed compression deviating from a predetermined value.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the compression or deformation of a packer element in a well, according to which at least one member is associated with the packer element and changes its physical state in response to the compression, and the change in the physical state of the member is quantified.

Abstract: A subterranean well completion has a tubular structure in which a remote controlled robot is permanently disposed. The robot is self-propelled, programmable, receives instructions from and communicates data to the surface, and is adapted to receive power from a downhole source and perform a variety of well tasks such as, for example, positioning valves and other well tools and sensing the values of predetermined downhole parameters and relaying the sensed information to the surface. The robot, which is operable without physical intervention through the tubular structure to the robot, propels itself to a location in the tubular structure at which a desired well task is to be performed, performs the task and then parks itself in the tubular structure until another well task is to be performed by the robot.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for progressively treating an interval of a wellbore (32) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sand control screen (138) that is eccentrically positioned within the wellbore (32) and a fluid delivery tubular (140) that is disposed within the wellbore (32) adjacent to the sand control screen (138). During a treatment process when a treatment fluid is pumped into the fluid delivery tubular (140), the fluid delivery tubular (140) progressively allows the treatment fluid to exit from the interior of the fluid delivery tubular (140) to the exterior of the fluid delivery tubular (140) from a first end (46) of the interval (48) to a second end (44) of the interval (48) to progressively treat the interval (48) of the wellbore (32).

Abstract: Methods of expanding well tools, which permit operation of the well tools after expansion, are provided. In a described example, a cementing tool includes a valve and a packer. After the cementing tool is expanded, the valve is selectively opened and closed, and the packer is sealingly engaged in a wellbore.