Abstract: A rotary control valve and associated actuator control system. An actuator control system comprises a rotary control valve including a generally planar face seal, and an actuator operatively connected to the rotary control valve. Another actuator control system comprises a control valve including multiple faces having multiple ports formed therein. Fluid communication is selectively permitted and prevented between the ports in response to relative displacement between the faces. A differential area is configured to apply a biasing force which maintains sealing engagement between the faces, and which increases in response to an increase in pressure applied to the control valve.

Abstract: An apparatus (300) for obtaining a fluid sample in a subterranean well includes a housing (302) having a sample chamber (314) defined therein. The sample chamber (314) is selectively in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing (302) and is operable to receive the fluid sample therefrom. A debris trap piston (318) is slidably disposed within the housing (302). The debris trap piston (318) includes a debris chamber (326). Responsive to the fluid sample entering the sample chamber (314), the debris trap piston (318) receives a first portion of the fluid sample in the debris chamber (326) then displaces relative to the housing (302) to expand the sample chamber (314).

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a pressure delivery system of a fluid sampler. The apparatus includes a housing (302) having a longitudinal passageway and defining first and second chambers (338, 348). A piston (346) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway between the first and second chambers (338, 348). A valving assembly (356) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The valving assembly (356) is operable to selectively prevent communication of pressure from a pressure source of the fluid sampler to the second chamber (348). The valving assembly (356) is actuated responsive to an increase in pressure in the first chamber (338) which longitudinally displaces the piston (346) toward the valving assembly (356) until at least a portion of the piston (346) contacts the valving assembly (356), thereby releasing pressure from the pressure source into the second chamber (348) and longitudinally displacing the piston (346) away from the valving assembly (356).

Abstract: An apparatus (300) for obtaining a fluid sample in a subterranean well includes a housing (302) having a sample chamber (314) defined therein. The sample chamber (314) is selectively in fluid communication with the exterior of the housing (302) and is operable to receive the fluid sample therefrom. A debris trap piston (318) is slidably disposed within the housing (302). The debris trap piston (318) includes a debris chamber (326). Responsive to the fluid sample entering the sample chamber (314), the debris trap piston (318) receives a first portion of the fluid sample in the debris chamber (326) then displaces relative to the housing (302) to expand the sample chamber (314).

Abstract: A fluid sampler operable for taking at least one fluid sample in a subterranean well and associated methods. A fluid sampling method includes the steps of disposing a fluid sampler at a first target location in the well, receiving the fluid sample into at least a first sample chamber of the fluid sampler, pressurizing the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source of the fluid sampler, retrieving the fluid sampler to a surface location, isolating the fluid sample in the first sample chamber from the pressure source of the fluid sampler and supercharging the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source on the surface.

Abstract: A multi-sensor wireless telemetry system. A telemetry system includes multiple sensor assemblies, each sensor assembly including at least one sensor and a sensor data transmitter, and a transceiver which receives sensor data from each of the transmitters. An acoustic telemetry system includes multiple transmitters, and a transceiver. The transmitters transmit to the transceiver using one acoustic signal mode, and the transceiver transmits to a remote location using a different acoustic signal mode.

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 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 buffer insert is emplaceable within a memory gauge system buffer chamber. The buffer insert includes a reduced diameter, extended inlet conduit that attaches to the buffer chamber opening. The inlet conduit employs capillary repulsion to impede entrance of wellbore fluid into the buffer chamber. The inlet conduit forces infiltrating fluids to enter proximate the top of the chamber rather than its bottom. The insert further includes an extended curled capillary allowing restricted fluid communication between the chamber and the transducer. Entrance to the curled capillary is located proximate the bottom of the buffer chamber, thereby forcing infiltrating fluids to travel downward through the more viscous silicon oil. Testing has shown the system of the present invention to greatly reduce contact with the transducer components by infiltrating wellbore fluids.

Abstract: A dual crystalline resonator package comprises either (1) two crystalline bodies, in adjoining cavities of which bodies a crystalline temperature resonator and a crystalline reference resonator are respectively connected and which bodies are directly connected together, or (2) such two crystalline bodies in conjunction with a third crystalline body which is connected directly between the two first-mentioned bodies and to opposite sides of which third body the resonators are connected so that the resonators extend therefrom into the cavities of the two first-mentioned bodies. Either of these embodiments can be used for generating temperature data signals in a high pressure, high temperature well wherein the respective embodiment is lowered and exposed to such high pressure and high temperature. A modification of the second embodiment eliminates one of the resonators and the respective body having the cavity into which the eliminated resonator would otherwise extend.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel, improved connector mechanism for connecting a probe and a pipe string portion of a wireline based data transmission system. The connector mechanism includes cooperating pin and channel means, one of said means associated with the probe and the other with the pipe string portion. The connector mechanism is especially suited for use in conjunction with a combined tubing conveyed perforating and drill stem testing operations due to the present invention's resistance to unwanted disengagement responsive to jarring or shock waves such as are generated by perforating guns.

Abstract: A packer bypass for use between a pump and packer in a testing string for venting said pump and packer to a well annulus after completion of a testing operation. The packer bypass comprises a case with an inner flow tube disposed therein such that an annular passageway is defined therebetween. A piston having a lower portion is reciprocably disposed in the annular passageway. A plurality of latching fingers are pivotally mounted to the lower end of the piston and biased towards a latching position. A bypassing mandrel is reciprocably disposed in the annular passageway below the piston and has an open position for bypassing pump pressure thereabove and packer pressure therebelow to the well annulus and also has a closed position in which bypassing is prevented. The mandrel may be raised from the closed position to the open position by lowering the piston and engaging the latching fingers with a flange on the mandrel.

Abstract: The high pressure gauge carrier of the present invention uses an outer gauge carrier housing having disposed therein a pressure-tight inner housing carrying a temperature gauge in the interior thereof. The inner housing is substantially filled with a compressible liquid, and the pressure tight connections of the inner housing incorporated metal to metal seals in order to eliminate the failure of elastomeric seals at the elevated temperatures encountered by the gauge carrier.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a method for developing a single set of time intervals for controlling a memory device effectively utilizes a histograph having two parallel time lines with the same scale. One time line has a series of minimum time periods, each corresponding to when a respective event might occur. The other time line has a series of maximum time periods during which the respective events might occur. Time segments are defined between corresponding minimum and maximum time periods and sample rates and ratios are assigned to each time segment. At each start and end time of a period, the possible sample rates needed at that time are compared and the fastest sample rate is selected. The ratios are similarly analyzed, and the minimum ratio is selected. Consecutively occurring sample rates having the sample value are grouped into respective time intervals.