Abstract: A straddle packer system includes an upper seal member, a lower seal member, an upper equalizing valve configured to equalize pressure across the upper seal member, a lower equalizing valve configured to equalize pressure across the lower seal member, and an anchor. The upper and lower seal members do not move when actuating the upper and lower equalizing valves, respectively, into an unloading position to equalize the pressure across the upper and lower seal members.

Abstract: A method for sweeping a subterranean petroleum reservoir and recovering hydrocarbons therefrom. Such method utilizes a plurality of spaced hydraulic fractures extending radially outwardly from, and spaced laterally along, a length of a single horizontal wellbore drilled through the reservoir. The hydraulic fractures are each in fluid communication with the drilled wellbore. A multi-channel tubing having a plurality of individual discrete channels therein extending along substantially a length thereof is placed in the horizontal wellbore, and at least one packer element situated along a length of said tubing is employed. The plurality of channels in the multi-channel tubing comprise, at a minimum, a fluid injection channel for transmitting a driving fluid to hydraulic fractures in the reservoir, and a separate hydrocarbon recovery channel for collecting hydrocarbons which drain into the reservoir and producing them to surface.

Abstract: A Kalina Cycle control system monitors one or more operating parameters of the Kalina Cycle. The system calculates one or more optimal operating parameters that allow the Kalina Cycle to operate at an increased efficiency. The system automatically adjusts the one or more actual operating parameters to the optimal parameters to increase the efficiency of the Kalina Cycle. Methods of increasing the efficiency of a Kalina Cycle include automatically adjusting one or more operating parameters to an optimal configuration.

Abstract: A Kalina Cycle control system monitors one or more operating parameters of the Kalina Cycle. The system calculates one or more optimal operating parameters that allow the Kalina Cycle to operate at an increased efficiency. The system automatically adjusts the one or more actual operating parameters to the optimal parameters to increase the efficiency of the Kalina Cycle. Methods of increasing the efficiency of a Kalina Cycle include automatically adjusting one or more operating parameters to an optimal configuration.

Abstract: A plug for installation in a well is described, which comprises a housing (1) that carries at least two discs (5, 6) made from a brittle material which can be crushed with mechanical stress. Between at least two of the discs (5, 6) is a gas-filled cavity (15) that is in connection with a drainage channel (14) and a closing device (16) which is set up to open to release the gas from the cavity (15). Arranged in the cavity is at least one break bar 7 or a break bushing (8-12) that is set up to crush at least one of the discs (5, 6). Also arranged is a shear pin (13) that holds the discs (5, 6) apart, but which is set up to be broken when the pressure difference across at least one of the discs (5, 6) exceeds a given value.

Abstract: A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer is designed with an outer flexible skin and one or more drains coupled to the outer flexible skin. A mandrel is positioned within the outer flexible skin, and an expansion mechanism is provided to control expansion of the outer flexible skin to selectively create sealing engagement with a surrounding wall.

Abstract: Pseudo-isothermal chemical reactor (1) for catalytic reactions with a vertical axis, comprising a substantially cylindrical shell (2), Closed at the opposite ends by upper (4) and lower (3) bottoms respectively, a reaction zone (8) in which a catalytic bed (11) and a plurality of flat, boxed, plate-shaped heat exchangers (12), having the shape of a parallelepiped and having long sides parallel to said vertical axis and short sides perpendicular to it, situated in said reaction zone and supported in an arrangement on parallel cords at a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for wellbore treating fluids, especially settable spotting fluids, that include zeolite and at least one carrier fluid.

Abstract: A downhole zone isolation device is disclosed that features a non-spherical valve member that will not rotate while being drilled out. The valve member is retained in the isolation device so that flow uphole will not allow the valve member to exit the body of the isolation device. Bypass passages around the valve member are provided so that flow uphole can lift the valve member off its seat and flow can go around its periphery. Pressure from above seats the valve member. Non-metallic materials speed drill-out.

Abstract: A system for preventing backflow of a fluid from one zone to another, e.g. from a lower wellbore zone to an upper wellbore zone. The system is deployed in cooperation with a tube, such as a tube utilized to protect electrical or optical signal transfer lines. A one-way check valve is deployed in the fluid flow path created by the tube to prevent the backflow of an undesired fluid along the tube. A separate feed-through allows for passage of the signal transfer lines.

Abstract: A completion string for use in a wellbore includes a main conduit, such as a production tubing, and one or more alternate path conduits, such as shunt tubes, that extend generally in parallel with the main conduit. A flow control device is positioned in each alternate path conduit to control flow through the alternate path conduit. The one or more alternate path conduits may be adapted to carry gravel slurry to perform gravel packing operations. The one or more flow control devices in the one or more alternate path conduits may be actuated to the open position to allow communication of the gravel slurry to multiple zones in the wellbore. Once the gravel packing operation is completed, the one or more flow control devices may be actuated to the closed position to block fluid flow communication between multiple zones through the alternate path conduits during operation of the well. Other types of fluids may be communicated through the one or more alternate path conduits, such as fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A retrievable bridge plug having an internal bypass passage and external retrieving lugs, and a retrieving tool therefor. When the bypass passage is sealed, both the top and bottom openings of the bypass passage are closed, preventing debris from entering the bypass passage through either opening. A directing shroud is provided adjacent the top opening of the bypass passage, such that when the bypass passage is opened, part of any fluid flowing uphole through the bypass passage is directed over the retrieving lugs, clearing them of any debris and facilitating latching by the retrieving tool. The shroud also prevents debris from packing around the top opening of the bypass passage. A retrieving tool is also provided, which retrieving tool, through cooperation of a sleeve having a “J” shaped slot, and an inner latch sleeve having a straight slot, locks the retrieving tool onto the retrieving lugs.

Abstract: A bypass valve for bypassing well fluids, and method of use thereof. The valve comprises a tubular housing defining a bypass port therethrough with an inner sleeve mandrel defining a bypass port initially aligned with the bypass port in the housing. The valve also comprises a power mandrel slidably disposed within the housing such that, as weight is set down on the power mandrel, pressure is increased in a first oil chamber which has a rupture disc in communiction therewith. When the pressure reaches a predetermined level, the rupture disc ruptures so that the oil chamber is emptied into the well annulus. This allows the power mandrel to move and strike an operating mandrel which is also slidably disposed in the housing. The jarring force shears a shear pin which allows the operating mandrel to move a floating piston disposed in a second oil chamber. A metering cartridge restricts flow of fluid out of the second metering chamber, thereby providing a time delay for movement of the operating mandrel.

Abstract: Wellbore fluid flow rates and other fluid properties may be measured by a tool which is insertable in the wellbore on the end of a tubing string and includes an instrument section and an inflatable packer disposed on the tool for inflation by conducting pressure fluid down the tubing string to the packer. A control valve disposed on the tool is hydraulically shiftable between first and second positions for conducting fluid from the tubing string to the packer and from the packer to the exterior of the tool. The valve may be actuated by fluid conducted down the tubing string. The tool includes housing parts having respective cavities for conducting wellbore fluid through a flowmeter and for containing instrument circuit enclosures disposed therein. Pressure fluid bypasses the cavities through elongated passages formed in the tool housing parts along or adjacent to the outer periphery of the housing parts. A frangible coupling is interposed in the tool between the packer and the instrument section.

Abstract: A downhole tool such as a formation tester valve which provides a bypass while allowing a choice of several possible functions of this bypass to be made by rearrangement of the parts of the tool. In a first arrangement, a bypass is provided which is open while the tool is run into the well, and is then closed and latched closed upon operation of the tool by setting down weight on the tool. Subsequent reopening of the tool does not reopen the bypass. In a second arrangement, an open bypass is provided as the tool is run into the well. The bypass again is closed when weight is set down on the tool to operate the tool, but in the second arrangement, the bypass reopens when weight is picked up to reopen the tool. In a third arrangement, the bypass port may be eliminated when it is desired to run the tool without a bypass.

Abstract: A subsurface control valve for use in shutting off a well bore. The valve comprises a valve assembly and a stinger assembly, which is run into the well bore on drill pipe with a packer placed below the valve in the string. The valve is open as the string is run into the well bore, the packer then being set, and a sliding valve in the tool being closed by a plurality of rotations of the stinger assembly, which is removed from the well bore after the sliding valve is closed. To re-open the sliding valve, the stinger assembly is run back into the well bore, into the valve assembly, and rotated a number of times in the opposite direction. The present invention includes a spring-loaded stinger to constantly bias the stinger into engagement with the sliding valve and a bearing on the stinger assembly to facilitate alignment and rotation between the stinger assembly and valve assembly so as to limit the torque applied to the valve assembly.