Abstract: A well is drilled and casing installed utilizing a casing drilling technique. A bottom hole assembly having a drill bit and a fluid diverter is secured to a string of drill pipe and installed within a casing string. Drilling fluid is pumped down the drill pipe string to cause the drill bit to rotate and drill the well while the fluid diverter is in a drilling mode position. At the total depth for the casing string, the operator moves the fluid diverter to a cementing position and pumps cement down the drill pipe and up the casing string annulus. After cementing, the operator moves the fluid diverter to a packer set position and again pumps drilling fluid down the drill string to set the packer.

Abstract: A hydraulically set packer has a mandrel with an internal bore and a port communicating the internal bore outside the mandrel. A packing element disposed on the mandrel can be compressed by a piston to engage the borehole. The piston is disposed on the mandrel on a first side of the packing element and moves against the packing element when tubing pressure is communicated into a first piston chamber via the mandrel's port. To increase the setting forces, a sleeve disposed between the packing element and the mandrel defines a space communicating an opposite side of the packing element with a second pressure chamber of the piston. During high pressure operations, high pressure on the first side of the packing element acts with high pressure on the first side of the piston, increasing the pistons movement from a high pressure region to a low pressure region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a swellable packer having a support element. A portion of the support element is substantially adjacent to the base tubular. Another portion of the support element is separated from the base tubular and a portion of the area between the support element and the base tubular is filled with the swellable material. Also disclosed herein is a sealing system including a packer as described above and a method for sealing within a wellbore using a packer as describe above.

Abstract: An expansion apparatus for anchoring a downhole tool in a well is provided. The expansion apparatus has a wedge, an expansion wedge and a slip ring. The wedge and expansion wedge interact so as to radially expand wedge segments of the expansion wedge. The slip ring and expansion wedge interact so as to radially expand the slip ring to grippingly engage the wellbore or casing.

Abstract: A packer is disclosed comprising a body with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end are configured to establish a connection with downhole equipment and wherein at least one of the first end and the second end is configured to establish a fluid flow between the downhole equipment, at least one guard drain, at least one sample drain, at least one guard drain flow line, at least one sample drain flow line configured to transport fluid flow from and to the at least one sample drain and one of the first end and the second end of the body, two swivel connections and a sealing element.

Abstract: A method of releasing a well packer can include applying a predetermined tension in a tubular string connected to the packer, and then reducing the tension, thereby retracting inward at least one slip of the packer. A well packer can include a generally tubular mandrel, at least one slip configured for gripping a well surface, the slip being extendable outward by engagement with a support surface, and a gripping device which permits displacement of the mandrel relative to the support surface in one direction, and which prevents displacement of the mandrel relative to the support surface in an opposite direction. A method of manufacturing a gripping device can include deforming a sleeve, thereby changing a diameter of the sleeve, aligning teeth on the sleeve across at least one slot in the sleeve, and heat treating the sleeve while the sleeve remains deformed and the teeth remain aligned.

Abstract: Zonal isolation apparatus includes at least one packer assembly and can be used in completing an open-hole portion of a wellbore, which open-hole portion extends through at least two subsurface intervals. The zonal isolation apparatus includes base pipe and filter medium, which together form a sand screen. Each packer assembly comprises at least two mechanically set packer elements. Intermediate the at least two mechanically set packer elements is at least one swellable packer element. The swellable packer element is actuated over time in the presence of a fluid such as water, oil, or a chemical. Swelling may occur should one of the mechanically set packer elements fail. The zonal isolation apparatus also includes alternate flow channel(s) that serve to divert gravel pack slurry from an upper interval to lower intervals during gravel packing operations. A method for completing a wellbore using the zonal isolation apparatus is also provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method to determine a length of a fracture induced from a borehole are described. The method includes isolating a portion of the borehole, the portion of the borehole including an end of the fracture at the borehole wall, increasing fluid pressure in the portion of the borehole, deploying a low-frequency source in the portion of the borehole, and varying a frequency of the low-frequency source to generate resonance oscillations at a resonance frequency in the fracture. The method also includes determining the length of the fracture based on the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone and a second zone of the borehole.

Abstract: A downhole tool for a wellbore within a geological formation may include a housing to be lowered into the wellbore, a probe carried by the housing having a first opening therein, and a packer carried by the probe. The packer may include a rigid base having a second opening therein aligned with the first opening, an inner elastomeric ring carried by the rigid base and having a third opening aligned with the second opening, a rigid intermediate containment ring carried by the rigid base and surrounding the inner elastomeric ring, and an outer elastomeric ring carried by the rigid base and surrounding the rigid intermediate containment ring.

Abstract: Systems and methods for completing a wellbore. The system may include a first outer tubular member having an inflow control device configured to allow fluid to pass radially through the first outer tubular member. A second outer tubular member may be coupled to the first outer tubular member via an axial coupling. The second outer tubular member may have an inflow control device configured to allow fluid to pass radially through the second outer tubular member. An inner tubular defining an inner bore may be disposed at least partially within the first outer tubular member, the second outer tubular member, or a combination thereof such that an annulus is formed radially therebetween. The inner tubular member may include a flow control device configured to allow fluid to pass radially between the inner bore and the annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable within a well includes a string and an object. The object is adapted to be communicated into the well through a passageway of the string to form an obstruction downhole in the well. The object includes an inner core; a layer to surround the inner core; and a structure to extend from the layer to support the inner core while the layer is being formed to position the inner core with respect to the layer.

Abstract: Drill stern test apparatus includes a drill string, wireline coring system and a downhole tool that is seated in the core barrel of the coring system. A valve packer within the downhole tool is inflated to seal the core barrel and allow a valve to be operated by movement of the drill string. One or more packers can be inflated to isolate the test zone in the borehole below the coring system. The apparatus is operated to allow the test zone fluid to flow upwardly in the downhole tool and be measured. Downhole tool transducers accumulate the data and transmit the same to the surface. The wireline can be pulled to relieve packer inflation pressure, release a latch and allow the downhole tool to be pulled to the surface while leaving the coring system in place.

Abstract: Hybrid-tieback seal assemblies, interventionless setting assemblies, and associated methods of setting downhole components of the hybrid-tieback seal assemblies using such interventionless setting assemblies are disclosed. A hybrid-tieback seal assembly comprises one or more anchoring bodies, one or more packer seal assemblies, and one or more interventionless hydraulic setting systems. A method of setting downhole equipment comprises applying a pressure to a compensating volume and providing a working volume, wherein the working volume is separated from the compensating volume by one or more hydraulic control devices. A pressure is applied to the working volume in response to the pressure applied to the compensating volume. The pressure applied to the compensating volume is then reduced and the pressure applied to the working volume is captured by the hydraulic control devices. The captured pressure in the working volume is applied to set one or more of the anchoring bodies and packer seal assemblies.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer is initially fabricated to a size where its peripheral dimension will be at least as large as the borehole wall in which it is to be deployed. After the initial manufacturing the material temperature is elevated above the transition temperature and the material is stretched on a mandrel to retain its inside dimension as its outside dimension is reduced to size that will allow running the seal to a desired subterranean location without failing the material during the stretching. The material is allowed to cool below the transition temperature to hold the new shape. The material on the mandrel is then secured to a tubular string and delivered to the desired location. Wellbore fluid at given temperature raises the material again above the transition temperature, which causes the material to revert to its originally manufactured shape.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method an article, may operate to move a borehole seal in space with respect to the wall of a borehole while monitoring borehole seal contact quality data, which may comprise borehole seal contact pressure data and acoustic data. Operations may further include adjusting the movement of the borehole seal based on the borehole seal contact quality data. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A wellbore tool, a wellbore fluid treatment string and a method with an indexing mechanism including a crown ratchet sleeve. The indexing mechanism can be shifted through one or more inactive positions before finally shifting into an active condition. The indexing mechanism is particularly useful with a plug that lands in a seat to impart an axially directed force on the mechanism before passing through the seat.

Abstract: A method of pressure testing a lower marine riser package includes forming an inflatable packer having exposed slats and an inflatable packer element. The packer is positioned within the lower marine riser package above the cap seal with the exposed slats above the packer element. The packer is inflated and fluid pressure is then applied to test the integrity of the cap seal. The packer may be inverted, then positioned below the BOP/riser connection, the packer inflated, and pressure increased above the inflated packer element to test the fluid integrity of the BOP/riser connection.

Abstract: A method and a device for sealing a void incompletely filled with a cast material, in which an expandable material is placed in the void which is to be filled with a cast material, the expandable material expanding, when expanding after the cast material has cured, into spaces which are not filled with cast material.

Abstract: Filtration systems, methods and/or apparatuses for use on a packer system are provided. Filtration assemblies and/or filters may prevent mud, gravel, and/or other solids from clogging and/or entering drains on a packer. The filters and/or filtration assemblies may have multiple dynamic components to prevent debris from entering the packer system. Rotary filters, cylindrical filters, and/or belt filters may be used to clear fluid obstructions from sampling drains. Helices and/or turbines may harness power of fluid flowing through the drains and/or flowlines to operate moving dynamic components of systems and/or apparatuses. The filters and/or filtration assemblies may be interchangeable such that various filters may be used on a single packer system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and reacting to an upper packer failure in a riser slip joint. An upper packer failure is determined by comparing pressures at two points in the upper packer pressure circuit using a differential pressure valve. In the event of a failure of the upper packer, a secondary pressure source is used to energize a lower packer in the riser slip joint.

Abstract: A method is provided of fixing at least one element, preferably a sensor or a valve, in a borehole formed in an earth formation. The method comprises positioning each element in the borehole, positioning a swellable body in the borehole, the swellable body being susceptible of swelling upon contact with a swell fluid, wherein the swellable body is arranged to press the element against a wall of the borehole upon swelling of the swellable body, and allowing the swell fluid to contact the swellable body thereby inducing the swellable body to swell and to press the element against said wall of the borehole.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a borehole in an earth formation includes a carrier configured to be deployed in the borehole and a shape memory device disposed at the carrier that includes a shape memory material having a glass transition temperature. The shape memory material is configured to modify the glass transition temperature to a temperature lower than a borehole temperature in response to a trigger, and change from a glass state to a rubber state in response to the borehole temperature to prevent fluid flowing through the shape memory device.

Abstract: A seal system for forming a fluid seal from an inner tubular member outwardly against an outer tubular member. The seal system includes a packer element that is radially expandable from a reduced diameter, unset condition to an enlarged diameter, set condition; and a radially expandable seal element surrounding the packer element and creating a fluid sealing engagement outwardly against the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A wellbore completion method comprising disposing a pressure relief-assisted packer comprising two packer elements within an axial flow bore of a first tubular string disposed within a wellbore so as to define an annular space between the pressure relief-assisted packer and the first tubular string, and setting the pressure relief-assisted packer such that a portion of the annular space between the two packer elements comes into fluid communication with a pressure relief volume during the setting of the pressure relief-assisted packer.

Abstract: In order to overcome the need to remove each packer after a plug and perforate operation in order to produce a well it is desirable to utilize an erodible packer that may allow one way flow. An erodible packer may be constructed of a material such as polyglycolic acid as a binder. The same packer may also allow one way flow past the packer, such as flow from the casing below the packer to the casing above the packer. The packer may erode upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time or upon exposure to an activating agent.

Abstract: A controlled swell-rate swellable packer comprises a mandrel; a sealing element, and a jacket. The sealing element is disposed about at least a portion of the mandrel, and the jacket covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the sealing element. The jacket is configured to substantially prevent fluid communication between a fluid disposed outside of the jacket and the portion of the outer surface of the sealing element covered by the jacket.

Abstract: A controlled swell-rate swellable packer comprises a mandrel, a sealing element, and a jacket. The sealing element is disposed about at least a portion of the mandrel, and the jacket covers at least a portion of an outer surface of the sealing element. The jacket comprises a substantially impermeable material with respect to a swelling agent that is configured to cause the sealing element to swell.

Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising: a tubular containing a first surface comprising a coating made of a first swellable material coating said first surface, wherein said coating has a second surface and said first swellable material is able to swell in contact with a first fluid on said second surface; and a composition made of a settable material and a second swellable material able to swell in contact with a second fluid. The invention also discloses the method associated with the use of such a system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and providing flow control through the downhole completion assembly. One downhole completion system includes a first sealing structure arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, a second sealing structure arranged axially adjacent the first sealing structure and also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flow control device arranged between the first and second sealing structures and configured to provide a flow path for fluids to communicate between a surrounding subterranean formation and an interior of the downhole completion system.

Abstract: A method of performing a wellbore operation is disclosed. A device is provided that includes a material that expands from an original shape to an expanded shape when a selected charge is applied to material. The device is placed in the wellbore in the original shape. The selected charge is applied to the material to expand the material, causing a pressure differential across the device in the wellbore. A fluid is supplied into the device to set the device in the wellbore.

Abstract: A sealing device of enhanced configuration for use in downhole in a well. The device may include an element of elastomeric and unitary construction. At the same time, however, the element may include a substantially cured outer shell disposed about a substantially under-cured inner core. Thus, enhanced robustness and durability may be provided to the device in light of downhole conditions without sacrifice to sealable function of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A piston is moveable from a first position to a second position for activating the down hole tool. The piston includes a first side exposed to an activation chamber, and a second side operatively coupled to the down hole tool. A rupture member has a first side exposed to the activation chamber and a second side exposed to the interior of a base pipe. The rupture member is configured to rupture when a pressure differential between the activation chamber and the interior reaches a predetermined threshold value, at which point the rupture member allows fluid communication between the interior and the activation chamber to pressurize the activation chamber and move the piston, thereby activating the down hole tool.

Abstract: An oil and gas downhole device is disclosed wherein the device separates the oil and gas from undesired water, which returns to the formation.

Abstract: A hydraulic packer including a chamber and at least one piston that slides down inside said chamber. The entire mandrel is made of a glass-fiber composition including glass-fiber 30%, resin 60%, and epoxy with accelerator 10%.

Abstract: A swellable packer device upon exposure to brine in a well. The device may be swellable to a substantially constant profile in spite of significant fluctuations in brine concentrations. Thus, the likelihood of packer failure due to under-swelling or over-swelling is reduced. Indeed, the packer may be employed for long-term operations or isolations ranging from a couple of weeks to twenty years or more without undue concern over packer failure from under or over swelling.

Abstract: A packer for a well. The packer comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which, in use, the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. In use, the packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal.

Abstract: Self-initialized packers for use in high temperature steam injection applications in wellbores are provided. The packers include an actuating mechanism for setting a packing element for sealing within an openhole or cased hole. The actuating mechanism includes an actuator sleeve that includes an actuating element constructed from a shape memory alloy that has a transformation temperature range greater than a geothermal temperature of the wellbore, and is actuated upon heating from steam injection. Systems and methods of using the packers are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body.

Abstract: A completion assembly for treating a wellbore. The completion assembly can include a tubular member having a bore formed axially therethrough and a port formed radially therethrough. An annulus can be disposed radially outward from the tubular member and the port can provide fluid communication between the annulus and the bore. A packer can be coupled to the tubular member and adapted to isolate first and second portions of the annulus. A seal bore can be coupled to the tubular member such that the port is disposed axially between the packer and the seal bore. A straddle seal can be adapted to contact the packer and the seal bore to prevent fluid flow between the annulus and the bore. The straddle seal can be run into the wellbore with the completion assembly in a single trip.

Abstract: A deformation system, including a deformable member and a tool operatively arranged to deform the member due to actuation of the tool from a first set of dimensions at which the deformable member is positionable with respect to a structure to a second set of dimensions at which the deformable member engages with the structure. The tool at least partially comprises a disintegrable material responsive to a selected fluid. A method of operating a deformation system is also included.

Abstract: Linear movement via a sliding mandrel configured to translate axially is converted into radial movement to compress a packer. The packer is configured to seal an item of oilfield equipment typically in a subsea environment. The packer may also be used to return or reverse the radial movement and/or the linear movement.

Abstract: A process for making packer elements for use in sealing an area between surfaces in a wellbore and packer elements formed from that process. The process includes extruding an elastomeric material to form a tubular structure and machining the outer surface of the tubular structure to provide a desired surface geometry. The tubular structure may be machined to provide a contoured surface geometry. The tubular structure with a contoured surface geometry may be machined to form a plurality of packer elements, which are separated by cutting the tubular structure.

Abstract: An isolation device with seal element having substantial elongation properties at a time of setting and insubstantial elongation properties at time of drill out. That is, the seal element may be constructed of materials that are geared toward providing effective temporary sealing, for example to support stimulation operations. The seal is also tailored to change elongation properties over time such that upon sufficient exposure to downhole conditions the elongation properties may be substantially reduced. Thus, drillable removal of the device and seal element may be readily attained without undue concern over stretchable tearing of the element leading to an accumulation of large debris left behind in the well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plugging device (1), comprising a packer device (4) for pressure tight sealing of a pipe. The packer device (4) comprises a cone device (10) comprising a first cone (12) and a second cone (14), each having their base faced towards each other and each comprising a tapering surface (12a, 14a). A first packer supporting device (20) is provided on a first side of the cone device (10), a second packer supporting device (22) is provided on a second side of the cone device (10) and a packer body (50) provided is between the first packer supporting device (20) and the second packer supporting device (22). The first and second packer supporting devices (20, 22) comprise supporting arms (24) having a first end (24a) movably connected to the plugging device (1) and a second end (24b) connected to either a front supporting element (30) or a rear supporting element (40).

Abstract: A downhole retrievable dual directional isolation tool is provided. The down hole tool comprises a mandrel, a compressor concentric with the mandrel, and a packing element disposed around the mandrel, wherein a body section of the packing element is asymmetrical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plugging device (1) comprising a packer device (4) for pressure tight sealing of a pipe. The packer device (4) comprises a first outer packer supporting device (20), a second outer packer supporting device (22) and an outer packer body (50) provided axially between the first packer supporting device (20) and the second packer supporting device (22). The outer packer (50) is movable between a radially retracted position and a radially expanded position by an axial movement between the first and second outer packer supporting devices (20, 22). The packer device 4 further comprises a first inner packer supporting device (12), a second inner packer supporting device (14) and an inner packer body (15) provided axially between the first inner packer supporting device (12) and the second inner packer supporting device (14). The inner packer body (15) is provided radially inside the outer packer body (50) when the outer body is in the radially expanded position.

Abstract: A slip for use in the anchoring of a downhole tool in the well casing wherein the anchors include a plurality of buttons and at least one wicker. The slip is positioned about a mandrel and radially expands upon the application of force. The buttons and wicker first engage the casing in response to a first force, and the wicker deformably engages the casing in response to a second force. The second force causes the wicker to cut into and deform the casing, thereby anchoring the downhole tool for high-pressure operations.

Abstract: A polymer composition includes a base polymer comprising a hydrocarbon rubber, an acrylic copolymer, and a refined oil in which the acrylic polymer is dispersed. The polymer composition is swellable when treated with an aqueous medium, non-aqueous medium, or both. A sealing element for a flow channel includes an expandable section filled with a swellable composition that swells when treated with a swelling material. The swellable composition includes the polymer composition, and the swelling material may be aqueous, non-aqueous, or both.

Abstract: A seal assembly sealingly engages a packer that is retrievable from the packer. The seal assembly comprises a sealing structure for receiving by a seal bore of the packer, and a housing assembly defining an inner chamber and having at least one control line conduit and at least one flow conduit passage. The seal assembly further comprises at least one control line extending through the control line conduit into the inner chamber, and at least one flow conduit extending through the flow conduit passage into the inner chamber.