Abstract: An electronic valve is placed in line with a casing in a well. The electronic valve includes a housing having plural ports that are blocked; a valve configured to initiate unblocking of the plural ports to allow fluid communication between the bore of the housing and an outside of the housing; and a deformable seat device having a body placed inside of the bore of the housing. The deformable seat device is configured to have a given diameter D3 for at least one of first and second ends of the body when the plural ports are blocked, and a smaller diameter when the plural ports are unblocked.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a ball release system for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing, a seat disposed in the housing and comprising arcuate segments arranged to form a ring, each segment radially movable between a catch position for receiving a ball and a release position, a cam disposed in the housing, longitudinally movable relative thereto, and operable to move the seat segments between the positions, an actuator operable to move the cam, and an electronics package disposed in the housing and in communication with the actuator for operating the actuator in response to receiving a command signal.

Abstract: A multistage high pressure fracturing system and tubular hydraulic valve (THV) system for connection to a completion string to enable isolation of a zone of interest within a well. In particular, the system enables access to a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production. The system generally includes a plug counting system, a plug capture system and a valve system wherein dropping a series of plugs down the completion string enables successive capture of individual plugs within individual THVs for subsequent fracturing operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multistage high pressure fracturing system and tubular hydraulic valve (THV) system for connection to a completion string to enable isolation of a zone of interest within a well. In particular, the system enables access to a downhole formation for fracturing the zone of interest and for hydrocarbon production. The system generally includes an electronic plug counting system, a plug capture system and a valve system wherein dropping a series of plugs down the completion string enables successive capture of individual plugs within individual THVs for subsequent fracturing operations.

Abstract: A setting tool comprises a centralizer section, a latching section configured to selectively engage the packer, and a setting section configured to provide a setting force to the packer through the setting sleeve. The centralizer section is configured to centralize a setting sleeve within a packer, and the centralizer section is configured to control the rate at which the setting sleeve engages the packer.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes communicating a stabilized treatment slurry downhole into the well and dehydrating a portion of the slurry to form a barrier in the well.

Abstract: A tubular downhole tool, representatively a sliding sleeve valve, coaxially supports within its interior an annular plug ball seat formed from a series of rigid, arcuate segments that circumferentially overlap one another in various representatively disclosed manners. The seat is expandable from a diametrically compressed orientation, toward which it is resiliently biased, to a diametrically expanded orientation by a plug ball pumped through the seat. Due to the circumferential segment-to-segment overlap, each segment is blocked by its two circumferentially adjacent segments from being axially separated from the overall seat assembly by operational pressure forces.

Abstract: A modular ball drop made up of two or more identical ball drop modules that are vertically stacked in a desired number. Each ball drop module can drop one or more frac balls into a fluid stream being pumped into a well.

Abstract: A technique includes running a seat assembly on a conveyance line into a tubing string, which has previously been installed in a well. The seat assembly includes a seat, which is adapted to receive an untethered object. The technique includes attaching the seat assembly to the string at a location downhole in the well; receiving the object to create a fluid barrier; and diverting fluid using the fluid barrier.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a counter for tracking and communicating a number of plug drops through a longitudinal bore; a plug element adapted to be dropped into the longitudinal bore; and a valve defining a plug seat to be disposed within the longitudinal bore to catch the plug element when the plug element is dropped and when the number of plug drops as communicated by the counter exceeds a predetermined number. A method, includes: dropping a plurality of plugs down a longitudinal bore in which a plurality of plug seats are disposed; counting the number of plug drops from within the longitudinal bore; and catching one of the plugs at a preselected one of the plug seats when the number of plug drops exceeds a predetermined number.

Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore having a plurality of stimulation valves disposed therein at longitudinally spaced apart locations includes moving a spoolable rod into the wellbore. The rod includes a plurality of spaced apart sensors therein. At least one valve operating dart is applied to an exterior of the spoolable rod. The dart is configured to engage a selected one of the stimulation valves. A position of the at least one dart is estimated during pumping of fluid into the wellbore by measuring output of the sensors in the rod.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for pulling a crown plug comprising: (a) providing a subsea lubricator having a longitudinal through bore and a jack attached to the subsea lubricator, the jack having a landing area; (b) providing a jacking string which includes a landing sub and a crown plug connector, the sub having a landing surface; (c) without the jacking string in step “b”, lowering the subsea lubricator of step “a”, to the horizontal christmas tree and attaching the lubricator to the christmas tree; (d) lowering the jacking string to the lubricator; (e) jacking up the jack such that the landing area of the jack contacts the landing surface of the landing sub; and (f) while the lubricator remains attached to the christmas tree, raising the jacking string and crown plug through and out of the lubricator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a monitor for a blowout preventer of a wellbore. The blowout preventer includes a housing, rams, and an actuator comprising a cylinder with a piston. The piston is operatively connectable with the ram and movable therewith. The monitor includes a monitor base operatively connectable to the cylinder (the monitor base having an interior side inside the cylinder and an exterior side outside the cylinder), an interior plate positionable inside the cylinder about the interior side of the base (the interior plate operatively connectable to the piston and movable therewith), an exterior plate positionable outside the cylinder about the exterior surface of the monitor base (the exterior plate coupled by magnets to the interior plate and rotatable therewith), and a trigger sensor operatively connectable about the monitor base and the exterior plate to detect rotation thereof whereby a position of the ram may be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating fluid-flow during a primary cementing job comprises a bottom cementing plug, adapted to house a one-way valve and means to regulate fluid flow through the plug interior. The apparatus is useful for minimizing or preventing free fall or U-tubing during primary cementing. The apparatus is compatible with conventional cementing-plug launching systems.

Abstract: A method and/or a system determines mechanical properties of a fluid-bearing formation. One or more packers may be used to measure and/or collect data regarding mechanical properties of a formation. The formation characteristics may be, for example, the stability of the formation, design parameters for frac-pack/gravel-pack operations, and sand production. The packer may expand within a wellbore of a formation until enough pressure is applied to fracture a wall of the wellbore. Before, during and/or after the fracturing of the wall, multiple measurements may be taken by the packer. After fractures are initiated, fluid may be pumped into and/or drawn from the formation using drains disposed on the packer. Additional packers may be used above and/or below the packer for isolating intervals of the wellbore.

Abstract: Generally, assessing the properties of a plug comprising wellbore strengthening materials may enable the design of more efficient wellbore strengthening additives and fluids because the properties of the plug may translate to the near wellbore strengthening effect of the wellbore strengthening materials of the plug. Assessing such properties may involve applying a differential pressure to a plug formed in a passageway of a tool comprising at least one sensor proximal to the passageway plug, and then measuring at least one attribute selected from the group consisting of a normal plug pressure, a normal plug displacement, and any combination thereof with the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A flow tool has a sensor that detects plugs (darts, balls, etc.) passing through the tool. An actuator moves an insert in the tool once a preset number of plugs have passed through the tool. Movement of this insert reveals a catch on a sleeve in the tool. Once the next plug is deployed, the catch engages the plug on the sleeve so that fluid pressure applied against the seated plug through the tubing string can move the sleeve. Once moved, the sleeve reveals ports in the tool communicating the tool's bore with the surrounding annulus so an adjacent wellbore interval can be stimulated. The actuator can use a sensor detecting passage of the plugs through the tool. A spring disposed in the tool can flex near the sensor when a plug passes through the tool, and a counter can count the number of plugs that have passed.

Abstract: Methods are described using resistivity measurements obtained while drilling one or more offset wells using a drilling mud to guide drilling of one or more uncased intervals of a well to identify a casing point or points in the uncased intervals of the well. Resistivity data is gathered during drilling the offset well and prior to penetrating a region of interest of a known subterranean formation. The drill string in the uncased interval of the well progresses toward the region of interest, using resistivity data at similar depths to identify a casing point while the drill bit advances toward but does not penetrate the region. In certain embodiments resistivity may also be obtained in front of the drill bit in the uncased interval of the well and used in conjunction with the offset well resistivity data to identify casing points in the uncased intervals of the well.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a counter for tracking and communicating a number of plug drops through a longitudinal bore; a plug element adapted to be dropped into the longitudinal bore; and a valve defining a plug seat to be disposed within the longitudinal bore to catch the plug element when the plug element is dropped and when the number of plug drops as communicated by the counter exceeds a predetermined number. A method, includes: dropping a plurality of plugs down a longitudinal bore in which a plurality of plug seats are disposed; counting the number of plug drops from within the longitudinal bore; and catching one of the plugs at a preselected one of the plug seats when the number of plug drops exceeds a predetermined number.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting tool. The tool is configured to allow hydraulic setting of a bridge plug, packer or other radially expansive mechanical well isolation mechanism. Wireline or slickline deployment may be utilized. In either case, parameters of the setting application may be recorded. In the case of wireline deployment such parameters and downhole data may be monitored in real-time allowing an operator to make intelligent setting application adjustments as necessary.

Abstract: A plug release apparatus for use in a well bore, the apparatus having a canister, a liner plug, and a sub. The liner plug may be releasably attached to the canister via a first release mechanism. The sub may be releasably attached to the canister via a second release mechanism. The first release mechanism may be configured to release the liner plug from the canister at a first pressure and the second release mechanism may be configured to release the canister from the sub at a second pressure.

Abstract: An electronic actuation system for a pressure equalizing device in a downhole apparatus such as a wellbore plug is described. The system includes a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the wellbore, and means for setting a reference pressure value using a measurement from the pressure sensor. In a method of use, an applied pressure value is determined using a measurement from the pressure sensor and the reference pressure value, and the device is actuated, or opened, when the applied pressure meets a pre-determined condition, such as falling within a pressure window for certain time period. The invention allows natural changes in wellbore pressure to be accounted for when detecting a pressure actuation event.

Abstract: An electronic actuation system for a pressure equalizing device in a downhole apparatus such as a wellbore plug is described. The system includes a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the wellbore, and means for setting a reference pressure value using a measurement from the pressure sensor. In a method of use, an applied pressure value is determined using a measurement from the pressure sensor and the reference pressure value, and the device is actuated, or opened, when the applied pressure meets a pre-determined condition, such as falling within a pressure window for certain time period. The invention allows natural changes in wellbore pressure to be accounted for when detecting a pressure actuation event.

Abstract: A method for method of monitoring the parameters of a cement plug (2) in a wellbore comprises; pumping a cement slurry down a wellbore to form a cement plug (2); providing a cable (1) through the cement plug (2) before the cement plug sets, wherein the cable comprises a sensor (4) for monitoring parameters of the cement plug; locating the sensor at the bottom of the cement plug (2); operating the sensor to measure parameters of the cement plug; and transmitting information regarding the measurement to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making real-time measurements of downhole properties during cement plug placement. A wired placement conduit (30) is lowered downhole releasing a sensor package (34). The sensor package is capable of measuring downhole properties in real-time in the period while cement plug sets.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in at least a portion of a sealant composition, placing the sealant composition in an annular space formed between a casing and the wellbore wall, and monitoring, via the MEMS sensors, the sealant composition and/or the annular space for a presence of gas, water, or both. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in a wellbore composition, placing the wellbore composition in the wellbore, and monitoring, via the MEMS sensors, the wellbore and/or the surrounding formation for movement.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a sensing device on a drill string and communicating with the sensing device during a plug cementing operation over a wired infrastructure of the drill string. The technique includes controlling the plug cementing operation in response to the communication.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting movement downhole includes a first downhole component (106) having a sensor (114) coupled thereto and a second downhole component (102) positioned relative to the first downhole component (106). The sensor (114) generates a primary magnetic field that is imposed on the second downhole component (102) thereby generating an induced magnetic field that interacts with the primary magnetic field. Movement of the first downhole component (106) relative to the second downhole component (102) is detected by the sensor (114) by sensing a change in the induced magnetic field.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a sensing device on a drill string and communicating with the sensing device during a plug cementing operation over a wired infrastructure of the drill string. The technique includes controlling the plug cementing operation in response to the communication.

Abstract: A reentry apparatus for installation on an abandoned well with a surface casing and a production casing inside and below the top end of the surface casing. A production plate seals the production casing. The apparatus includes a drill guide tube with a bottom end attachable to the production plate and configured to extend up above the top end of the surface casing. A surface plate seals the top of the surface casing and the tube extends up through the surface plate and is sealed thereto. A vent hole extends through the tube wall between the surface and production plates. A plug blocks the central passage of the tube above the vent hole. The tube is adapted for releasable attachment of a cap and a pressure control apparatus with drilling tool such that the drilling tool can bore through the plug while containing pressurized fluid in the surface casing.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a producing cycle in a well, during the production cycle, for optimizing production from the well including disrupting fluid in a wellbore with a pulse generator to create a pressure pulse transmitted through the fluid in the wellbore, detecting the pressure pulse created and the pressure pulse reflected from objects located within the wellbore, wherein the objects may include a liquid/gas interface and a producing apparatus such as a plunger, converting the detection of the pressure pulse and the reflected pressure pulses to a signal, computing the signals to determine the well status and controlling production of the fluid from the wellbore based on the well status.

Abstract: The inventive method consists in the following: a drillable packer provided with a channel closed by a back valve is arranged in a well; afterwards a tubing string carrying a jet pump and a stinger is run into said well, the stringer being connected to the packer; the back valve is open; a logging instrument and a sealing unit are introduced into the tubing string with the aid of a cable; a depression is produced on the formation by means of the pump, a bottomhole pressure and the parameters of the formation are measured with the aid of said instrument, the parameters of physical fields being recorded. The results of said investigations being interpreted, the technical state of the well is defined. The instrument and the sealing unit being extracted from the tube string, a blocking insert is dropped therein. The tubing string is uplifted, the stringer is disconnected from the packer and the back valve is closed.

Abstract: A system for use in detecting the launching of a device, such as a wiper plug or a sealing ball, is described having a first component, such as a detectable object disposed within the device, and a second component, such as a sensor. The sensor may be a sensor coil, while the detectable object may be a transponder capable of emitting Radio Frequency Identification signals to the sensor to signal its arrival adjacent the sensor. The system may be used with a concrete head or with a sealing ball injector. A method of launching the devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for use in detecting the launching of a device, such as a wiper plug or a sealing ball, is described having a first component, such as a detectable object disposed within the device, and a second component, such as a sensor. The sensor may be a sensor coil, while the detectable object may be a transponder capable of emitting Radio Frequency Identification signals to the sensor to signal its arrival adjacent the sensor. The system may be used with a concrete head or with a sealing ball injector. A method of launching the devices is also disclosed.