Abstract: A method for detecting inflow of fluid in a well while drilling, wherein the drilling is carried out using an installation including a hollow cylindrical drill string (3) wherein is injected fresh mud, a tubing (5) defining with the drill string (3) an annular space (7) through which the loaded mud rises; it involves continuously measuring a heat flow; then continuously calculating on the basis of the quantity the value of a characteristic representing a thermal equilibrium obtained in the absence of a fluid occurrence formation; and detecting variations in the characteristic, the variations representing a thermal imbalance, resulting from inflow of fluid in the well (1). The invention is particular by applicable in operating oil drilling installations particularly deep at sea.

Abstract: A method for detecting a leak in a well tubular of a well for production of hydrocarbon fluid from a formation is disclosed. The method includes steps of: passing a sonic tool provided with a transducer package capable of sending and receiving a sonic signal through the well tubular; prior to starting production to obtain an initial registration of a reflected signal for a well that does not have a leak; obtaining at least one subsequent registrations of reflected signals; comparing the initial registration to a subsequent registration and determining from the differences between the two if a leak has developed in the well tuburtar.

Abstract: The consequences of any failure of a blow out preventer assembly to operate correctly in an emergency can be far reaching. Thus, there is provided an apparatus for registering parameters in the bore of a member which is, in use, connected to a pressurised housing, the apparatus comprising: an electro-control package for attachment, in use, to the member; a test assembly placed, in use, in the member; the electro-control package and the test assembly having means for sending signals to and receiving signals from one another.

Abstract: A method for detecting a leak in a drill string valve used when drilling a subsea well. The method comprises measuring a first inlet pressure at a subsea mudlift pump while a subsea mudlift pump and a surface pump are operating and before a well is fully shut-in and measuring a second inlet pressure at the subsea mudlift pump after the mudlift pump and the surface pump are shut down and after the well is fully shut-in. The first and second subsea mudlift pump inlet pressure measurements are then compared, and a check is performed to determine if the subsea mudlift pump inlet pressure has increased by an amount greater than an estimated annular friction pressure.

Abstract: A system for pressure testing the seals and fittings associated with at least one communication line passing through a well tool mandrel, each communication line housed within a communication line conduit defined through the well tool and sealingly engaged to each end of its corresponding communication line conduit by way of a fitting and the fittings also sealingly engaged to the communication line conduit. The system generally comprises a testing conduit, a testing passageway system, and a testing plug. The testing conduit is defined in the well tool mandrel. The testing passageway system is defined in the well tool mandrel and provides fluid communication between the testing conduit and the fittings and seals associated with each of the communication line conduits. The testing plug provides fluid communication between a pressure testing source and the testing passageway system.

Abstract: A packer and method for sealing an annulus in a wellbore is provided. In one aspect the packer comprises a body having one or more conduits formed there-through; a chamber disposed within the body, wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with each of the one or more conduits; and an aperture for pressurizing the chamber. In another aspect, the packer comprises a body having one or more conduits formed there-through; a lock body disposed on a first end of the body; a collapsible member threadably engaged to the body at a first end and shouldered against the lock body at a second end; and a slideable member disposed within the collapsible member. In yet another aspect, the packer comprises a body having one or more conduits formed there-through, wherein the one or more conduits comprises an enlarged first end; and a cutting member disposed with the enlarged first end.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for gravel packing, isolating and testing a sand screen completion of a wellbore in a single trip are disclosed. One method comprises inserting into the wellbore a sand screen assembly, an isolation pipe, and a test assembly on a workstring. A gravel pack operation is performed, and the isolation pipe is shifted to a position in sealing contact with the sand screen assembly, thereby isolating the sand screen assembly. The test assembly is then shifted to a configuration that provides hydraulic communication between the interior of the isolation pipe and the workstring-wellbore annulus above the test assembly. Imposing pressure on the workstring-wellbore annulus then hydraulically tests the integrity of the seal between the isolation pipe and the sand screen assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve system that may be used to pressure test tubing, such as a tubing string deployed in a wellbore for the production of fluids.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed to facilitate the testing of a control line or lines adjacent a bottomhole assembly. A running tool is connected to a lower portion of the connector which is, in turn, connected to the bottomhole assembly. The running tool allows testing of the control line adjacent the bottomhole assembly and thereafter, the operation of components of the bottomhole assembly. The running tool is removed and the upper portion of the string, including the mating portion of the connector at its lower end, is inserted into the wellbore. The connector components are self-aligning and lock to each other downhole to complete the production tubing and the control line tubing to the surface. Multiple control lines are envisioned between the surface and the bottomhole assembly. Multiple connectors can be used in a given production string, and provisions can be made for operation of a multiplicity of downhole components from the control line system which extends along the production tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing blowout preventer systems that enables testing of various size pipe rams, as well as safe and efficient shut-in of a well, without having to trip the entire apparatus out of a well. The testing apparatus generally includes an upper elongated testing cylinder, an upper test seal assembly, a lower elongated testing cylinder, a lower test seal assembly and a test plug. Additionally, the testing apparatus may include a circulating flow assembly, a side-port assembly, and a check-valve assembly, all of which are axially connected in a series to allow the testing tool to be easily lowered into a riser to a subsea blowout preventer assembly. The subject invention permits testing of blowout preventers that are designed to seal around various size pipe diameters during a single pipe trip. The invention also allows the operator to efficiently and safely shut-in a well if a kick is experienced during testing operations.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for confirming the integrity of a seal system extending between a conduit disposed within a subterranean well and a surface or top Christmas tree assembly such that the confirmation steps do not adversely thereafter effect the sealing integrity of the system when exposed to high pressure and/or temperature environments.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed to facilitate the testing of a control line or lines adjacent a bottomhole assembly. A running tool is connected to a lower portion of the connector which is, in turn, connected to the bottomhole assembly. The running tool allows testing of the control line adjacent the bottomhole assembly and thereafter, the operation of components of the bottomhole assembly. The running tool is removed and the upper portion of the string, including the mating portion of the connector at its lower end, is inserted into the wellbore. The connector components are self-aligning and lock to each other downhole to complete the production tubing and the control line tubing to the surface. Multiple control lines are envisioned between the surface and the bottomhole assembly. Multiple connectors can be used in a given production string, and provisions can be made for operation of a multiplicity of downhole components from the control line system which extends along the production tubing.