Abstract: Thin flexible piezoelectric transducers are bonded to or imbedded into oilfield tubular members or structural members. The transducers may be used to telemeter data as acoustic waves through the members. By proper spacing of transducers and phasing of driving signals, the transmitted signals can be directionally enhanced or encoded to improve transmission efficiency. The transducers may be used for health monitoring of the tubular or structural members to detect cracks, delaminations, or other defects. The flexible transducers are very thin so that overall dimensions of tubular or structural members are essentially unchanged by incorporation of the transducers.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addresses apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. A first deployable annular isolator is carried on tubing as it is positioned in a borehole. An annular isolator forming material is placed in the annulus around the first deployable isolator. The first isolator is then deployed into the material in the annulus to form a combined isolator. The annular isolator forming material is carried in a compartment in the tubing and forced from the compartment into the annulus. A second deployable isolator may be deployed before placing the material in the annulus to resist annular flow of the material before the first isolator is deployed. The second isolator may be deployed by material from the compartment. A second compartment may be provided to deploy the first isolator.

Abstract: A packer includes one dual, or double acting, slip and a single acting slip positioned on a mandrel on opposite sides of a packing element and a setting cylinder. The single acting slip is designed to resist forces acting on the mandrel in one direction. Setting forces generated by the setting cylinder are coupled to the mandrel through a releasing sleeve. When the releasing sleeve is decoupled from the mandrel, the slip setting forces on both slips and the packing element are released and the packer can be retrieved from a well. In a preferred form, the releasing sleeve may be decoupled from the mandrel by multiple means.

Abstract: A method for designing a closed-chamber drillstem test system. Parameters of available equipment and a well to be tested are collected. Initial or proposed chamber size and chamber pressurizing fluids are then selected. A simulation of a test is then performed. The simulation is performed in time increments, with pressure in the well assumed to be static during each time increment. Calculated flow volume from the formation during each increment is used to adjust pressure in the well for the next increment. The process is continued until the test would be considered complete based on an optimization parameter. If the total simulated time to complete the test is not in a desirable range, the initial chamber parameters are changed and the simulation is run again. The process is repeated until the simulated test time reaches a desirable range.

Abstract: A positioning tool for moving an element in a flow path of a down hole system without actuating a pressure actuated device in the system. The positioning device includes a choke for restricting flow of fluid between the positioning device and the down hole system, a flow diversion path from the upper end of the positioning device to a lower end of the positioning device, and a valve allowing fluid to flow through the diversion path when the choke is proximate the pressure actuated device and blocking flow of through the diversion path when the choke is displaced from the pressure actuated device. The down hole system may be a flapper type fluid loss device with a pressure actuated opening prop.

Abstract: A system and method for making and using a multi-point initiation explosive device that produces an enhanced pressure wave for severing tubing, pipe or casing in an oil or gas well. At least two opposed initiators initiate a column of explosive material from opposite ends, thereby generating opposing pressure waves propagating toward a midpoint between the initial initiators. A shaped-charge assembly with a liner located at the midpoint initiates immediately prior to the arrival of the opposing pressure waves and forms a fast moving jet to pre-score the target pipe prior to the arrival of the pressure pulse propagating from the initial detonations.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore are provided. The improved methods basically comprise the steps of placing a sand control screen (e.g., screens, screened pipes, perforated liners, prepacked screens, etc.) and an outer shroud assembly mounted over the sand screen in the wellbore adjacent the zone to be completed, the shroud having perforated and blank (non-perforated) segments with the blank segments corresponding to selected intervals of the wellbore, for example problem zones such as shale streaks or isolated zones where flows are restricted by mechanical seals or packers, and injecting particulate material into the wellbore, whereby gravel packing takes place in the remaining length of the wellbore/shroud annulus without voids. The inner annulus between the shroud and screen provides an alternate flow path for the slurry to bypass the blocked intervals and continue with its placement.