Abstract: A process and plant for laying a pipe in a trench comprising placing a flattened tubular preform in the trench, the perform having a reinforcement surrounding an inner seal, the reinforcement being impregnated with a resin, and inflating the perform in the trench.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively actuating a dual check valve assembly within a well for a direct circulating operational mode or a reverse circulating operational mode. A tubular housing which may be connected to well tubing is provided with a check valve assembly and may be provided with a rotatable J-slot mode indexing sleeve having an internal J-slot geometry. An inner tubular member which also may be connected to well tubing is linearly movable within the tubular housing to a valve open position, an indexing position and a valve enabled position being controlled by the J-slot geometry of the J-slot indexing sleeve or being controlled by moving the inner tubular element and resisting movement of the tubular housing. Relative positioning of the inner tubular member and the tubular housing to selective valve mode positions may also be achieved responsive to fluid flow, by mechanical compression, or by motion operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of regulating the flow rate of formation fluids produced from a determined zone of an underground well whose cased wall is provided with orifices through which said formation fluids can pass, said method consisting in applying a tubular structure along the casing in said zone, which tubular structure prevents the fluids from flowing directly while also preserving a flow path along which the fluids can flow via the annular space outside the tubular structure so as to generate head loss. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method, which device is essentially constituted by a radially-expandable tubular structure that can be applied against the inside wall of the casing, the structure being provided with means for preserving the flow of the fluids via a path running along the casing and along the structure, in order to generate head loss.

Abstract: A gooseneck for coiled tubing operations have a folding design to allow for a more compact design for storage and transport. The gooseneck may remain attached to the injector during transport, thereby decreasing the equipment required to move and set-up the coiled tubing equipment. The gooseneck includes a linkage mechanism for connecting a pair of support struts between the injector body and the tubing guide. The linkage allows the guide to follow a substantially parabolic path as it tracks the tubing from the reel to the injector.

Abstract: Methods are provided for stimulation of hydrocarbon production from low permeability formations by hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and hydraulic fracturing followed by gravel packing in a single operation. The methods use a first injected viscous pad made with low concentration uncrosslinked polymer to initiate and propagate the fracture and control fluid loss, followed by a second injected fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant for carrying proppant or acid into the fracture.

Abstract: A method for conveying a tool into a borehole with the use of a tool conveying apparatus includes deploying the tool conveying apparatus into the borehole, transmitting fluid through the tool conveying apparatus, the tool conveying apparatus generating power from the flow of fluid therethrough, discharging fluid from the tool conveying apparatus and providing power to at least one tool carried thereby. The tool conveying apparatus also includes a communication system for transmitting data bi-directionally between the tool and the surface.

Abstract: The invention is an interactive computer system for help in selecting well-services treatment fluid comprising a set of fluid families, a set of relevant fluid characteristics and a set of digital ratings of each fluid family with regard to these characteristics. The system further includes a set of job parameters pertaining to the treatment and qualitative ratings of said parameters estimating their relevance in the effective success of a treatment. An interface allows the user to enter the job parameters values known to him. Built in rules, associated with calculating means including an integrated spreadsheet, match fluid characteristics and job parameters and trigger the elimination of fluids that are not compatible with some value of the job parameters and compute a confidence index for the non-eliminated fluid families, said confidence index based on the one the sum of the products of the fluid families digital ratings and on the rating of the known job parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for opposing pressure-induced forces acting on a mandrel of a downhole tool. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use with a packer and include a piston engageable with the mandrel. Forces placed upon the piston by pressure communicated from the tubing bore are transferred to the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method for fracturing subterranean formations including the steps of (a) providing a water source; (b) adding a crosslinking agent to said water source; (c) adding a polymeric component to said water to create a fracturing fluid; (d) pumping said fracturing fluid into said formation. The fluid may contain an acrylamide-acrylate copolymer and any suitable number of additives. The additives are preferably combined with the water source to form an additive stream, to which the polymer is later added.

Abstract: A method of sealing an annulus surrounding a slotted liner in a well includes the steps of generating a magnetic field in the annulus in a region to be sealed; and injecting into the region a sealing fluid including magnetic particles such that the fluid is confined to fill the annulus in the region to be sealed by the interaction of the magnetic particles and the magnetic field.

Abstract: A plugging fluid for plugging a subterranean formation zone surrounding a drill hole comprises an emulsion comprising a dispersed aqueous phase containing an aqueous base and a continuous hydrophobic phase containing a polymer consisting of a grafted cellulose ether derivative, a surfactant and a crosslinking activator of the polymer. The polymer is preferably 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose grafted with vinyl phosphonic acid. Upon shearing, preferably through the drilling bit, the emulsion inverts so that the rupture of the emulsion droplets releases the crosslinking activator into the water phase thus forming a gel structure.

Abstract: Pumps and valves with movable parts, such as a plunger, typically have seals around the part. The seals may isolate one chamber from another to prevent leakage across the seals. The pressure in one chamber may be different from the pressure in another adjacent chamber, thereby creating a pressure differential across the seal. When the seal is working properly, the pressures in the adjacent chambers remain constant approximately. However, when a seal leaks, pressure will leak across the seal. As such, the chamber with the lower pressure will show an increase in pressure due to seal leakage. Thus, monitoring pressure changes in the chamber with low pressure, or pressure differentials between chambers, serves as an indicator for leakage across the seal and impending seal failure.

Abstract: A plugging fluid for plugging a subterranean formation zone surrounding a drill hole consisting of an emulsion comprising an oil phase containing an oil, an emulsifier and 2.4 to 4 kg of cement per liter of oil and an aqueous phase containing water and 12-16 g of polysaccharide per liter of water, wherein the oil to water volume ratio ranges from 20:80 to 25:75. Upon shearing, the emulsion inverts so that the rupture of the emulsion droplets releases the cement into the water phase thus providing metallic divalent ion to crosslink with the polysaccharide and forming a gel structure.

Abstract: A plugging fluid for plugging a subterranean formation zone surrounding a drill hole comprises an emulsion comprising a dispersed aqueous phase containing an aqueous base and a continuous hydrophobic phase containing a polymer consisting of a grafted cellulose ether derivative, a surfactant and a crosslinking activator of the polymer. The polymer is preferably 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose grafted with vinyl phosphonic acid. Upon shearing, preferably through the drilling bit, the emulsion inverts so that the rupture of the emulsion droplets releases the crosslinking activator into the water phase thus forming a gel structure.

Abstract: A tubing conveyed disconnect check valve mechanism having releasable connection with a payload tool and being selectively actuated downhole for disconnecting from the payload tool for retrieval by the tubing string, with the check valve enabled for direct circulating flow and preventing the inflow of wellbore fluids, while permitting the payload tool to remain in the well. A housing is connected to a tubing string, such as coiled tubing, and incorporates at least one check valve and defines a first disconnect connector which is releasably connected with a second disconnect connector of the payload tool housing. A check valve positioning mandrel is releasably retained at a check valve disabling position within the housing for establishing a reverse circulating flow path through the check valve and is released from the housing and moved to a check valve enabling position, closing the reverse circulating flow path and permitting direct circulating flow only.

Abstract: Aqueous liquid compositions for increasing the permeability of a subterranean formation are disclosed, the compositions being characterized by provision of fluoborate anion (fluoboric acid) and a specified compound or compounds, or mixture thereof, which chelate aluminum ions and aluminum fluoride species. Methods of treating a subterranean formation by injection of the composition(s) into the formation are also described.

Abstract: A float shoe comprising an upper section having a casing connection at an upper end thereof, and a lower section slidably coupled to the upper section, the lower section comprising a closed lower end and having at least one port disposed therein.

Abstract: Additives for drilling fluids, in particular for water-based drilling fluids are described which when added to the fluid at levels of up to 10% weight by volume reduces the accretion and bit-balling tendencies of shale cuttings exposed to said fluids. The additives are based on phosphonate chemistry, and are of the general class (I), wherein R, R′ and R″ are radicals exclusively containing H atoms or combinations of H, C, O or P atoms up to a maximum of 100 atoms.

Abstract: A low molecular weight, high melting point, crystalline, oil soluble additive for use in wellbore fluids is provided that is preferably a ground crystalline material of melting point over 80° C., preferably over 100° C. which is readily soluble in produced hydrocarbons such as crude oil and lighter condensates, and which exhibits a molecular weight of less than 1000, and preferably less than 500, and more preferably less than 300. Its particle size can be adjusted to bridge efficiently across different pore size formations and control its solubility rate.

Abstract: The use of a hydrophobically modified water soluble polymer is described capable of being chemically cross-linked so as to produce a stable gel for blocking a water-bearing formation from a hydrocarbon-producing well. The polymer is essentially linear having hydrophilic side groups located at random positions along its backbone.