Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a downhole tool within a well bore comprises a cylindrical mandrel extending longitudinally through the downhole tool; an interventionless, hydrostatic, top-down actuating piston disposed about the mandrel and forming a first chamber and a second chamber therebetween; and a rupture disk that prevents fluid communication between the well bore and the first chamber until sufficient hydrostatic pressure is applied to the well bore to fail the rupture disk. A method of actuating a downhole tool comprises connecting a top-down actuating module to the downhole tool, running the downhole tool to a desired depth within a well bore, pressuring up the well bore without pressuring up an internal flow bore extending through the top-down actuating module, hydrostatically actuating an upper piston of the top-down actuating module to exert an actuation force onto the downhole tool, and actuating the downhole tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating a wellbore using a loop system to heat oil in a subterranean formation contacted by the wellbore. The loop system comprises a loop that conveys a fluid (e.g., steam) down the wellbore via a injection conduit and returns fluid (e.g., condensate) from the wellbore via a return conduit. A portion of the fluid in the loop system may be injected into the subterranean formation using one or more valves disposed in the loop system. Alternatively, only heat and not fluid may be transferred from the loop system into the subterranean formation. The fluid returned from the wellbore may be re-heated and re-conveyed by the loop system into the wellbore. Heating the oil residing in the subterranean formation reduces the viscosity of the oil so that it may be recovered more easily.

Abstract: An energy storage device for powering a downhole tool may be heated to an effective temperature to improve the operability of the energy storage device. The energy storage device may comprise, for example, a primary battery, a secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, or combinations thereof. The effective temperature to which the energy storage device is heated may be greater than an ambient temperature in the wellbore near the energy storage device. The energy storage device may be heated using various heat sources such as an ohmic resistive heater, a heat pump, an exothermic reaction, a power generator, a heat transfer medium, the energy storage device itself, a downhole tool, or combinations thereof. A thermal conductor may extend between the heat source and the energy storage device. Further, a thermal insulator may at least partially surround the heat source and the energy storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating a wellbore using a loop system to heat oil in a subterranean formation contacted by the wellbore. The loop system comprises a loop that conveys a fluid (e.g., steam) down the wellbore via a injection conduit and returns fluid (e.g., condensate) from the wellbore via a return conduit. A portion of the fluid in the loop system may be injected into the subterranean formation using one or more valves disposed in the loop system. Alternatively, only heat and not fluid may be transferred from the loop system into the subterranean formation. The fluid returned from the wellbore may be re-heated and re-conveyed by the loop system into the wellbore. Heating the oil residing in the subterranean formation reduces the viscosity of the oil so that it may be recovered more easily.

Abstract: Methods of operating a downhole tool comprise thermally-controlling the tool by sensing a temperature and controlling the tool in response to the sensed temperature. Thermally-controlled downhole tools comprise a control element responsive to a change in temperature that control flow into, out of, or through a wellbore. Methods and systems for servicing a wellbore comprise using a thermally-controlled tool comprising a thermally-controlled valve (TCV) in a wellbore. The TCV includes a valve body comprising an injection port for allowing material to flow into or out of the wellbore and an opening/closing mechanism for regulating flow of the material through the injection port in response to a change in temperature. The valve body may be coupled to a downhole conduit. A plurality of TCV's may be arranged in the wellbore to control the injection of steam into the wellbore or the recovery of oil from the wellbore.

Abstract: Provided is pelletized polymer composition, a majority of which is poly-&agr;-olefin or poly-&agr;-olefin copolymer, which when melted displays melt flow rate greater than about 500 dg/min.