Abstract: Methods and apparatus for evaluating a volume of an earth formation carried out using complex dielectric measurements. Methods include making measurements of complex permittivity at a plurality of frequencies; identifying an optimal frequency by: identifying candidate frequencies having a corresponding measurement with a respective sensitivity to at least one of i) salinity and ii) water-filled porosity, by determining that each respective sensitivity is substantially independent of rock texture; selecting a maximum of the candidate frequencies as the optimal frequency; using a table search method based on a forward model to generate an initial estimate of at least two parameters of the volume; and using the initial estimate as an initial condition for an inversion of other measurements at frequencies other than the optimal frequency to generate a final solution comprising final estimates for formation properties. The at least two parameters may comprise water salinity and water filled porosity.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly has a tubular wellhead body with a wellhead axial bore and a wellhead radial bore. A hanger has a hanger axial bore and a hanger radial port. A tube moving mechanism moves a tube in the wellhead radial bore between a retracted position, an intermediate position and an extended position. The tube has an inner end that is recessed in the wellhead radial bore while in the retracted position, that protrudes a first distance into the wellhead axial bore while in the intermediate position, and which protrudes a second distance into engagement with the hanger radial port while in the extended position. A landing shoulder on the hanger above the radial port lands on an inner portion of the tube while the tube is in the intermediate position.

Abstract: A fuel cell for use in downhole applications stores steam created by the chemical reaction in a desiccant like Zeolite. The fuel cell also uses ambient hydrostatic pressure to increase cell voltage and power-density.

Abstract: A wellbore apparatus includes a first component having a first element and a second component having a second element. The first component and the second component are connected by a multi-start thread connection and the first element and the second element being operatively connected to one another.

Abstract: A drilling assembly for drilling deviated wellbores is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a steering unit having an upper section coupled to a lower section through a tilt device, wherein an electro-mechanical actuation device tilts the tilt device about a selected location in the drilling assembly to cause the lower section to tilt relative to the upper section along a selected direction while the drill string is rotating.

Abstract: An elastomeric sealing device operable at an operating temperature above an installation temperature. The sealing device includes a body fabricated from an elastomeric material. A channel is formed within the body. A mesh is disposed within the channel. The mesh includes a plurality of interwoven fibers forming an inner volume. A filler is disposed within the inner volume. At least a portion of the filler is a liquid at the installation temperature. The at least a portion of the filler is a gas at the operating temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a pressure in an annulus between an inner casing and an outer casing. An acoustic transducer is disposed within the casing at a selected depth within the inner casing and is configured to generate an acoustic pulse and receive a reflection of the acoustic pulse from the inner casing. A time of flight is measured of the acoustic pulse to the inner surface of the inner casing. An inner diameter of the inner casing is determined from the time of flight. The pressure in the annulus is determined from the inner diameter. A processor can be used to measure time and determine inner diameter and annulus pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an article comprising a plurality of domains fused together; wherein the domains comprise a core comprising a first metal; and a first layer disposed upon the core; the first layer comprising a second metal; the first metal being chemically different the second metal. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising rolling a sheet in a roll mill; the sheet comprising a first metal and having disposed upon each opposing face of the sheet a first layer that comprises a second metal; the second metal being chemically different from the first metal; cutting the sheet into a plurality of sheets; stacking the plurality of sheets; and rolling the stacked sheets in the roll mill to form a blank.

Abstract: A whipstock/bottom hole assembly (BHA) arrangement including a whipstock, a BHA, an interconnection arrangement releasably securing the whipstock to the BHA, a fluid flow configuration in the BHA, the configuration directed at the interconnection arrangement. A method for releasing a whipstock from a whipstock/bottom hole assembly (BHA) arrangement as in any prior embodiment including flowing fluid through the fluid configuration, eroding the interconnection arrangement with the fluid, and separating the whipstock from the BHA.

Abstract: A downhole pump including a mandrel defining a passageway therein and defining an inlet to the passageway that allows fluid ingress to the passageway from an environment outside of the mandrel and defining an outlet from the passageway that allows fluid egress from the passageway, a blade extending from the mandrel and sized for a close clearance fit in a tubular into which the pump is intended to be used, the blade upon rotation of the mandrel causing a fluid flow regime in a direction across the blade, into the inlet, through the passageway, out of the outlet and back to the blade.

Abstract: A cutting element assembly includes a sleeve having a cutter-receiving aperture extending through the sleeve, a cutting element, and a rotation restriction element. The cutting element may include a first plurality of retention elements extending substantially radially from an outer surface of the cutting element and engaging the sleeve to retain the cutting element within the sleeve. The rotation restriction element may be coupled to the cutting element and may include a second plurality of retention elements extending axially from a bottom surface of the rotation restriction element and engaging the sleeve to restrict rotation of the cutting element within the sleeve.

Abstract: Estimating a correction factor from logs of compensated thermal neutron porosity measurements, including modeling each measurement of the compensated thermal neutron porosity measurements of the log as resulting from at least: i) a first contribution correlated to an absorbance of a first portion of neutrons produced by irradiation of the volume attributable to interactions in the volume indicative of pore space in the matrix, and ii) a second contribution correlated to an absorbance of a second portion of the neutrons attributable to trace elements of at least one dominant neutron absorber in the formation; iii) a third contribution correlated to an absorbance of a third portion of the neutrons attributable to dry minerals in the matrix other than dominant neutron absorbers; and estimating the second contribution and determining the correction factor from the second contribution; and correcting a compensated thermal neutron porosity measurement using the correction factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing drilling operations in earth formations. The systems and methods include drilling a borehole within the earth formation, receiving data acquired within the borehole in the earth formation, analyzing the data to locate a plurality of data structures formed by the data, the plurality of data structures including a first structure at a first location and a second structure at a second location, projecting the first structure as a first geological projection intersecting the first location, and projecting the second structure as a second geological projection intersecting the second location, classifying the first geological projection and the second geological projection based on a hierarchy of geological feature types to generate a hierarchical classification, and adjusting one or more of the first geological projection and the second geological projection based on the hierarchical classification.

Abstract: A disintegrable downhole article comprises an electrolytically degradable metallic matrix and an energetic material comprising a first metal and a second metal that is in physical contact with the first metal. The first metal and the second metal are selected such that the first metal reacts with the second metal to generate an alloy, an intermetallic compound, heat, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing when electrically actuated. A method of controllably removing a disintegrable downhole article comprises disposing the downhole article in a downhole environment; performing a downhole operation; electrically actuating the energetic material; and disintegrating the downhole article.

Abstract: Borehole logging methods for estimating a parameter of interest using nuclear radiation. Methods include estimating a water saturation of the formation from gamma radiation from at least the formation detected in the borehole using a radiation detector, the gamma radiation responsive to a pulsed neutron source and resulting from at least one of: (i) decay of nitrogen-16 formed by activation of oxygen-16, and ii) inelastic scattering of neutrons from oxygen. This may include using at least one processor to: obtain a gamma ray count measurement, representing gamma rays from one of: (i) the decay of nitrogen-16 (ii) and the inelastic scattering, and estimate the water saturation using the gamma ray count measurement and a model comprising a relationship between measured gamma ray counts and modeled gamma ray counts from each of a fully water saturated formation and a minimally water saturated formation.

Abstract: A wellbore system may include a work string and at least one downhole device connected to a portion of the work string, the downhole device configured to deliver a periodic stream of fluid to a portion of a wellbore. The system may further include at least one sensor configured to detect reflected energy pulses associated with the periodic stream of fluid. The at least one downhole device may be configured to modify a pressure of the periodic stream of fluid in real time based on the reflected energy pulses received in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore may include a transducing element transducing a first property into a second property, a sensing element generating a signal in response to the second property, a layer deposited on the transducing element and defining a track, and an active electronic component. The sensing element is fixedly connected to the transducing element. The active electronic component is fixedly connected to the transducing element and is in communication with the sensing element via the track. A related method forms a downhole tool with the apparatus and operates the downhole tool in the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of controlling degradation of a degradable material including forming a fluid in a hydration unit, admixing one or more additives to the fluid in a blender, introducing the fluid into a wellbore, injecting a degradation fluid between the hydration unit and the blender. The degradation fluid forms a degradation zone in the fluid. A degradable component formed from a degradable material is introduced into the degradation zone, and the degradable material and the degradation zone is pumped into a wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool member having a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface. The radially inner surface includes an angled section. A drive member is axially spaced from the tool member. The drive member includes a radially outer surface portion and a radially inner surface portion. The radially outer surface portion includes an angled portion. A seal element is provided on the drive member. The seal element includes a first portion coupled to the radially outer surface portion and a second portion that is radially outwardly disengagable from the radially outer surface portion in response to one of fluid pressure and fluid flow.

Abstract: A valve including a closure member having a first portion and a second portion the first and second portions in fluid tight contact with one another when closed and spaced when open, a flow tube in operative contact with the closure member.