Abstract: A method for controlling fluid flow includes, deforming at least one deformable member disposed between two tubulars that are radially aligned with one another, at least one of the at least one deformable member is positioned between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and regulating flow of fluid by deforming the at least one deformable member positioned between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet sufficiently to achieve a desired flow rate.

Abstract: A downhole communication and control system configured for use in a non-sequential order of treating a borehole, the system includes a string having at least three ports including first, second, and third longitudinally spaced ports arranged sequentially in a downhole to uphole manner in the string; at least three frac sleeve systems including first, second, and third frac sleeve systems arranged sequentially in a downhole to uphole manner in the string and arranged to open and close the first, second, and third ports, respectively, each frac sleeve system having self-powered, electronically triggered first and second sleeves; and, communication signals to trigger the first, second, and third frac sleeve systems into moving the first and second sleeves to open and close the ports. Also included is a method of completing downhole operations in a non-sequential order.

Abstract: A method for estimating a property of an earth formation in a zone of investigation, the earth formation having the zone of investigation and another zone, the method including: applying a compound pulse of electromagnetic energy to the earth formation, the compound pulse having a shape to induce a predominately greater amount of current in the zone of investigation than in the another zone, wherein the compound pulse includes a first pulse and a second pulse, the first pulse having an amplitude different from the amplitude of the second pulse; receiving a response of electromagnetic energy from the current induced by the compound pulse; and estimating the property from the response of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A flow control device for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include a main flow passage and a weep hole, wherein the main flow passage closes when a fluid is supplied to a first end of the valve that exceeds a selected rate and opens when the fluid supplied is below the selected rate and wherein the weep hole continues to allow the fluid therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a downhole operation includes a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation, and a deformable component configured to be disposed in the borehole. The deformable component includes an elastomeric material and a barrier coating disposed on a surface of the elastomeric material. The barrier coating has properties configured to resist permeation of downhole gases into the elastomeric material at downhole temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring fluid characteristics includes: a solid transparent body including a plurality of internally reflective surfaces defining a n-sided base having a polygonal shape and having at least three sides, each reflective surface forming a side of the polygonal shape, the plurality of surfaces configured to direct the electromagnetic radiation beam along a path within the solid transparent body from an entry area to an exit area on the solid transparent body; an electromagnetic radiation source coupled to the entry area on the solid transparent body; and a detector coupled to the exit area on the solid transparent body and configured to receive at least a fraction of the reflected electromagnetic radiation beam, the detector configured to generate a signal based on the received electromagnetic radiation beam and transmit the signal to a processor for at least one of analysis of material characteristics and data storage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of connecting a riser from an offshore rig to wellhead equipment that includes a first connector is disclosed. The method, in one non-limiting embodiment, includes lowering a riser of sufficient length having a second connector at a lower end thereof adapted to connect to the first connector of the wellhead equipment, wherein the riser is in fluid communication with and is filled with the sea water; closing the riser proximate to the lower end of the riser after lowering the riser; displacing the sea water in the riser with a fluid that is heavier than the sea water to straighten the riser and the second connector; and connecting the second connector to the first connector.

Abstract: A downhole fiber optic apparatus for acquiring downhole information includes a carrier conveyable in a borehole, an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, and a fiber optic sensor that receives electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter and generates an optical output signal representative of the downhole information. A method for acquiring downhole information includes conveying a carrier in a borehole, emitting electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, receiving electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter with a fiber optic sensor, and generating an optical signal representative of the downhole information using the fiber optic sensor.

Abstract: A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a measurement of a downhole property includes an optical fiber having a first section that has a first set of fiber Bragg gratings with a first resonant wavelength inscribed therein and a second section that has a second set of fiber Bragg gratings with a second resonant wavelength different from the first resonant wavelength inscribed therein. The second section is in series with the first section. An optical interrogator emits a swept-wavelength frequency domain light signal having varying wavelength amplitude modulation into the optical fiber, receives a frequency domain return light signal, and transforms the frequency domain return signal into a time domain to determine a resonant wavelength shift of each fiber Bragg grating and the corresponding location of each interrogated fiber Bragg grating. A processor converts the resonant wavelength shift of each interrogated fiber Bragg grating into the downhole property measurement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling potentially damaging inrushes of current to the capacitor bank of an electric drive system when the voltage on the capacitor bank is low. In one embodiment, a variable speed drive has a converter that converts AC power to DC power, a capacitor bank that receives the DC power, and an inverter that converts the DC power stored by the capacitor bank to AC output power. The converter has three sections that rectify the phases of three-phase input power. Each section has at least one controlled rectifier component, and the rectifier components have switches connected to them in parallel. When the voltage on the capacitor bank is low, the controlled rectifiers and switches are controlled to prevent dangerously high inrushes of current to the capacitor bank.

Abstract: Corrosion of metal conduits by hydrate inhibitor formulations, particularly localized corrosion, is mitigated when the hydrate inhibitor formulation contains an effective amount of at least one hydroxyacid or equivalent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyacids having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and at least one hydroxyl group. The hydrate inhibitor formulation has an absence of methanol, but may include other alcohol solvents, diol or triol solvents, aromatic solvents and ketone solvents.

Abstract: A flow control system including a mandrel having one or more ports; one or more seals in sealing contact with the mandrel; a housing positioned about the mandrel and one or more seals and in sealing contact with the one or more seals. One or more diffusers placed in a fluid pathway of the flow control system. The one or more diffusers including an inner race having a bearing surface; an outer race having a bearing surface; an axially oriented wedge in contact with both the inner race and the outer race and configured to increase distance between the inner race bearing surface. The outer race bearing surface with wedge movement in one direction while permitting distance between the inner race bearing surface and the outer race bearing surface to decrease with wedge movement in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for selecting a wellbore for refracture is disclosed. A parameter is selected that is related a refracture decision and an influence value of the parameter on the refracture decision is determined. A first refracture score is estimated for a first wellbore based on a value of the parameter for the first wellbore and the influence value of the parameter. A second refracture score is estimated for a second wellbore based on a value of the parameter for the second wellbore and the influence value of the parameter. One of the first wellbore and the second wellbore is selected for refracture based on a comparison of the first refracture score and the second refracture score.

Abstract: A tubular actuation system includes a housing and an activatable sleeve including a first assembly having a first radially movable seat, a second assembly having a second radially movable seat, and an insert disposed between the first and second assemblies. The activatable sleeve is movable longitudinally from a first position to a second position, and from a second position to a third position within the housing.

Abstract: A method of completing a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes: placing a lower completion assembly that includes a flow device to provide fluid communication between the lower completion assembly and a production zone associated with the lower completion assembly; placing an isolation assembly with a packer above the lower completion assembly for isolating an annulus between the lower completion assembly and the wellbore; placing a flow restriction device above the packer; setting the flow restriction device in the annulus to restrict flow of fluid through the annulus; and setting the packer after setting the flow restriction device.

Abstract: A method of performing acoustic imaging includes: selecting a target location, and selecting a group of transducers from a plurality of transducers to transmit an acoustic beam to be electronically directed to the target location; selecting a transmitter having an orientation toward a location proximate to the target location, and transmitting an acoustic signal only by the transmitter; detecting an acoustic return signal by the transmitter and by a plurality of other transducers in the group; estimating a travel time for each of the group of transducers, the estimating including measuring a travel time for each of the other transducers, and estimating a travel time for the transmitter based on the travel time for each of the other transducers; and calculating beamforming delays based on the travel time, the beamforming delay configured to cause the group of transducers to direct an acoustic beam to the target location.

Abstract: A method for estimating an upscaled directional permeability of a formation includes: receiving a discrete fracture network (DFN), aligning the DFN in a desired direction; cropping the DFN to a desired size having boundaries. The method further includes identifying a fracture plane or fracture planes that are connected with each other and establish a path between the boundaries of the cropped DFN and creating a pipe model of the identified fracture plane or planes that includes one or more conduits connecting one boundary to another boundary. The method further includes creating a system of equations representing flows through the conduits, applying boundary conditions to the system of equations; solving the system of equations for steady-state flow to estimate the upscaled directional permeability of the formation. The method steps can be iterated for another desired direction if the upscaled directional permeability is wanted for the another desired direction.

Abstract: Earth-boring tools may have a body, a cutting element attached to the body at a first location, and a formation-engaging structure attached to the body at a second location. The formation-engaging structure may be movable during a drilling operation between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the formation-engaging structure may be located rotationally behind the cutting element at a first radial distance from a longitudinal axis of the body at which the cutting element will at least initially shield the formation-engaging structure from engaging a formation. In the second position, the formation-engaging structure may be located at a different second radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the body at which the formation-engaging structure will engage a formation.

Abstract: An effective amount of at least one nitrogen-containing compound may be added to a wastewater stream within a water treatment system. The wastewater stream may have or include an aqueous-based fluid, a first bacteria, a second bacteria, organic acids, and combinations thereof. The first bacteria may be or include, but is not limited to, filamentous bacteria, Zoogloea bacteria, and combinations thereof. The second bacteria may be or include, but is not limited to facultative bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, phenol degrading bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, organic acid-degrading bacteria, high temperature bacteria, and combinations thereof. The addition of the nitrates to an anoxic zone within the wastewater treatment system may at least partially reduce the amount of the first bacteria within the wastewater stream as compared to an otherwise identical wastewater stream in the absence of the nitrogen-containing compound(s).