Abstract: A system and method for predicting a specific aspect, such as run life, of a component or system. The system utilizes a variety of complexity index values that are assigned to each component of the system. Each complexity index value is determined according to select physical parameters of the component. The summing of the complexity index values provides a system complexity index value that can be used to accurately estimate, for example, the run life of the system.

Abstract: A system for splicing coiled tubing used in deploying downhole equipment and having an internal power cable. The system includes first and second segments of coiled tubing each having power cable disposed therein. Additionally, mounting fixtures are attached to the ends of the coiled tubing segments that are to be joined. The system further includes a movable canister that may be slid over the spliced segments of power cable and selectively engaged with the mounting fixtures. The canister provides structural integrity to the overall deployment tubing while protecting the internal power cable splice.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the present invention is a downhole hydraulic multiplexer, which is comprised of one or more piloted shuttle valves, and method of using. The invention takes one or more input signals from a surface control panel or computer, said signals may be electric or hydraulic, and converts said signals into a plurality of pressurized hydraulic output channels. The invention is shown in a variety of preferred embodiments, including a tubing deployed version, a wireline retrievable version, and a version residing in the wall of a downhole completion tool. Also disclosed is the use of multiple shuttle valves used in parallel or in series to embody a downhole hydraulic fluid multiplexer, controllable by and reporting positions of said shuttle valves to said surface control panel or computer.

Abstract: An electric motor that may be used in a remote location, such as in a wellbore for pumping production fluids. The electric motor is designed to permit real-time adjustment of the position feedback signals to optimize motor performance. A position sensor is coupled to the rotor to sense rotor position. Simultaneously, a parameter, such as shaft twist, is measured, and a feedback control signal is provided. A processor receives the position sensor signals and the feedback control signals, and adjusts the energization of the stator windings to optimize motor performance.

Abstract: An electric submergible pumping system having a submergible electric motor with a unique rotor bearing system to promote longevity of the motor. The system includes an electric motor having a housing and a stator mounted within the housing. A shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing for rotation within an interior, axial passage through the stator. A rotor bearing assembly is disposed intermediate the stator and the shaft. The assembly includes a bearing sleeve mounted adjacent the shaft, and a main body portion disposed in sliding engagement with the bearing sleeve. A spring mechanism, such as a wave spring, is engaged with the main body portion. A bracelet is located between the spring mechanism and an interior surface of the stator. The spring mechanism biases the bracelet against the stator to prevent the body portion from rotating during rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A sealing system that provides a secure seal against liquid transfer in harsh environments, such as those found in wellbore applications. The sealing system utilizes a connector housing having an axial passage. The interior passage is sized to receive at least a portion of a single support block. The support block is secured to the housing by a retainer, such as a packing gland or a plurality of screws. The single block includes axial openings to individually support and isolate the conductors of a power cable when the power cable is connected to a submersible component.

Abstract: A submersible pumping system for use in high temperature, wellbore applications. The system includes an electric submersible pumping unit, having at least a submersible motor, a motor protector and a submersible pump powered by the submersible motor. A uniquely designed power cable is coupled to the submersible motor to provide power thereto. The unique design of the power cable and its connector permit the use of the overall system in high temperature environments or applications where the system is exposed to high temperature conditions.

Abstract: A permanent magnet synchronous motor system. The system uses a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor having an elongated housing, of the type used in progressive cavity pumping applications. Within the stator, a multi-section rotor is rotatably mounted. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor sections that are angularly offset from each other. The rotor sections are mounted on a drive shaft, and the sum of the offsets is generally comparable to the angular displacement undergone by the drive shaft under a normal operating load.

Abstract: There is provided a rotary drag-type drill bit comprising a bit body having a leading surface comprising a plurality of pads, at least some of the pads each having a wearable abrasive surface including particles of superhard material and defining an outer profile of the pad, at least a part of the outer profile of at least one of the pads being disposed inwardly or outwardly of the outer profile of the other pads. With this arrangement, during initial drilling through softer formation, most of the removal of formation will be effected by the outermost of the abrasive pads and little or no formation will be removed by the more inward pads. Accordingly, the bit will act as a lighter set bit and good rates of penetration may be achieved.

Abstract: A shroud for use with a submergible pumping system. The shroud is disposed over a submergible motor and includes fluid channels for conducting heat away from the submergible motor. The shroud is formed from a sheet material, such as sheet metal, to permit its use in wellbores having a narrow annular space between the submergible pumping system and the interior surface of the wellbore casing. The sheet material includes longitudinal corrugations to facilitate fluid flow while strengthening the construction of the shroud.

Abstract: An improved system for mounting components to a rotatable shaft. The improved system may include a pump having impellers keyed to a rotatable shaft. Diffusers cooperate with the impellers to conduct pumped fluid upward from the impeller. The improved system for mounting includes a plurality of stop rings and an expansion assembly. A stop ring is secured to the shaft at each end of the rotatable component. An expansion assembly is disposed between a first stop ring and the rotatable component. The expansion assembly is axially expanded to force the rotatable component against a second stop ring.

Abstract: A system for producing production fluids from a wellbore while removing gas that collects in pockets within the wellbore. The system includes an electric submergible pumping unit. The unit includes a submergible pump powered by a submergible motor. The fluid discharged by the pump is forced through a pressure reduction device, such as a jet pump, to create a low pressure area. This low pressure area is coupled via a conduit to a gas pocket creation area within the wellbore. For example, gas pockets may develop beneath a packer disposed above the electric submergible pumping system. The low pressure area at the pressure reduction device draws the gas into the discharged production fluid and delivers the mixture to a collection at the earth's surface.

Abstract: A rolling cutter drill bit comprises a body and three legs, each leg having a cantilevered bearing spindle, a rolling cutter rotatably mounted on the bearing spindle, lubricant delivering means within the bearing spindle, and a floating thrust bearing element configured to carry onward thrust loads from the rolling cutter onto the bearing spindle. Each floating thrust bearing element is formed of a wrought alloy material consisting primarily of chromium carbide and cobalt and having a yield strength of less than 120,000 psi and a ductility of at least 4%, both at room temperature.

Abstract: A densified sintered product, such as a rolling cutter adapted for use in a steel tooth rolling cutter earth boring bit, has a layer of a metal powder applied to the external surface of the unsintered compact, the metal powder being melted to form a thin glaze of the melted metal powder on the external surface of the sintered compact, and the sintered compact may then be pneumatically isostatically forged.

Abstract: A connector for use in a deployment system able to deploy and power a device, such as an electric submergible pumping system, in a well. The connector includes pluggable ends that permit connection adjacent segments, each having an outer section of tubing and an internal power cable. Each connector includes a tubing connector portion and a power cable connector portion that permit pluggable connection of sequential tubing segments when deploying a device or system downhole.

Abstract: A dual submergible pumping system permits the production and/or injection of fluids from or into separate zones within a narrowly confined wellbore without commingling of fluids. The system includes at least first and second electric submergible pumping systems. Typically, the design allows the electric submergible pumping systems to be arranged generally axially within a wellbore. Each system, however, is able to produce or inject fluids along a fluid flow path that is isolated from the fluid flow path of the other electric submergible pumping system.

Abstract: A system for pumping and heating viscous fluids in a wellbore includes electrical power supplies, a switchboard, conductors, and a submergible pumping system having a pump and a submergible electric motor. The electrical power supplies are coupled to the submergible pumping system through a switchboard and conductors that supply electrical power to the motor. The electrical power supplies provide direct or alternating current and include protective circuitry. The submergible pumping system may be supplied with electrical power to motor stator windings to generate heat to raise the temperature and lower the viscosity of adjacent viscous fluids.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention is a downhole well tool for use within a well casing having a locking slot, an orienting profile, an alignment slot, and a lateral well bore window. The tool may broadly include a body member having a first and a second longitudinal bore extending therethrough, a diverter member extending therefrom and having a diverter surface. The second longitudinal bore extends through the diverter member. The tool may also include an outwardly-biased orienting key movably secured to the body member and engageable with the orienting profile and the alignment slot, and an outwardly-biased locking key movably secured to the body member and engageable with the locking slot. The diverter surface is aligned with the lateral well bore window when the orienting key is engaged with the alignment slot and the locking key is engaged with the locking slot.

Abstract: A downhole pumping system includes a downhole pump that is coupled to a downhole motor. The downhole motor includes a motor protector that utilizes one or more retractable and extensible pistons, instead of an elastomeric bag, to accommodate motor oil contraction and expansion. The motor protector may also include one or more contamination containment sections for processing contaminants in downhole fluid to reduce contamination of the motor oil.

Abstract: The present invention is a surface controlled gas lift valve designed for high flow rates and used in a subterranean well, comprising: a valve for sealable insertion in a mandrel, having a variable orifice which alternately permits, prohibits, or throttles fluid flow into the valve, and a detachable and/or remote actuator are disclosed. Methods of actuating the valve include electro-hydraulic, hydraulic, and pneumo-hydraulic, while sensors relay the position of the variable orifice and critical fluid pressures to a panel on the surface. The orifice valve and the actuator while operatively connected, may be separately installed in or retrieved from by either wireline or coiled tubing intervention methods.