Abstract: A method and a system for the early detection of defects in at least one multiplex pump, which includes a plurality of cylinders or chambers, by determination and analysis of pump harmonics based upon pressure fluctuations in a line in fluid communication with the multiplex pump and multiplex pump frequency. The presence of a defect, the type defect, and specific pump unit having the defect, is determined.

Abstract: A method of quantitative analysis of free organic components in a drilling fluid comprising separating solid and liquid components of the drilling fluid using a non-filtering technique such as centrifuging, mixing a sample of the liquid components with a solution of an inorganic carrier such as 2M KBr and analyzing the mixture using infrared spectroscopy so as to determine the amount of organic components in the mixture and deriving the amount of free organic components in the drilling fluid from this analysis. In one embodiment, the mixture is dried to leave a solid mixture of the organic components and the carrier. In this case, the sample is preferably analyzed using a reflectance technique such as diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy. In another embodiment, the mixture is analyzed as a liquid, preferably using a direct transmission technique. In both the liquid and solid cases, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is preferred.

Abstract: A method combining resin consolidation and placement of fibrous material in intimate mixture with particulates provides a means of stabilizing a formation respect to sand production while enhancing well productivity without requiring a gravel pack screen.

Abstract: An inflatable packer assembly used in well service work and having a mandrel that carries a normally retracted inflatable packer unit. The unit includes an inner elastomer bladder surrounded by a reinforcement. To control the shape of the unit during inflation and thereby prevent the formation of Z-folds in the bladder, its axial stiffness is preferentially increased relative to its circumferential or hoop stiffness by devices such as carbon fibers or fiberglass tape.

Abstract: The addition of fibrous materials in intimate mixture with particulates for fracturing and gravel packing decreases or eliminates the flowback of proppant and/or formation fines while stabilizing the sand pack and lowering the demand for high polymer loadings in the placement fluids. Preferred fibers include glass, aramide, nylon and other natural and synthetic organic and inorganic fibers and metal filaments.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a window through the wall of a well casing to enable a new borehole to be drilled outside the casing include forming a cement plug in the casing, drilling a laterally offset hole in the cement plug, orienting and setting a whipstock in the offset hole, and using the whipstock to drill an elongated window through the casing wall opposite its deflector surface. The drilling steps employ a mud motor having a bent housing that establishes a toolface for the bit, and proper orientation is obtained by downhole measurement and transmission to the surface of orientation signals and downhole adjustment of orientation to a selected toolface value. The whipstock is oriented in the same manner. All drilling and orientation procedures are carried out on coiled tubing to reduce costs.