Abstract: A Linear Solver method and apparatus, embodied in a Simulator and adapted for solving systems of non-linear partial differential equations and systems of linear equations representing physical characteristics of an oil and/or gas reservoir, includes receiving a first signal representing physical characteristics of a reservoir, obtaining a residual vector {right arrow over (r)}0 from the first signal (representing errors associated with a system of nonlinear equations describing the reservoir) and a first matrix A0(representing the sensitivity of the residual vector to changes in a system of nonlinear equations), recursively decomposing matrix A0 into a lower block triangular matrix, an upper block triangular matrix, and a diagonal matrix, and generating a second matrix M0 that is an approximation to matrix A0.

Abstract: A form of the invention is directed to a method for determining properties of earth formations surrounding a borehole, including the following steps: (a) providing a logging device that is moveable through the borehole; (b) transmitting electromagnetic energy from the logging device into the formations, and receiving nuclear magnetic resonance spin echoes at the logging device; (c) performing step (b) a plurality of times, with a respective plurality of different transmitting and/or receiving conditions to obtain a plurality of measurements; (d) generating a formation model that includes a plurality of model components for a brine phase and a plurality of model components for a native oil phase; (e) modifying the model components to optimize the model with respect to the measurement signals; and (f) outputting model components of the optimized model.

Abstract: A formation isolation valve assembly for use in a well includes first and second fluid paths that are coupled to at least first and second completion zones. A first valve controls fluid flow from the first zone to the first fluid path, and a second valve controls fluid flow from a second zone to the second fluid path. The valves may include ball valves and sleeve valves.

Abstract: Methods are provided for exposing a selected feature of an IC device, such as a selected conductor, from the back side of the substrate without disturbing adjacent features of the device, such as active regions. One such method comprises: (a) determining a region of the IC device in which the selected feature is located; (b) acquiring from the back side of the substrate an IR optical microscope image of the region; (c) aligning the IR optical microscope image with a coordinate system of a milling system; and (d) using structures visible in the IR optical microscope image as a guide, operating the milling system to expose the selected feature from the back side of the IC device without disturbing adjacent features.

Abstract: A Tracking Dip Estimator software including a novel Multi-Sine Tracking Software is adapted to be stored in a computer system memory for instructing a processor to produce a “first output” including a plurality of tracks in response to input borehole image data, and a “second output” including a plurality of “dip data” d in response to the plurality of tracks, the Tracking Dip Estimator software generating the “first output” and “second output” by: (1) pre-processing the input borehole image data with a Detector to output a plurality of image edge elements called “reports”, (2) using the reports as input to a Multi-Sine Tracking software that recursively develops a “first output” including a plurality of tracks, or a plurality of connected sets of track points, lying along sinusoidal dip events in the input borehole image data; the Multi-Sine Tracking software has embedded mathematical models for sinusoidal dip events, (3)

Abstract: A sampling device for use downhole is provided comprising a hollow body (24) having a fluid inlet port (26) for fluid entry to the interior thereof, characterised by a gas extraction system (64) associated with the hollow body (24) and capable of securing as a non-volatile component at least part of a volatile component dissolved in a fluid entering the hollow body (24), the gas extraction system being removable therefrom to allow quantitative analysis of the non-volatile component to be undertaken. The gas extraction system (64) is placed in a supplementary chamber (46) having an inlet (50) and an outlet (52) which is attached to the hollow body and through which fluid passes to enter the hollow body. The gas extraction system is iron oxide to fix sulphur from volatile hydrogen sulphide for later analysis.

Abstract: A full bore set down tool assembly provides a housing attached to a packer in a wellbore and aligned with the production zone. A service tool of the tool assembly is attached to a tubing string extending to the surface and is adapted for selective, removable attachment to and positioning within the housing. The tool assembly defines a downstream flow path and a return flow path when the service tool is attached to the housing. A ball valve that is selectively shiftable from the surface opens and closes the return flow path to define a circulate position and a squeeze position. The housing, service tool, and ball valve also define a reverse position. The tool assembly facilitates gravel packing of the annulus between the wellbore casing and the service string including the tool assembly.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method that effectively provides the near real-time advantage of annular pressure while drilling (APWD) measurements taken during pipe connections that require the mud circulation pumps to be turned off (a “pumps-off” condition). APWD data, such as pressure measurements, are obtained from instruments and related electronics within the bottom-hole assembly (BHA). APWD data can be measured, stored and even processed in the BHA during a pumps-off condition for subsequent processing or communication of a reduced amount of data to the driller at the surface.

Abstract: A service tool string (34) is releasably attached to a bottom hole assembly (18) and forms a production string as well as a work string. The tool (35) has a mandrel (102) and a slide valve assembly (68) mounted on the mandrel for relative sliding movement. Crossover ports (114, 124) are provided in the mandrel (102) and the slide valve assembly (68). Slide valve assembly (68) moves by gravity and spring action when not contacted by the bottom hole assembly (18) to a position in which ports (114, 124) are blocked as shown in FIG. 7B. Upon contact of slidable valve assembly (68) with the bottom hole assembly (18), slide valve assembly is moved upwardly for alignment of ports (114, 124) as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B. An equalizing valve (29) as shown in FIGS. 10-12 is effective to equalize the fluid pressure within the bottom hole assembly (18) with the fluid pressure outside the perforated casing section (23) so that in a reverse position as shown in FIG.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating and transmitting data signals to the surface of the earth while drilling a borehole, the system operating by generating pressure pulses in the drilling fluid filling the drill string. The system is designed to maximize signal strength while minimizing the probability of jamming by drilling fluid particulates. The system uses a rotary valve modulator consisting of a stator with flow orifices through which drilling fluid flows, and a rotor which rotates with respect to the stator thereby opening and restricting flow through the orifices and thereby generating pressure pulses. The flow orifices with the stator in a “closed” position are configured to reduce jamming, and to simultaneously minimize flow area in order to maximize signal strength. This is accomplished by imparting a shear to the fluid flow through the modulator, and minimizing the aspect ratio and maximizing the minimum principal dimension of the closed flow area.

Abstract: Once an oil well has been drilled and is producing, it is desirable to monitor the rate at which oil or gas is being delivered. It is particularly useful to know when there is a change in a fluid's output rate, for that can indicate problems with the well. This monitoring is known as “production logging”. Prior to the introduction of horizontal well drilling, most wells were either vertical or only slightly deviated. However, many present-day wells have long horizontal or nearly-horizontal portions, and the techniques used to measure flow in vertical wells are not applicable to horizontal wells. Moreover, any flow rate measurement technique to be used downhole should take account not only of the several sorts of “lined” wells but also the “barefoot” ones.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention include an optical fiber with a Bragg grating formed along a portion of its core and a mechanical structure arranged adjacent to the Bragg grating for amplifying transverse strain on the fiber in the vicinity of the grating. In particular, the mechanical structure is designed to convert ambient pressure into transverse strain on the fiber in the vicinity of the grating. The methods of the invention include converting pressure into transverse strain on an optical fiber, amplifying the effect of pressure on the transverse strain, measuring pressure by determining the spacing between spectral locations related to peaks (or minimums) of light reflected from an optical grating subjected to transverse strain, and measuring the temperature of the grating by determining the locations of the spectral locations related to the peaks (or minimums) of light reflected from the grating.

Abstract: A seismic survey vessel having a displacement monohull is provided with a streamer deck which width increases progressively from amidships towards the stern of the vessel, on both sides of the centerline of the vessel. This increased width of the streamer deck, reaching 37.5 meters at the stern, facilitates the deployment and towing of particularly wide streamer arrays, containing as many as sixteen streamers. It also provides space for the installation of novel streamer handling systems, one for each streamer, across the width of the rear of the streamer deck.

Abstract: A computer controlled heave compensation wireline logging winch system and method of use that compensates for the effects of wave motion on floating installations performing wireline logging measurements. A wireline winch and wireline cable with a logging measurement tool attached is installed on a floating installation. Vessel vertical movement is measured and is physically compensated for by a change in speed of the wireline cable so that the logging data is obtained at a controlled speed. Any error in this physical compensation is detected by a depth measurement system and is used to adjust the true depth at which the logging tool measurements are being recorded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a conductivity log, unaffected by shoulder effect and dip, from voltage data developed by a well tool disposed in a borehole. The method involves accessing the voltage data developed by the tool, processing the data, reconstructing two-coil voltage data, and computing differences of the two-coil data, to derive a conductivity profile representative of the formation. The apparatus forms part of a well logging system including a well tool adapted to be moveable through a borehole. The apparatus being coupled to the well tool and adapted with means to access voltage data developed by the receivers disposed on the well tool. The apparatus further adapted with means for boosting the voltage data, means for reconstructing two-coil voltages from the boosted voltage data, means for processing the reconstructed two-coil voltage data, and means for producing a conductivity log from the processed two-coil voltages.

Abstract: A process for preparing an HMX product comprises the steps of: (a) providing a granule that comprises a plurality of alpha-HMX particles and which has internal void spaces; and (b) sorbing at least one second material into the void spaces in the granule. The second material can be sorbed into the granules by using a vacuum to draw a gas phase comprising the second material into the granule. Alternatively, the second material can be sorbed into the granules by dissolving or dispersing the second material in a liquid solvent, contacting the solvent with the granules, and evaporating the solvent, whereby the second material is sorbed into the granules. Various second materials can be used, such as energetic materials and fuels.

Abstract: A downhole device and method for performing a function in a well. The device has a series of dedicated hydro-mechanical locks that prevent occurrence of an associated function. The hydro-mechanical locks are capable of being released directly by a respective elevated hydraulic activating pressure condition, and are constructed and arranged for sequential operation, such that a successive lock in the series cannot be released until after the hydraulic pressure condition required to release the preceding lock in the series has occurred. In a preferred embodiment, an actuator sequentially releases each lock in a series of locks, subsequently moving an operator to perform a function. A preferred implementation employs a series of resilient rings movable, sequentially, from a locking to an unlocking position, and a common actuator that effects these movements.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention may include a nipple, a deflector, and a conveying tool. The nipple may include an upper sealing surface and a lower sealing surface. The nipple may also include a discriminator/muleshoe having an alignment profile and an alignment slot. A protuberance/bump may be disposed in the alignment slot. The deflector may include an upper seal and a lower seal adapted for engagement with the upper and lower sealing surfaces, respectively, on the nipple. When the upper and lower seals are engaged with the upper and lower sealing surfaces, fluid circulation is substantially restricted thereby resulting in a increase in pressure that is detectable at the earth's surface. This pressure increase provides a signal that the deflector is properly positioned in the nipple. The conveying tool may include a flexible arm having a latching finger that is releasably engageable with a latching profile in the deflector. The latching profile may be on an inclined, concave surface of a whipstock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing connectivity of lateral branch liners to main well casings to achieve predictable and stable mechanical connectivity at the lateral junction of branch well bores to the main well bore to counter the problems of formation instability at the junction. After construction of a well having one or more lateral branches, a retrievable lateral branch template is located in the casing of a main well bore in positioned and oriented registry with a casing window that opens to a lined lateral branch. A retrievable lateral branch connector is then installed in assembly with the template to cooperatively define a production flow path having maximized mechanical integrity and optimized production flow in both the lateral bore and the main bore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predictable downhole milling of a casing window having predetermined location, orientation, dimension and contour geometry. An elongate substantially rigid milling shaft has at least one casing window milling element in fixed relation therewith and has a pilot mill in articulated and rotary driven connection with the milling shaft. The milling shaft is in articulated and rotary driven connection with a rotary drive mechanism. The articulated connection of the pilot mill and milling shaft may incorporate an articulation control system to permit the pilot mill to be maintained substantially coaxial with the milling shaft so that its trajectory at a predetermined stage of window milling can be controlled by the milling shaft when positive guiding by a deflecting tool can no longer be ensured.