Abstract: A slip on nut and reverse cut die is provided for dressing the threads of a wellhead or other item. A nut is provided that may be slipped onto a threaded section, past any damaged threads, without engaging the threads of the threaded section. Once positioned on a threaded section the nut may be tightened as desired. When removing the nut the reverse edges of the nut may repair or even cut new threads into the threaded section.

Abstract: A side-hole optical cane for measuring pressure and/or temperature is disclosed. The side-hole cane has a light guiding core containing a sensor and a cladding containing symmetrical side-holes extending substantially parallel to the core. The side-holes cause an asymmetric stress across the core of the sensor creating a birefringent sensor. The sensor, preferably a Bragg grating, reflects a first and second wavelength each associated with orthogonal polarization vectors, wherein the degree of separation between the two is proportional to the pressure exerted on the core. The side-hole cane structure self-compensates and is insensitive to temperature variations when used as a pressure sensor, because temperature induces an equal shift in both the first and second wavelengths. Furthermore, the magnitude of these shifts can be monitored to deduce temperature, hence providing the side-hole cane additional temperature sensing capability that is unaffected by pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating at least a portion of a tubular for use in a wellbore comprising a first, inner tubular in the form of carrier tube and a second, outer tubular in the form of protective shroud, coupled to the carrier tube. One or more aperture is provided in a wall of the carrier tube for permitting fluid transfer through the tube and one or more aperture is provided to permit fluid transfer through the shroud A sealing layer is disposed on a surface of the shroud, the sealing layer defining a first configuration permitting fluid flow through the apertures and, on exposure to a selected reactant, adopting a second configuration to restrict fluid flow through the apertures, the sealing layer adapted to return from the second configuration to the first configuration where concentration of the selected reactant falls below a selected threshold.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.

Abstract: A plunger lift system has a plunger with main and ancillary sleeves that dispose in tubing. The sleeves can move in the tubing between a bumper and a lubricator. Both sleeves have a passage for fluid to pass therethrough, and the sleeves can fall independently of one another from the surface to the bumper. When disposed on the bumper, the sleeves mate together. Building gas pressure downhole can then lift the mated sleeves, which push a column of liquid along with them to the surface. The main sleeve has a narrow stem on its distal end with openings that communicate with the sleeve's passage. A nodule also extends from the distal end. The ancillary sleeve fits at least partially on the narrow stem, and an orifice in the sleeve's opening engages on the nodule. Thus, the mated sleeves close off fluid communication through the main sleeve's passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting tubulars comprises tongs for gripping the tubulars, having openings which can be aligned to allow tubulars to enter the tongs, and a detection apparatus for detecting the location of a joint between the tubulars. The detection apparatus comprises a set of keys disposed along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the tubulars, the keys being individually displaceable on contact with the tubulars as the tubulars enter the tongs through the openings. The detection apparatus further comprises a set of sensor means, each arranged to detect displacement of a corresponding key. The position of the joint can then be determined from the displacement of the keys.

Abstract: A control line running system includes a control line storage unit and a guiding system having a guiding device and a guide rail for guiding a control line from the control line storage unit toward a well center. The system may also include a control line manipulator assembly for moving the control line toward a tubular and a control line clamp for attaching the control line to the tubular.

Abstract: A power slip extends a joint from tubing disposed in casing at a well so that a casing head can install on the casing and the tubing can be packed-off from the casing. The joint attaches to an inner sleeve having collet members that fit onto the inner tubing so that the joint extends thereabove. An outer sleeve and interlocking collet assemble together and install onto the inner sleeve. The collet threads onto the inner sleeve and forces the outer sleeve downward onto the inner sleeve. Being forced, the outer sleeve causes the collet members to engage around the inner tubing. The casing head then installs on the casing with the joint extending up through the head's bowl. An H-plate installs in the open bowl around the extended joint, and another pack-off installs on the joint to pack it off from a spool attaching to the casing head.

Abstract: Wellhead control line deployment involves replacing the seat/retainer plate of a master valve of the wellhead with a modified retainer plate. The retainer plate defines a first port communicating from a central opening of the plate to outside the plate. A modified bonnet installs on the master valve, and the bonnet has two ports, one communicating with the first port in the retainer plate and the second communicating with a needle valve port. The communication ports are linked by a tube with outside diameter seals that inserts between the retainer plate and the bonnet. A control line hanger can be retained by locking into an adapter sleeve or directly in the back-pressure valve threads of a tubing hanger. The adapter sleeve can be attached to the retainer plate or have a collet to snap into the back-pressure valve threads of the tubing hanger.

Abstract: Selective and non-selective lock mandrel assemblies include a lock mandrel affixing to a running tool. A collet on the tool holds an inner mandrel in a downhole position in the lock mandrel. For the non-selective assembly, a biased key on the lock mandrel extends into a nipple profile, and shoulders on the key and profile stop further run-in. Operators shear a first shear pin on the running tool by jarring down, and the collet moves and releases its hold on the inner mandrel. Freed, the inner mandrel biased by a spring moves to an uphole position, and a flange fits behind the extended key to lock it in the profile. For the selective assembly, the biased key is held retracted until activated using locator dogs on the running tool to engage a transition when running uphole. Once the lock mandrel is set, operators detach the running tool from it.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and/or apparatus for deploying wireline tools with a non-electric string. In one embodiment, a method of determining a free point of a tubular string stuck in a wellbore includes deploying a tool string in the stuck tubular with a non-electric string. The free point assembly includes a battery, a controller, and a free point tool. The method further includes activating the free point tool by the controller. The free point tool contacts an inner surface of the stuck tubular string. The method further includes applying a tensile force and/or torque to the stuck tubular string; and measuring a response of the tubular string with the free point tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a phase fraction of a flow stream are disclosed. An infrared phase fraction meter includes a light source for emitting into a flow stream infrared radiation that includes first and second wavelength bands. The first wavelength band substantially transmits through first and second phases of the flow stream and is substantially absorbed by a third phase. In contrast, the second wavelength band is substantially absorbed by the second phase relative to the first and third phases. One or more detectors simultaneously detect attenuation of the first and second wavelength bands upon the infrared radiation passing through at least a portion of the flow stream, and a phase fraction of the second phase is determined based on the attenuation. As an example, the first, second and third phases are gas, water and oil, respectively, produced from a well.

Abstract: In order to overcome the need to completely disassemble a dual or even possibly a multiple string packer on the rig floor and avoid the delays and potential for failure that such a rebuild entails, a dual string packer may be provided with a crossover module located such that fluid communication may be provided from any tubular bore to the internal shifting chamber without completely disassembling the dual string packer. an indexing cassette may be attached to the through tubing mandrels at or near the bottom or lower end of the dual string packer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the active control of a wavelength-swept light source used to interrogate optical elements having characteristic wavelengths distributed across a wavelength range are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus identify downhole equipment and correlate input data with the equipment to improve planning and/or inventory operations. For some embodiments, oilfield equipment or tubular goods such as drill pipe include a shaped recess along an outer circumference for receiving a tag cartridge by shrink fitting. Once tagged, detector system configurations at pipe yards may facilitate logging the presence and location of each drill pipe and correlating specific data, such as inspection data, to each drill pipe. Further, this correlation populates a database utilized to achieve other business functions such as forecasting number of additional drill pipe needed to purchase, invoicing customers according to actual tracked wear/use of the drill pipe being returned, and providing well or job specific drill string population using known history pipe joints.

Abstract: Foams and methods of using foams for fighting fires in confined areas (i.e., mine shafts) are provided. In one embodiment, a foam for extinguishing a fire is provided. The foam includes a surfactant; a non-flammable liquid; and an inert gas having a density substantially less than air. Preferably, the density of the foam is substantially less than the density of air. The light foam will allow a basic form of directional control of the foam because the light foam will float towards the ceiling of a cavern or mine shaft. This offers fire fighters several options in extinguishing an underground fire.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable monitoring a hydrocarbon well for water within a flow stream of the well. A water detector includes a light source for emitting into a flow stream infrared light that includes a water absorbent wavelength band. A detector detects attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band upon the infrared radiation passing through at least a portion of the flow stream. The water detector outputs a presence of water and/or a phase fraction or quantification of water as determined based on the attenuation. Detecting attenuation of a substantially transmissive wavelength band with respect to water simultaneously with detection of the attenuation of the water absorbent wavelength band can enable correction for non-wavelength dependent attenuation.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a continuous sucker rod coil, wherein the method includes the step of selecting a plurality of input coils, each input coil having the same uniform hardness, and each input coil having two free ends. The method further includes the step of fusing adjacent free ends of adjacent input coils together to form one continuous length of rod, the fusing creating fused areas and a heat-affected zone at each fused area. The method also includes the step of treating each of the heat-affected zones to alleviate irregularities induced during fusing. Additionally, the method includes the step of winding the continuous length of rod into a finished coil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.

Abstract: An entry tube system allows fluid to enter a chamber and flow to one or more shunt tubes connected to a downhole end of the entry tube. The fluid can enter the chamber about all or substantially all of the circumference of an inner mandrel disposed within the entry tube, and flow through the chamber to be directed into the shunt tubes.