Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow between two tubulars includes disposing a sealing member in an annular area between two tubulars, wherein the two tubulars partially overlap; moving the sealing member to a lower position where it is not in contact with one of the tubulars, thereby allowing fluid flow through the annular area; and moving the sealing member to an upper position where it is in contact with both of the tubulars, thereby preventing fluid flow through the annular area.

Abstract: A setting tool for hanging a tubular string includes: a tubular mandrel having an actuation port formed through a wall thereof; a debris barrier for engaging an upper end of the tubular string; and a piston having an upper face in fluid communication with the actuation port. The setting tool further includes: an actuator sleeve extending along the mandrel and connected to the piston; a latch releasably connecting the debris barrier to the actuator sleeve and for releasably connecting the debris barrier to the tubular string; a packoff connected to the mandrel below the piston and operable to seal against an inner surface of the tubular string, thereby forming a buffer chamber between the debris barrier and the packoff; and a passage. The passage: is in fluid communication with a lower face of the piston, is formed in a wall of and along the mandrel, and bypasses the packoff.

Abstract: A jetting tool includes a tubular housing having: couplings formed at each longitudinal end thereof, and one or more ports formed through a wall thereof and in fluid communication with an upper portion of a bore of the housing. The jetting tool further includes a valve mechanism isolating the housing bore upper portion from a lower portion thereof in a closed position and operable to an open position where the valve mechanism provides fluid communication between the housing bore portions.

Abstract: A flapper valve for a surface controlled, sub-surface safety valve has a seat and a curved flapper. The seat has a seating rim, and the curved flapper has a sealing rim and can pivot relative to the seat. The flapper's sealing rim corresponds in shape to the seating rim. Both rims have lobes disposed outside a circular perimeter. Also, the undulating edges of the rims have corresponding outcroppings and incroppings. When a flow tube moves towards or away from the flapper, the flapper's lobes protect the flapper's sealing rim as the flapper's inside surface engages the moving flow tube. Moreover, the rims can have a groove and a ridge that engage one another when the rims close.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tubular handling apparatus is provided with a wedge lock release mechanism that creates a clearance to allow movement by the mandrel having mating wedge surfaces relative to the tubular to release the wedge slips. In another embodiment, a tubular handling apparatus for handling a tubular includes a mandrel; a carrier coupled to the mandrel; a gripping element for engaging the tubular; an engagement member coupled to the carrier for engaging an upper portion of the tubular; and an abutment device adapted to engage the engagement member, wherein a length of the abutment device is adjustable to allow movement of the engagement member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for subsea pipeline servicing, including dewatering and chemical containment. A subsea pipeline service skid has a containment bladder affixed to the skid and in fluid communication with a skid mounted pump dimensioned to pump fluid from the subsea pipeline. A sensor system at the suction side of the pump detects the presence of seawater, water, chemical agent, or gas so the pump can be operated accordingly. The chemical agent used during dewatering operations of the pipeline is selectively pumped to the containment bladder subsea so the subsea vehicle can independently take the chemical agent to the surface.

Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD holding member seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.

Abstract: A gravel pack assembly gravel packs a horizontal borehole. Operators wash down the borehole using a tool in a first position by flowing fluid from the tool through the apparatus' toe. Operators then gravel pack by moving the tool to a first flow port between a screen and the toe. Slurry flows into the borehole from the first flow port, and returns from the borehole flow through the screen. The gravel in the slurry can pack the borehole in an alpha-beta wave from toe to heel. When the tool has a sleeve, operators can break any bridges by flowing fluid from the passage of the assembly into the tool. In another condition, operators can move the tool to a second flow port. Slurry can flow into to the borehole through a shunt extending from the second flow port. Meanwhile, returns can flow from the borehole through a bypass in the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, and one or more side holes for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide. The method features the steps of: assembling a preform for drawing a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, by providing an outer tube having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters and arranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter optical waveguide from the heated preform. In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube.

Abstract: A gas analyzer system that can detect atmospheric air gasses in drilling mud is used to calculate an actual lag time in a well. The calculated lag time and a theoretical lag time may be compared to estimate a caving percentage in an open hole section of the well.

Abstract: A downhole tool has a mandrel with packing elements. Collars between the packing elements define ports communicating with gaps between the packing elements and the mandrels. Opposing piston housings on the mandrel can move in opposing directions to compress the packing elements against the collars. Each piston housing defines a space with the mandrel and has a second port communicating with the gap. Pistons disposed in the spaces are temporarily affixed thereto. Hydraulic pressure communicated through the mandrel's bore acts against the pistons. While affixed to the piston housings, the pistons move the piston housings toward the packing elements to compress then. When the packing elements set, continued pressure breaks shear pins affixing the pistons to the piston housings so the pistons move and eventually seal fluid communication between the second ports in the pistons and the gaps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the impact of guided (or “tube”) waves in permanently installed seismic systems are provided. By utilizing passive acoustic absorbers, the impact of tube waves may be reduced, leading to improved performance of permanently installed seismic systems that are installed onto production tubing when the well is completed.

Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by injecting drilling fluid into a top of a tubular string disposed in the wellbore at a first flow rate and rotating a drill bit. The tubular string includes: the drill bit disposed on a bottom thereof, tubular joints connected together, a longitudinal bore therethrough, a port through a wall thereof, and a sleeve operable between an open position where the port is exposed to the bore and a closed position where a wall of the sleeve is disposed between the port and the bore. The method further includes moving the sleeve to the open position; and injecting drilling fluid into the port at a second flow rate while adding a tubular joint(s) to the tubular string. The injection of drilling fluid into the tubular string is continuously maintained between drilling and adding the joint(s).

Abstract: A rotating breech lock rotates tubing to distribute wear caused by a rotating or reciprocating rod of an artificial lift system. The rotating breech lock has a spool that disposes on a wellhead. A bowl element disposes in the spool's bore, and a hanger fits into the spool and lands on the bowl element with a thrust bearing. Above the hanger, a load ring fits against the hanger with a bearing, and a hold-down sleeve and locking pins hold the load ring against the hanger. The spool has a worm that mates with a wheel defined about the hanger so turning the worm by a ratchet or other mechanism rotates the hanger. Internally, the hanger has a bore with opposing shoulders separated by gaps. A mandrel couples to the tubing and disposes up into the hanger. Protrusions or keys on the hanger can selectively align with the gaps and the shoulders depending on how the mandrel is rotated in the hanger bore.

Abstract: A check valve for gas lift applications can be attached externally to a side pocket mandrel or can be a gas lift valve used in the mandrel. The valve has a seat with a non-elastomeric element and a metal element. A biasing element resiliently biases the non-elastomeric element to provide resiliency to the seal produced. A metal dart moves in the bore relative to the seat and allows or prevents flow through the valve body. When exposed to a first differential pressure, the dart engages the non-elastomeric element resiliently biased by the biasing element. When exposed to a greater differential pressure, the dart engages the metal element, which can be part of the valve in the bore. In one arrangement, the non-elastomeric element can be a thermoplastic component with a metal spring energized seal as the biasing element. Alternatively, the non-elastomeric element can be the jacket of metal spring energized seal with a coil spring as the biasing element.

Abstract: Anti-extrusion devices, packer elements, and inflatable packers include shape memory polymer (SMP) materials to enhance the operation of a packer, a bridge plug, or other downhole isolation tool. Seal system use seals of various material including SMP materials as booster for the seal produced. Tool for flow shut-off and sliding sleeve applications use SMP materials to open or close off flow through a tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable monitoring conditions in a well-bore using multiple cane-based sensors. The apparatus includes an array of cane-based Bragg grating sensors located in a single conduit for use in the well-bore. For some embodiments, each sensor is located at a different linear location along the conduit allowing for increased monitoring locations along the conduit.

Abstract: A method for deploying a marine riser includes: assembling a rotating control device (RCD) spool with the marine riser; lowering the RCD spool through a rotary table of a drilling rig and into a moonpool of an offshore drilling unit; connecting a hose to an upper and lower adapter of the RCD spool in the moonpool; and lowering the RCD spool and the connected hose through the moonpool.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve opens with a deployed ball. The sleeve has a seat disposed in the housing, and the seat has segments biased outward from one another with a C-ring or other biasing element. Initially, the seat has an expanded state in the sliding sleeve so that the seats segments expand outward against the housing's bore. When an appropriately sized ball is deployed downhole, the ball engages the expanded seat. Fluid pressure applied against the seated ball moves the seat into the inner sleeve's bore. As this occurs, the seat contracts, which increases the engagement area of the seat with the ball. Eventually, the seat reaches the shoulder in the inner sleeve so that pressure applied against the seated ball now moves the inner sleeve in the housing to open the sliding sleeve's flow port.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve opens with a deployed ball. The sleeve has a seat disposed in the housing, and the seat has segments biased outward from one another with a C-ring or other biasing element. Initially, the seat has an expanded state in the sliding sleeve so that the seats segments expand outward against the housing's bore. When an appropriately sized ball is deployed downhole, the ball engages the expanded seat. Fluid pressure applied against the seated ball moves the seat into the inner sleeve's bore. As this occurs, the seat contracts, which increases the engagement area of the seat with the ball. Eventually, the seat reaches the shoulder in the inner sleeve so that pressure applied against the seated ball now moves the inner sleeve in the housing to open the sliding sleeve's flow port.