Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.

Abstract: An apparatus for slip monitor and control includes a body; a plurality of slips; a transmitter for each slip; at least one receiver coupled to the body; and an actuator for each slip configured to move the respective slip vertically relative to the body. A method for slip monitor and control includes obtaining slip positional information for a plurality of slips; determining whether the slip positional information for each of the slips matches criteria; and sending one or more control signals to one or more actuators, each actuator configured to move one of the slips vertically relative to a body. A method for handling a tubular includes actuating a plurality of slips to move vertically relative to a body; engaging the tubular with at least one of the slips; measuring positional data of the plurality of slips; and identifying an offset pipe condition.

Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. The slip assemblies have inserts. The inserts have a body defining an internal cavity at least partially therein. The body is composed of a ceramic material having a first density of about 3 g/cc to about 6 g/cc. A volume of the insert can be about 0.4 cc to about 0.6 cc, and a mass of the insert can be about 1.2 g to about 3.6 g. In one example, the ceramic material is silicon nitride. The cavity can be filled with a low density filler material.

Abstract: A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a drive body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the drive body; a trolley for connecting the drive body to a rail of a drilling rig; and a drive ring torsionally connected to a rotor of the drive motor and having a latch profile for selectively connecting one of: a drilling unit, a casing unit, and a cementing unit to the motor unit.

Abstract: A debris collection tool includes a mandrel having a longitudinal flowbore therethrough and an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel. A first array of magnets is arranged on the inner sleeve. A second array of magnets is disposed around the inner sleeve. The first array of magnets is moveable with respect to the second array of magnets. The debris collection tool further includes an adaptor sleeve concentric with the mandrel and a linkage coupling the adaptor sleeve with the inner sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an anchoring and sealing tool. In one aspect, downhole tool for use in a wellbore is provided. The tool includes a tubular having a tapered outer surface. The tool further includes an expandable annular member disposed on the tubular. The expandable member has an anchor portion. The tool further includes a seal member disposed in a groove of the expandable annular member. The seal member has one or more anti-extrusion bands, wherein the seal member and the anchor portion are configured to be expandable radially outward into contact with the wellbore as the expandable annular member moves along the tapered outer surface of the tubular.

Abstract: Methods and tools for determining one or more parameters of an earth formation using time-of-flight (TOF) measurements of fast neutrons through the formation are disclosed. The disclosed tools feature a neutron source capable of emitting a population of fast neutrons having a distribution of neutron energies and one or more neutron detectors. The TOF of the fast neutrons travelling from the neutron source to the detector(s) and traversing a portion of the formation is measured and binned as a function of TOF (which is a function of neutron energy). By determining which neutron energies are attenuated by the intervening formation, the composition of the intervening formation is determined.

Abstract: For a wellbore drilled in a low or subnormal pressure reservoirs, a static loss rate of drilling fluid is monitored within a limit of a drilling rate. In reaching the limit, the annulus is closed off to returns using a rotating control device, or the annulus may remain open to the atmosphere at surface. Operations may not be able to keep the annulus filled with a mud cap so pressurized mud cap drilling cannot be sustained. Instead, an initial fluid level of the mud cap is defined in the annulus. Drilling the wellbore with the mud cap then involves: pumping a sacrificial fluid through the drillstring without returns to surface through the annulus, and monitoring the initial fluid level in the annulus to detect a change. Monitoring uses downhole instrumentation to measure pressure, temperature, and gas level of the mud cap. In response to the detected change, the drilling can be further controlled, including stopping the drilling, turning off pumps, and possibly bullheading the well.

Abstract: A method of deploying a jointed tubular string into a subsea wellbore includes lowering the tubular string into the subsea wellbore from an offshore drilling unit. The tubular string has a slip joint. The method further includes, after lowering, anchoring a lower portion of the tubular string below the slip joint to a non-heaving structure. The method further includes, while the lower portion is anchored: supporting an upper portion of the tubular string above the slip joint from a rig floor of the offshore drilling unit; after supporting, adding one or more joints to the tubular string, thereby extending the tubular string; and releasing the upper portion of the extended tubular string from the rig floor. The method further includes: releasing the lower portion of the extended tubular string from the non-heaving structure; and lowering the extended tubular string into the subsea wellbore.

Abstract: A pressure control device can include an outlet, an inlet secured to well equipment, and a swivel mechanism that permits relative rotation between the outlet and the inlet in an unlocked configuration and prevents relative rotation between the outlet and the inlet in a locked configuration. A lock device of the swivel mechanism can include circumferentially distributed teeth, and an engagement member that engages at least one of the teeth in the locked configuration. A method of operating a pressure control device can include securing an inlet of the pressure control device to well equipment, rotating an outlet of the pressure control device about a longitudinal axis of the inlet, locking a swivel mechanism of the pressure control device, thereby preventing rotation of the outlet relative to the inlet, and sealing off an annulus surrounding a tubular string extending through the inlet.

Abstract: A well pumping system can include a rod rotator including a torque transfer device, an outer housing and a rotary actuator. The rotary actuator rotates the torque transfer device and a rod relative to the outer housing. The rod reciprocably displaces longitudinally relative to the outer housing. A method of rotating a rod string can include applying a torque from a torque transfer device to a rod connected to the rod string, the torque being maintained in the rod as the rod displaces relative to an outer housing. The torque transfer device is fully enclosed within the outer housing during the torque applying step. Another well pumping system can include a rod rotator with an outer housing connected between a stuffing box and a blowout preventer. The rod rotator rotates a rod string in a well.

Abstract: A flow restrictor for restricting flow in an annulus, the flow restrictor comprising a body and a restrictor assembly mounted on the body, wherein the restrictor assembly is actuatable between a run-in configuration and a set configuration in which at least a portion of the restrictor assembly is radially splayed to thereby substantially restrict flow in the annulus, and wherein the flow restrictor is actuatable by fluid flow over the restrictor assembly above a threshold flow rate to actuate the restrictor assembly from the run-in configuration to the set configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for counterbalancing a pumping unit. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for operation a pumping unit. The method includes measuring an orientation of a component and one or more parameters of the pumping unit while running the pumping unit, and determining an imbalance of the pumping unit according to the measured orientation and one or more parameters.

Abstract: A valve assembly can include a flow passage extending between an uphole end and a downhole end of the valve assembly, a flapper that pivots between an open position and a closed position, and a pump operable to pivot the flapper, the pump being positioned between the flapper and the downhole end. A method of testing a completion tubing string can include increasing pressure in the completion tubing string while a closure member of a valve assembly is in a closed position, thereby testing a pressure integrity of the completion tubing string on an uphole side of the closure member, and transmitting a pressure signal via a flow passage to a pressure sensor of the valve assembly, thereby causing the closure member to displace to an open position, the pressure sensor being connected to an electronic circuit positioned on a downhole side of the closure member.

Abstract: A connection assembly for a tube having a first pin attached to the tube, the first pin having a first sealing member; a second pin attached to a jumper tube, the second pin having a second sealing member; and a movable sleeve configured to sealingly engage the first sealing member and the second sealing member.

Abstract: A wet mate connection can include two connector assemblies, each connector assembly including at least one connector and a protective barrier displaceable between closed and open positions, and one connector assembly including an engagement device that displaces the protective barrier of the other connector assembly from the closed position to the open position in response to engagement between the connector assemblies. A method of making a connection between lines in a well can include installing a connector assembly, then installing another connector assembly, each connector assembly including a connector and an alignment profile, then axially compressing the connector assemblies, thereby opening protective barriers for the respective connectors, operatively connecting the connectors, and engaging the alignment profiles, thereby maintaining rotational alignment of the connectors.

Abstract: A tubular handling assembly includes a mandrel; a plurality of gripping elements for gripping a tubular, the plurality of gripping elements coupled to and rotatable with the mandrel; one or more accumulators; a first actuator configured to supply fluid to the one or more accumulators; and a second actuator configured to receive fluid from at least one of the one or more accumulators and to actuate the plurality of gripping elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for making up and evaluating tubular threaded connections. A tong assembly may be used for making up threaded connections. A threaded connection may be made up automatically by controlling the rotation speed of the tong assembly according to measurements of torque, turns, and/or time. After a threaded connection is made up, measurements of time, torque, and/or turns may be corrected based on operating parameters. The corrected measurements may be evaluated for indications of failure, such as discontinuity, torque spikes, and torque drops. The threaded connection is then accepted or rejected based on the evaluation.

Abstract: A top drive unit including a top drive housing, a drive stem disposed in the top drive housing, a carrier configured to axially move the drive stem relative to the top drive housing, and a drive mechanism for rotating the drive stem.

Abstract: An oil or gas well actuator (1) assembly comprising a fixed member (10), an actuating member (30) being moveable axially with respect to the fixed member, with open-ended recesses containing canted coil springs (40) on e.g. the fixed member and a radially extending shoulder (30s) on the actuating member which adapted to engage a canted coil spring within a recess (20). A support member (50) is adapted to cover open ends of the recesses and moves into different axial positions with respect to the recesses to uncover open ends of different recesses in the different axial positions of the support member. Expansion of a canted coil spring (40) from an open end of a recess engages with the shoulder (30s) to restrict movement of the actuating member (30) at indexed positions. When the actuating member (30) moves relative to the support member direction, the support member (50) retains its position relative to the canted coil spring.