Abstract: A system or apparatus for use in downhole communication or detection comprises a downhole arrangement defining a throughbore and primary and secondary elements. One of the primary and secondary elements is provided on the downhole arrangement and the other of the primary and secondary elements is provided in the throughbore. The primary and secondary elements are configurable for coupling of an electromagnetic field therebetween. The primary or secondary element which is provided in the throughbore may be provided on a tool such as a shifting tool which is deployable through the throughbore. The secondary element may be configured to provide the electromagnetic field coupled between the first and second elements with one or more characteristic features. The system may be configured for use, in particular though not exclusively, for communicating information to and/or from a downhole tool in an oil or gas well.

Abstract: A method of making a connection between a first tubular and a second tubular includes gripping the first tubular using a power tong; gripping the second tubular using a backup tong; applying a torque to the first tubular using a power tong; and moving the power tong at a predetermined speed to compensate for a weight of the power tong.

Abstract: Angular position readings are obtained during rotation of an apparatus in a borehole, and angular rate readings are obtained over time of the rotation. The angular rate readings are adjusted based at least on the angular position readings. The angular position measurement does not require calibrated magnetometers or accelerometers to function. Additionally, a dynamic scale factor calculation for an angular rate gyroscope (ARG) allows the ARG to be used over a much wider operating range than without such a calculation. Finally, an integrated angular rate from the ARG calibrated for bias and scale factor fills in positional information between the magnetometers' zero crossings to deliver a high resolution hybrid angular position system capable of measuring precise angular position at high and irregular downhole rotation rates.

Abstract: A load cell for use with a tong assembly includes a body; a chamber formed in the body; and a strain gauge disposed in the chamber. The load cell also includes a first eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly, and a second eye for pivotal coupling to the tong assembly. An optional biasing member is disposed around the second eye for biasing the body relative to the tong assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are for coupling a drive unit to a tool adapter. A drive unit includes a drive stem; a plurality of sliding coupling members; a retainer; a torque profile; a plurality of drive stem ports; a coupling collar; coupling recesses; a plurality of transmission units; and/or first portions of a hydraulic coupling unit. A tool adapter includes a tool stem; a tool stem sleeve; coupling recesses; a torque profile; a plurality of sliding coupling members; and/or second portions of the hydraulic coupling unit. A method of coupling a drive unit to a tool adapter includes positioning the tool adapter below the drive unit; stabbing a drive stem into an interior of a tool stem sleeve; coupling torque between the drive unit and the tool adapter; and coupling load between the drive unit and the tool adapter by engaging a plurality of sliding coupling members.

Abstract: A drilling choke is controlled in a controlled pressure system. Pressure and position of the drilling choke are monitored. An adjustment to the position of the choke is determined based on the monitored pressure to control the drilling pressures. An actuation is produced of an actuator operably coupled to the choke to implement the determined adjustment. Rather than directly transferring, the actuation of the actuator is transferred with a transfer mechanism to motion of the choke in a non-linear relationship relative to the position of the choke. Generally, motion of the choke's internal trim (e.g., gate, ball, flapper, disc, etc.) is made quicker when near a fully opened position and is made slower when near a fully closed position. This reduces the need for strict precision for the motion. In the end, the monitored pressure is altered in response to the implemented choke adjustment.

Abstract: A stage cementing system includes a stage cementing assembly having a stage tool. The stage tool has an outer mandrel, an inner mandrel coupled to and disposed inside of the outer mandrel, an annular chamber between the outer mandrel and the inner mandrel, a first outer port through the outer mandrel, and longitudinally spaced first and second inner ports through the inner mandrel. The stage cementing system further includes an inner string assembly configured to be located inside the inner mandrel. The inner string assembly has a tubular body having a central throughbore and longitudinally spaced first and second side ports, a lower external seal element below the first and second side ports, a middle external seal element between the first and second side ports, and an upper external seal element above the first and second side ports.

Abstract: A gas migration prevention module can include a housing, control line connections configured to connect the housing between control line sections, spaced apart pistons sealingly received in the housing, and a fluid volume defined between the pistons. A control line system can include an upper control line section, a lower control line section in fluid communication with a downhole tool, and a gas migration prevention module connected between the upper and lower control line sections, the lower control line section providing fluid communication between the gas migration prevention module and the downhole tool, and the gas migration prevention module comprising spaced apart pistons and a fluid volume defined between the pistons, the fluid volume being in fluid communication with an exterior of the gas migration prevention module.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery are presented. One example system generally includes a first tool and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool. The first control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing. The system further includes a second tool and a second control device mounted on the second tool and configured to operate the second tool. The second control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A well tool can include a downhole anchor with at least one outwardly extendable slip including longitudinally spaced apart grip structures, and a longitudinally extending beam which connects the grip structures to each other. The beam has a radial thickness which is greater than a lateral width of the beam. A slip retainer retains the slip, and a spring inwardly biases the slip relative to the slip retainer. The spring surrounds the slip and the slip retainer. An area moment of inertia of the beam with respect to a lateral axis through a centroid of the beam is greater than an area moment of inertia of the beam with respect to a radial axis through the centroid of the beam.

Abstract: A completion apparatus for a wellbore includes several flow tools and an actuation mechanism. The flow tools have a piston defining first and second chambers with a housing. The chambers communicate with hydraulics so the piston are movable in response to the communicated hydraulics. A sleeve disposed in the housing is movable with the piston between first, second, and third positions. The sleeve can have a seat movable between two conditions for passing/engaging plugs. The sleeve in the first position closes off communication through the first and second ports, and the sleeve in the second position permits communication through the first port and closes off communication through the second port. The sleeve in the third position closes off communication through the first port and permits communication through the second port. The actuation mechanism is operable to communicate the hydraulics respectively with the chambers of the flow tools.

Abstract: A hydraulic pumping system can include a hydraulic actuator with a magnet that displaces with a piston, and a sensor that continuously detects a position of the magnet. A ferromagnetic wall of the hydraulic actuator is positioned between the magnet and the sensor. A hydraulic pumping method can include incrementally lowering a lower stroke extent of a rod string reciprocation over multiple reciprocation cycles of the rod string, and automatically varying the lower stroke extent or an upper stroke extent of the rod string reciprocation, in response to a measured vibration. Another hydraulic pumping method can include solving a wave equation in the rod string, and automatically varying a reciprocation speed of the rod string in response to a change in work performed during reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator or a change in detected force versus displacement in different reciprocation cycles of the hydraulic actuator.

Abstract: A downhole pump used for a reciprocating pump system includes a barrel coupling to a tubing string and having a standing valve and includes a plunger coupling to a rod string and having a traveling valve. One or both of the valves can include an assembly comprising a housing, an insert, a ball, and a seat. The insert allowing for flow therethrough defines a ball stop at one end has a ball passage at the other end. The insert positions in flow passage of the housing, and one of the ends engages a shoulder in the passage. The insert includes sidewalls and a conical body to reduce turbulence, flow velocity, gas breakout, ball chatter, and the like.

Abstract: A stinger is stabbed into a bore opening of a downhole tool to communicate fluid from a fluid line to the downhole tool. The stinger body defines a bore that communicates with the bore opening of the tool when the stinger body is installed in the downhole tool. An external surface of the stinger body can seal and lock inside an inside surface of the tool's bore opening when the stinger body is installed therein. The stinger body has a flow passage connected to the fluid line. A stinger port in the external surface of the stinger body is in communication with the flow passage and positions in fluid communication with a tool port inside the tool's bore opening so fluid can be communicated to the downhole tool.

Abstract: A centralizer sub for cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular body; a centralizer disposed along an outer surface of the body and having a pair of collars and a plurality of bow springs connecting the collars; and a joint longitudinally coupling the centralizer to the body. The joint has a groove formed in and around the body outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions formed integrally with or mounted to one of the collars and configured to mate with the groove.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a tong assembly having position sensors for controlling door opening and closing sequence. The tong assembly includes a back section, an outer door section movably coupled to the back section, a first actuator configured to move the outer door section between an open position and a closed position, an inner door section movably coupled to the back section, a second actuator configured to move the inner door section between an open position and a closed position, a first sensor positioned to measure a position of the outer door section; and a second sensor positioned to measure a position of the inner door section.

Abstract: An artificial lift system has a surface pump operated by a prime mover powered by a variable speed drive. A jet pump disposed downhole in tubing receives pressurized power fluid from the surface pump, mixes the power and production fluid and delivers the product uphole. A controller disposed at surface adjusts the artificial lift system relative to a set value based on a measured discharged pressure or a measured flowrate and trends a change in the other of the measured flowrate or the measured discharged pressure over time. The controller can also trend an operating condition (intake pressure vs. production rate) to determine changes relative to cavitation conditions. Based on the trended changes, the controller initiates an operation in the artificial lift system, such as adjusting the discharge pressure, initiating an alarm condition, etc.

Abstract: A caliper-behind casing apparatus and method determines a location and size of a washout (i.e., a void) behind casing in a borehole for a salt cavern used for storing hydrocarbons. The cavern and tubing in the casing are filled with brine. Gaseous nitrogen is used to fill an annulus between the tubing and the casing above and below a casing shoe to obtain image responses from operating a pulsed neutron logging tool in the tubing along the borehole. Analysis of burst ratios of near and far detectors on the pulsed neutron logging tool from these passes is used to detect and estimate a void or washout in the formation behind the casing.

Abstract: A system for tong assembly operation includes a mode switch for shifting the tong assembly between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the mode switch having a first portion associated with the first mode and a second portion associated with the second mode; a first target coupled to the first portion, the first target movable to a first position corresponding to the first mode of operation; a second target coupled to the second portion, the second target movable to a second position corresponding to the second mode of operation; a first sensor configured to identify the first position of the first target; and a second sensor configured to identify the second position of the second target.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide combined multi-coupler assembly for quickly connecting a top drive to a tool. The combined multi-coupler assembly includes a drive stem and a tool dock that may be coupled to each other. When the drive stem and the tool dock are connected, axial loads, torsional loads, and hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, optical, or other types of communications may be transferred between the drive stem and the tool dock.