Abstract: A bottom hole assembly can include a mill and a whipstock having an upper end and an opening. A retractable pin extends from the mill into the opening. A section of the whipstock is separable from the whipstock in response to a force applied to the mill. The section is positioned between the opening and the upper end. A method can include positioning a bottom hole assembly in a well, the bottom hole assembly including a whipstock releasably secured to a mill, and then releasing the mill from the whipstock by separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock. Another method can include conveying a bottom hole assembly into a well, setting an anchor, then applying pressure to a hydraulic release mechanism, and then applying a force to the mill, thereby separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock.

Abstract: A progressing cavity device operates as a motor to impart torque to a bit. A stator of the device defines an internal profile having uphole stages with a first dimension being less than a second dimension of downhole stage. A rotor has an external profile with a constant outer dimension along its length. Disposed in the stator, the rotor defines cavities with the stator and is rotatable with pumped fluid progressing in the cavities from the uphole to downhole to transfer torque to the drive toward the downhole end. Although the rotor is subjected at the downhole end to a reactive torque from the bit, the interference fit of the rotor's constant dimension with the stator's downhole stages is less than with the uphole stages, which can mitigate issues with heat buildup in the downhole stages. The device can also operates as a progressing cavity pump.

Abstract: A liner string for a wellbore includes a liner hanger assembly (LHA) and a liner hanger deployment assembly (LHDA) releasably attached to the LHA. The LHDA includes a central bore and a running tool moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position, the running tool including a flow path in communication with the central bore. The liner string further includes a chamber disposed between the LHDA and LHA, wherein the chamber is in selective fluid communication with the flow path. Wherein, when the flow path is closed, the chamber is isolated from the central bore, and when the flow path is open, the flow path provides fluid communication between central bore and chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of tools, tubulars, casing, or other components that become stuck in a well. An anchor includes a mandrel, a carrier disposed on the mandrel and movable relative to the mandrel between an extended position and a retracted position, and an insert configured to engage an internal surface of a tubular, the insert movably disposed in the carrier as the carrier moves between the extended position and the retracted position. A method for anchoring a tool in a wellbore includes deploying the tool into the wellbore through a tubular to a first position, the tool comprising an anchor having a carrier and an insert disposed in the carrier, extending the carrier towards the tubular, and moving the insert relative to the carrier while engaging the inserts with the tubular, thereby anchoring the tool in the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a rod pumping unit for a wellbore are provided. One example method includes measuring vibration data in the time domain using at least one sensor coupled to a housing for a moving component of the rod pumping unit; converting the vibration data in the time domain to vibration data in the frequency domain; determining that: (1) at least one frequency component of the frequency-domain vibration data in a first frequency band has a power above a first threshold; or (2) a number of frequency components of the frequency-domain vibration data in a second frequency band having power above a second threshold is above a third threshold; and outputting an indication based on the determination.

Abstract: A method used to determine an operational mode of a tong. The method includes rotating a first sensor target relative to a first sensor and rotating a second sensor target relative to a second sensor. The method also includes identifying a position of the first sensor target using the first sensor and analyzing the position of the first sensor target to determine the operational mode of the tong.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a debris removal tool. In one embodiment, the tool includes a cover assembly having a plurality of covers spaced from one another along the length of the assembly creating a gap between adjacent covers. A carrier disposed within the cover assembly is axial movable relative thereto and has a plurality of magnet groups spaced from one another along its length. In an unactuated position of the tool, each of the plurality of magnet groups is under one of the plurality of covers and in an actuated position, each of the plurality of magnets is in a gap between covers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting and optimizing the effects of acidizing treatment of carbonate rock are disclosed. The disclosed methods predict the conflicting effects of increased production (i.e., wormhole creation) and reduced rock compressive strength due to acid rock reactions. The mechanical stability of stimulated wellbores, such as horizontal wellbores, can be determined under different acidizing conditions, such as acid type and volume. The acidizing conditions can be optimized to maximize short and long-term production.

Abstract: A well barrier can include an inner mandrel, a flow passage, and a releasably secured plug. The plug blocks fluid flow through the flow passage, and includes a shoulder that prevents the plug from displacing completely through the inner mandrel. A method of treating a subterranean well can include treating a deeper zone, setting a well barrier in the well between the deeper zone and a shallower zone, then treating the shallower zone, and then applying a pressure differential from the deeper to the shallower zone, thereby displacing a plug out of the well barrier. A well treatment system can include a well barrier with a plug releasably secured to an inner mandrel. The plug is released by application of a pressure differential in a longitudinal direction, and fluid communication is unblocked by application of a pressure differential in an opposite longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Near-Infrared (NIR) filter photometry is used to calculate component concentrations in multiphase flows. The disclosed methodology adapts the Beer-Lambert law for nonhomogeneous immiscible mixtures (such as oil and water) by modeling the fluid layer as a nonhomogeneous distribution of its components and deriving a mathematical relationship between measured absorbances, component path lengths, and non-homogeneity factors. The methodology is integrated into a multi-channel filter photometer to measure phase concentrations in oil-and-gas pipelines. The system is proven more accurate than current state of the art based on data from simulations, multiphase flow laboratories and field trials.

Abstract: Equipment and methods for coupling a top drive to one or more tools to facilitate data and/or signal transfer therebetween include a receiver assembly connectable to a top drive; a tool adapter connectable to a tool string, wherein a coupling between the receiver assembly and the tool adapter transfers at least one of torque and load therebetween; and a stationary data uplink comprising at least one of: a data swivel coupled to the receiver assembly; a wireless module coupled to the tool adapter; and a wireless transceiver coupled to the tool adapter. Equipment and methods include coupling a receiver assembly to a tool adapter to transfer at least one of torque and load therebetween, the tool adapter being connected to the tool string; collecting data at one or more points proximal the tool string; and communicating the data to a stationary computer while rotating the tool adapter.

Abstract: A whipstock assembly includes an inner body having a bore and an inclined surface at an upper portion; and an outer body disposed around the inner body and releasably attached to the inner body, the outer body having an inclined surface and an upper portion closed to fluid communication.

Abstract: An expandable liner is used to re-complete a wellbore for a re-fracturing operation. The expandable liner may be used to cover the old perforations and provide a larger bore after expansion. The larger bore allows the new completion perforations and fracturing operation to be more easily achieved. In one embodiment, an expandable liner an expandable tubular having a threaded connection, wherein the threaded connection includes a groove configured to fail at a predetermined tension load. In another embodiment, the expandable liner may have a rib disposed around an outer diameter of the expandable tubular, wherein the rib is configured to form a seal with the outer tubular.

Abstract: An anchor for securing a well tool can include a longitudinally extending central axis, an outwardly extendable grip member, and a mechanical linkage including multiple pivotably connected links. The links pivot relative to each other in a plane laterally offset from the central axis. A method of anchoring a well tool can include flowing a fluid through an anchor connected to the well tool, thereby outwardly extending a grip member into contact with a well surface, and applying a tensile force to the anchor, thereby increasingly biasing the grip member against the well surface and securing the well tool relative to the well surface. A method of anchoring a tubing cutter in a tubular string can include applying a tensile force from an anchor to the tubular string, and cutting the tubular string while the tensile force is applied from the anchor to the tubular string.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to an optical reference element having a wavelength spectrum comprising a plurality of wavelength functions having wavelength peaks spaced over a range of wavelengths, wherein adjacent wavelength functions are due to two orthogonal birefringence axes in the optical reference element. Aspects of the present disclosure may eliminate the drift issues associated with residual polarization and polarization dependent loss (PDL) with respect to grating-based sensor and reference element measurements.

Abstract: A downhole barrier can include a housing disposed between a slip and a seal element, a mandrel extending through the housing and the seal element, and a piston fixed to the mandrel and separating two chambers in the housing. One chamber is positioned between the slip and the other chamber, and is in communication with a passage in the mandrel. The other chamber is in communication with an exterior of the barrier. A system can include a downhole barrier set in a wellbore. The barrier can include a housing disposed between a slip and a seal element, a mandrel, and a piston fixed to the mandrel, the piston separating two chambers in the housing. An outer area of the mandrel in one chamber is equal to twice a difference between an inner area of the housing and an outer area of the mandrel in the other chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a flapper valve including a pressure relief assembly. The pressure relief assembly is operable to activate when a pressure differential across the flapper approaches or exceeds a design pressure of the flapper.

Abstract: A tong for use at a wellbore includes a tong body; at least one door pivotally coupled to the tong body and movable between an open position and a closed position; a carrier ring rotatable relative to the tong body; and a brake plate coupled to the carrier ring. The tong also includes a brake band configured to move with the at least one door between the open and closed positions, and a braking member for moving the brake band into contact with the brake plate to stop rotation of the carrier ring.

Abstract: 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 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: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a system controller with a computer, a power supply and at least one current sensor, multiple downhole well tools, each of the downhole well tools including a motor and a member displaceable by the motor; and an umbilical connected between the system controller and the downhole well tools, at least one conductor of the umbilical being connected to the motor of each of the downhole well tools. A downhole well tool example can include an actuator assembly configured to displace a member of the downhole well tool, the actuator assembly including a motor, a load yoke displaceable by the motor, and an elongated position indicator bar having at least one profile formed thereon. Friction between the load yoke and the position indicator bar varies as the load yoke displaces relative to the position indicator bar.