Abstract: A control module for operation of downhole well tools and apparatuses is disclosed. The control module can control multiple tools, electronics, subs, etc. based on one electronic input and optionally one hydraulic input from the wellhead or surface. The control module can transmit along selected electronic lines and optionally hydraulic lines in order to control specific apparatuses of the downhole well tools. By allowing a single electronic line from the surface or shut in to control multiple tools, total electronic complexity is reduced. A three conductor control module can control operations of up to twelve downhole tools, and a two conductor control module can control operations of up to six downhole tools, in some embodiments.

Abstract: Electrical wet connection (EWC) with multiple power and communication lines for connecting Logging While Drilling tools (LWD) and/or Measurement While Drilling tools (MWD) is described. The contacts between the modules may be made by, for example, using pressure bulkheads to ensure protection of the tools if the pressure protection is reduced or lost. The contacts may be locked together in a convenient manner to eliminate downhole vibrations and/or shocks. The may make the signal transmission quality approaching, as good as, or even better than wireline tools. The connection may be sealed from the well muds under high pressure and this protection may be enhanced such as by doubling or even tripling for extreme reliability in difficult environments. The designs described herein may advantageously allow for a large amount in collar lengths to be compensated and/or provide two degrees of freedom-rotational and/or may be longitudinal for ready connection on the well site.

Abstract: A method for controlling pressure in a well includes pumping fluid into a riser extending between a drilling vessel and a wellhead, pumping fluid out of the riser to the drilling vessel by operating a first jet pump disposed in a conduit extending from the riser to the drilling vessel, wherein a rate of pumping power fluid into a power fluid inlet of the first jet pump is adjusted to maintain a liquid level in the drilling riser at a selected elevation.

Abstract: A mobile robot is disclosed herein. The mobile robot may include a frame, a propulsion module, a navigation module designed to navigate the mobile robot along a target pathway, and a computational module. The mobile robot may obtain a composition reading of the drilling fluid and a pressure reading of the drilling fluid. The robot may determine, using the computational module, an additive to add to a drilling fluid reservoir based on the composition reading and the pressure reading. The mobile robot may then retrieve the additive from an inventory and deposit the additive into the drilling fluid reservoir.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features relate to a system that determines a result or outcome of a diverter drop in terms of whether far field or near-wellbore bridging, plugging, or diversion has been achieved. The system can provide for real-time measurements and real-time decision making in terms of an optimized diverter to be used in a wellbore. A system for diverter diagnostics can includes a pressure sensor and a processing device communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor. A non-transitory memory device includes instructions that are executable by the processing device to measure an onset of diversion pressure response (DPR) waveform and output or store indications of a result or results of a diverter drop. These results can then be used to adjust a particle size distribution for the diverter.

Abstract: Drilling operations may be monitored to detect and quantify potential drilling dysfunctions. Using a Bayesian network, potential improvements to drilling operation may be made depending upon the type of dysfunction detected. Suggestions for improved drilling performance may comprise increasing, decreasing, or maintaining one or both of RPM and weight on bit. Suggestions may be presented to an operator as a cone having an apex at the current RPM and weight on bit drilling parameters, with suggestions for modifications to one or both of the RPM and weight on bit corresponding to a cone extending from that apex.

Abstract: A flow measurement apparatus can include a main flow passage, a variable flow restrictor, a bypass flow passage having an inlet connected with the main flow passage upstream of the variable flow restrictor and an outlet connected with the main flow passage downstream of the variable flow restrictor, and a mass flowmeter connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A method can include connecting a flow measurement apparatus, so that a fluid flow in a well also flows through the flow measurement apparatus, and varying a restriction to the fluid flow through the variable flow restrictor in response to a change in a flow rate of the fluid flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for autonomously shifting a downhole sliding sleeve. A shift tool includes a shifter arm, an artificial neural network, and a control circuit. The artificial neural network is trained to identify engagement of the shifter arm with a shifting feature of a sliding sleeve. The control circuit is configured to extend the shifter arm at a first pressure for seeking engagement with the shifting feature of the sliding sleeve, and responsive to the artificial neural network recognizing engagement of the shifter arm with the shifting feature of the sliding sleeve, extend the shifter arm at a second pressure for shifting the sliding sleeve.

Abstract: A bit saver assembly having an inner valve sleeve that actuates upon the weight-on-bit (WOB) of the drill bit exceeding a threshold value to overcome the countervailing force provided by a spring contained within the bit saver assembly and the internal flow pressure of the drilling fluid at the area of the inner valve sleeve. Actuation of the inner valve sleeve opens a fluid passage to the wellbore annulus resulting in a reduction of drilling fluid flow pressure and the stretch of the drill string thereby reducing WOB of the drill bit without operator assistance.

Abstract: A method of improving natural gas recovery from a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir includes at least one renewable energy source that is electrically coupled with a heat conducting element. The heat conducting element is positioned in a perforated section of a wellbore that traverses into the subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir. A temperature of the subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is maintained above a cricondentherm temperature so that liquid condensation may be prevented at a final production time. In order to maintain the temperature within a required temperature range, an internal temperature, an internal pressure, and a set of reservoir properties are monitored and then utilized to plot a phase diagram that can be used to detect liquid condensation. If liquid condensation is detected, an electrical output of the renewable energy source is adjusted in order to control the temperature of the subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir at a producing end of a production tubing.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons in a gas lift well is disclosed. A gas lift rate of the well is monitored while producing hydrocarbons according to an initial gas lift performance curve. One or more well performance parameters for the well are monitored. Disturbances in the well are detected while monitoring the well performance parameters. Transience in the well is modeled. A new gas lift performance curve is derived based on the detected disturbances, the modeled transience, and the initial gas lift performance curve. An optimal allocation of gas lift is determined from the new gas lift performance curve. Hydrocarbons are produced using the determined optimal allocation of gas lift.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for monitoring a fracturing operation that includes positioning a pump at a well site where fracturing operations are being conducted. The method also includes arranging one or more sensors at at least one of a pump inlet or a pump outlet, the one or more sensors monitoring a flow rate of a slurry. The method includes receiving flow data from the one or more sensors. The method also includes determining a pump efficiency, based at least in part on the flow data, is below a threshold. The method further includes adjusting one or more operating parameters of the pump.

Abstract: A system includes a sleeved valve disposed within a casing string. The sleeved valve has a first cement port configured to open and close to an annulus and a first opening. The first opening and the first cement port are hydraulically connected within the sleeved valve. The system further includes a tool made of a tubular body having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the casing string. The tool includes a tool orifice and a cement injection needle in hydraulic communication with the tool orifice. The cement injection needle fits inside the first opening and, upon entering the first opening, a first hydraulic connection is created between the tool orifice and the first cement port.

Abstract: A flow assembly is deployed downhole in a casing for a cementing operation. The flow assembly has a spool with an optical cable. As cement is pumped downhole and through the flow assembly, a dart attached to the optical cable on the spool is dragged with the flow of cement. Cement flow is stopped based on signals along the optical cable that the dart is at a desired location downhole.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a status of components of hydraulic fracturing units including a prime mover and a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead via a manifold may include a diagnostic control assembly. The diagnostic control assembly may include sensors associated with the hydraulic fracturing units or the manifold, and a supervisory control unit to determine whether the sensors are generating signals outside a calibration range, determine whether a fluid parameter associated with an auxiliary system of the hydraulic fracturing units is indicative of a fluid-related problem, determine whether lubrication associated with the prime mover, the hydraulic fracturing pump, or a transmission of the hydraulic fracturing units has a lubrication fluid temperature greater than a maximum lubrication temperature, or determine an extent to which a heat exchanger assembly associated with the hydraulic fracturing units is cooling fluid passing through the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: A flow measurement apparatus can include a main flow passage, a bypass flow passage having an inlet and an outlet connected with the main flow passage, a mass flowmeter connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow restrictor connected in the bypass flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A method can include connecting the flow measurement apparatus, so that a fluid flow in the well also flows through the flow measurement apparatus, and determining at least one rheological parameter of a non-Newtonian fluid, based on an output of the flow measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A tunnel boring machine including a propulsion system, an enclosure carried by the propulsion system, and a torch support structure carried by the enclosure. The torch support structure can include a primary disc mounted on a rotatable shaft carried by the enclosure, a first plurality of plasma torches mounted to the primary disc, and a power supply cable coupled to the enclosure and adapted to supply power to the boring machine from one or more power sources.

Abstract: A method of configuring a flow control valve of a mixing system may comprise establishing a flow loop via a pump, a flow control valve, and a flow rate sensor. The method may also include performing a valve configuration process that includes positioning the flow control valve in a first position, operating the pump to communicate a fluid via the flow loop at a first speed, measuring a first periodic dataset while the fluid is communicated via the flow loop, and recording the first periodic dataset. The method may also include comparing a result of the valve configuration process to a valve position dataset and an operational indicator set and determining an pass/fail status based upon the comparison, and outputting, by the unit controller, indicia of the pass/fail status of the mixing system via the input output device.

Abstract: A downhole turbine assembly may comprise a tangential turbine disposed within a section of drill pipe. A portion of a fluid flowing through the drill pipe may be diverted to the tangential turbine generally perpendicular to the turbine's axis of rotation. After rotating the tangential turbine, the diverted portion may be discharged to an exterior of the drill pipe.

Abstract: Provided, in one aspect, is a downhole torque limiter, comprising a tubular housing; a pipe positioned within the tubular housing; one or more clutch mechanisms positioned between the pipe and the tubular housing, the one or more clutch mechanisms configured to move between a engaged state to fix the tubular housing relative to the pipe and a disengaged state to allow with the tubular housing to rotate relative to the pipe; and a fluid control system coupled with an exterior of the one or more clutch mechanisms, the fluid control system configured to allow the one or more clutch mechanisms to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state based upon sensing movement of the pipe relative to the tubular housing.