Abstract: A downhole robotic shuttle includes multiple modules coupled together in series to be conveyed through a cased geologic borehole. One or more of the modules includes: a coupling mechanism to couple one module to an adjacent module, a movement mechanism to enable conveyance of the module having the movement mechanism through the cased borehole; a steering mechanism to steer the module comprising the steering mechanism to achieve a selected orientation within the cased borehole; a motor configured to power the movement mechanism and/or the steering mechanism; an actuator to perform a selected action; a sensor to sense a selected parameter; a memory to receive instructions for performing at least one of the selected action and another action; and a controller to control at least one of the motor, steering mechanism, robotic arm, or sensor in accordance with the instructions received from the memory and sensed data received from the sensor.

Abstract: Methods include the use of a probe array that includes a flotation device configured to maintain the probe array adjacent a surface of a wellbore fluid; an acquisition module secured to the flotation device such that the acquisition module is positioned below the surface of the wellbore fluid, and that include one or more of a dissolved oxygen probe, a pH probe, a turbidity probe, or a conductivity probe; transmitter configured to receive data acquired from the acquisition module and transmit the data to a computer system configured to receive the data from the transmitter and configured to perform the steps of: processing the data to determine one or more wellbore fluid properties, displaying the one or more wellbore fluid properties and/or one or more remedial actions.

Abstract: A system includes a surface sub-system and a downhole sub-system. The surface subsystem includes a pump and a surface valve sub-assembly. The pump is configured to pump a fluid from a container, downhole into a wellbore. The surface valve sub-assembly is fluidically coupled to the pump and configured to receive a first portion of the fluid pumped by the pump. The surface valve sub-assembly includes a dump valve, a surface controller, and a return line. The surface controller is configured to adjust fluid flow through the dump valve, and the return line is configured to flow fluid from the dump valve to the container. The downhole sub-system includes a turbine-generator and a downhole controller coupled to the turbine-generator. The turbine-generator is configured to generate an output in response to receiving a second portion of the fluid pumped by the pump.

Abstract: A fluid pulse generator can include a fluid motor and a bypass flow path in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet, and a flow control device configured to permit flow through the bypass flow path in response to a predetermined pressure differential applied across the flow control device. A method of generating fluid pulses can include flowing a fluid through a fluid pulse generator, thereby generating fluid pulses, and then applying a predetermined pressure differential from an inlet to an outlet of the fluid pulse generator, thereby permitting flow of the fluid through the fluid pulse generator without generating the fluid pulses. A fluid pulse generation system can include a fluid pulse generator with a fluid motor, a variable flow restrictor, and a bypass flow path. A predetermined pressure differential applied across the fluid motor permits the flow of the fluid through the bypass flow path.

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 fluid flow system may comprise an input line connected to a drilling system, one or more fluid flow lines connected to the input line, and an output line connected to the one or more fluid flow lines. The system may further include one or more valves disposed in each of the one or more fluid flow lines and one or more pressure sensors disposed in each of the one or more fluid flow lines. A method for controlling a fluid flow system may comprise moving a drilling fluid from a borehole into an input line of the fluid flow system, directing the drilling fluid through the input line into a fluid flow line, measuring a first pressure at a first pressure sensor in the fluid flow line, and measuring a second pressure at a second pressure sensor in the fluid flow line.

Abstract: Fluid flow dynamics modeling methods and system are provided. In some embodiments, such methods include determining a bottomhole pressure for the unconventional reservoir based, at least in part, on a tubing head pressure for one or more wells penetrating at least a portion of the unconventional reservoir, one or more fluid properties of a fluid in the unconventional reservoir, and a well production volume for the one or more wells; determining a Productivity Index (PI) for the unconventional reservoir, based, at least in part, on the one or more fluid properties and measured well data for the one or more wells, wherein the measured well data includes a well production rate and a well flowing pressure; and determining a fluid depletion of the unconventional reservoir based, at least in part, on the bottomhole pressure and the PI.

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 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: 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: An compact instrumented downhole coupling that includes a carrier and a set of sensors and electronics that are installed within the carrier. The carrier is a tubular structure having couplings at each end and a bore extending through the carrier from the first end to the second end, forming a carrier wall between the bore and the exterior surface of the carrier. The bore and couplings are offset from a central axis of the carrier (the axis of the cylindrical outer surface of the carrier), resulting in a thicker portion of the carrier wall on one side of the carrier. Cavities are formed (e.g., by drilling holes) within the thicker portion of the carrier wall. One or more sensors and corresponding electronics are then positioned within the cavities, so that the carrier wall itself forms a housing for the sensors and electronics.

Abstract: A pressure-testing system for a tubular product. Preferably, the tubular product is a joint or a stand of production tubing. The pressure testing assembly includes a controller; a fluid reservoir configured to contain a test fluid; a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir; a fluid hose having a first end configured to receive the test fluid from the reservoir, and a second end configured to be fluidically connected to a hydrotest tool for the tubular product; and a transducer. The transducer sends signals to the controller indicative of pressure within the fluid hose. The controller is programmed to automatically (i) store a pressure threshold value (T) such that when pressure in the fluid hose reaches (T), the controller sends a signal to the pump to discontinue pumping; and (ii) store a pressure test value (PT) such when pressure in the fluid hose reaches (PT), the controller sends a signal to the pump to discontinue pumping.

Abstract: A drilling system can comprise a drill string having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one drill rod and a wireless sub coupled to the at least one drill rod. The wireless sub can comprise processing circuitry that is configured to detect mechanical impulses of the drill string. The processing circuitry can be configured to wirelessly transmit signals indicative of the mechanical impulses to a remote computing device.

Abstract: There is described a computer-implemented method of controlling a drilling operation. In particular, there is described a computer-implemented method of determining that a differential pressure is in an oscillating state. In response to determining that the differential pressure is in the oscillating state, a weight on bit setpoint is decreased so as to decrease the differential pressure. There is also described a computer-implemented method of determining a difference between a differential pressure and a target differential pressure. The target differential pressure is less than a differential pressure limit. A weight on bit setpoint is adjusted as a function of the difference between the differential pressure and the target differential pressure so as to adjust the differential pressure and thereby reduce the difference between the differential pressure and the target differential pressure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing fractures in a subterranean formation are provided. The method includes introducing an encapsulated explosive unit into a casing located in a wellbore within the subterranean formation and maintaining the encapsulated explosive unit in a stage of the casing. The method also includes detonating the encapsulated explosive unit within the stage to generate a pressure wave that passes through a group of perforations and into the fractures and measuring a reflected pressure wave using a pressure sensor coupled to the bridge plug to produce a pressure measurement. The method further includes converting the pressure measurement into an acoustic signal correlated with the pressure measurement by an acoustic signal generator contained in the bridge plug and transmitting the acoustic signal to apply acoustic pressure on a fiber optic cable coupled to an exterior surface of the casing.

Abstract: Potential energy conversion systems include a movable mass suspended by a line in a non-producing well, the line being coupled to a motor operable to lift the movable mass, and a generator operable to produce electricity when lowering the movable mass. Energy conversion methods include providing the potential energy conversion system; and storing potential energy by raising the movable mass, or releasing potential energy and converting the potential energy to electricity by lowering the movable mass.

Abstract: A releasable connector apparatus has a connector mandrel to be coupled to a conveyance and a housing to be coupled with a downhole tool. A socket is defined within the housing for receiving the mandrel. A latch arrangement operable within the socket has a latch member and is moveable relative to the housing between a connect position (in which the latch is locked relative to the mandrel to prevent removal of the mandrel from the socket), and a disconnect position (in which the latch is unlocked relative to the mandrel to permit removal of the mandrel from the socket). A cavity defined within the housing is sealingly isolated from the socket. An actuator mounted within the cavity is coupled to the latch arrangement to move relative to the housing between a first position (in which the arrangement is in its connect position), and a second position (in which the arrangement is in its disconnect position).

Abstract: A production system and method of operating the production system. A fluid flows through a flow control device. The flow control device having an element that generates an acoustic signal indicative of a value of a parameter of the fluid in response to the fluid flowing through the flow control device. The processor receives the acoustic signal from the element, determines the value of the parameter of the fluid from the parameter of the acoustic signal, and changes an operation of the production system based on the value of the parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.