Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for pre-warning deformation of a casing pipe according to a change feature of the b-value of the hydraulic fracturing induced microseismicity. Based on number distribution and seismic magnitudes of hydraulic fracturing induced microseismic monitoring events, a b-value of microseismicity in a fracturing stage is calculated according to a Gutenberg-Richter relation describing frequency-seismic magnitude distribution in seismology, and whether fault activation occurs in a fracturing process is identified according to a change feature of the b-value. According to the method, a cumulative effect of fault activation in the hydraulic fracturing process is considered, and symptoms of fault activation in the fracturing process can be accurately identified, so as to pre-warn deformation of the casing pipe.

Abstract: A snubber device for reducing shocks and vibrations in a downhole tool. The snubber includes a main body extending between upper and lower connector ends. The main body is defined by one or more cut-out portions. One or more elastomeric elements are held within the one or more cut-out portions. The cut-out portions provide flexibility to the main body. The elastomeric elements absorb shocks and vibrations and are conveniently replaceable when excessive wear reduces their shock and vibration absorbing capacity.

Abstract: Ball valves, methods to close a ball valve, and methods to form a well barrier are discussed. A ball valve includes a valve housing and a ball that is rotatably movable from an open position to a closed position. The ball valve also includes an actuation mechanism operable to rotate the ball from the open position to the closed position, where a fluid passage of the ball is not aligned with a fluid passage of the valve housing while the ball is in the closed position. The ball valve further includes a sleeve disposed in the valve housing and operable to shift from a first position to a second position to actuate the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A frac plug with a flapper positioned within a shearable housing. More specifically, embodiments are directed towards an upper portion of the shearable housing that is configured to be separated from an insert responsive to flowing back through the frac plug.

Abstract: An overshot apparatus includes a tubular housing and a grapple disposed within a bore of the tubular housing. The grapple has a central opening to receive a fish and is operable to grip an outer diameter of the fish. A stinger is supported in the bore by an adapter attached to an upper end of the tubular housing. The stinger is positioned to be inserted into the fish received in the central opening of the grapple. A packing element is positioned on an external surface of the stinger to engage an inner diameter of the fish when the stinger is inserted into the fish and the fish is received within the central opening of the grapple. The adapter and stinger have conduits for passage of fluid into the fish.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to precise position determination for the downhole placement and position of the tubing-side portion of a behind-casing measurement system. The position determination can be used to establish precise alignment of the system and thus prevent signal loss. A system according to some aspects includes a casing-side antenna mountable between a well casing and a formation wall and a processing device connected to the casing-side antenna. The processing device is operable to measure signal intensities for a signal received from at least one tubing-side antenna, calculate a position of the tubing-side antenna relative to the casing-side antenna based on the signal intensities, and transmit the position to the surface.

Abstract: An agitator for vibrating a drill string includes an agitator housing, a rotor and an agitation mass. The drill string has a central axis. The rotor is coupled to the agitator housing and being rotatable about an agitator axis. The agitation mass is coupled to the rotor and is rotatable about the agitator axis. During rotation, a center of mass of the agitation mass is spaced apart from the agitator axis to cause deflection of the agitator axis relative to the central axis to produce vibration in the drill string.

Abstract: A multi-functional well completion apparatus and method of operation thereof that offers the ability, in a single trip and with limited running tool manipulation, to perform downhole completion operations, such as gravel pack operations or sand control frac or other fluid stimulation operations is described. The well completion tool has multiple functions or operational positions by using a self-closing time delay valve without the need of service tools, thereby saving rig time, reducing operating costs and operational risks associated with tripping service tools into and out of a wellbore.

Abstract: A multiple parameter sensing leak detection system may include one or more multi-parameter sensing modules capable of simultaneously measuring downhole temperature, pressure, and acoustic signals. The temperature and pressure detectors may include quartz based sensing elements, and the acoustic detector may include piezoelectric based sensing elements. In one or more embodiments, a plurality of sensing modules may be carried on a caliper for allowing radial identification of leak location. In one or more embodiments, multiple calipers, each carrying a circumferential arrangement of sensing modules may be used to identify annular or inter-annular leakage beyond production tubing using triangulation techniques. A leak analysis method identifies if relative pressure and temperature variation amplitudes fall outside leak thresholds and if power spectral density from noise has anomalous frequency signatures.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation assembly has an outer housing having an inner bore having a treatment port formed therein, and a floating inner mandrel disposed within the inner bore. The floating inner mandrel can have an inner bore formed therethrough with a fluid port formed therein. One or more fluid chambers, disposed in an annulus formed between the outer housing and the floating inner mandrel, having a working fluid operably disposed therein and one or more inflatable elements operable to receive the working fluid therein. A plunger disposed in the annulus and coupled with the floating inner mandrel and operable to urge the working fluid from the one or more fluid chambers to the one or more inflatable elements. The floating inner mandrel operable to transition between a first position and a second position and the treatment port and the fluid port substantially aligned in the second position.

Abstract: A method of connecting or disconnecting a first tubular to a second tubular includes engaging the first tubular with a power tong; engaging the second tubular with a backup tong; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular. The method also includes, while rotating, monitoring a distance between the backup tong and the power tong and comparing the distance to a first threshold value; and stopping rotation of the first tubular when the distance equals to the first threshold value. According to one embodiment, a tong assembly includes a power tong, a backup tong, a sensor configured to measure a distance between the power tong and the backup tong, and a controller configured to compare the distance to a threshold value.

Abstract: A method of pressure testing a casing string in a reverse cementing operation in a wellbore can include: introducing the casing string and a downhole tool installed within the casing string into the wellbore, wherein the downhole tool comprises a fluid flow path defined by an inner diameter of the downhole tool; introducing a cement composition into an annulus located between a wall of the wellbore and an outside of the casing string; causing the fluid flow path of the downhole tool to close against fluid flow from the annulus into at least a portion of the casing string; and increasing pressure within the portion of the casing string that is closed against fluid flow from the annulus. The fluid flow path can be closed by shifting an inner sleeve to close a flapper valve or flow ports, a bridge plug, a packer, or a ball and a ball seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool, the wireline retrieval head assembly for coupling to the downhole tool for installation in and retrieval from downhole in a mineral industry field of use, wherein a first of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a retention member that has or is configured to receive a pivot member and a second of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a complementary link with an opening for receiving the pivot member, such that the link can be coupled to the retention member to create a pivot coupling to allow for articulation between the wireline retrieval head assembly and the downhole tool during installation and retrieval of the downhole tool, and the link can be removed from the retention member to remove the downhole tool from the wireline retrieval head assembly.

Abstract: In well bores with included tubulars, it is often desirable to segregate a portion of the wellbore's pressure-driven fluid flowpath in the conduit portion formed by included tubulars to permit work to be completed in a pressure-controlled portion of that flowpath. The subassembly and included frangible device provided here does so with minimal exposure of seals to well fluid environments, and provides a field-adjustable variability to the pressure differentials required to open the conduit by removal of the frangible sealing device from the flowpath into which the subassembly is installed or included.

Abstract: A recirculating gravel pack system includes a tubular member having an outer surface, an inner surface defining a flow path, a first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface and a second opening, spaced from the first opening extending from the inner surface through the outer surface. A screen is positioned about the tubular member spaced from the outer surface defining a passage that is selectively fluidically connected to the second opening. A return tube extends between the screen and the outer surface running axially along the tubular member. The return tube includes a first end defining an inlet arranged in the passage and a second end defining an outlet positioned in a low-pressure zone outside the passage downhole from the first opening.

Abstract: The system for making or breaking the riser includes a robotic system. The robotic system includes one or more robotic arms configured to be disposed on a spider deck, and one or more riser-connection manipulation tools each having a camera and being configured to manipulate a riser connection, the camera being configured to capture an image of an object, wherein each robotic arm is configured to couple to one riser-connection manipulation tool. Further the system for making or breaking the riser includes a control system. The control system includes a robot controller in communication with the one or more robotic arms and configured to control the one or more robotic arms. The system for making or breaking the riser is configured to analyze the image to determine the location and orientation of the object and transmit the location and orientation of the object to the robot controller.

Abstract: An automated pipe tripping apparatus includes an outer frame and an inner frame. The inner frame includes a tripping slips and iron roughneck. The automated pipe tripping apparatus may, in concert with an elevator and drawworks, trip in a tubular string in a continuous motion. The tripping slips and iron roughneck, along with the inner frame, may travel vertically within the outer frame. The weight of the tubular string is transferred between the tripping slips and the elevator. The iron roughneck may make up or break out threaded connections between tubular segments, the upper tubular segment supported by the elevator and the lower by the tripping slips. An automated pipe handling apparatus may remove or supply sections of pipe from or to the elevator. A control system may control both the automated pipe tripping apparatus and the elevator and drawworks.

Abstract: Zonal isolation devices, systems, and methods for use are provided. In some embodiments, the zonal isolation device comprises a tubular body having a fluid communication pathway formed along a longitudinal axis comprising: a sealing element comprising a deformable material and an inner bore forming at least a portion of the fluid communication pathway; a support ring disposed within the bore of the sealing element; a rotatable sealing component coupled to the support ring; a wedge engaged with a downhole end of the sealing element; and an anchoring assembly engaged with the wedge. In certain embodiments, the tubular body further comprises an end element adjacent the anchoring assembly.

Abstract: A toe valve to control the injection of fluid into a toe of an oil or gas well and including: a body with a bore, the body having a port adapted to permit fluid flow between the bore and an outlet on an external surface of the toe valve when the port is open; a closure member adapted to move from an initial closed position in which the port is closed, to an open position in which the port is open; and an actuating mechanism which can be actuated to urge the closure member from the initial closed position toward the open position, and which can be reset when the closure member is moving between the closed and open positions to return the closure member to the initial closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole expandable metal tubular having an axial extension, to be expanded in a well downhole to abut against an inner face of a casing or a borehole, comprising a first section having a first outer diameter, two circumferential projections having a second outer diameter which is larger than the first outer diameter, a second section arranged between the two projections, each projection having an inclined face tapering from the second outer diameter towards the second section, wherein the second section has a third outer diameter which is smaller than the first outer diameter in an unexpanded condition, and a sealing element is arranged between the projections opposite the second section, so that during expansion the second section bulges more radially outwards than the first section, forcing the sealing element radially outwards. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an annular barrier, a downhole completion and a sealing expansion method.