Abstract: A downhole tool includes a y-tubular section sized to run into a wellbore and configured to couple to a production tubing. The y-tubular section includes a main tubular section, a primary tubular leg coupled to the main tubular section, and a secondary tubular leg coupled to the main tubular section and offset from the primary tubular leg. The secondary tubular leg is sized to receive an electrical submersible pump (ESP). A hydraulic flow control device is positioned in the primary tubular leg and configured to selectively modulate toward an open position to fluidly couple the main tubular section to a portion of the primary tubular leg and selectively modulate toward a closed position to fluidly decouple the secondary tubular leg from a portion of the primary tubular leg based on a hydraulic signal from a hydraulic fluid system positioned at or near a terranean surface.

Abstract: A downhole gas separator and pump assembly. The downhole gas separator and pump assembly comprises a drive shaft; a first fluid mover having an inlet and an outlet; a separation chamber located downstream of the first fluid mover and fluidically coupled to the outlet of the first fluid mover; a gas flow path and liquid flow path separator located downstream of the separation chamber, having an inlet fluidically coupled to the separation chamber, having a gas phase discharge port open to an exterior of the assembly, and having a liquid phase discharge port; and a second fluid mover mechanically coupled to the drive shaft, located downstream of the first gas flow path and liquid flow path separator, and having an inlet fluidically coupled to the fluid phase discharge port of the first gas flow path and liquid flow path separator.

Abstract: A check valve assembly disposed within a pipe joint. The valve assembly is bounded by a pin end on one side and a liner tube on the other. In a first flow condition, a ball is forced away from the pin end and toward a stop member. The stop member has a geometry to allow fluid flow around the ball and through passageways within the stop when in the first flow condition. In a second flow condition, opposite the first flow condition, the ball is forced toward a tapered seat on the pin end, restricting fluid flow in the second flow condition.

Abstract: A valve includes an exterior body and an interior body. The exterior body includes an ultrahard material, at least one exterior inlet, at least one exterior outlet, and a chamber inside the exterior body and in fluid communication with the exterior inlet and the exterior outlet. The interior body is located in the chamber within the exterior body and is moveable relative to the exterior body from an open configuration to a closed configuration. The interior body includes an ultrahard material, at least one interior inlet, and at least one interior outlet.

Abstract: A cable head can include an upper connector configured to connect the cable head to a wireline, a lower connector configured to connect the cable head to a well tool, and a weak link configured to transmit tensile force between the upper and lower connectors. The weak link can include a shock absorber connected in series with a weak point. A method of connecting a wireline to a well tool can include securing the wireline to an upper end of a weak link, and securing the well tool to a lower end of the weak link. The weak link includes a wire rope, and end links secured at respective opposite ends of the wire rope. One end link includes a weak point. A weak link for use with a cable head can include a weak point and a shock absorber connected in series with the weak point.

Abstract: A wellbore system includes method of cutting a casing in a wellbore. A string is disposed in the casing, the string including a cutting tool and an activation sub coupled to the cutting tool. The cutting tool includes a ball seat and a cutter. The activation sub includes a control piston disposed therein. The control piston has a ball at an end thereof. The control piston is configured to move within the activation sub to engage the ball to the ball seat when a flow rate of a fluid through the control piston is above a flow rate activation threshold, wherein engaging the ball to the ball seat creates a pressure differential across the ball seat that moves the ball seat to extend the cutter from the cutting tool.

Abstract: A sand separating apparatus for use with a production tubing string includes (i) a housing assembly forming an outer tubular and (ii) an inner tubular within the housing assembly to define an annular passage between the inner tubular and the housing assembly. A helical member occupies part of the annular passage below production openings in the housing assembly whereby a flow of production fluids entering from the wellbore is directed downwardly along a helical path within the annular passage as dictated by the helical member and subsequently upwardly through the inner tubular. The helical member extends radially outwardly from the inner tubular beyond a boundary surface at an outer perimeter of the annular passage to prevent formation of a gap at the tip of the helical member as it wears. A fluid passage in alignment with the helical member extends radially from inside the inner tubular to the annular passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A first feature within the slot is configured to engage a corresponding second feature on the transmission line and thereby retain an end of the transmission line. The first feature comprises a first angled surface configured to contact and engage a corresponding second angled surface of the second feature. The first and second angled surfaces are oriented such to keep the transmission line retained within the slot when tension is placed on the transmission line. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A frac system including a frac tree. The frac tree includes a frac head. The frac head defines a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. The frac head receives frac fluid through the first inlet and directs the frac fluid to the outlet fluidly coupled to a wellhead. A valve couples to the second inlet of the frac head. A flapper valve is within the frac head. The flapper valve moves between an open position and a closed position to control fluid flow to the valve through the second inlet. The flapper valve aligns with a first axis of the outlet and the second inlet in the closed position and aligns with a second axis of the first inlet in the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component is disclosed. In one embodiment, such an apparatus includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A first feature within the slot is configured to engage a corresponding second feature on the transmission line and thereby retain an end of the transmission line. A sleeve is inserted into the internal diameter to keep the transmission line within the slot. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubing drain with a reusable body and a replaceable sacrificial burst element, the tubing drain comprising an annular body with a window and first and second connector ends, each connector end connectable to an end of tubing sections in a tubing string. The tubing drain also has an inner body insertable into the annular body, the inner body providing the replaceable sacrificial burst element. A burst profile in the inner body aligns with the window in the annular body and provides a burst element which may be configured to burst when a target pressure differential occurs across the burst profile, thereby draining fluids from the tubing string into the casing string.

Abstract: Pumping of wellbore fluid to a surface may have a detrimental effect on the pump performance due to high gas concentrations in the fluid. A pump system that utilizes a helix gas separator provides greater pump efficiency by effectively removing the gas phase of the fluid. The wellbore fluid received at a pump system is directed from an intake to a gas separator that utilizes a stationary auger. The stationary auger induces rotational motion of the wellbore fluid causing the wellbore fluid to separate into a gas phase and a liquid phase. The stationary auger utilizes a tapered diameter and an opening between one or more helixes or vanes to separate a gas phase more efficiently from a liquid phase of a fluid.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a pulsed-power drill bit including a bit body, an electrode, and a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a first portion and a second portion located between the first portion and the bit body, the first portion including first composite material including a reinforcement material and an abrasive material infiltrated through at least one region of the reinforcement material, the second portion including a second composite material including the reinforcement material and a binder material infiltrated through the reinforcement material, the second composite material having a different composition than the first composite material. The disclosure further provides a pulsed-power drilling system containing such a bit and a method of pulsed-power drilling using such a bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a transmission line within a drill string component includes a drill string component comprising a bore having an internal diameter. A slot is formed in the internal diameter to receive a transmission line. A shoulder within the slot is configured to engage a tension anchor attached to the transmission line. The tension anchor is configured to hold tension in the transmission line. The tension anchor includes a first component that is attached to the transmission line, and a second component that is threaded onto the first component. In certain embodiments, the second component contains a connector configured to enable connection to the transmission line. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole production casing string for insertion in a borehole in a reservoir, the downhole production casing string having a first end nearest a top of the borehole and a second end furthest away from the top, the downhole production casing string extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one opening which during production allows hydrocarbon-containing fluid from the reservoir into the downhole production casing string, a plurality of casing parts having end sections and a base section between the end sections, the base section having an outer diameter, and at least one annular projecting element having an outer face and at least one helical groove arranged in or on the outer face and having an overall outer diameter which is larger than the outer diameter of the base section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method according to which a perforating gun includes a volume fill body. The volume fill body is positioned in the space between a charge tube and a carrier tube. The fill body occupies at least part, and sometimes all, of the free volume space between the charge tube and carrier tube thereby reducing the free volume space. In certain downhole applications, large free volume space can lead to significant reductions in wellbore pressure, causing dynamic underbalance, which is undesirable. The presence of the volume fill body prevents, or at least reduces, dynamic underbalance and its effects. Also, the volume fill body aligns the charge tube with the carrier tube, further assisting perforation.

Abstract: A wet connect system including a connector housing, a wet connector disposed in a pocket of the housing, a washout window in the pocket and a washout outlet in the pocket, the washout outlet fluidly connected to a washout pathway, the pathway at least partially within the housing.

Abstract: A circular cutting torch includes a thermal igniter assembly; a compressed grain magazine, the compressed grain magazine coupled to the thermal igniter; and a severing head assembly. The severing head assembly includes a one-piece severing head and a progressive compression deflector. The one-piece severing head and progressive compression deflector define a radial gap therebetween used to expel a jet of molten combustible material for cutting a downhole tubular member such as pipe or casing.

Abstract: A centraliser (10) for use in centralising tubing (12) in a bore (W) comprises a first end collar (14), a second end collar (16) and a number of elongate strut members (18). The strut members (18) are interposed between the first end collar (14) and the second end collar (16) and are circumferentially arranged and spaced around the first end collar (14) and second end collar (16). The strut member (18) have a first end portion (20), a second end portion (22), an intermediate portion (24) and angled wing portions (26) which extend from the intermediate portion (24).

Abstract: Methods and system for controlling downhole pulse power operation are disclosed. A method may include detecting a pulse signal discharged between pulse power drilling (PPD) electrodes and determining an arc characteristic of the pulse signal. The method may further include adjusting pulse power applied to the PPD electrodes based, at least in part, on the determined arc characteristic of the pulse signal.