Abstract: Sneak path elimination in diode multiplexed control of downhole well tools. A system for selectively actuating multiple well tools includes a control device for each tool, a well tool being operable by selecting a respective control device; conductors connected to the control devices, which are selectable by applying a predetermined voltage across a respective predetermined pair of the conductors; and at least one lockout device for each control device, the lockout devices preventing current from flowing through the respective control devices when voltage across the respective predetermined pair of the conductors is less than a predetermined minimum. A method includes selecting a well tools for actuation by applying a predetermined minimum voltage to a set of conductors; and preventing actuation of another well tool when the predetermined minimum voltage is not applied across another set of conductors, at least one conductor being common to the two sets of conductors.

Abstract: A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a mixer, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The mixer has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the mixer, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+ (4.4-48.9° C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool and hot water to surge tanks or to mixing tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed.

Abstract: A pressure compensation system for a wellbore instrument coupled to a drill string includes a shaft rotatably mounted with respect to an instrument housing. A lubrication chamber included in the instrument has at least one bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft. The lubrication chamber includes a face seal coupled on one face to the shaft and on another face to the housing. A pressure compensator establishes hydraulic communication between the lubrication chamber and the interior of the drill string. The compensator includes a barrier to fluid movement between the lubrication chamber and the interior of the drill string. The barrier enables pressure communication therebetween. The compensator includes a pressure communication port extending between the barrier and a portion of the shaft exposed to the interior of the drill string.

Abstract: A downhole fluid flow control system includes a fluidic module (150) having a bridge network. The bridge network has first and second branch fluid pathways (163, 164) each including at least one fluid flow resistors (174, 180) and a pressure output terminal (178, 184). In operation, the pressure difference between the pressure output terminals (178, 184) of the first and second branch fluid pathways (163, 164) is operable to control fluid flow through the fluidic module (150).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing gaseous and liquid components from one or more multi-phase streams in one or more pipelines. The method includes passing a first multi-phase stream along a first pipeline, and passing the first multi-phase stream through a first slugcatcher system to provide a first gaseous component stream and at least one first liquid component stream. The method also includes selectively opening a first branch pipeline from the first pipeline upstream of the first slugcatcher system to pass at least a fraction of the first multi-phase stream through the first branch pipeline to provide a first branch multi-phase stream, and passing at least a fraction of the first branch multi-phase stream to a first gas/liquid separator to provide an overhead gaseous stream and a bottom liquid stream.

Abstract: A tool for selectively treating a wellbore with fluid that includes a tubing string having a sidewall defining an inner bore, the sidewall comprising a flow area having at least one fluid flow port that permits fluid flow through the sidewall. Fluid is prevented from flowing through the flow area when a closure is in a closed position. When in the open position, fluid flows through the flow area. An axial seal is connected to the closure to selectively close the inner bore against fluid pressure to apply the predetermined opening force to move the closure to the open position. A releasable connector connects the axial seal to the closure and a retrieval tool attachment releases the axial seal from the closure upon application of a predetermined release force by a retrieval tool.

Abstract: A method for preparing a formation surrounding a wellbore to bear hydrocarbons through a borehole is disclosed. In one step, a bottomhole assembly is inserted into the borehole. The formation is drilled with the bottomhole assembly. The formation may be characterized with logging tools, probes, sensors, seismic system and/or the like to create first information. One or more fractures are placed in the formation without removal of the bottomhole assembly from the wellbore. Further, continuous drilling of the formation is performed with the bottomhole assembly after/during placing the fractures. Further characterizing of the formation with the probes, sensors/systems or the like is performed to produce second information. Another fracture is placed with feedback from the second information. Repeating the drilling, characterizing and placing of fractures as necessary during the formation preparing process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recovering and using geothermal energy. Such methods include at least partially vaporizing a working fluid by passing it through a flow loop that at least partially extends into a heated subterranean zone and employing the vaporized working fluid to power a turbine. At least a portion of the flow loop can comprise a depleted or partially depleted hydrocarbon well.

Abstract: A biased actuator includes, a reservoir, at least one piston in operable communication with the reservoir, at least one metal seal and a biasing system in operable communication with both the reservoir and the at least one piston. The at least one metal seal is disposed about the at least one piston and is sealed to both the piston and the reservoir.

Abstract: A downhole tester valve (100) includes a housing assembly (106) and a mandrel assembly (172, 174) that define therebetween an operating fluid chamber (176), a biasing fluid chamber (184) and a power fluid chamber (180). A valve assembly (126) disposed within the housing assembly (106) is operable between open and closed positions. A piston assembly (146) is operably associated with the valve assembly (126) such that annulus pressure entering the power fluid chamber (180) pressurizes operating fluid in the operating fluid chamber (176) which acts on the piston assembly (146) to shift the valve assembly (126) from the closed position to the open position and such that predetermined travel of the piston assembly (146) opens a bypass passageway (162) for the pressurized operating fluid to charge biasing fluid in the biasing fluid chamber (184), thereby enabling closure of the valve assembly (126) upon reducing annulus pressure by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A downhole tool has a mandrel with packing elements. Collars between the packing elements define ports communicating with gaps between the packing elements and the mandrels. Opposing piston housings on the mandrel can move in opposing directions to compress the packing elements against the collars. Each piston housing defines a space with the mandrel and has a second port communicating with the gap. Pistons disposed in the spaces are temporarily affixed thereto. Hydraulic pressure communicated through the mandrel's bore acts against the pistons. While affixed to the piston housings, the pistons move the piston housings toward the packing elements to compress then. When the packing elements set, continued pressure breaks shear pins affixing the pistons to the piston housings so the pistons move and eventually seal fluid communication between the second ports in the pistons and the gaps.

Abstract: A downhole tool such as a bridge or frac plug includes a combination anvil and coupler that forms both the anvil or bottom stop on a mandrel, and a coupler to attach a burn device. One or more members, including a packer ring, can be disposed on the mandrel and movable with respect to the central mandrel along a longitudinal axis of the central mandrel. The combination anvil and coupler includes an upper attachment section attached to the mandrel, an upper surface against which the members are compressed, and a lower attachment section attached to a burn device.

Abstract: A subsurface well completion system including a subsurface heat exchanger section that includes an outer shell and an inner shell having an upper threaded portion, an open inside diameter, one or more inlet boxes and one or more outlet boxes. An upper annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell and has one or more openings. A lower annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell. The lower annular ring is spaced apart from the upper annular ring and has one or more openings. One or more tubes are sealably connected at a first end and a second end to the one or more openings in the upper annular ring and the one or more openings in the lower annular ring, respectively, and extend between the upper and lower annular rings in an annular space between the inner shell and the outer shell.

Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly includes an outer tubular, an inner tubular coupled within the outer tubular at a threaded region, a drill bit slideably disposed within the inner tubular, and a locking system located proximate the threaded region. The locking system is actuatable by translation of the drill bit relative to the locking system, whereby the locking system is configured to prevent rotation of the inner tubular relative to the outer tubular in at least a first direction.

Abstract: A gas lift valve that has a longitudinally extending tubular body having an inlet and an outlet, a flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a flow tube located inside the body. The flow tube is translatable in the axial direction between at least a first and a second position. A venturi orifice located inside the body along the flow path. A seal part is located proximate to the outlet of the body. A flapper is connected with the body by way of a hinge part and the flapper has at least a first open position and a second closed position. The closed position is where the flapper contacts the seal thereby closing the flowpath and the second closed position is where the flapper does not contact the seal and does not close the flowpath.

Abstract: removable blowout recovery valve. The large end of the valve (or funnel) is placed over a well pipe (or other pipe) through which oil (or other fluid) is flowing out. The small end of the valve is connected to a return pipe. A high pressure pipe with a smaller diameter is inserted into the well pipe. A sleeve connected to the return pipe is placed over the well pipe. A locking collar is attached to the sleeve. Positioning rings are attached to the high pressure pipe, that can fit inside the well pipe. A sharp edge extends from the sleeve, by which irregularities in the well pipe can be cut. Lasers or other cutting devices are attached to extension arms, that can also cut irregularities in the well pipe. The slope of the valve can be changed. The valve can be removed and raised with the aid of floats.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid flow system for a normal circulation down-the-hole hammer comprises a cylinder coaxially disposed in between an outer casing and a piston which reciprocates due to changes in pressure of pressurized fluid contained inside a front chamber and rear chamber located at opposites sides of the piston, supply/discharge of fluid to/from these chambers being conducted through a supply chamber and a discharge chamber defined by recesses on the inner surface of the casing and separated by a dividing wall, the front/rear chambers' in/out fluid flow being controlled solely by the overlap of the piston and the cylinder. A hammer having this system comprises a drill bit with one or more flushing passages which extend from channels cooperatively formed between splines on the inner surface of the driver sub and on the outer surface of the drill bit shank up to the front face of the drill bit.

Abstract: A sectorial force balanced drill bit, including conventional and bi-center drill bits, having the true center of rotation the same as, or about the same as, the bit mass axis. The bit mass axis is a longitudinal axis located off-center to the geometric axis of the bit and comprises the center of mass point. Additionally, a method for sectorially force balancing drill bits is provided. The method includes dividing the drill bit into one or more sections, calculating the magnitude and direction of the resultant radial imbalance force for the cutters of each section, adjusting the cutters and/or blades until the magnitude of the resultant radial imbalance force is about the same for each section and the direction of the resultant radial imbalance force for each section is about 2?/n, where n is the number of sections, from the adjacent section.

Abstract: A linear actuation apparatus for controlling fluid flow comprises a tubular manifold for conducting fluid through a portion, and a shaft supported for reciprocal axial movement within the manifold. A valve seat is supported within the manifold in substantial alignment with the shaft, and a valve closure element is carried by the shaft for reciprocal axial movement between a closed and an opened position. A magnetic element is also carried by the shaft for reciprocal axial movement therewith. A pair of springs are carried on opposing sides of the magnetic element wherein one spring is compressed and applies an axial force to the shaft when the shaft is moved from a neutral position. A compound magnet, carried by the manifold, applies an axial force to the magnetic element that together with the axial force of the spring(s) and fluid pressure control movement of the shaft and the valve closure.

Abstract: A swage is made from segments that slide relatively to each other to go from a run in dimension to a maximum or built dimension when the segments move into alignment. The angle of inclination of the sliding axis between the members is less than the swaging angle for the pipe on the exterior of the segments so that once the segments are aligned and driven into a tubular for swaging they are precluded from extending into misalignment to clear an obstruction. In this manner a minimum drift is provided or the swage simply stalls. The swage in a tubular goes to the predetermined maximum dimension using the sliding surfaces that are at an angle to bear the radial reaction forces from the tubular more directly, thereby reducing the contact forces and the resulting friction. The edge connections reduce bending which can cause segment binding as the swage is built in the tubular.