Abstract: A flow control device including a housing having a flow port therein, the flow port including a first end and a second end, a first gate having a specific gravity greater than water disposed in the housing adjacent a first end of the port and movable between a position of nonobstruction of the first end of the port and a position of obstruction of the first end of the port; and a second gate disposed in the housing, the second gate having a specific gravity about the same as a specific gravity of formation water in a formation in which the device is intended to be employed, the second gate disposed to control flow at the second end of the port.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining in-situ, multi-temperature measurements of fluid properties, such as saturation pressure and asphaltene onset pressure include obtaining a sample of formation fluid using a downhole acquisition tool positioned in a wellbore in a geological formation. The downhole acquisition tool may be stationed at a first depth in the wellbore that has an ambient first temperature. While stationed at the first depth, the downhole acquisition tool may test a first fluid property of the sample to obtain a first measurement point at approximately the first temperature. The downhole acquisition tool may be moved to a subsequent station at a new depth with an ambient second temperature, and another measurement point obtained at approximately the second temperature. From the measurement points, a temperature-dependent relationship of the first fluid property of the first formation fluid may be determined.

Abstract: A sensor device includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a pressure plug on the first end of the tubular body, and a sensor tip on the second end of the tubular body, wherein the sensor tip comprises an open end opposite the tubular body and an optical tip removably positioned through the open end and held in place by a removable cap. The optical tip includes an optical rod and a rod holder. The sensor device further includes an optical fiber extending from the pressure plug, through the tubular body, and into the sensor tip where the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical rod. The pressure plug may include a slack cavity where the optical fiber is in slack under neutral temperature and pressure conditions to withstand expansion of the sensor device under high temperature or pressure conditions.

Abstract: A downhole power system includes an energy storage adapted to operate at high temperatures, and a modular signal interface device that serves to control the energy storage component as well as offer a means of data logging at high temperatures. The controller is fabricated from pre-assembled components that may be selected for various combinations to provide desired functionality. The energy storage may include at least one ultracapacitor.

Abstract: A lubricating element for drag reduction in production and transportation of water-cut heavy oil in a wellbore comprises a flow guide component and a shell component; the flow guide component is fixed in a cyclone chamber of the shell component, and is provided with an intermediate rod to connect and fix a center cone, a flow stabilizing cone and flow guide blades. The lubricating element is a static element integrating three functions of oil-water separation, water control and liquid ring formation, thereby reducing energy consumption for production and transportation of heavy crude oil, and cutting down surface water treatment facilities.

Abstract: A system for producing geothermal energy may include a tiered geothermal loop energy production system. The tiered geothermal loop energy production system includes: a first closed-loop pipe system emplaced within a heat-producing geologic formation, the first closed-loop pipe system having a first energy production; and a second closed-loop pipe system emplaced within a heat producing geologic formation, the second closed-loop pipe system having a second energy production greater than the first energy production; and, optionally a third closed-loop pipe system emplaced within a heat producing geologic formation, the third closed-loop pipe system having a third energy production. An energy conversion system is configured to convert energy from the tiered geothermal loop energy production system to another form of energy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for utilizing a valve with a pump rotor passage with a downhole production string, the pump rotor being on a rotatable rod with a bobbin moving along the rod between a position for opening the passage to fluid flow, when the bobbin is not seated on a shuttle seat, and a position for closing the passage to fluid flow, when the bobbin is seated on the shuttle seat. The pump rotor and rod are removable through the passage while leaving the pump stator in place upstream of the valve.

Abstract: A degradable plug device for a pipe has an outer plug body and an inner plug for preventing fluid flow through the pipe until the inner plug has been removed from the outer plug body. The outer plug body and the inner plug are of a degradable material. The inner plug has a chamber with at least one port to the exterior of the inner plug. The exposed surfaces of the degradable plug have a protective layer thereon. The inner plug is disposable in at least a first position, in which the inner plug prevents the fluid flow through the pipe. The inner plug is adapted to undergo, in use, a degradation initiation operation such that fluid is able to enter the chamber via the at least one port to initiate corrosion or dissolution of the inner plug from inside the chamber.

Abstract: A GLV-gas lift valve that employs TSMS-two simultaneous mechanical stops, first one when SEWB-single edge welded bellow 8 is fully compressed to solid by valve dome pressure 5 and second mechanical stop where adjustable sealing arrangement with compressible seal 25, threaded regulating nut 17 and threaded jam nut 18 are compressed against orifice 15, compressible seal 25 is fully compressed into groove 30, gap 26 is fully exhausted, dimension L reaches zero, and gap 31 is completely exhausted, providing second mechanical stop between TC ball 14 and orifice 15. Sealing arrangement can be TC-Tungsten carbide ball 14 butted against orifice 15, flat, conical or curved sealing surface containing said compressible seal, that is solidly compressed against SEWB or DEWB, thus providing second mechanical stop and sealing fluid flow through GLV. Compressing SEWB/DEWB to full solid protects bellow from high dome pressure 5 while “Fortress Seal™” per U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: An adaptive fluid switch for regulating the production rate of a fluid. The adaptive fluid switch includes a fluid control valve having a fluid selector, a swirl chamber and a self-impinging valve element. When the fluid produced through the adaptive fluid switch has a viscosity greater than a first predetermined level, the fluid selector determines the fluid to be a selected fluid such that the fluid swirls in one direction in the swirl chamber and follows a low resistance flow path in the valve element. When the fluid has a viscosity less than a second predetermined level, the fluid selector determines the fluid to be a non-selected fluid such that the fluid swirls in the opposite direction in the swirl chamber and follows a high resistance flow path in the valve element, thereby regulating the production rate of the fluid responsive to changes in the viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: A method of producing fluid from a wellbore includes operating a pump located proximate to a zone of fluid influx in the wellbore to draw a reservoir fluid from a reservoir into the wellbore at the zone of fluid influx. The pump is coupled to a tubing string extending above the pump, and a packer is coupled to the tubing string proximate to an upper end of the zone of fluid influx and seals an annular space around the tubing string. The method includes operating the pump to produce the reservoir fluid from the wellbore through the tubing string. A pump includes a drive chamber with a drive piston, a production chamber with a production piston coupled to the drive piston, and axially separated traveling valves.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless telemetry in oil and gas wells use fluid pressure differentials to send signals from surface equipment to a downhole tool. More specifically, the methods and systems selectively apply fluid pressure to a tubing string and measure the resulting mechanical strain, or deformation, on a tubular of the downhole tool. The deformation may be an elastic deformation or it may be a plastic deformation with yielding of the tubular. One or more of such strains or deformations may be used to encode a digital signal that can command an action on the tool. The strain or deformation may be measured by a low-cost strain gauge.

Abstract: A retrievable seal guide (RSG) for installing a seal stem in a polished bore receptacle. The RSG has an outer grapple. Inside the grapple is a mandrel. At the end of the RSG is a bullet nose guide. The mandrel is spring loaded with a spring placed under the grapple Near the rear end of the guide is a plug with an o-ring. Note that the bullet nose has an opening formed in it. A channel is also formed down the length of the device. Note too that for tight formations of non-perforated liners the plug can be replaced with a stainless-steel ball that acts as a check valve. As the RSG is pulled out, the guide is pulled back, which compresses the spring forcing the mandrel back until a cam clears the collapsible fingers on the grapple, which allows the RSG to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A plunger having a generally hollow interior between an open upper end of the plunger and a closed bottom end of the plunger. One or more orifices extend through a sidewall of the plunger near the closed bottom surface. The orifices fluidly connect the hollow interior of the plunger with the tubing below the plunger when the plunger is in use. The orifices allow for a transfer of gas from the well bottom into the liquid load above the plunger during plunger ascent. The orifices also allow liquids to pass through the plunger during plunger descent.

Abstract: A mechanical stepper and method of incrementally actuating a device. An insert is placed within a housing. The housing has a cavity and a stepper sleeve located within the cavity. The stepper sleeve includes a first stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a first equilibrium diameter and a second stop member having an equilibrium position defined by a second equilibrium diameter less than the first equilibrium diameter. The insert including a first protrusion. The insert moves through the housing, and motion of the insert through the housing is incrementally restricted by changing a diameter of the first stop member and a diameter of the second stop member via the first protrusion.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tubular, an inner valve assembly positioned in the tubular, and a body positioned radially between the inner valve assembly and the tubular, the body at least partially made from a bonding agent configured to secure the inner valve assembly in the tubular.

Abstract: A float equipment assembly includes an inner string that provides a fluid flow path through the float equipment assembly. The float equipment assembly also includes an opening through which a fluid flowing through the inner string exits the float equipment assembly. The float equipment assembly further includes a moveable member, which when repositioned, isolates the inner string. The float equipment assembly further includes a dissolvable material that initially prevents repositioning of the moveable member, where the moveable member is repositioned after a threshold portion of the dissolvable material has dissolved.

Abstract: A standing valve assembly comprises a flow cage, a ball seat, and a valve ball. The flow cage includes a cage body defining an axial fluid passage therethrough, and a bridge extending across the fluid passage. The cage body and the bridge collectively define a plurality of openings to the fluid passage. The valve ball is received between the bridge and the ball seat and is axially movable within the flow cage. The bridge has an upper face and defines at least one guide ramp in the upper face. Each guide ramp extends at a downward angle to a respective one of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: Double barrier gas lift flow control devices that utilize first and second check valve assemblies disposed in series. A check valve assembly configured for disposition within an interior of a gas lift flow control device, the check valve assembly having flow channels disposed radially outward from a valve head of the check valve assembly. A check valve assembly configured to engage a nose end of gas lift flow control device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling production fluid flow between an annular chamber extending between a casing disposed in a downhole bore and production tubing disposed in the casing. An electrically down hole control valve which includes a motor, a position sensor, a gearbox and a linear actuator coupled to the gearbox to convert rotational movement to an axial movement. The control valve further includes a connecting rod coupled to the linear actuator and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a gate that can translate in an axial direction to a plurality of continuously variable positions between a fully closed position and a fully open position. A plurality of such control valves can be disposed in respective openings formed in the production tubing, and a passage is formed in each valve for connecting the annular chamber and the production tubing interior.