Abstract: An intelligent blast-hole drill bit that includes a housing embedded into a cavity in a bit body. A controller is disposed in the housing. An external antenna is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller. An internal antenna is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller. A wear transducer is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery are presented. One example system generally includes a first tool and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool. The first control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing. The system further includes a second tool and a second control device mounted on the second tool and configured to operate the second tool. The second control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a plurality of geological subsurface electrical line sensors spaced apart from each other proximate a predetermined geological subsurface region of interest, with at least one of the electrical line sensors situated as a line source to produce a multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography source signal, and with at least one of the electrical line sensors situated as a line detector to receive the multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography response signal associated with the source signal that propagates through the predetermined geological subsurface region of interest, and a controller including a processor and a memory configured with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an electrical mapping over the predetermined geological subsurface region of interest based on the multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography source signal, response signal, and the spatial positions of the geological subsurface electrical line sensors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for evaluating and preventing creep damage to conductivity of hydraulic fracture in gas reservoirs, comprising: (1) selecting a rock sample of target reservoir for creep experiment, and plotting ?-t curve of the rock sample during creep; (2) fitting the fractional Kelvin model with the ?-t curve of the rock sample during creep; (3) calculating the conductivity and permeability of hydraulic fracture considering creep damage; (4) numerically solving the productivity model, calculating the cumulative gas production of the gas well produced up to time t, and calculating the creep damage rate for cumulative production of the gas well; (5) repeating Steps (3) to (4), calculating the creep damage rate for cumulative production for the cases of hydraulic fracture sanding concentration N of 5 kg/m2, 7.5 kg/m2, 10 kg/m2, 12.5 kg/m2 and 15 kg/m2 respectively, plotting the creep damage chart of cumulative production.

Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include an axial-field multi-armature alternator system, mechanically driven by a turbine; a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to the axial-field multi-armature alternator system, the pulse-generating circuit receiving power from the axial-field multi-armature alternator system to provide an electric pulse; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive the electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable medium to perform operations including: receiving a real-time density log comprising bulk density readings of a subterranean formation, where a well is being drilled in the subterranean formation; aggregating density readings over a first threshold distance from a current drilling depth in the subterranean formation; calculating a minimum formation density and a maximum formation density in the aggregated density readings; calculating a difference between the maximum formation density and the minimum formation density; in response to determining that the difference is greater than a field threshold, determining whether a previous kick alert occurred at least a second threshold distance from the current drilling depth; and in response to determining that the previous kick alert occurred at least the second threshold distance from the current drilling depth, detecting a kick in the well.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve valve for use in a borehole includes an outer housing including a radial housing slot, a sliding sleeve slidably disposed in the outer housing, the sliding sleeve including a radial sleeve slot and configured to have a first position that restricts fluid communication between the sleeve slot and the housing slot and a second position, spaced from the first position, that permits fluid communication between the sleeve slot and the housing slot, an actuator housing coupled to the outer housing, wherein the actuator housing includes an actuator chamber defined by an inner surface, and wherein the actuator chamber is disposed between an inner surface and an outer surface of the actuator housing, and an actuator assembly disposed in the actuator chamber, wherein the actuator assembly is configured to control movement of the sliding sleeve between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for supplying fuel, enabling communications, and conveying electric power associated with operation of a hydraulic fracturing unit of a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units are disclosed and may include a fuel line connection assembly configured to be connected to the first hydraulic fracturing unit and to supply fuel from a fuel source to a gas turbine engine connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit. A system also may include a communications cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to enable data communications between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a data center or another hydraulic fracturing unit. A system further may include a power cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to convey electric power between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a remote electrical power source or the plurality of hydraulic fracturing units.

Abstract: The frac plug system includes a setting mandrel, a sleeve member, a sealing member, a cone assembly, and a slip device. The setting mandrel includes a plurality of fluid bypass slots. The sleeve member includes a sleeve body with an abutment end. The setting mandrel has a first configuration without fluid flow through the frac plug system, and a second configuration with fluid flow through the frac plug system. The methods of the present invention include running the frac plug system in the first configuration and the sealing member in an extended position for a first setting stage, moving the setting mandrel to the second configuration with the sealing member in an expanded position, and then returning the setting mandrel to the first configuration for a second setting state. If the placement is wrong, the method includes removing the frac plug system in the first setting stage.

Abstract: A technique facilitates use of a frac diverter instead of a frac plug in a variety of fracturing operations. The frac diverter has a simpler and less expensive construction. Although the frac diverter may not form a seal with the surrounding casing in some applications, the frac diverter is able to sufficiently restrict flow of fracturing fluid to enable a successful fracturing operation. The frac diverter may comprise arrangements of at least one cone, at least one slip ring, and at least one corresponding sub which work in cooperation with a flow restricting element. The flow restricting element may comprise various types of rings, e.g. sealing element rings, able to sufficiently restrict flow of fracturing fluid past the frac diverter.

Abstract: A method is for suspending flow in a well. The method includes placing a first plug in a production tubular in an upper wellhead section, above a downhole safety valve. The first plug is adapted to fit into the production tubular to form a fluid seal in the production tubular to form a barrier for containing well fluid; equipped with instrumentation for obtaining information by measuring physical characteristics below the plug; and equipped with means for transmitting said obtained information to an operator. There is also described an apparatus for suspending flow in the well.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a fracturing process and in particular, to providing a fracturing system including a fracturing plug configured to seal a wellbore to prevent fluid from passing through the wellbore, a gun configured to generate a perforation cluster, wherein the perforation cluster allows fluid exchange between the wellbore and a subterranean formation, a setting tool configured to initiate setting of the fracturing plug and firing of the gun to generate the perforation cluster, and a sensor configured to measure parameters proximate to the wellbore, wherein the sensor is retrievable after a fracturing process, measuring the parameters proximate to the wellbore with the sensor and transmitting the parameters measured by the sensor to an operator.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure confirm a leak and determine a depth of the leak in a well of a drilling system. The drilling system include a circulating fluid and a fluid caliper having a density contrast relative to a density of the circulating fluid. Fluid mass flow and fluid density data are continually collected by an inlet and outlet side flow measurements. A measured surface pressure, a measured downhole pressure, a user-defined managed depth window, and a target equivalent circulating density at the user-defined managed depth window are inputted to a microprocessor. The microprocessor adjusts the fluid density data for temperature and pressure; calculates a mass flow balance and a wellbore pressure; compares the measured density and mass flow in with the measured density and mass flow out; and determines, based upon the comparing, the presence of the leak and the depth of the leak.

Abstract: A method including (a) lowering a first tool string into a first wellbore, the tool string including a first perforating gun and a gun switch configured to detonate the first perforating gun, (b) detonating the first perforating gun in response to transmitting a first gun firing signal from a control system to the gun switch, (c) retrieving the tool string from the first wellbore following (c), (d) lowering a second tool string including the gun switch used in the first tool string and a second perforating gun into at least one of the first wellbore and a second wellbore that is different from the first wellbore following (d), and (e) detonating the second perforating gun of the second tool string in response to transmitting a second gun firing signal from the control system to the gun switch.

Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. The slip assemblies have inserts. The inserts have a body defining an internal cavity at least partially therein. The body is composed of a ceramic material having a first density of about 3 g/cc to about 6 g/cc. A volume of the insert can be about 0.4 cc to about 0.6 cc, and a mass of the insert can be about 1.2 g to about 3.6 g. In one example, the ceramic material is silicon nitride. The cavity can be filled with a low density filler material.

Abstract: An automated hydraulic fracturing system, including a pump system, a blender configured to form the fracturing fluid, a proppant storage and delivery system, a hydration unit configured to mix an additive into a fluid to form the fluid mixture and provide the fluid mixture to the blender, a fluid storage and delivery system, and an additive storage and delivery system, and an automated control system including a plurality of sensing devices and a plurality of control devices integrated into the pump system, the blender system, the proppant storage and delivery system, the fluid storage and delivery system, and the additive storage and delivery system, the automated control system configured to monitor parameters of the automated hydraulic fracturing system via the plurality of sensing devices and transmit control instructions for one or more of the plurality of control devices to control an aspect of the automated hydraulic fracturing system.

Abstract: A plug with a resettable closure member including a body defining a flow bore and a closure member seat, a closure assembly connected to the body, the assembly includes a closure member and a magnetic catch disposed to hold the closure member in an open position, the magnetic catch being configured to release the closure member upon a selected hydrodynamic load upon the closure member.

Abstract: A casing patch includes a tubular that comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end, each of the first end and second end comprising an expandable wedge that is deformable into a wellbore casing; and a locating profile formed onto an inner surface of the tubular between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve system for a fluid injection system is provided. The PRV system comprises one or more pressure transducers configured to sense fluid pressure within the fluid injection system. The transducers then generate electrical signals representative of fluid pressure readings within the fluid injection system in real time. Signals are received by a controller which compares pressure readings with a stored pressure threshold. An actuation signal is sent upon detecting a signal representative of a pressure that exceeds the stored pressure threshold, causing an electraulically-actuated valve to rotatably move to an open position. The PRV system includes a bypass feature that allows the operator to manually open or close a valve when the stored pressure threshold is reached. A method of controlling pressure during a wellbore operation is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method that remotely monitors and controls proppant usage in a fracturing operation. The system and method allow operators to wirelessly monitor and control proppant storage units from inside a datavan through sensors and control mechanisms that interface with fracturing software to schedule the flow of the proppant. A sensor monitors the weight, container level, or volume of the proppant being used to keep the induced hydraulic fracture open. A serial to Ethernet converter converts this information and sends it wirelessly to a datavan. A user at the datavan controls the proppant usage through a display in the datavan of the storage units with the appropriate weight. The container monitoring software links with the fracturing software, providing real-time information about proppant usage so that the user can properly schedule proppant flow to the well through valves, conveyor belts, and other control mechanisms.