Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for producing fluid from a well can include an electrical submersible pump (ESP) disposed in a wellbore of the well and configured to pump the fluid. The system may further include a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system, for example having an interrogator unit and a fiber optic cable extending downhole in the wellbore. An end of the fiber optic cable can be disposed downhole relative to the ESP. In embodiments, the system may further include a controller configured to receive data from the DAS system, process the data to detect a slug, determine a parameter of the detected slug, and alter operation of the ESP in response to determining that the parameter exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An automated drilling-fluid additive system and method for on-site real-time analysis and additive treatment of drilling fluid to be injected into a well. The drilling fluid includes returned drilling fluid intended to be re-used, which has a variety of viscosity and other qualities resulting from its various preceding use. The target drilling fluid will have a variety of viscosity and other qualities depending upon and changing with various phases of drilling operations and various conditions encountered. The drilling fluid is analyzed in real time as it flows into the automated drilling-fluid additive system, and various additives are added to and thoroughly blended with the drilling fluid as needed to achieve the desired result. The blended drilling fluid is discharged from the automated drilling-fluid additive system in the proper condition for injection into a well.

Abstract: A gas lift device includes a housing, a valve, and a nozzle. The housing defines a chamber and defines an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber. The valve in the chamber permits fluid communication from the inlet toward the outlet and prevents fluid communication in the reverse. The nozzle disposed in the chamber has a converging section, a throat, and a diverging section, which extend along a longitudinal axis of the chamber. A surface of the converging section converges inwardly from the chamber to the throat to funnel fluid communication from the inlet to the throat. A flow restriction of the throat restricts the fluid communication from the converging section to the diverging section. A surface of the diverging section diverges outwardly from the throat toward the outlet. Vanes extend inwardly in the diverging section and spiral about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, and apparatus are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a drill bit, comprising: a bit body defining a rotational axis and having a plurality of cutter pockets formed thereon, each cutter pocket shaped to receive a respective substrate of a cutter with a cutting table secured thereon, wherein the substrate of at least one cutter has an outer profile defining an area of increased braze gap; and a braze interface comprising a braze alloy disposed in each cutter pocket between the inner profile of the cutter pocket and the outer profile of the respective substrate, such that a thickness of the braze alloy is greater at the area of increased braze gap.

Abstract: A valve assembly for an inflatable packer includes an opening valve configured to actuate into an open position in response to a first pressure within a tubular string, so as to permit fluid flow from the tubular string, through the valve assembly, and into an inflatable packer element. The valve assembly also includes a closing valve configured to actuate into a closed position so as to prevent fluid flow from the tubular string, through the valve assembly, and into the inflatable packer element in response to a second pressure within the inflatable packer element. The valve assembly also includes a contingency valve configured to actuate into a closed position so as to prevent fluid flow from the tubular string, through the valve assembly, and into the inflatable packer element in response to a third pressure in the tubular string.

Abstract: A rock drill insert a substrate having a tip portion and a base portion, wherein the tip portion includes a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) structure bonded to the substrate. The substrate is formed of a cemented carbide comprising at least 5 wt.-% of a metallic binder. At a distance of 50 ?m from a surface of the base portion of the substrate, at least 20 vol.-% of the metallic binder is present in a hexagonal close packed (HCP) crystallographic form. Furthermore, a drill bit including a plurality of the above-described rock drill insert is disclosed, as well as a method for manufacturing the rock drill insert.

Abstract: A system includes a production tubing string. The system can also include a tubing encapsulated conductor (TEC). At least a portion of the TEC can contact the production tubing string at one or more locations along a length of the production tubing string. The TEC can include an interior wire to transmit electric power from a power source to at least one piece of electrical equipment during a wellbore operation performed with respect to the wellbore. The TEC can also include a metal sheath positioned around the interior wire and an encapsulation layer positioned on an outer side of the metal sheath. Further, the TEC can include a conductive bridging component positioned to pierce the encapsulation layer to contact the metal sheath and to facilitate an electrical coupling between the metal sheath and the production tubing string at a location along the length of the production tubing string.

Abstract: A multi-position sleeve assembly for use in a wellbore, comprising a tubular housing defining an axial bore, a first sliding sleeve, and a second sliding sleeve. The housing has an inner and outer surface defining therebetween one or more first ports and one or more second ports spaced axially from the one or more first ports. The one or more second ports are configured for restricted fluid flow relative to the one or more first ports. The first and second sliding sleeves are located in the bore and coaxial to the housing and are actuable relative to the housing between a closed sleeve position, wherein the one or more first ports and the one or more second ports are obstructed, and an open sleeve position wherein, one or both of the one or more first ports and the one or more second ports are not obstructed.

Abstract: A variety of methods and apparatus are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, an apparatus comprising a downhole tool for use in a borehole, the downhole tool comprising a composite of thermoplastic and fibers, wherein the fibers reinforce the thermoplastic, and wherein fiber placement gives the composite as favoring the hoop strength over the axial strength.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensor for sensing pressure, temperature, or another physical parameter at a wellhead assembly or other oilfield component. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wellhead body and a branch assembly coupled to the wellhead body such that a bore of the branch assembly is in fluid communication with an interior of the wellhead body through an access passage of the wellhead body. The branch assembly includes a penetration extending outwardly from the bore to an exterior surface of the branch assembly that is radially outward of the bore, and a sensor is installed in the penetration of the branch assembly. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An in-situ detection robot and method for geological information without disturbance of in-situ stress, including a sleeve, a drilling unit set at the top of the sleeve, a dumping unit set inside the sleeve, and a support propulsion unit is set outside the sleeve, the top of the dumping unit extends into the drilling unit, a detection unit is set between the drilling unit and the support propulsion unit, and the robot tail is connected to a control unit; the dumping unit is used to discharge soil drilled from a hole of the drilling unit to the ground, the support propulsion unit is used to realize support, the detection unit is used to detect geological information of surrounding environment of the robot, the control unit is used to control the drilling unit, the support propulsion unit and the detection unit, and the control unit collects and processes the geological information.

Abstract: The modular managed pressured drilling system provides multiple skids with individual chokes and PRVs on the skids. These skids secure to one another to construct a modular MPD system that provides the proper equipment for the drilling operation. An inlet flow junction and an outlet flow junction are secured to each skid. The flow junctions provide multiple ports to provide different pathways for the drilling fluid through the flow junctions. The flow junctions may direct the fluid through a first choke, a second choke, a pressure relief valve, or a bypass.

Abstract: A technique facilitates actuation of a packer to a sealing and gripping position along a borehole. The packer includes a packer element structure mounted about a center structure. The packer element structure includes a sealing element mounted along an expandable base such that the sealing element may be radially expanded. Additionally, the packer includes an actuator member connected to a portion of the packer element structure via a release mechanism, e.g. a shear member. A plurality of slips may be located on the actuator member such that linear movement of the actuator member causes successive movement of the packer sealing element and then the slips in the radially outward direction. The packer may be constructed such that this sequential setting motion creates a jarring effect to ensure the slips securely bite into the surrounding wellbore surface, e.g. casing surface.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a downhole drill string is provided. The downhole tool includes a rotor movably coupled within a stator, and a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. The drive shaft has a first end coupled with the rotor and a second end coupled with a drill bit. Bearing assemblies interfaces engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a non-superhard metal.

Abstract: Provided is a downhole tool, a well system, and a method for forming a well system. The downhole tool, in at least one aspect, includes a two part drilling and running tool, the two part drilling and running tool including a conveyance, a smaller assembly coupled to an end of the conveyance, and a larger bit assembly slidably coupled to the conveyance, the smaller assembly and larger bit assembly configured to slidingly engage one another downhole to form a combined bit assembly. The downhole tool, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a whipstock assembly coupled to the two part drilling and running tool using a coupling mechanism, and a hydraulically actuated anchoring assembly coupled to a downhole end of the whipstock assembly.

Abstract: An explosive assembly for a downhole tool operable to connect and selectively disconnect within a wellbore a first portion of a downhole tool string and a second portion of the downhole tool string. The explosive assembly includes an explosive charge, a detonator switch operable to detonate the explosive charge, and a housing assembly containing the explosive charge and the detonator switch. The explosive assembly may be movable as a single unit and installable within an internal space of the downhole tool. The explosive charge may be operable to sever a support member of the downhole tool when the explosive charge is detonated by the detonator switch to therefore disconnect a first portion of the downhole tool and a second portion of the downhole tool from each other and thus disconnect the first portion of the downhole tool string and the second portion of the downhole tool string from each other.

Abstract: A drill string joint includes a box end member defining, at a first axial end thereof, a first bore and a second deeper bore of smaller cross section than the first bore. A pin end member defines a first insertion portion corresponding to the first bore and a second insertion portion corresponding to the second bore. A conical tapered surface interface is defined between the second insertion portion and the second bore. Cross pins extend through apertures formed through the box end member, at the first bore, and the first insertion portion, within an axial span of the joint separate from an axial span in which the conical tapered surface interface of the second insertion portion and the second bore is defined. A torque coupling is established between the box end member and the pin end member at an axial position between the separate axial spans.

Abstract: An assembly and a method for cooling a downhole logging tool. The assembly includes a coiled tubing assembly having a downhole logging tool and a coiled tubing pipe. The coiled tubing pipe is coupled to the downhole logging tool. The coiled tubing pipe includes a cooling fluid tube. The cooling fluid tube conducts a cooling fluid to the downhole logging tool.

Abstract: A hydraulic system, rock drilling rig, and method for limiting the output performance of a hydraulic drilling actuator temporarily under execution of a safety function feature of the hydraulic system. The output performance is limited by limiting produced hydraulic fluid flow in a hydraulic circuit of the hydraulic drilling actuator, whereby a restricted magnitude of the fluid flow is produced at a hydraulic pump. This way a restricted operation mode is enabled and is controlled by a control unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are automated sample cleaning systems and processes after collection of the drilling cuttings from the shale shaker. These automated sample cleaning systems and processes help in delivering a drilling cutting sample that has been cleaned following the same procedure from one drill rig site to another providing consistency on its impact on the compositional analysis of the drilling cutting sample.