Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling downhole pressure of a well borehole relative to a lithostatic pressure of rock surrounding the borehole is provided. The system can include a millimeter wave drilling apparatus including a gyrotron configured to inject millimeter wave radiation energy into a borehole of a well via a waveguide configured for insertion into the borehole. The borehole can be formed via the millimeter wave drilling apparatus and having a downhole pressure monitored at a bottom of the well. The system can also include a compressor fluidically coupled to the borehole and configured to control the downhole pressure via a gas supplied into and/or received from the borehole. The compressor can be configured to control the downhole pressure relative to a lithostatic pressure determined for rock surrounding the well at the bottom of the well.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling a downhole pressure of a well during formation of a borehole of a well is provided. The method can include monitoring a downhole pressure of a well during formation of a borehole of the well using a millimeter wave drilling apparatus including a waveguide configured for insertion into the borehole. The monitoring can include determining the downhole pressure. The downhole pressure can include an amount of pressure present at a bottom of the well. The method can also include determining a lithostatic pressure of rock surrounding the well at the bottom of the well. The method can further include controlling the downhole pressure relative to the lithostatic pressure of the rock surrounding the well at the bottom of the well. Related systems performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A vortex de-sanding system can include a packer having an annular seal element, a flow passage extending longitudinally through the packer, and at least one opening formed through a wall of the packer, the opening permitting fluid communication between the flow passage and an exterior of the packer, and a vortex de-sanding tool connected to the packer. The vortex de-sanding tool can include an inner production flow tube, an outer sleeve surrounding the flow tube and having at least one port formed through a wall of the outer sleeve, an abrasion resistant housing surrounding the flow tube, and a helical vane positioned in an annulus formed between the flow tube and the housing. The flow passage extends longitudinally through the flow tube, and the housing has a surface abrasion resistance greater than a surface abrasion resistance of the inner production flow tube.

Abstract: A tool brake is provided for use in horizontal wells that is positionable between a setting tool and a setting sleeve in combination with a tool string. Upon activation of the setting tool to set a bridge plug in a well, the normal action of the setting tool causes activation of the tool brake that extends one or more arms from the tool brake to exert pressure against the wellbore casing of the well. The tool brake prevents reverse slippage caused by gravity's pull of the tool string in a horizontal well permitting accurate placement of downhole tools such as perforating guns. Moreover, inadvertent cutting of a cable that retrieves the downhole tools can be prevented such as due to slippage of downhole tools over-lapping the cable before perforating guns are detonated.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus including a sleeve, a tool string, a plug, a means for setting the plug wherein an upper portion of the sleeve is connectable to a lower portion of the tool string, and a lower portion of the sleeve is arranged to receive the plug and the means for setting the plug. A method for using the downhole apparatus (1) is disclosed.

Abstract: A whipstock assembly including a main body defining an axial direction extending through the main body, a circumferential direction, and a radial direction transverse to the axial direction, and a ramp body pivotally coupled to the main body, the ramp body defining a ramp surface that is oriented transverse to the radial direction, and where the ramp body is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, where the ramp surface is further from the main body in the axial direction in the extended position as compared to the retracted position and the ramp body is rotatable with respect to the main body about the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A seal assembly and methods of use, wherein the seal assembly is formed of an elastomeric enclosure within which a primary cavity is defined. A second cavity in the form of a crushable container is deployed within the primary chamber. An elastomeric compound is contained in one cavity and an elastomeric hardener contained in the other cavity. Upon application of an external force to the elastomeric enclosure, the enclosure is elastically deformed from a first shape to a second shape, wherein the second shape positions the elastomeric enclosure into a sealing configuration between adjacent annular surfaces. The external force also crushes the container, to cause mixing of the elastomeric compound and elastomeric hardener. Once the reaction is complete, the hardened compound retains the deformed shape of the elastomeric enclosure to maintain a seal between the annular surfaces.

Abstract: A sealing tool, system and method for sealing a wellbore achieves increased expansion with the use of a seal seat extender. In one example, a seal seat (e.g., a ball seat) defines an axial flow bore in fluid communication with the wellbore to be sealed, a sealing profile for receiving a loose sealing element (e.g., a ball or dart) to close the axial flow bore, and a tapered outer profile. The seal seat extender is initially disposed against the seal seat and is expandable against the seal seat in response to an axial setting force, such as by sliding up the tapered outer profile of the seal seat and/or buckling outwardly, in response to a setting force. A compliant annular packing element disposed against the seal seat extender is deformable outwardly into sealing engagement with the wellbore in response to the axial setting force.

Abstract: Herein are provided tools and processes for extracting oil from subterranean formation. The processes can include lightening the oil in the formation prior to extraction by the addition of a nanogas solution. The tools include injectors for the formation of the nanogas solution within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular metal structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone and a second zone of the borehole, comprising a tubular metal part for mounting as part of the well tubular metal structure, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part, an expandable space between the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part, and an expansion opening in the tubular metal part through which fluid enters in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve, wherein the annular barrier further comprises a pressure-intensifying unit. The invention also relates to a downhole system comprising a well tubular metal structure and an annular barrier.

Abstract: A device and a method for physical characterization in a large-scale natural gas hydrate experimental system are provided. The device includes a reactor, horizontal wellbores, and vertical wellbores. The reactor includes an upper cover, a lower cover, and a reactor body, and the upper cover and the lower cover are sealably attached to two ends of the reactor to form a closed chamber. The physical characterization device further includes lateral vertical well assemblies and temperature-pressure-resistance assemblies, wherein the lateral vertical well assemblies and the temperature-pressure-resistance assemblies are disposed to penetrate the reactor from the upper cover to the lower cover. The physical characterization method is conducted using the physical characterization device, including a step of producing contour plots using a data processing software with three-dimensional matrix data collected by the pressure measuring tubes, the temperature measuring tubes, and the resistivity measuring columns.

Abstract: An artificial lift assembly and method relating thereto is designed to prevent inadvertent electrical discharge caused by fluids flowing through an electrical submersible pumping system, which is part of the assembly. The assembly uses a rupture disc to prevent fluid flow during introduction of the assembly into a wellbore and a dart and sleeve to prevent fluid flow during removal of the assembly from the wellbore.

Abstract: A system and method for a composite cement retainer. A composite cement retainer has various components. When these various components comprise composite where feasible, or a drillable metal, the retainer can be easily placed and quickly drilled if necessary.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises at least one inlet and a first pump coupled to the at least one inlet via a first flow line. The first pump is to pump at a first pump rate to extract fluid via the at least one inlet from a subsurface formation in which a borehole is created and in which the downhole tool is to be positioned. A sample chamber is coupled to the inlet via a second flow line, and a second pump is coupled to the inlet via the second flow line. The second pump is to pump at a second pump rate to extract the fluid via the at least one inlet from the subsurface formation and for storage in the sample chamber. The first pump rate is greater than the second pump rate.

Abstract: A method for sealing a side pocket mandrel and hydraulic tube includes moving a sealant dispenser into a pocket of the side pocket mandrel from within a well tubing. The sealant dispenser has an upper seal and a lower seal spaced apart therefrom; the seals are sealingly engaged with the pocket. A space between the upper seal and the lower seal is in fluid communication with at least one port in the pocket. A curable sealant is moved from the sealant dispenser into the pocket and into the tube. Either the sealant is allowed to cure or the sealant dispenser is unlatched from a running tool used to move the sealant dispenser into the pocket.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly includes a housing, the housing defining one or more formation jetting ports structurally configured to pass fluid outward from the downhole tool assembly, a downhole motor positioned at least partially within the housing, a centrifugal pump coupled to the downhole motor, the centrifugal pump including a shaft coupled to the downhole motor, and one or more blades extending outward from the shaft, and a filtration element in communication with the centrifugal pump, where the filtration element is structurally configured to separate particulate matter from fluid passing through the filtration element.

Abstract: A casing patch system comprising a base tubular with two anchor/seals coupled to the base tubular and an expansion tool comprising two expansion devices positioned such that upon expansion of the first anchor/seal, the second expansion device engages the second anchor/seal, which allows reduction of the expansion forces due to sequential expansion and reduces the length of the displacement necessary for setting the casing patch, eliminating the need for resetting the thruster, which allows deployment and setting of the casing patch on a wireline. In another embodiment, the expansion device comprises two swages coupled to a shaft at a distance between them approximately equal to the length of the anchor/seal.

Abstract: A collet comprising a collet ring, a plurality of collet fingers, and an object seat (e.g., ball seat), wherein the object seat comprises a surface (e.g., a curved surface) configured to interface with a correspondingly sized blocking object (e.g., a ball, dart, etc.) to form a seal therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of collet fingers has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is proximate the collet ring, and wherein the second end of at least a portion of the plurality of collet fingers comprises a key (e.g., a tab) that is configured to engage a corresponding latch of a downhole structure.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly can include a mill and a whipstock having an upper end and an opening. A retractable pin extends from the mill into the opening. A section of the whipstock is separable from the whipstock in response to a force applied to the mill. The section is positioned between the opening and the upper end. A method can include positioning a bottom hole assembly in a well, the bottom hole assembly including a whipstock releasably secured to a mill, and then releasing the mill from the whipstock by separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock. Another method can include conveying a bottom hole assembly into a well, setting an anchor, then applying pressure to a hydraulic release mechanism, and then applying a force to the mill, thereby separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock.

Abstract: A work string and method of performing a downhole operation is disclosed. The work string includes a first tool having a first ball seat configured to activate when a first activation pressure is applied to a plug seated at the first ball seat, and a second tool having a second ball seat configured to activate when a second activation pressure is applied to the plug when seated at the second ball seat, wherein the first activation pressure is different than the second activation pressure. A plug is dropped through a string in a wellbore. The first activation pressure is applied when the plug is at the first tool to activate the first tool. The second activation pressure is applied when the plug is at the second tool to activate the second tool.