Abstract: A downhole tool includes a top sub-assembly configured to connect to a downhole conveyance that is operable to run the tool into a wellbore formed from a terranean surface to a subterranean formation; a housing coupled at an uphole end to the top sub-assembly, the housing defining an interior volume; a vacuum positioned in the interior volume and configured to generate a fluid suction; a debris chamber fluidly coupled to the vacuum and positioned in the interior volume; a nozzle coupled at a downhole end of the housing, the nozzle including one or more openings; and a controller communicably coupled to the vacuum and configured to perform operations including activating the vacuum to generate the fluid suction to circulate wellbore debris through the vacuum and into the debris chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided relating to bottom hole assemblies (BHA) for the isolation and treatment of selected zones using an uphole and a downhole sealing element. The BHA also includes a location and shifting mechanism for locating, engaging and actuating features in a wellbore. The BHA provides for the selective location and actuation of downhole features such as flow valves, precise introduction of fluid, and real-time monitoring of downhole conditions. Methods of deploying a BHA and treating an area of interest using the BHA includes engaging sealing elements using hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A portion of the body is formed from a first magnetic material. A sleeve is slidingly mounted to the body. At least a portion of the sleeve is formed from a second magnetic material. A magnetic circuit having a gap is defined within the control valve assembly. A solenoid is mounted to the body about at least a portion of the first magnetic material of the body. The solenoid is selectively activated to create a magnetic field across the gap in the magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit causes the sleeve to slide, narrowing the gap and sliding from the first position to the second position to produce a pressure pulse in the wellbore, wherein the biasing member biases the sleeve back to the first position.

Abstract: A steering pad apparatus for a rotary steerable system is provided. The steering pad apparatus comprises a base comprising one or more base lugs, each of the base lugs defining a respective axial hole therein. The apparatus further comprises a steering pad hingedly coupled to the base, the steering pad comprising one or more pad lugs, each said pad lug defining a respective axial hole therein. The one or more pad lugs are coupled to the one or more base lugs such that each of the one or more pad lugs is adjacent to at least one of the one or more base lugs. The apparatus further comprises, for each adjacent base lug and pad lug, a respective one or more bushings received in at least one of: the hole of the pad lug; and the hole of the base lug.

Abstract: According to various aspects of the subject technology, a tool collar is provided. The tool collar may include a recessed portion comprising a component segment and a threaded segment, a pressure sleeve covering the recessed portion, and a threaded component mated to the threaded segment and configured to compress the pressure sleeve against a shoulder of a downhole tool. According to some aspects, a downhole tool is provided. The downhole tool may include a recessed portion comprising a component segment and a threaded segment, an unrecessed portion comprising a shoulder, a pressure sleeve covering the recessed portion of the downhole tool, and a threaded component mated to the threaded segment and configured to compress the pressure sleeve against the shoulder of the unrecessed portion.

Abstract: A downhole temporary pressure isolation tool configured to withstand very high gas pressures at high temperatures may be achieved by a variety of configurations, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, a barrier valve having one or more frangible discs configured to resist fluid flow in a particular specified duration. In some implementations, the barrier valve may achieve a V0 rating. In one embodiment, for example, a barrier valve may prevent the passage of fluid (i.e., gas and/or liquid) at 15,000 psi and a temperature of 400 degrees F. for at least 15 minutes. If the barrier valve has two frangible ceramic discs, it may prevent the passage of fluid from two directions for at least 15 minutes.

Abstract: A plug assembly includes an expandable assembly and a locking ring. The expandable assembly is adapted to be deformed radially over the locking ring. The locking ring has a stopping inner surface. The plug assembly is used with an untethered object, which has an outer surface adapted to couple with the stopping inner surface of the locking ring. The untethered object is also adapted to contact an inner surface of the plug assembly and, using well fluid pressure, to apply forces to the plug assembly. The forces cause the longitudinal movement of the untethered object while contacting the inner surface of the plug assembly until the untethered object contacts the stopping inner surface of the locking ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hollow boring auger for use for poles, including a first and second mounting part moveably connected, one to the other, to substantially encircle the pole. A first and second auger part are also included, correspondingly attachable to the first and second mounting part, to substantially encircle the pole, A rotation apparatus associated with the mounting parts and the auger parts is included such that in use the auger parts can be rotated about the pole to bore a hollow trench about the pole. The invention also relates to a method of use.

Abstract: An adaptive seat is run in with an isolating object to beyond a landing location for the adaptive seat. The adaptive seat is released to expand and engage the surrounding tubular. Pressure from below acts on the object and propels the object against the adaptive seat. The object and the adaptive seat move in the tubular to a nearby landing location such as a groove or recess in a sub that is part of the string or another location such as a tubular joint where the adaptive seat finds support. An upper portion of the borehole is isolated for a time from formation pressure to allow running in an ESP from the surface. The object is removed by degradation or from being structurally undermined and the ESP is operated to produce the formation. One or more removable barriers are contemplated.

Abstract: A frac plug with a flapper positioned within a shearable housing. More specifically, embodiments are directed towards an upper portion of the shearable housing that is configured to be separated from an insert responsive to flowing back through the frac plug.

Abstract: A welding tool consisting of a tubular body having a lateral end and a pin end. The pin end has external threads disposed around an external circumferential surface of the pin end. The lateral end comprises an inner wall defining an orifice. Additionally, a heat proof shell is disposed circumferentially around the lateral end. The welding tool further includes a battery housing. The battery housing encloses a plurality of batteries which store energy. The welding tool further includes a welding element disposed on an inner surface of the orifice and an electric line. The electric line is coiled within the tubular body and physically contacts the welding element and is electrically connected to the plurality of batteries. The welding tool further includes a controller. The controller is capable of receiving and parsing mud pulse signals and controlling the release of stored energy from the batteries to the electric line.

Abstract: A method of closing a stage tool in a wellbore includes releasing a closing tube into the wellbore; attaching the closing tube to the stage tool; and expanding the closing tube, thereby closing a port of the stage tool.

Abstract: A sleeve can be used as a stop collar on tubing. A fusible element disposed about the inside or outside surface of the collar can be accessed by electrodes via the at least one access point in the collar. An insulator insulates the fusible element from the collar, while the electrodes apply electric current to the fusible element. A fusible material of the fusible element is heated to melting in response to the applied electric current and affixes the collar to the tubing with a metallurgical bond formed from the melting and re-solidifying of the fusible material inside a space between the first circumferential surface of the collar and the opposing circumferential surface of the tubing. The fusible material can be heated to melting directly with the electric current, or an ignitable material activated with the electric current can melt the fusible material.

Abstract: A method of deploying a plug in a subterranean well can include positioning a tool string in the well, the tool string including a plug release tool and a well tool, then releasing the plug from the plug release tool, and then operating the well tool in response to the releasing the plug. A plug release tool for use in a subterranean well can include an outer housing, and an insert secured in the outer housing, the insert including multiple longitudinally extending flow passages formed through the insert.

Abstract: In artificial lift production systems, a reduction in pressure and temperature as production fluids migrate to the surface can cause a buildup in the production tubing that reduces or stops production. To remove buildup, an ESP can be operated at low efficiency and low flow operating conditions to generate heat in the pump. The heat increases the temperature of the production fluid in the pump. When the heated production fluid is transported to the surface, the fluid increases the temperature of the production tubing resulting in a melting of the solidified wax blocking the production tubing. As the wax melts, the production fluid carries it toward the surface. Over time, the heated production fluid will melt enough solidified wax to open the production tubing to a full flow capacity, thus allowing standard production operation to continue.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate that is axially symmetric about a central axis. The substrate has a radius perpendicular to the central axis and that extends from the central axis to an outer surface of the substrate. A super-hard material is coupled to the substrate, and the central axis passes through the super-hard material. The super-hard material has an external surface defining at least one ridge protruding from a remainder of the external surface. A central point on the central axis is offset from the external surface of the super-hard material by a distance equal to the radius of the substrate. A distance measured from the external surface of the super-hard material to the central point is greatest at a position between 25° and 45° from the central axis of the substrate.

Abstract: A cutting element may include a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the substrate and the ultrahard layer defining a non-planar working surface of the cutting element such that the ultrahard layer forms a cutting portion and the substrate is at least laterally adjacent to the ultrahard layer. Another cutting element includes a pointed region having a side surface extending from the pointed region outer perimeter to a peak. An ultrahard material body forms a portion of the pointed region including the peak, and a base region extends a depth from the pointed region outer perimeter. The ultrahard material body has a height to width aspect ratio with the height and width measured between two points of the body having the greatest distance apart along a dimension parallel with a longitudinal axis (i.e., height) along a dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e., width).

Abstract: A gas mitigation system for controlling the amount of gas that reaches a submersible pumping system deployed in a wellbore includes a well zone isolation device disposed in the wellbore between the submersible pumping system and a gas collecting region. The gas mitigation system further includes a back pressure control module and a gas vent line extending from the gas collecting region through the well zone isolation device to the back pressure control module. A liquid intake line extends from the well zone isolation device to an area of the wellbore upstream from the gas collecting region.

Abstract: An example method for determining downhole conditions in a subterranean formation during a drilling operation may include introducing non-formation gas into a flow of drilling fluid through a fluid conduit in fluid communication with a drill string disposed within a borehole in the subterranean operation. The non-formation gas may be received from the flow of drilling fluid through a return line in fluid communication with the borehole. A downhole condition may be determined based, at least in part, on the received non-formation gas.

Abstract: An extrudable ball seat (36) is configured to be secured along a well tubing (34). The extrudable ball seat (36) comprises a larger diameter section (42) and a smaller diameter (44) section connected by a conical section (46). The conical section (46) has an internal seating surface (48) for receiving a corresponding element, e.g. a ball (52), in sealing engagement. The extrudable ball seat (36) facilitates controlled extrusion of the element following a pressure actuation procedure by providing the smaller diameter section (44) with sufficient ductility to enable extrusion of the element under an increased predetermined pressure. Additionally, the extrudable ball seat comprises at least one notch (56), e.g. a plurality of grooves (58), positioned to initiate crack propagation and thus extrusion of larger elements.