Abstract: A well tool assembly can include a well barrier and a detachable sub connected to the well barrier. The detachable sub can include a sensor data receiver. A method of retrieving sensor data can include positioning a sensor on one side of a well barrier, connecting a detachable sub on an opposite side of the well barrier, the detachable sub including a sensor data receiver configured to receive sensor data from the sensor, and conveying the well barrier, the sensor and the detachable sub together into a well. A system can include a sensor, a detachable sub, and a well barrier positioned between the sensor and the detachable sub, the detachable sub including a sensor data receiver, a passage extending longitudinally through the detachable sub, and a closure that selectively opens and blocks the passage.

Abstract: An anchor for securing a well tool can include a longitudinally extending central axis, an outwardly extendable grip member, and a mechanical linkage including multiple pivotably connected links. The links pivot relative to each other in a plane laterally offset from the central axis. A method of anchoring a well tool can include flowing a fluid through an anchor connected to the well tool, thereby outwardly extending a grip member into contact with a well surface, and applying a tensile force to the anchor, thereby increasingly biasing the grip member against the well surface and securing the well tool relative to the well surface. A method of anchoring a tubing cutter in a tubular string can include applying a tensile force from an anchor to the tubular string, and cutting the tubular string while the tensile force is applied from the anchor to the tubular string.

Abstract: A wellbore assembly includes a cable configured to be disposed within a wellbore. The wellbore assembly also includes a housing attached to a downhole end of the cable. The housing defines a fluid outlet at a downhole end of the housing. The housing includes an anchor and a collapsible gate. The anchor engages a wall of the wellbore under increased tension in the cable, thereby anchoring the housing to the wellbore. The collapsible gate is disposed inside the housing between an uphole end of the housing and the fluid outlet. The housing temporarily stores a treatment fluid configured to treat an obstruction in the wellbore. The collapsible gate is configured to break, with the anchor engaged, under further tension applied by the cable, inside the housing to allow the treatment fluid to flow out of the housing through the fluid outlet toward the obstruction.

Abstract: A tool for running a casing string assembly into a wellbore includes a degradable plug assembly that temporarily isolates light fluid trapped in a lower portion of the casing string from heavier fluid in the upper portion of the casing string, thereby reducing the horizontal weight of the casing string by an amount sufficient to overcome a drag force. After the casing string is landed at a final location in the wellbore, fluid is introduced to the degradable plug assembly to degrade the plug and clear the axial passageway of the casing string so that tools or other equipment can pass therethrough.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid flow conducting apparatus comprising: a housing, a housing passage configured for conducting fluid through the housing, and a flow controller for controlling flow communication between the housing passage and an environment external to the housing. The flow controller includes a sealed interface-effector. The flow controller is disposed in a first configuration, and adapted for disposition in a second configuration in response to disposition of the sealed interface-effector in communication with a degradation-promoting agent such that degradation of the sealed interface effector is effected. In the first configuration, the sealed interface effector is threadably coupled to the housing and defines a sealed interface between the housing passage and the environment external to the housing. In the second configuration, the sealed interface is defeated.

Abstract: A setting module for setting a packer assembly in a wellbore can include a motor, a sensor, and an electronic control device. The sensor can detect pressure of fluid from a surface of the wellbore in an inner diameter of the setting module and output detected pressure to an electronic control device. The electronic control device can detect a triggering pressure sequence of the fluid from the surface and can, in response to detecting the triggered pressure sequence, output a command to the motor to drive a pump to cause a slip to move for setting the packer assembly.

Abstract: Methods of capturing carbon dioxide in a wellbore can include installing a sealing element in the wellbore. The sealing element swells in the presence of carbon dioxide and can be used for capturing the carbon. The sealing element can include a carbon-swelling material, such as a carbon-swelling polymers, metal-based materials, or combinations of elastomeric polymers and metal-based materials. The sealing element can also include combinations of different carbon-swelling materials, fillers or other compounds, and materials that are not carbon swellable. The sealing element can create a seal, form an anchor, or create a seal and form an anchor in the wellbore after swelling.

Abstract: A system for monitoring borehole parameters and switching to millimeter wave drilling based on the borehole parameters is provided. The system can include a mechanical drilling apparatus for forming a first portion of a borehole of a well. The first portion of the borehole can be formed based on a permeability of the first portion of the borehole and a temperature within the first portion of the borehole. The system can also include a millimeter wave drilling apparatus configured to inject millimeter wave radiation energy into a second portion of the borehole of the well via a waveguide. The second portion of the borehole can be formed via the millimeter wave drilling apparatus in response to determining the permeability of the first portion of the borehole is below a permeability threshold value and the temperature within the first portion of the borehole exceeds a temperature threshold value.

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 pressure-isolation device has a plug for isolating pressure within a wellbore. The plug can include one or more modular mandrel assemblies partially disposed within each other. Each mandrel assembly can include a sealing element and a shear pin for setting the mandrel section. Each mandrel assembly can also have a collar element, a shear sleeve, a mandrel stop element, and a back-up ring in contact with the sealing element. The plug can further include a bottom receiving element including a knockout plug. The plug assembly can include a top catch element for setting and pulling the plug.

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.