Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming platforms and flow control features in underground wells is described, using modified thermite reactions to form a ceramic plug in place. The reactive package is engineered to expand laterally, filling the well, and may be used to form a ceramic bridge plug, porous ceramic screen sections, or mitigate lost circulation of drilling fluids. These objectives are achieved through the design of the reactive package and through use of carefully chosen reaction additives that control the molten product rheology, solidification temperature, and pore generations and sustainment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a stand-building process of which the method includes engaging a first tubular using an elevator, hoisting the first tubular by raising the elevator, lowering the first tubular into a spider by lowering the elevator, engaging the first tubular using the spider, disengaging the first tubular from the elevator after engaging the first tubular using the spider, engaging a second tubular using the elevator, hoisting and lowering the second tubular into engagement with the first tubular, connecting together the first and second tubulars, and disengaging the spider from the first tubular after connecting together the first and second tubulars. At all times during the stand-building process, a sequential step control system locks an open/close control of the elevator control, or locks an open/close control of the spider control, or locks both, depending on a step of the stand-building process being performed.

Abstract: A steerable drilling system in accordance to an embodiment includes a bias unit integrated with the drill bit to form a steering head and an electronic control system located remote from the steering head and electrically connected to a digital valve of the bias unit.

Abstract: A method of modifying a slide drill segment while implementing the slide drill segment includes receiving downhole data from a BHA during slide drilling of a slide drill segment. The method also includes calculating, based on the downhole data, a build rate and altering, while performing the slide drill segment, sliding instructions based on the build rate and the downhole data. The method also includes implementing the altered sliding instructions.

Abstract: Included are cement compositions and methods and systems for locating the cement compositions in a wellbore. An example method comprises deploying a sensing system in the wellbore and introducing the cement composition into the wellbore. The cement composition comprises a cement and hollow beads having a crush pressure and configured to emit an acoustic signal when imploded. The method further comprises pumping the cement composition through the wellbore to a depth with a wellbore pressure exceeding the crush pressure of the hollow beads to induce implosion of the hollow beads and the emission of the acoustic signal. The method further comprises sensing the emitted acoustic signal and determining the location of the cement composition in the wellbore from the sensed emitted acoustic signal.

Abstract: Methods of using capture gamma-ray spectroscopy for analyzing gravel-packs, frac-packs, and cement are disclosed herein. The methods can include distinguishing particles placed in a borehole region from particles placed in a subterranean formation outside of the borehole region, by utilizing a slurry comprising a liquid, particles, and a thermal neutron absorbing material to place the particles into the borehole region. The methods can also include obtaining first and second data sets by lowering into a borehole traversing the borehole region a pulsed neutron logging tool comprising a pulsed neutron source and a detector, emitting pulses of neutrons from the pulsed neutron source into the borehole region at intervals of one pulse per about 1,000 ?sec for the first data set and about one pulse per about 100 ?sec for the second data set, and detecting capture gamma rays resulting from nuclear reactions in the borehole and the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus may comprise a rotatable body with various cutting elements connected thereto, some radially protruding therefrom, some radially extendable therefrom, and some revolvable relative thereto about a common axis. In operation, when the body is rotated, the radially protruding cutting elements may bore a generally cylindrical borehole. The radially extendable cutting elements may be extended during specific portions of the body's rotation to degrade certain areas of an inner wall of the borehole transforming it into a non-cylindrical borehole. At certain times, the revolvable cutting elements may be allowed to slide against the non-cylindrical inner wall while freely revolving to minimize disturbance to the borehole shape. At other times, revolution of these revolvable cutting elements may be restrained to ream the borehole back to a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: A pipe for cableless bidirectional data transmission and continuous circulation of a stabilizing fluid in a well for the extraction of formation fluids includes a hollow tubular body which couples with respective drill or completion pipes; a radial valve associated with the tubular body, the radial valve connectable to a pumping system outside the tubular body; an axial valve associated with the tubular body; a communication module associated with the tubular body that includes at least one metal plate selected from a transmitting metal plate, a receiving metal plate, and a transceiver metal plate; an electronic processing and control unit that processes signals to be transmitted by means of the at least one metal plate or signals received by means of the at least one metal plate; and one or more supply batteries for feeding the metal plates and the electronic processing and control unit.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for of operating an oil/gas facility for processing oil and gas from a reservoir. The method includes steps of receiving input data concerning condensate phase and gas phase components in the reservoir, the input data characterizing both phase components, determining a pore capillary pressure of the reservoir based on the received input data which characterizes the phase components, determining PVT parameters of the reservoir phase components based on the determined pore capillary pressure, and controlling a setting of the oil/gas facility based on the determined PVT parameters of the reservoir phase components.

Abstract: A method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation includes sending a first command from a controller to a pump to achieve a first target flow rate for a fracturing fluid being injected into a subterranean formation during a fracturing operation. Monitoring an injection property of the fracturing operation. Determining a rate of change of the pressure over a first time period. Determining, by the controller, a second target flow rate based, at least in part, on the rate of change of the pressure. Sending a second command from the controller to the pump to achieve the second target flow rate for the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for drilling a vertical well in soil according to a substantially vertical theoretical drilling trajectory comprising a drilling device including a hollow core having a longitudinal axis, the hollow core being provided with a drilling tool; a rotating driving device exhibiting an active state in which the driving device is oriented with respect to the soil in an angular correction position, and a passive state in which the driving device does not modify the displacement trajectory of the drilling device; a device for measuring the deviation of the hollow core; a control device configured to make the driving device swivel when a deviation is measured, in order to bring it in its active state in an angular correction position determined such that, considered in the horizontal plane, the trajectory correcting direction associated with the angular correction position is opposite to the deviation direction.

Abstract: A wellbore radial positioning apparatus includes a tool body and a motor that actuates a traction wheel. The tool body is configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The motor driving the traction wheel is connected to the tool body and is configured to rotate the tool body in the wellbore. The traction tool is configured to frictionally contact or attach to the wellbore. The tool body is rotated in the wellbore by the action of the motor actuating the traction wheel.

Abstract: A method including, without removing a BHA from a wellbore of a well extending into a formation, extending, into an interior flow bore of the BHA, a first component of a wet latch assembly to provide an extended first component of the wet latch assembly, conveying downhole via a wireline cable, from a surface through an interior flow bore provided by a drill string, a second component of the wet latch assembly, and coupling the second component of the wet latch assembly with the extended first component of the wet latch assembly such that an electrical connection is established between the first component and the second component and between the BHA and the surface via the wireline cable, and testing the formation with a formation tester of the BHA, while providing power and/or data telemetry for the formation tester via the wet latch assembly and the wireline cable.

Abstract: A drill bit comprises a bit body having a longitudinal axis and a blade extending radially outward from the longitudinal axis along a face region and axially along a gauge region. A gauge region includes a gauge feature and first and second recessed regions extending axially above and below the gauge feature, respectively. The gauge feature comprises an outermost surface extending radially beyond outer surfaces of the blade in the recessed regions. A method of drilling a borehole comprises rotating the bit about the longitudinal axis, engaging a formation with cutting elements mounted to the face region, and increasing a lateral force applied substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that radially outer surfaces in the gauge region engage the formation and such that side cutting exhibited by the bit is initially minimal and substantially constant and subsequently increases in a substantially linear manner with increasing lateral force.

Abstract: A system, includes a first sensor configured to monitor a first characteristic of drilling fluid and generate a first indication based on the monitoring. The system also includes a second sensor configured to monitor a second characteristic of drilling fluid and generate a second indication based on the monitoring. The system further includes a processor configured to correlate the first indication with the second indication to generate a baseline value indicative of a characteristic of a well.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pressurized test device and method for in-situ mining natural gas hydrates by jets, relating to the field of exploitation of marine natural gas hydrates. The device comprises an injection system, a jet breakup system, an annular pressure system, an axial pressure system, a backpressure system, a vacuum system, a simulation system, a collecting and processing system and a metering system, all of which can operate independently by controlling pipe valves on pipelines. The loading of the confining pressure of the device is independent of the loading of the axial pressure, without interference to each other. Meanwhile, the jet breakup process of natural gas hydrate-containing sediments can be observed in real time by a video camera.

Abstract: A setting tool for actuating a downhole component includes an inner tubular configured to be connected in fluid communication with a borehole string, a housing configured to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber isolated from the first fluid chamber and in fluid communication with the inner tubular, and a setting piston in pressure communication with the second fluid chamber. The setting tool includes a metering module coupled to the housing and disposed at an end of the first fluid chamber, the metering module including a fluid path forming a restriction therein, and an outlet connected to the fluid path. The outlet is configured to be opened to permit fluid to flow out of the first chamber at a controlled rate to generate a differential pressure between the first and second chambers that causes the setting piston to apply a gradually increasing force on the component.

Abstract: A flow diversion valve comprising: a valve body including an upper housing releasably connected to a lower housing, the upper housing and lower housing being configured to receive a rotating rod therethrough; a shuttle positioned within the valve body, the shuttle being configured to move to cover one or more spill ports of the valve body; and a releasable locking member, wherein the releasable locking member is releasably connected to the valve body and positioned between the upper housing and the lower housing to assist in preventing relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for using and deploying the same within a subterranean zone are described. The apparatus includes a conduit and an expandable mandrel positioned within the conduit. The conduit is configured to be positioned within a subterranean zone. The conduit has an inner surface and an outer surface. The conduit defines an opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. At least a portion of the expandable mandrel is smaller than the opening. A longitudinal length of the expandable mandrel is longer than a longitudinal length of the opening. The expandable mandrel, when actuated, is configured to move in a radial direction with respect to the conduit, such that the portion of the expandable mandrel smaller than the opening moves through the opening and extends beyond the outer surface of the conduit.

Abstract: A detonator activated wireline release tool is provided for use in geological well operations that enables the wireline cable to be easily released from tool string equipment upon activation of a detonator housed within the release tool. The release tool has a wireline subassembly portion that is connected to a tool string subassembly portion during assembly. It is sometimes necessary to disconnect the wireline subassembly from the tool string subassembly at a time when accessing the either is not physically possible. Such release is achieved by sending an electronic signal that detonates an explosive load which actuates a latch through an expansion chamber. The latch shifts and allows the finger flanges previously connecting the subassemblies to disengage, thus releasing the subassemblies.