Abstract: A cutting bit includes a bit body and high-pressure body with a high-pressure fluid conduit therethrough. The high-pressure body and bit body are joined together. The high-pressure fluid conduit is configured to convey a fluid at greater than 14.5 ksi, and in some embodiments greater than 40 ksi. The high-pressure fluid conduit may direct the fluid through a nozzle in a fluid jet to weaken material, such as an earth formation. The cutting bit includes at least one roller cone and/or blades with cutting elements thereon to remove the weakened material. A cutting bit includes both high and low-pressure fluid conduits, and high and low-pressure fluid nozzles. The high-pressure nozzles receive fluid flow from a downhole pressure intensifier, and a connection between the bit and the downhole pressure intensifier includes rigid connectors, flexible connectors, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A technique facilitates production of desired well fluids. A well string may comprise a plurality of well screen joints which are assembled for receipt of a well fluid from a desired well zone along a wellbore. The well screen joints are constructed and assembled in a manner which also creates a flow path to a common inflow area. At this common inflow area, the well fluid may be directed through a port or ports into an interior production passage of the well string for production to a desired collection area. The port or ports at the common inflow area may be selectively closed to block inflow of fluid from the plurality of well screen joints.

Abstract: A method for identifying a wellbore condition includes capturing a first image of cuttings on or downstream from a shale shaker using a first camera. A size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image may be determined. A wellbore condition may be identified based on the size, shape, texture, or combination thereof of the cuttings in the first image.

Abstract: A stripper head assembly for holding back pressure while stripping a work-string in and out of a pressurized well environment. The stripper head assembly comprises a stripper head, a stripper insert, a stripper rubber, one or more retention bushing assemblies, one or more retention pins, and one or more retention apertures. The stripper head comprises an outer portion of the stripper head assembly. The stripper head comprises, from top to bottom, a top portion, a body portion, a lower neck portion and a flange base. A portion of the stripper insert fits within a portion of the stripper rubber. A portion of the stripper rubber fits within a portion of the stripper head. A portion of the stripper insert is configured to fit within a portion of the stripper rubber.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring influx of a fluid to a hydrocarbon producing well comprising providing at least one tracer release apparatus (100) in a hydrocarbon producing well at an influx location (14a-14d). The at least one tracer release apparatus comprises a fluid volume (121) and a tracer material (124) located in the fluid volume. The method comprises shutting in the tracer release apparatus during production to increase the concentration of tracer molecules in the fluid volume; releasing the tracer molecules from the tracer release apparatus into the production flow and detecting the presence of tracer downstream of the influx location.

Abstract: Systems, methods, tools, and kits are used to reducing shocks and vibrations in tools, including downhole drilling tools. In at least some embodiments, shock and vibration reduction can be enhanced within tools that include an annular chassis within a collar. Existing locations where a gap exists are identified, and clamps, alignment features, joints, or other components can be modified or included to reduce the gap between the chassis and the collar. This includes a tool in which the chassis includes a flow tube or other tool with an axis that is offset from the axis of the chassis. Minimizing the gap can include providing three-point contact, which stabilizes the internal component within the collar. In a downhole environment, a downhole tool that includes the collar and chassis can perform a drilling or other downhole operation, and the internal vibration within the collar is reduced.

Abstract: A technique facilitates control over packers and/or other well tools actuated downhole. The technique utilizes a valve connectable into a well string. The valve is shiftable between a plurality of modes so as to control flow of fluid in a downhole environment. Additionally, an actuator system is connectable into the well string and operatively coupled with the valve. The actuator system is electronically controlled to cause the valve to shift to a desired mode of the plurality of modes. This approach enables electronic control over the actuation of specific downhole tools, e.g. packers, and/or other well related operations.

Abstract: A method for removing a flapper seat assembly that is replaceable from a safety valve positioned downhole in a wellbore is described herein. For example, the safety valve is positioned downhole in a wellbore and can include a housing. Additionally, the safety valve can include a flow tube coupled to a downhole tool. The flow tube can be removed from the safety valve in response to a first force applied by the downhole tool. A first tool profile can be coupled to a first assembly profile for coupling the downhole tool to the flapper seat assembly after removing the flow tube. A second assembly profile can be detached from a housing profile to remove the flapper seat assembly from the wellbore in response to a second force applied by the downhole tool. After removing the flapper seat assembly, a second flapper seat assembly can be attached to the safety valve.

Abstract: A perforating gun deployable in a wellbore as part of a tool string includes an outer sleeve including a generally tubular wall structure having a peripheral surface around the outside, opposite ends thereof and a central passage therethrough extending from one end to the other end and further including a connection at each end to connect to other tools in the tool string, and at least one pressure sealed perforating module slidably positioned within the central passage of the outer sleeve having a shaped charge sealed from the portion of the central passage of the outer sleeve external the pressure-sealed perforating module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method including: launching a drone-type device into a subsurface terrain, wherein the drone-type device is configured to navigate the subsurface terrain along a path while searching for a source of one or more pollutants; obtaining, using one or more sampling compartments on the drone-type device, at least one sample along the path as the drone-type device travels in the subsurface terrain; measuring, using one or more sensors on the drone-type device on the drone-type device, concentration levels of the one or more pollutants at corresponding locations along the path where the drone-type device obtains the at least one sample; determining a gradient map of the measured concentration levels in the subsurface terrain surrounding the path taken by the drone-type device; and based on, at least in part, the gradient map, determining whether the source of the one or more pollutants has been located.

Abstract: Systems for drilling or tunneling include an assembly for accelerating a projectile through a first conduit into a region of geologic material, which generates debris. The debris may be reduced in size by moving the debris to a crushing device located in a second conduit using a conveying device, such as an auger. The reduced-size debris is then moved toward the surface using fluid movement. A third conduit may be used to provide and remove material from the bottom of the first conduit to control pressure at the end of the conduit to prevent ingress of material into the first conduit. Water jets or other types of devices may be used to cut or deform a perimeter of a region of geologic material before the projectile is accelerated to control the shape of the borehole and the manner in which debris is broken from the geologic material.

Abstract: A stabilizer for use in a wellbore may include a downhole tubular configured to couple to a downhole conveyance in a wellbore, as well as two or more helical blades extending radially outward from the downhole tubular. The two or more helical blades are oriented about the downhole tubular to form respective flow paths between adjacent blades. Further, each blade of the two or more helical blades may include a line-of-sight face and a gauge ramp. The line-of-sight face is formed adjacent a leading inner blade wall of the blade at a lower end of the blade and is angularly offset from the leading inner blade wall. The gauge ramp extends from an outer surface of the downhole tubular toward an outer blade surface of the blade proximate the lower end of the blade.

Abstract: A hybrid bit includes an earth-boring element and a percussion element. The earth-boring element and the percussion element are coaxially arranged, with the earth-boring element surrounding the percussion element. A reciprocating member of the percussion element may oscillate in a manner that enables a bottom end of the reciprocating member to repeatedly protrude from a bottom end of the earth-boring element and to be repeatedly withdrawn. A configuration of the earth-boring element may enable it to drill into and remove some materials from an earth formation, while the percussion element may enable the hybrid bit to drill into and remove difficult-to-drill materials, including abrasive materials and/or materials with high compressive forces, such as chert.

Abstract: A downhole tool for sealing a well includes a push ring, a first slip ring located adjacent to the push ring, a first wedge located adjacent to the first slip ring and configured to radially push the first slip ring and separate the first slip ring into individual parts, and a sealing element located adjacent to the first wedge and configured to seal the well. An upstream end of the first slip ring and a downstream end of the push ring form a wavy interface when in contact. The wavy interface locks the first slip ring relative to the push ring to prevent a rotation of the first slip ring relative to the push ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatically operated drill hammer, comprising a piston and a distributor axially arranged relative to each other in a housing, the piston being arranged to be moved axially between a first position and a second position. The drill hammer further includes a pneumatic drive system, including a drive chamber, a return chamber and a plurality of channels for distribution of drive gas in said drive system. The return chamber is arranged at a lower side of the piston and the drive chamber is arranged at an upper side of the piston, wherein the drive chamber is defined by a variable space enclosed by at least the housing, the piston and the distributor. The drive chamber includes at least one inlet port and at least one exhaust port arranged at a circumference of the drive chamber.

Abstract: An isolation valve includes a ball valve element, an actuation section to rotate the ball valve element, and a trigger section that actuates the actuation section in response to a pressure differential. The actuation section includes an actuation mandrel, a piston housing that at least partially encases the actuation mandrel, a collet piston, and a holding collet. The piston housing and the actuation mandrel define a hydraulic chamber, and the collet piston separates the hydraulic chamber into an upper hydraulic chamber and a lower hydraulic chamber. The holding collet supports the collet piston during a stroke of the actuation mandrel that is triggered by the trigger section. The collet piston is configured to assume a rest position on the actuation mandrel before and during the stroke of the actuation mandrel, and the collet piston is configured to disengage from the actuation mandrel after the stroke of the actuation mandrel.

Abstract: A washpipe free feature may include a housing defining a chamber having a bypass portion and a securing portion. The housing has first and second bores to put the bypass portion in fluid communication with an annulus of a wellbore and a central bore of a downhole tubular, respectively. Further, the washpipe free feature includes a magnet secured in the bypass portion, a ferromagnetic ball disposed within the bypass portion, and a piston disposed within the chamber. A distal end of the piston blocks the ball from contacting the magnet in a run-in position such that the ball may plug the first bore in response to fluid flow from the tubular toward the annulus. Additionally, the piston is slideable to an open position such that the magnet may hold the ball out of a flow path between the first bore and the second bore in the bypass portion.

Abstract: A system formed to provide sealed passage through the wellhead for cables, lines, tubes or the like for down-hole applications. A unitary or split/wrap around hanger, packer or other apparatus having a main seal is formed to receive and provide sealed passage through of power and control cables, lines, conduits, or other threaded components having various configurations and applications. A bowl cap, tubing adapter or other surface component with adapters is formed to allow sealed pass-through utilizing a compression seal. A tubing encapsulated wire for pass-through for power cables or the like as well as a compression fitting with right angle connector is configured to provide a seal at the tubing adapter or the like, as well as a two-piece interlocking F.A.N. cover plate utilizing insertable inner plates to provide various cable penetration and other passage layouts, pressure ratings, and other specifications.

Abstract: The calibration of fracture models for naturally fractured reservoirs using fracture properties from X-ray micro-computed tomography (X-ray MicroCT). A core plug is obtained from a subsurface naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoir, and a fracture property such as fracture porosity and a fracture effective permeability of the hydrocarbon reservoir are determined. A natural fracture model is generated using reservoir parameters and fluid flow paths, and fracture properties such as fracture porosity and a fracture effective permeability are determined from the natural fracture model. The fracture properties of the natural fracture model are calibrated using the fracture properties from the X-ray MicroCT analysis of the core plug.

Abstract: A system includes a subsurface safety valve and a lock tool. The subsurface safety valve is installed within the production tubing and has a main bore delineated by an inner circumferential surface of the subsurface safety valve and a lock profile machined into the inner circumferential surface of the subsurface safety valve. The lock tool is movably disposed around a conduit and has a locking dog configured to engage with the lock profile of the subsurface safety valve and a conduit seal made of a swellable elastomer. The conduit seal is activated by an activation fluid and has an expanded position and an unexpanded position.