Abstract: Methods for deploying a coiled tubing string into a wellbore include providing a coiled tubing having a distal end and an opposing end connected with a reel, providing a tool including a tool body, a valve operable under wellbore pressure disposed within the tool body, and a first fluid passageway and a second fluid passageway defined within the tool body. Fluid communication is established through the distal end of the coiled tubing and the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway, and the coiled tubing and tool are deployed into the wellbore.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method of calculating fluid distribution from a hydraulically fractured well, especially during a plug-and-perf hydraulic fracturing operation. The Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data is used to quantify the fluid distribution in separate perf clusters during fracturing, and the result can be used for completion design and optimization, hydraulic fracturing, and ultimately for oil and gas production.

Abstract: A flapper and seat assembly, and systems and methods utilizing such assembly, are provided. The flapper and seat assembly includes a tubular metallic seat having a bore therethrough. The tubular metallic seat is one solid unit. The flapper and seat assembly further includes a hinge coupled to the tubular metallic seat and a flapper. The flapper is pivotally mounted to the hinge such that it is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The flapper and seat assembly also includes a secondary sealing element located between the flapper and the tubular metallic seat. The secondary sealing element is one of an undulating or curved lip seal. The flapper and seat assembly further includes a seal that is formed between a sealing surface of the flapper and a sealing surface of the tubular metallic seat. The seal comprises an angle measured from a plane perpendicular to the centerline of the flapper and seat assembly.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) include a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which cobalt is alloyed with phosphorous to improve the thermal stability of the PCD table. The PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table including an upper surface spaced from an interfacial surface that is bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and phosphorous. The alloy is disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions.

Abstract: Transverse fractures are formed from a borehole using hydraulic fracturing fluid while maintaining the downhole pressure close to a target pressure. The target pressure is selected to be greater than the expected transverse fracture initiation pressure at predetermined weak points, such as notches, and less than the expected longitudinal fracture initiation pressure. The process can be repeated to form multiple transverse fractures by pumping diversion composition(s).

Abstract: Various methods and well systems are provided for characterizing a hydraulically-fractured hydrocarbon-bearing formation that is traversed by a well partitioned into a number of intervals. The methods and well systems analyze surface flow characteristics of fluid that flows from the well (for example, using a multiphase flow meter) in order to characterize local formation properties for one or more intervals for one or more intervals (or other sections) of the well.

Abstract: A method and system is provided that analyzes flow characteristics of return fluid that flows to a surface-located facility during well operations (such as plug mill-out or cleanout/workover operations) in order to characterize local formation properties of the formation. The method and system can be used to characterize a hydraulically-fractured hydrocarbon-bearing formation that is traversed by a well having a number of intervals that are hydraulically isolated from one another by corresponding plugs.

Abstract: Provided is a rubber member for downhole tools, of which a decrease rate of 50% strain compressive stress after immersion for 24 hours in 150° C. water relative to 50% strain compressive stress before immersion is not less than 5%, and preferably not less than 50%. The rubber member is suitable for a seal member, ball sealer, ball seat, and a protecting member. Also provided is a downhole tool comprising the rubber member, and a method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource using the downhole tool.

Abstract: A communication assembly including at least one sensor assembly made up of interrogation circuitry and one or more antennae. The interrogation circuitry comprises at least one inductor coil sensor including a single turn coil inductor for reception of signals from the MEMS data sensors.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a slip member having an actuation surface, a bracing surface and an engagement surface. The slip member is pivotable about a pivot axis such that it can move between retracted and extended configurations. When the slip member is in the extended configuration, the engagement surface engages a bore wall. The downhole tool also includes a wedge member that has a wedge surface. The wedge member and the slip member are configured to move relative to each other such that the wedge surface of the wedge member engages the actuation surface of the slip member to cause the slip member to pivot about the pivot axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery. A representative system includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.

Abstract: A hole opener includes a shaft including a plurality of axial slots formed in an outer periphery and spaced circumferentially about the shaft, a plate coupled to the outer periphery between each pair of slots, the plate including fastening wings that extend radially outwardly from each circumferential end of the plate, and a blade extending radially outwardly from a respective one of the plurality of axial slots between a fastening wing of each of adjacent plates, the blade coupled to each fastening wing.

Abstract: A downhole completion system includes a production casing installed in a borehole and an annular barrier system to be expanded in an annulus between a production casing and a wall of a borehole or another well tubular structure downhole for providing zone isolation between a first and second zones. An annular barrier has a tubular metal part adapted to be mounted as part of the production casing. The downhole completion system further includes a sensor device which is in communication with the first zone and/or second zone, respectively, the sensor device being adapted to measure the first pressure of the first zone and the second pressure of the second zone for verifying the zone isolation.

Abstract: A system and method allows determining the movement of subsurface fluids, gases or solids in the subsurface structure of interest. This allows quantitatively determining the results of surface and subsurface equipment and materials changes. These simple observations may result in significant improvements in field efficiency.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal matrix composite (MMC) tool includes coating at least a portion of an interior of a mold assembly with one or more layers of a material coating, where the mold assembly defines at least a portion of an infiltration chamber. Reinforcing materials are deposited into the infiltration chamber, and infiltrated with a binder material. One or more layers of the material coating may then be reacted with the binder material to form an outer shell on selected outer surfaces of the MMC tool.

Abstract: A fracturing system can include a fracturing manifold coupled to a plurality of fracturing trees. The fracturing manifold may include adjustment joints that enable adjustment of the length of the fracturing manifold. The fracturing manifold can also include pivot joints that allow angular displacement of portions of the fracturing manifold with respect to other portions. The adjustment and pivot joints can accommodate spacing and elevation differences between the fracturing trees.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a roller cone drill bit having a roller cone and at least one antenna loop disposed in the roller cone for detecting magnetic or electromagnetic waves indicative of a target, a resistivity, or a boundary of the subterranean formation, man-made structure, or object. The drilling system may utilize the antenna loop to determine resistivity measurements of a subterranean formation through which the drill bit is being drilled. The location of the antenna in the roller cone may enable increased look-ahead and look-around measurements. In addition, the location of the antenna in the roller cone may facilitate anisotropic resistivity measurements to aid in steering the drill string into a desired portion of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method can include receiving formation parameter values associated with a bore of a formation via a pressure transient analysis of a test performed by tubing that is operatively coupled to a tool that includes at least one pressure sensor. The method can include receiving a pressure stabilization value for fluid flow at a location in the bore of the formation. And, the method can include, based at least in part on the formation parameter values and the pressure stabilization value, calculating a skin factor value for the location in the bore.

Abstract: A subsurface release plug system includes a plug mandrel body and a plug. The plug mandrel body includes a bore, a flow port fluidly connected to the bore, and a sleeve adjustable from a first position to a second position. The sleeve prevents fluid flow through the flow port when in the first position and allows fluid flow through the flow port when in the second position. The plug is releasably connected to the plug mandrel body, wherein the plug is configured to be released from the plug mandrel body by fluid flowing through the flow port.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring the size of a round object. Apparatus and methods for checking that a drop ball used in a well fracturing process has a predetermined diameter before being introduced into the wellbore.