Abstract: An acoustic transmission system is presented, wherein acoustic communication is transmitted over an acoustic medium comprising production tubing, well casing or over continuous tubing in a well (e.g., coil tubing, chemical injection tubing or dewatering string). More specifically, the acoustic medium has an acoustic tool associated therewith, which is permanently located downhole with the sensors and electromechanical devices typically employed in a well, and an acoustic tool associated therewith uphole. The downhole sensors are connected to the downhole acoustic tool for acoustic communication. The acoustic tool includes a piezoelectric ceramic transducer (i.e., a stack of piezoelectric elements) or an accelerometer for transmitting or receiving acoustic signals transmitting through the medium.

Abstract: A system adapted for controlling and/or monitoring a plurality of production wells from a remote location is provided. This system is capable of controlling and/or monitoring: (1) a plurality of zones in a single production well; (2) a plurality of zones/wells in a single location (e.g., a single platform); or (3) a plurality of zones/wells located at a plurality of locations (e.g., multiple platforms). The multizone and/or multiwell control system of this invention is composed of multiple downhole electronically controlled electromechanical devices and multiple computer based surface systems operated from multiple locations. Important functions for these systems include the ability to predict the future flow profile of multiple wells and to monitor and control the fluid or gas flow from either the formation into the wellbore, or from the wellbore to the surface.

Abstract: A system adapted for controlling and/or monitoring a plurality of production wells from a remote location is provided. This system is capable of controlling and/or monitoring: (1) a plurality of zones in a single production well; (2) a plurality of zones/wells in a single location (e.g., a single platform); or (3) a plurality of zones/wells located at a plurality of locations (e.g., multiple platforms). The multizone and/or multiwell control system of this invention is composed of multiple downhole electronically controlled electromechanical devices and multiple computer based surface systems operated from multiple locations. Important functions for these systems include the ability to predict the future flow profile of multiple wells and to monitor and control the fluid or gas flow from either the formation into the wellbore, or from the wellbore to the surface.

Abstract: A wellbore remote control system is disclosed which includes (1) a transmission apparatus for generating at least one acoustic transmission having a particular transmission frequency, (2) a reception apparatus which includes an electronic circuit (preferably digital) which detects and identifies the acoustic transmissions, and which provides an actuation signal to an electrically-actuated wellbore tool if a match is detected.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a formation surrounding a borehole in a production well. The method encompasses the use of a downhole sensor permanently mounted in the well to sense at least one downhole formation parameter which is not normally present within the wellbore. The system includes a formation evaluation sensor permanently located downhole in a production well having at least two boreholes, wherein at least one of the boreholes is a branch borehole, the sensor sensing a formation parameter which is not normally present within the borehole.

Abstract: A system adapted for controlling and/or monitoring a plurality of production wells from a remote location is provided. This system is capable of controlling and/or monitoring: (1) a plurality of zones in a single production well; (2) a plurality of zones/wells in a single location (e.g., a single platform); or (3) a plurality of zones/wells located at a plurality of locations (e.g., multiple platforms). The multizone and/or multiwell control system of this invention is composed of multiple downhole electronically controlled electromechanical devices and multiple computer based surface systems operated from multiple locations. Important functions for these systems include the ability to predict the future flow profile of multiple wells and to monitor and control the fluid or gas flow from either the formation into the wellbore, or from the wellbore to the surface.

Abstract: Electrical generating apparatus is provided which connects to the production tubing. In a preferred embodiment, this apparatus includes a housing having a primary flow passageway in communication with the production tubing. The housing also includes a laterally displaced side passageway communicating with the primary flow passageway such that production fluid passes upwardly towards the surface through the primary and side passageways. A flow diverter may be positioned in the housing to divert a variable amount of production fluid from the production tubing and into the side passageway. In accordance with an important feature of this invention, an electrical generator is located at least partially in or along the side passageway. The electrical generator generates electricity through the interaction of the flowing production fluid.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. An important feature of this invention is that the automatic control is initiated downhole without an initial control signal from the surface or from some other external source. This control system generally comprises downhole sensors, downhole electromechanical devices and downhole computerized control electronics whereby the control electronics automatically control the electromechanical devices based on input from the downhole sensors. Thus, using the downhole sensors, the downhole computerized control system will monitor actual downhole parameters (such as pressure, temperature, flow, gas influx, etc.) and automatically execute control instructions when the monitored downhole parameters are outside a selected operating range (e.g., indicating an unsafe condition).

Abstract: A downhole control system for a production well is associated with permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors which remain downhole throughout production operations. These formation evaluation sensors may include, for example, neutron generator, gamma ray detector and resistivity sensors which can, in real time, sense and evaluate formation parameters including important information regarding formation invading water entering the producing zone. Significantly, this information can be obtained prior to the water actually entering the producing geological formation and therefore corrective action (i.e., closing of a valve or sliding sleeve) can be taken prior to water being produced. This real time acquisition of formation data in the production well constitutes an important advance over current wireline techniques in that the present invention is far less costly and can anticipate and react to potential problems before they occur.

Abstract: A system for communicating between a plurality of completed zones in a production well includes telemetry devices in each completed zone which communicate either directly via wireless or hardwired techniques or which communicate using a third telemetry device located at the surface of the production well. Zone to zone communication can also be effected between completed zones in different production wells.

Abstract: A system adapted for controlling and/or monitoring a plurality of production wells from a remote location is provided. This system is capable of controlling and/or monitoring: (1) a plurality of zones in a single production well; (2) a plurality of zones/wells in a single location (e.g., a single platform); or (3) a plurality of zones/wells located at a plurality of locations (e.g., multiple platforms). The multizone and/or multiwell control system of this invention is composed of multiple downhole electronically controlled electromechanical devices and multiple computer based surface systems operated from multiple locations. Important functions for these systems include the ability to predict the future flow profile of multiple wells and to monitor and control the fluid or gas flow from either the formation into the wellbore, or from the wellbore to the surface.

Abstract: A downhole control system for a production well is associated with permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors which remain downhole throughout production operations. These formation evaluation sensors may include, for example, neutron generator, gamma ray detector and resistivity sensors which can, in real time, sense and evaluate formation parameters including important information regarding formation invading water entering the producing zone. Significantly, this information can be obtained prior to the water actually entering the producing geological formation and therefore corrective action (i.e., closing of a valve or sliding sleeve) can be taken prior to water being produced. This real time acquisition of formation data in the production well constitutes an important advance over current wireline techniques in that the present invention is far less costly and can anticipate and react to potential problems before they occur.

Abstract: A wellbore is at least partially obstructed with a partition or obstruction member. A fluid slurry of an aggregate mixture of particulate matter is pumped into the wellbore adjacent the partition or obstruction member. The aggregate mixture of particulate material contains at least one component of particulate material, and each of the at least one particulate material components has an average discrete particle dimension different from that of the other particulate material components. Fluid pressure then is applied to the aggregate material and fluid is drained from the aggregate material through a fluid drainage passage in the partition or obstruction member. The fluid pressure and drainage of fluid from the aggregate mixture combined to compact the aggregate mixture into a substantially solid, load-bearing, force-transferring, substantially fluid-impermeable plug member, which seals a first wellbore region from fluid flow communication with a second wellbore region.

Abstract: A downhole control system for a production well is associated with permanent downhole formation evaluation sensors which remain downhole throughout production operations. These formation evaluation sensors may include, for example, neutron density, gamma ray porosity and resistivity sensors which can, in real time, sense and evaluate formation parameters including important information regarding water entering the production tubing. Significantly, this information can be obtained prior to the water actually entering the producing fluid and therefore corrective action (i.e., closing of a valve or sliding sleeve) can be taken prior to water being produced. This real time acquisition of formation data in the production well constitutes an important advance over current wireline techniques in that the present invention is far less costly and can anticipate and react to potential problems before they occur.

Abstract: A packer apparatus for use in a subterranean well comprises an inner mandrel and means for applying tension to the inner mandrel to set radially expandable slips and packing elements. The mandrel can be releasably positioned in a first position to secure the slips and packing element in the retracted position and can be shifted to a second position in which engagable lock segments secure the slips and packing element in expanded configuration. The packer can be released by rotational manipulation or by axial force. The packer apparatus can be used with rotationally manipulatable well tools positioned either above or below the packer apparatus.

Abstract: An improved slip assembly is provided for grasping the interior wall of a well conduit to secure a tool against longitudinal movement. Interengaging means, such as upper and lower slip rings surround the tool and have T-shaped ears projecting from the opposed lower and upper ends of the upper and lower slip rings, respectively. Each ear cooperates with a T-shaped slot formed in a wider end of a wedge-shaped slip element to retain a plurality of such slip elements in side-by-side relationship about the periphery of the tool. At least one of the slip elements has wickers or teeth formed on the outwardly facing surface thereof. Movement of a setting means forces the upper slip elements in a direction with respect to the lower slip elements such that the slip elements are forced outwardly until the wickers engage the interior wall of the well conduit to secure the tool on the well conduit. When all of the slip elements are provided with wickers the slip assembly will provide 360.degree.

Abstract: A double grip well bore packer which is run into a well casing on a tubular conduit string has actuator means responsive to applied fluid pressure to set slips and to force a packing into engagement with the casing, and the setting force is locked into the packing. The applied setting force results from relative axial movement between an inner body mandrel, a setting mandrel and a housing surrounding the lower end of the inner body mandrel to define a pressure chamber housing a releasing piston. A bottom member defines the lower end of the housing and provides a mounting for a removable plug which closes the tubing bore to permit build-up of tubing pressure to set the packer, including limited pressure induced upward movement of the inner mandrel body relative to the bottom member to facilitate the application of the setting forces.

Abstract: A well bore packer which is run into a well casing on a tubing has actuator means responsive to applied fluid pressure to set anchor slips and to force a packing into engagement with the casing. The setting force is locked into the packing by a pressure balanced piston element having locking engagement with an inner body mandrel by a shear ring. A releasing tool is insertable within the bore of the body mandrel and incorporates an atmospheric pressure chamber. An operating mandrel for the releasing tool is shiftable through an increase in tubing pressure to establish communication between one side of the locking piston of the packer and the atmospheric chamber of the releasing tool, thus permitting the locking piston to shear the locking ring and free the setting forces operating on the packing elements of the packer.