Abstract: An apparatus and method for drilling a well bore, placing a liner, cementing and perforating the liner, and injecting or producing fluid, sand-free, through the perforations. The liner has a plurality of outwardly extendable elements for perforation and sand control. The tool also can have a drilling apparatus, a cementing apparatus, a steering apparatus and a formation evaluation apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an elastic memory foam into an expansion element with an outer diameter larger than a borehole, heating the expansion element to its transition temperature and compressing it to a smaller run-in diameter, cooling the compressed expansion element below its transition temperature and running it into the borehole, then raising the expansion element to its transition temperature to cause it to expand and seal against the borehole wall. Expansion can be enhanced by expanding a mandrel on which the expansion element is formed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for perforating a liner, fracturing a formation, and injecting or producing fluid, sand-free. The tool has a plurality of outwardly telescoping elements for perforation, fracturing, and sand control. The tool also has a mechanical control device for selectively controlling the fracturing of the formation and the injection or production of fluids through the telescoping elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running a liner into a well bore, hanging the liner to a casing, perforating the liner, cementing the liner in, setting a liner packer, and establishing sand control, all in one trip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an elastic memory foam into an expansion element with an outer diameter larger than a borehole, heating the expansion element to its transition temperature and compressing it to a smaller run-in diameter, cooling the compressed expansion element below its transition temperature and running it into the borehole, then raising the expansion element to its transition temperature to cause it to expand and seal against the borehole wall. Expansion can be enhanced by expanding a mandrel on which the expansion element is formed.

Abstract: A packer or bridge plug uses a sealing element made from a shape memory polymer (SMP). The packer element receives heat to soften the SMP while the element is compressed and retained. While so retained, the heat is removed to allow the SMP to get stiff so that it effectively seals a surrounding tubular. High expansion rates are possible as the softness of the material under thermal input allows it to be reshaped to the surrounding tubular from a smaller size during run in and to effectively retain a sealed configuration after getting stiff on reduction in its core temperature while longitudinally compressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an elastic memory foam into an expansion element with an outer diameter larger than a borehole, heating the expansion element to its transition temperature and compressing it to a smaller run-in diameter, cooling the compressed expansion element below its transition temperature and running it into the borehole, then raising the expansion element to its transition temperature to cause it to expand and seal against the borehole wall. Expansion can be enhanced by expanding a mandrel on which the expansion element is formed.

Abstract: Gas hydrates, particularly natural gas hydrates e.g. methane hydrates, may be formed and controlled within conduits and vessels by imparting energy to gas and water, for instance using agitation or vibration. The systems and methods allow for improved flow characteristics for fluids containing the gases, e.g. hydrocarbon fluids being transported, and for improved overall efficiencies. The gas and water within a gas flow path may be perturbed or agitated to initiate formation of relatively small hydrate particles. The hydrate particles continue to form as long as energy is imparted and water and hydrate guest molecules are available. High amplitude agitation of the gas and water will repeatedly break up agglomerated hydrate particles that form and encourage the formation of more and smaller particles. As more hydrate forms in this manner, less and less free water may be available proximate the gas and water contact.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inhibiting the deposition of methane or natural gas hydrates, as well as scales, paraffins and other undesirable deposits within a wellbore using acoustic energy. An acoustic inhibitor is associated with a wellbore proximate the wellhead and is used to generate a low frequency acoustic energy signal that is propagated axially through the wellbore. The acoustic inhibitor preferably comprises a magneto-restrictive element that is pulsed in accordance with a predetermined frequency to generate acoustic waves in fluid that is located within the flowbore of wellbore production tubing or in a pipeline. The tubing string or pipeline is used as a waveguide to propagate the acoustic energy axially.

Abstract: Composite tubulars that have not been polymerized and are thus flexible enough to be coiled are delivered into a wellbore and expanded. The expansion occurs from an external catalyst such as heat or releases the internal catalyst and allows the expanded tubular to become rigid. Optionally, healing agents can be imbedded in the tubular wall to be released to seal subsequently forming cracks.

Abstract: Drilling a well to total depth without tripping the bit out of the hole despite encountering a troublesome zone is made possible by using a memory based composite material delivered with the drill pipe or advanced over it, as needed. The material can be activated as a troublesome zone is encountered and assumes as former configuration that places it in sealing relation to the troublesome zone in the bore hole while spacing it from the drill pipe so as to allow resumption of drilling with the troublesome zone isolated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for drilling a well bore, placing a liner, cementing and perforating the liner, and injecting or producing fluid, sand-free, through the perforations. The liner has a plurality of outwardly extendable elements for perforation and sand control. The tool also can have a drilling apparatus, a cementing apparatus, a steering apparatus and a formation evaluation apparatus.

Abstract: A screen assembly has a material that conforms to the borehole shape after insertion. The assembly comprises a compliant layer that takes the borehole shape on expansion. The outer layer is formed having holes to permit production flow. The material that is selected preferably swells with heat and preferably comprises a shape memory foam that is thermoset. The base pipe can have a screen over it to act as an underlayment for support of the conforming layer or alternatively for screening. The conforming layer can expand by itself or expansion can also occur from within the base pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running a liner into a well bore, hanging the liner to a casing, perforating the liner, cementing the liner in, setting a liner packer, and establishing sand control, all in one trip.

Abstract: A screen that conforms to the borehole shape after expansion is disclosed. The screen comprises a compliant outer layer that takes the borehole shape on expansion. The outer layer is formed having holes to permit production flow. The material that is selected preferably swells with prolonged contact to well fluids to further close off annular gaps after expansion. In an alternative embodiment, the screen is not expanded and the swelling of the material alone closes off annular gaps. The outer sleeve is placed over the screen and the screen is placed on a base pipe and initially expanded from within the base pipe to secure the components of the screen assembly for running downhole, while minimizing or eliminating any welding among the layers. A variety of expansion tools can be used to expand the screen or screens downhole.

Abstract: Casing is scored but not penetrated in one embodiment of a method that allows access to the formation without perforating or section milling the casing. In the run in condition the casing is impervious, to allow cement to be pumped through it to seal the annular space between the casing and the wellbore. After the cement is delivered and displaced through a shoe, the casing is expanded in the regions where it was scored to create openings that go against the wellbore wall. In between the expanded sections the cemented casing offers isolation between adjacent formations.

Abstract: A flow conduit may have at least one orifice is in the vicinity of a flow source. The source is at least partially covered (and flow blocked by) an optional temporary coating or barrier. The flow pathway between the orifice and the source is temporarily blocked with a degradable material or barrier. The material disintegrates (e.g. under the influence of time or temperature) to optionally produce a product that removes the temporary coating in the area adjacent the barrier. The method is useful in one non-limiting context of recovering hydrocarbons where the flow conduit is the casing or liner of the well and the flow source is a subterranean reservoir where the temporary coating is a filter cake.

Abstract: An assembly method for a downhole screen is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the filtration layer is slipped over a perforated base pipe and an expansion technique is used to increase the base pipe diameter to the point where, preferably, an interference fit exists. The expansion can be fully underneath the filtration layer or can be done in discrete zones. The finished assembly can still be expanded further downhole, such as, for example, in open hole completions. An outer protective shroud can be employed over the filtration layer when the expansion of the base pipe occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an elastic memory foam into an expansion element with an outer diameter larger than a borehole, heating the expansion element to its transition temperature and compressing it to a smaller run-in diameter, cooling the compressed expansion element below its transition temperature and running it into the borehole, then raising the expansion element to its transition temperature to cause it to expand and seal against the borehole wall. Expansion can be enhanced by expanding a mandrel on which the expansion element is formed.

Abstract: An acid concentration is injected into a formation in a manner which slowly changes the salinity and pH of the rock matrix of the formation to significantly reduce the effects on clay particles or fines in the formation. The acid concentration comprises a plurality of fluids which are injected into the formation in a ramped or stepped sequence. More specifically, one or more of the fluids are ramped or changed while the total flow rate is maintained by varying the flow rate of a dilution fluid or fluids. The volumes of the fluids forming the acid concentration and the rate or rates at which the volume percents are ramped will vary depending on the matrix of the formation being treated.