Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and characterizing the fluid flow in and around the tubing string in a wellbore, preferably using fiber optic componentry. The apparatus includes a signal sensing demodulator device and a skin friction sensing device positionable within the wellbore. Both devices are in informational communication with each other. The method includes exposing the skin friction sensing device to a fluid flow, transmitting a signal obtained as a result of a movement of the skin friction sensing device from the fluid flow to a signal sensing demodulator device, converting the signal to a numerical value, and computing a parameter or parameters of the fluid flow in the wellbore from the numerical value.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator system includes a power source, a controller in communication with the power source, a piezoelectric stack comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed within a sleeve to define a chamber at one end of the sleeve, pressure accumulators in fluid communication with the chamber, a flow control valve in communication with the accumulators, and a hydraulic piston in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The communication between the power source and the controller may be electrical or photo communication, and the power source is preferably remotely located relative to the other elements of the hydraulic actuator system. The method for controlling a remotely located hydraulic actuator includes communicating a signal to the hydraulic actuator, pressurizing a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator, and directing the hydraulic fluid to a cylinder in the hydraulic actuator to bias a piston either into or away from the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.

Abstract: A technique for providing auxiliary conduits in multi-trip completions is disclosed. The technique has particular applicability to liner mounted screens which are to be gravel packed. In the preferred embodiment, a protective shroud is run with the gravel pack screens with the auxiliary conduits disposed in between. The auxiliary conduits terminate in a quick connection at a liner top packer. The gravel packing equipment can optionally be secured in a flow relationship to the auxiliary conduits so as to control the gravel packing operation. Subsequent to the removal of the specialized equipment, the production tubing can be run with an auxiliary conduit or conduits for connection down hole to the auxiliary conduits coming from the liner top packer for a sealing connection. Thereafter, during production various data on the well can be obtained in real time despite the multiple trips necessary to accomplish completion.

Abstract: A downhole well valve having a variable area orifice (26) is flow area adjusted by a sliding sleeve (20) that is axially shifted along a tubular housing (12) interior in a finite number of increments. A hydraulic actuator (60) displaces a predetermined volume of hydraulic fluid with each actuator stroke. An actuator displaced volume of fluid shifts the flow control sleeve by one increment of flow area differential. An indexing mechanism (40) associated with the sleeve provides a pressure value respective to each increment in the increment series.

Abstract: A downhole well valve having a variable area orifice (26) is flow area adjusted by a sliding sleeve (20) that is axially shifted along a tubular housing (12) interior in a finite number of increments. A hydraulic actuator (60) displaces a predetermined volume of hydraulic fluid with each actuator stroke. An actuator displaced volume of fluid shifts the flow control sleeve by one increment of flow area differential. An indexing mechanism (40) associated with the sleeve provides a pressure value respective to each increment in the increment series.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for actively controlling the flow of hydrocarbon fluids from a producing formation at the downhole sand screen. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a fluid flow annulus within the production tube inside of the screen. In a first flow control configuration, fluid passing through the screen is required to flow along the annulus to find a flow aperture into an interior flow bore. A static flow control device within the annulus between the sand screen and a first flow aperture dissipates flow energy by forcing the flow through a restricted area that helically winds about the flow annulus. Dissipation of the flow energy increases the pressure reduction from the screen into the production bore and reduces the flow velocity. In a second flow control configuration, flow control structure within the flow annulus obstructs all flow along the annulus. A third flow control configuration removes all flow restrictions within the flow annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and characterizing the fluid flow in and around the tubing string in a wellbore, preferably using fiber optic componentry. The apparatus includes a signal sensing demodulator device and a skin friction sensing device positionable within the wellbore. Both devices are in informational communication with each other. The method includes exposing the skin friction sensing device to a fluid flow, transmitting a signal obtained as a result of a movement of the skin friction sensing device from the fluid flow to a signal sensing demodulator device, converting the signal to a numerical value, and computing a parameter or parameters of the fluid flow in the wellbore from the numerical value.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator system includes a power source, a controller in communication with the power source, a piezoelectric stack comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed within a sleeve to define a chamber at one end of the sleeve, pressure accumulators in fluid communication with the chamber, a flow control valve in communication with the accumulators, and a hydraulic piston in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The communication between the power source and the controller may be electrical or photo communication, and the power source is preferably remotely located relative to the other elements of the hydraulic actuator system. The method for controlling a remotely located hydraulic actuator includes communicating a signal to the hydraulic actuator, pressurizing a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator, and directing the hydraulic fluid to a cylinder in the hydraulic actuator to bias a piston either into or away from the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the fiber optic sensing of an amplified signal using Stimulated Raman Scattering in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a fiber optic communication medium extending from a well head of the wellbore to a downhole environment of the wellbore, a light source, a detector, and a signal pump all being in photo-communication with the fiber optic communication medium and positionable proximate the well head, and at least one fiber optic sensing device in photo-communication with the fiber optic communication medium being positionable downhole in the wellbore. The method of using the apparatus allows for the determination of downhole parameters associated with the wellbore and includes inputting at least two optical signals having differing wavelengths into the fiber optic communication means, returning an amplified signal from a fiber optic sensing device, and detecting the amplified signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for actively controlling the flow of hydrocarbon fluids from a producing formation at the downhole sand screen. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a fluid flow annulus within the production tube inside of the screen. In a first flow control configuration, fluid passing through the screen is required to flow along the annulus to find a flow aperture into an interior flow bore. A static flow control device within the annulus between the sand screen and a first flow aperture dissipates flow energy by forcing the flow through a restricted area that helically winds about the flow annulus. Dissipation of the flow energy increases the pressure reduction from the screen into the production bore and reduces the flow velocity. In a second flow control configuration, flow control structure within the flow annulus obstructs all flow along the annulus. A third flow control configuration removes all flow restrictions within the flow annulus.

Abstract: A technique for providing auxiliary conduits in multi-trip completions is disclosed. The technique has particular applicability to liner mounted screens which are to be gravel packed. In the preferred embodiment, a protective shroud is run with the gravel pack screens with the auxiliary conduits disposed in between. The auxiliary conduits terminate in a quick connection at a liner top packer. The gravel packing equipment can optionally be secured in a flow relationship to the auxiliary conduits so as to control the gravel packing operation. Subsequent to the removal of the specialized equipment, the production tubing can be run with an auxiliary conduit or conduits for connection down hole to the auxiliary conduits coming from the liner top packer for a sealing connection. Thereafter, during production various data on the well can be obtained in real time despite the multiple trips necessary to accomplish completion.