Abstract: Systems and methods for continuously monitoring mass loss through flow erosion of a well equipment component are provided. The disclosed system includes a wear transducer mounted to the equipment component proximate a portion of the equipment component exposed to erosive fluid flow. The wear transducer includes a metal coupon including an elongated end that extends into a flowpath of the equipment component such that the elongated end is exposed to the erosive fluid flow. The wear transducer also includes an ultrasonic sensor disposed within the metal coupon. The ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic signals through the metal coupon toward the elongated end and receives ultrasonic signal reflections reflected back from the elongated end.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead system includes: a hanger including a first fiber optic cable; a tree including a second fiber optic cable; a seal sub configured to be coupled to the tree and engaged with the hanger, the seal sub including a fiber optic communications line configured to be communicatively coupled to the first and second fiber optic cables; a transducer configured to be disposed at a downhole location and configured to be communicatively coupled to the first fiber optic cable; a first photodetector disposed in the hanger and configured to convert a light signal traveling through the first fiber optic cable from downhole to an electrical signal communicated to the electrical connection; and a first optical transmitter disposed in the seal sub and configured to convert the electrical signal traveling through the electrical connection into a light signal communicated to the second fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A system and method set a liner hanger in a borehole by actuating a hydraulic setting mechanism on the hanger to engage slips in the borehole. A setting tool runs the hanger into position. A reserve volume of the tool holds a clean fluid separate from the borehole. A piston of the tool has a tool volume for the fluid. During run in, pressure in the tool volume is balanced to hydrostatic pressure by drawing actuation fluid from the reserve volume to the tool volume through a check valve. To set the hanger, a plug is engaged on a seat in the tool, tubing pressure is applied behind the engaged plug, and the seat is unlocked. With more applied pressure, the piston moves, reduces the tool volume, and intensifies pressure of the clean fluid communicated to the hanger's setting mechanism. Over-pressure can be handled by a venting valve.

Abstract: A system and method set a liner hanger in a borehole by actuating a hydraulic setting mechanism on the hanger to engage slips in the borehole. A setting tool runs the hanger into position. A reserve volume of the tool holds a clean fluid separate from the borehole. A piston of the tool has a tool volume for the fluid. During run in, pressure in the tool volume is balanced to hydrostatic pressure by drawing actuation fluid from the reserve volume to the tool volume through a check valve. To set the hanger, a plug is engaged on a seat in the tool, tubing pressure is applied behind the engaged plug, and the seat is unlocked. With more applied pressure, the piston moves, reduces the tool volume, and intensifies pressure of the clean fluid communicated to the hanger's setting mechanism. Over-pressure can be handled by a venting valve.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time monitoring of well conditions and actuation of downhole equipment are provided. A subsea wellhead system comprises a tubing hanger landed in a wellhead, wherein the tubing hanger comprises a first fiber optic cable; a tree landed on the tubing hanger, wherein the tree comprises a second fiber optic cable; a transducer disposed at a downhole location, wherein the first fiber optic cable is communicatively coupled to the transducer and extends between the transducer and the seal sub; and a seal sub, wherein the seal sub is landed in the tubing hanger, wherein the seal sub comprises: a fiber optic communications line that is communicatively coupled to the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable; wherein the seal sub and the tubing hanger form an electrical connection regardless of an orientation of the tubing hanger relative to the tree.

Abstract: A system and method set a liner hanger in a borehole by actuating a hydraulic setting mechanism on the hanger to engage slips in the borehole. A setting tool runs the hanger into position. A reserve volume of the tool holds a clean fluid separate from the borehole. A piston of the tool has a tool volume for the fluid. During run in, pressure in the tool volume is balanced to hydrostatic pressure by drawing actuation fluid from the reserve volume to the tool volume through a check valve. To set the hanger, a plug is engaged on a seat in the tool, tubing pressure is applied behind the engaged plug, and the seat is unlocked. With more applied pressure, the piston moves, reduces the tool volume, and intensifies pressure of the clean fluid communicated to the hanger's setting mechanism. Over-pressure can be handled by a venting valve.

Abstract: An interventionless system and method: of detecting a downhole activation device are provided. The system includes a first detector disposed downhole in a fluid pathway and; a second detector disposed downhole of the first detector in the fluid pathway. In one exemplary embodiment, the detectors include a pair of ultrasonic transducers that generate signals indicative of fluid pathway flow. Differences in the signals between the detectors are indicative of the presence of the downhole activation device within the fluid pathway. The system also includes a deployment port disposed above the second detector from which the downhole activation device may be deployed into the fluid pathway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead, landing a tree on the wellhead, and making electrical and hydraulic couplings between the tree and the tubing hanger without having to orient the tree or the tubing hanger relative to each other are provided. This is accomplished using a seal sub that is coupled to the tree and lowered with the tree into contact with the tubing hanger located in the wellhead. The seal sub features an electrical conductor that facilitates electrical coupling of the tree to the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and seal sub may include a metal-to-metal and elastomeric seal arrangement designed to seal off electrical and hydraulic connections between these components when, the tree is positioned within the wellhead.

Abstract: An interventionless system and method: of detecting a down-hole activation device are provided. The system includes a first detector disposed downhole in a fluid pathway and; a second detector disposed downhole of the first detector in the fluid pathway. In one exemplary embodiment, the detectors include a pair of ultrasonic transducers that generate signals indicative of fluid pathway flow. Differences in the signals between the detectors are indicative of the presence of the downhole activation device within the fluid pathway. The system also includes a deployment port disposed above the second detector from which the downhole activation device may be deployed into the fluid pathway.

Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead, landing a tree on the wellhead, and making electrical and hydraulic couplings between the tree and the tubing hanger without having to orient the tree or the tubing hanger relative to each other are provided. This is accomplished using a seal sub that is coupled to the tree and lowered with the tree into contact with the tubing hanger located in the wellhead. The seal sub features an electrical conductor that facilitates electrical coupling of the tree to the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and seal sub may include a metal-to-metal and elastomeric seal arrangement designed to seal off electrical and hydraulic connections between these components when, the tree is positioned within the wellhead.

Abstract: Systems and methods for continuously monitoring mass loss through flow erosion of a well equipment component are provided. The disclosed system includes a wear transducer mounted to the equipment component proximate a portion of the equipment component exposed to erosive fluid flow. The wear transducer includes a metal coupon including an elongated end that extends into a flowpath of the equipment component such that the elongated end is exposed to the erosive fluid flow. The wear transducer also includes an ultrasonic sensor disposed within the metal coupon. The ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic signals through the metal coupon toward the elongated end and receives ultrasonic signal reflections reflected back from the elongated end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time monitoring of well conditions and actuation of downhole equipment are provided. A subsea wellhead system comprises a tubing hanger landed in a wellhead, wherein the tubing hanger comprises a first fiber optic cable; a tree landed on the tubing hanger, wherein the tree comprises a second fiber optic cable; a transducer disposed at a downhole location, wherein the first fiber optic cable is communicatively coupled to the transducer and extends between the transducer and the seal sub; and a seal sub, wherein the seal sub is landed in the tubing hanger, wherein the seal sub comprises: a fiber optic communications line that is communicatively coupled to the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable; wherein the seal sub and the tubing hanger form an electrical connection regardless of an orientation of the tubing hanger relative to the tree.

Abstract: A self-locking packer carrier includes an integrated locking mechanism that locks the packer carrier directly to the packer cone after the sealing element is fully set. The integrated locking mechanism may include one or more compression splines extending from a packer carrier base in a radially outward direction to engage a casing after the attached sealing element has created a fluid tight seal, and a tooth profile formed along an inner diameter of the packer carrier base to lock the packer carrier to the packer cone in response to a compression force transferred to the base via the splines. The integrated locking mechanism is designed to eliminate backlash on the liner hanger system, increase vibrational resistance, accommodate liner stretch, withstand pump-out loads, and tolerate liner movement while maintaining sealing integrity.

Abstract: An improved c-ring slip retention system and method for extraction of the c-ring slip are provided. The c-ring slip retention system may use a lip portion of a retention sleeve to hold the c-ring slip against a liner hanger body. The c-ring slip may have a multi-load shoulder profile that interfaces directly with a complementary profile formed in the liner hanger body. The disclosed retention system prevents the c-ring slip from being prematurely extracted from a liner hanger body while the liner hanger is lowered through a borehole. The c-ring slip retention system may include a first retention mechanism and a second retention mechanism used to secure the retention sleeve to the liner hanger body. A single actuation of at least one setting segment in an axial direction may disengage both retention mechanisms, move the retention sleeve axially relative to the liner hanger body, and extract the c-ring slip.

Abstract: A self-locking packer carrier and a packer-down liner hanger system utilizing a self-locking packer carrier are provided. The self-locking packer carrier includes an integrated locking mechanism that locks the packer carrier directly to the packer cone after the sealing element is fully set. The integrated locking mechanism may include one or more compression splines extending from a packer carrier base in a radially outward direction to engage a casing after the attached sealing element has created a fluid tight seal, and a tooth profile formed along an inner diameter of the packer carrier base to lock the packer carrier to the packer cone in response to a compression force transferred to the base via the splines. The integrated locking mechanism is designed to eliminate backlash on the liner hanger system, increase vibrational resistance, accommodate liner stretch, withstand pump-out loads, and tolerate liner movement while maintaining sealing integrity.

Abstract: An improved c-ring slip retention system and method for extraction of the c-ring slip are provided. The c-ring slip retention system may use a lip portion of a retention sleeve to hold the c-ring slip against a liner hanger body. The c-ring slip may have a multi-load shoulder profile that interfaces directly with a complementary profile formed in the liner hanger body. The disclosed retention system prevents the c-ring slip from being prematurely extracted from a liner hanger body while the liner hanger is lowered through a borehole. The c-ring slip retention system may include a first retention mechanism and a second retention mechanism used to secure the retention sleeve to the liner hanger body. A single actuation of at least one setting segment in an axial direction may disengage both retention mechanisms, move the retention sleeve axially relative to the liner hanger body, and extract the c-ring slip.

Abstract: An improved c-ring slip retention system and method for extraction of the c-ring slip are provided. The c-ring slip retention system may use an axially movable support sleeve with a support ring for securing the c-ring slip against a retention lip of the liner hanger body. The disclosed retention system prevents the c-ring slip from being prematurely extracted from a liner hanger body while the liner hanger is lowered through a borehole. The c-ring slip retention system may also include anti-rotation features that prevent the c-ring slip from rotating relative to the liner hanger body. A single actuation of the support sleeve in an axial direction may unlock the c-ring slip from the retention lip, disengage the anti-rotation features, compress the c-ring slip out of the keyed profile, and extract the c-ring slip from the liner hanger body.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, an improved c-ring slip retention system and method for extraction of the c-ring slip are provided. The c-ring slip retention system may use an axially movable support sleeve with a support ring for securing the c-ring slip against a retention lip of the liner hanger body. The disclosed retention system prevents the c-ring slip from being prematurely extracted from a liner hanger body while the liner hanger is lowered through a borehole. The c-ring slip retention system may also include anti-rotation features that prevent the c-ring slip from rotating relative to the liner hanger body. A single actuation of the support sleeve in an axial direction may unlock the c-ring slip from the retention lip, disengage the anti-rotation features, compress the c-ring slip out of the keyed profile, and extract the c-ring slip from the liner hanger body.

Abstract: A flow control assembly can be mechanically adjusted, rotationally or translationally, inside a tubing downhole between multiple positions by an intervening tool from the surface to change resistivity to flow through the flow control assembly. The positions among which the flow control assembly can be adjusted can include a closed position, a fully open position, and positions at which fluid experiences various resistances prior to flowing to an inner area of the tubing.

Abstract: Hybrid-tieback seal assemblies, interventionless setting assemblies, and associated methods of setting downhole components of the hybrid-tieback seal assemblies using such interventionless setting assemblies are disclosed. A hybrid-tieback seal assembly comprises one or more anchoring bodies, one or more packer seal assemblies, and one or more interventionless hydraulic setting systems. A method of setting downhole equipment comprises applying a pressure to a compensating volume and providing a working volume, wherein the working volume is separated from the compensating volume by one or more hydraulic control devices. A pressure is applied to the working volume in response to the pressure applied to the compensating volume. The pressure applied to the compensating volume is then reduced and the pressure applied to the working volume is captured by the hydraulic control devices. The captured pressure in the working volume is applied to set one or more of the anchoring bodies and packer seal assemblies.