Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems are provided to count one or more magnetically permeable objects that have passed by a magnetic sensor and determine a direction thereof. The apparatus comprises a first permanent magnet; a second permanent magnet; a magnetic field sensor disposed between opposing poles of the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet; and a circuit connected to the magnetic field sensor, the circuit configured to count one or more magnetically permeable objects that have passed by the magnetic field sensor, and determine direction of the one or more magnetically permeable objects based on an output of the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus in the present disclosure is configured to measure magnetic flux of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic source and flowing through a sample slurry to determine magnetic permeability of the sample slurry. The sensing apparatus comprises a magnetic sensor inside a sensor housing that measures magnetic flux through a sensor housing made of a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic sensor sends measurements of the magnetic flux to a computing device that determines the presence of cementing fluids in the slurry based on the magnetic flux measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sub-surface safety valve (SSSV) to be positioned in a wellbore. The SSSV is configurable to move between a closed position and an open position. While in the closed position, the SSSV prevents downhole fluid in the wellbore to flow to a surface of the wellbore. While in the open position, the SSSV allows the downhole fluid in the wellbore to flow to the surface of the wellbore. The apparatus further includes an electrostatic motor to be positioned in the wellbore and to be coupled to the SSSV. The electrostatic motor is to be selectively powered to move the SSSV between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless telemetry in oil and gas wells use fluid pressure differentials to send signals from surface equipment to a downhole tool. More specifically, the methods and systems selectively apply fluid pressure to a tubing string and measure the resulting mechanical strain, or deformation, on a tubular of the downhole tool. The deformation may be an elastic deformation or it may be a plastic deformation with yielding of the tubular. One or more of such strains or deformations may be used to encode a digital signal that can command an action on the tool. The strain or deformation may be measured by a low-cost strain gauge.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled, pin-pulling valve includes a pull pin (e.g., a pull piston) and a chemical propellant. The valve is configured to, using the pull pin and the chemical propellant, actuate from a closed position to an open position to activate a downhole tool. For instance, the pin-pulling valve may, based on an activation signal, activate the chemical propellant, which may cause the chemical propellant to react. The activation of the chemical propellant may cause the pull pin to withdraw from an extended position to a withdrawn position. The withdrawal of the pull pin may cause the pin-pulling valve to open, allowing hydraulic fluids to flow through a port associated with the downhole tool previously sealed by the pin-pulling valve. The flow of the hydraulic fluids may activate the downhole tool by exerting hydraulic pressure on the downhole tool.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a sub-surface safety valve (SSSV) to be positioned in a wellbore. The SSSV is configurable to move between a closed position and an open position. While in the closed position, the SSSV prevents downhole fluid in the wellbore to flow to a surface of the wellbore. While in the open position, the SSSV allows the downhole fluid in the wellbore to flow to the surface of the wellbore. The apparatus further includes an electrostatic motor to be positioned in the wellbore and to be coupled to the SSSV. The electrostatic motor is to be selectively powered to move the SSSV between the closed position and the open position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless downhole positioning are provided. The method can include synchronizing a first clock with a second clock, wherein the first clock is disposed in a first transmitter, wherein the first transmitter is disposed at a known location, and wherein the second clock is disposed in a downhole tool. The method can further include disposing the downhole tool into a wellbore, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first receiver; transmitting a first wireless signal from the first transmitter along the wellbore at first time; receiving the first wireless signal via the first receiver at a second time; determining a first elapsed time between the first time and the second time; and determining a first downhole position of the downhole tool based on the first elapsed time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless downhole telemetry are provided. The system includes a tubular located in a wellbore; a pressure controller located at or near a surface of the wellbore to send a digital command via a change in a pressure applied to the tubular; and a receiver disposed in the wellbore, wherein the receiver includes a mechanical pressure switch to detect the change in the pressure applied to the tubular.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled, pin-pulling valve includes a pull pin (e.g., a pull piston) and a chemical propellant. The valve is configured to, using the pull pin and the chemical propellant, actuate from a closed position to an open position to activate a downhole tool. For instance, the pin-pulling valve may, based on an activation signal, activate the chemical propellant, which may cause the chemical propellant to react. The activation of the chemical propellant may cause the pull pin to withdraw from an extended position to a withdrawn position. The withdrawal of the pull pin may cause the pin-pulling valve to open, allowing hydraulic fluids to flow through a port associated with the downhole tool previously sealed by the pin-pulling valve. The flow of the hydraulic fluids may activate the downhole tool by exerting hydraulic pressure on the downhole tool.

Abstract: A system includes a tubing positionable within a wellbore and a first downhole communication device positionable to receive acoustic signals from the tubing and to transmit acoustic signals to the tubing. The system also includes a computing device in communication with the first downhole communication device and including a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions that are executable by the processor to perform operations. The operations include receiving a test message including a spectral waveform from a second downhole communication device. The operations further include determining a desired reception frequency for receiving communications from the second downhole communication device using spectral data generated from the spectral waveform. Additionally, the operations include controlling the first downhole communication device to transmit a response message to the second downhole communication device identifying the desired reception frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems are provided to count one or more magnetically permeable objects that have passed by a magnetic sensor and determine a direction thereof. The apparatus comprises a first permanent magnet; a second permanent magnet; a magnetic field sensor disposed between opposing poles of the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet; and a circuit connected to the magnetic field sensor, the circuit configured to count one or more magnetically permeable objects that have passed by the magnetic field sensor, and determine direction of the one or more magnetically permeable objects based on an output of the magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus in the present disclosure is configured to measure magnetic flux of a magnetic field generated by a magnetic source and flowing through a sample slurry to determine magnetic permeability of the sample slurry. The sensing apparatus comprises a magnetic sensor inside a sensor housing that measures magnetic flux through a sensor housing made of a ferromagnetic material. The magnetic sensor sends measurements of the magnetic flux to a computing device that determines the presence of cementing fluids in the slurry based on the magnetic flux measurements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless telemetry in oil and gas wells use fluid pressure differentials to send signals from surface equipment to a downhole tool. More specifically, the methods and systems selectively apply fluid pressure to a tubing string and measure the resulting mechanical strain, or deformation, on a tubular of the downhole tool. The deformation may be an elastic deformation or it may be a plastic deformation with yielding of the tubular. One or more of such strains or deformations may be used to encode a digital signal that can command an action on the tool. In some embodiments, the strain or deformation may be measured by a low-cost strain gauge.

Abstract: A system for improving communication between surface and downhole equipment, in some embodiments, comprises: a first transceiver in a formation; a second transceiver in the formation; and a third transceiver in the formation, the second transceiver positioned between the first and third transceivers, wherein, upon determining that a communication quality metric pertaining to wireless communication in the formation fails to meet a criterion, the first transceiver transmits data to the second transceiver, wherein, upon determining that said communication quality metric meets the criterion, the first transceiver transmits said data to the third transceiver in lieu of transmitting said data to the second transceiver.

Abstract: An echo communication system has a plurality of triggers disposed within a first distance of each other and a hub separated from the plurality of triggers by at least a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The hub is configured to wirelessly transmit a signal intended for one of the triggers and each of the triggers will re-broadcast the same signal if they are not the intended recipient.

Abstract: A down-hole packer is provided for positioning in a wellbore to establish a seal with a surrounding surface. The packer includes a sealing element that is responsive to compression by a setting piston to radially expand into the wellbore. An actuator is provided to longitudinally move the setting piston in response to a telemetry signal received by the down-hole packer. The actuator can include a hydraulic pump, an electromechanical motor or valves operable to control hydraulic energy to apply a down-hole force to the setting piston.

Abstract: A down-hole packer is provided for positioning in a wellbore to establish a seal with a surrounding surface. The packer includes a sealing element that is responsive to compression by a setting piston to radially expand into the wellbore. An actuator is provided to longitudinally move the setting piston in response to a telemetry signal received by the down-hole packer. The actuator can include a hydraulic pump, an electromechanical motor or valves operable to control hydraulic energy to apply a down-hole force to the setting piston.

Abstract: An in-well type acoustic telemetry system includes an elongate tubular housing, an elongate transmitter in the tubular housing, a receiver in the tubular housing, and a spring between the transmitter and the housing biasing the transmitter into acoustic coupling to the housing. The transmitter is adapted to generate an output acoustic signal by linearly fluctuating in response to an electrical signal. The receiver is adapted to generate another electrical signal by linearly fluctuating in response to an input acoustic signal.

Abstract: An in-well type acoustic telemetry system includes an elongate tubular housing, an elongate transmitter in the tubular housing, and a receiver in the tubular housing. The transmitter is adapted to generate an output acoustic signal by linearly fluctuating along a transmitter axis in response to an electrical signal. The receiver is adapted to generate a second electrical signal by linearly fluctuating along a receiver axis that is parallel to or coincides with the transmitter axis.

Abstract: A method for encoding signals using frequency sweeps in a downhole environment, in some embodiments, comprises: obtaining a digital signal; encoding the digital signal using one or more frequency sweeps to produce an encoded signal; transmitting the encoded signal from a transmitter to a receiver, at least one of the transmitter or receiver disposed downhole; receiving the encoded signal at the receiver; and decoding the encoded signal at the receiver to produce a decoded digital signal.