Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of protecting at least a liner of an explosive charge from an environment comprises: applying a material onto or adjacent to the liner of the explosive charge, wherein prior to the step of applying, the liner is capable of being exposed to the environment, and wherein the material is capable of providing a protective barrier to at least the liner against the environment.

Abstract: The methods described are for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Micro-seismic events are generated, after cessation of fracturing and establishment of fracture networks, by particles introduced into the fractures which are capable of explosive or chemical reaction. In one method, attachment site particles are positioned within the formation during fracturing and additional reactive particles are later introduced. The reactive particles attach to the attachment sites and, upon a triggering event, react to produce micro-seismic events. The waves generated by the micro-seismic events are used to provide mapping of the effective fracture space. Additionally, time-lapse mapping is provided with use of “species” of attachment sites and reactive particles.

Abstract: Methods of forming conductive channels in a subterranean formation including providing a subterranean formation having a threshold fracture gradient; introducing a fracturing fluid at a rate above the threshold fracture gradient so as to enhance or create at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; introducing a proppant slurry into the at least one fracture at a rate above the threshold fracture gradient so as to propagate the at least one fracture and deposit the proppant slurry therein; wherein the proppant slurry comprises a base fluid and proppant particulates; injecting a substantially proppant-free resilient viscous fluid into the proppant slurry deposited in the at least one fracture at a rate below the threshold fracture gradient so as to generate a continuous channel within the proppant slurry; setting the proppant slurry; and removing the substantially proppant-free resilient viscous fluid from the at least one fracture in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid, and a method of drilling with such fluid, having improved rheology effected with addition of a fatty dimer diamine additive in the presence of little or no lime. The drilling fluids of the present invention exhibit similar yield points and gel strengths at temperatures ranging from about 40° F. to about 375° F. or higher and at pressures ranging from about 0 psi to about 13500 psi.

Abstract: An explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and providing flow control through the downhole completion assembly. One downhole completion system includes a first sealing structure arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, a second sealing structure arranged axially adjacent the first sealing structure and also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flow control device arranged between the first and second sealing structures and configured to provide a flow path for fluids to communicate between a surrounding subterranean formation and an interior of the downhole completion system.

Abstract: A downhole fluid flow control system includes a fluidic module having a turbine chamber. A flow control turbine is rotatably disposed within the turbine chamber. The flow control turbine is operable to provide fluid discriminating flow resistance such that a pressure drop for a desired production fluid passing through the fluidic module is less than a pressure drop for an undesired production fluid passing through the fluidic module. For example, the flow control turbine is operable generate a greater pressure drop in water produced therethrough as compared to oil produced therethrough due to differences in the density, viscosity or other property of the produced fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and filtering fluids passing therethrough. One system includes a sealing structure arranged within the open hole section and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, the sealing structure having one or more perforations defined therein, and a filter device arranged about the sealing structure so as to radially overlap the one or more perforations, the filter device being configured to screen fluids passing through the one or more perforations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore. One downhole completion system includes a sealing structure movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein, when in the contracted configuration, the sealing structure is able to axially traverse production tubing extended within a wellbore, a conveyance device coupled to the sealing structure and configured to transport the sealing structure through the production tubing and to an open hole section of the wellbore, and a deployment device operably connected to the sealing structure and configured to radially expand the sealing structure from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration when the sealing structure is arranged in the open hole section.

Abstract: A method of making an explosive charge liner comprises introducing powdered material into a basin defined by a die block, where a punch is shaped to interact with the basin, excluding the powdered material from a central portion of the basin, pressing the punch into the powdered material in the basin to form the explosive charge liner, and removing the explosive charge liner from the die block. The explosive charge liner comprises an aperture in an apex area of the explosive charge liner corresponding to the central portion when removed from the die block.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pair of connectors, two or more conductive paths formed in each connector in the pair of connectors, and a shroud encompassing at least a portion of the pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is substantially more flexible than the second connector, and each connector in the pair of connectors includes a bulkhead. Each of the two or more conductive paths in each connector in the pair of connectors is electrically isolated from all other conductive elements in the pair of connectors. The shroud is located between the bulkheads and disposed about the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are coupled together electrically.

Abstract: A well pressure control method can include regulating pressure in a wellbore by operating a suction pump which draws fluid from an annulus formed between a drill string and the wellbore, the fluid entering the suction pump proximate the earth's surface. Another well pressure control method can include regulating pressure in a wellbore by operating a suction pump which applies suction pressure to an annulus formed between a drill string and the wellbore. A well drilling system can include a suction pump positioned proximate the earth's surface. The suction pump can receive fluid which exits an annulus formed between a drill string and a wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore. The system may include a sealing structure movable between contracted and expanded configurations, a truss structure also movable between contracted and expanded configurations, wherein, when in their respective contracted configurations, the sealing and truss structures are each able to axially traverse production tubing extended within a wellbore, a conveyance device operably coupled to the sealing and truss structures and configured to transport the sealing and truss structures in their respective contracted configurations through the production tubing and to an open hole section of the wellbore, and a deployment device operably connected to the sealing and truss structures and configured to radially expand the sealing and truss structures from their respective contracted configurations to their respective expanded configurations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore. One downhole completion system includes a first sealing structure having opposing first and second ends and being arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore, the first sealing structure being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, and a second sealing structure having opposing first and second ends and being arranged proximate the first sealing structure within the wellbore, the second sealing structure also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein, when in their respective expanded configurations, the first and second sealing structures are frustoconical in shape and the first end of the second sealing structure is at least partially nested within the second end of the first sealing structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are spacer fluids and methods of use in subterranean formations. Embodiments may include use of consolidating spacer fluids in displacement of drilling fluids from a well bore annulus.

Abstract: A method can include interconnecting a well tool in a well tool assembly with a shock mitigating connection, the interconnecting being performed without threading, and positioning the well tool assembly in a wellbore. A well perforating assembly can include at least two perforating devices, a detonation train extending through the perforating devices, and a shock absorber positioned between the perforating devices. A method of assembling a perforating assembly can include, prior to installing the perforating assembly in a wellbore, pushing one perforating device connector into another perforating device connector without threading the connectors together, thereby: a) preventing disconnection of the connectors and b) making a connection in a detonation train. A well system can include a perforating assembly including multiple perforating guns and multiple shock absorbers. Each shock absorber may be interconnected between at least two of the perforating guns.

Abstract: Aqueous-based insulating fluids that have greater stability at high temperatures with lower thermal conductivity may be used, for example, in applications requiring an insulating fluid such as pipeline and subterranean applications. For example, a method may include providing an aqueous-based insulating fluid in an annulus between a riser column and an outer casing disposed thereabout, the riser column connecting a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation to a floating surface rig; and flowing a fluid through the riser column and the wellbore.

Abstract: Disclosed are spacer fluids and methods of use in subterranean formations. Embodiments may include use of consolidating spacer fluids in displacement of drilling fluids from a well bore annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pair of connectors, two or more conductive paths formed in each connector in the pair of connectors, and a shroud encompassing at least a portion of the pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is substantially more flexible than the second connector, and each connector in the pair of connectors includes a bulkhead. Each of the two or more conductive paths in each connector in the pair of connectors is electrically isolated from all other conductive elements in the pair of connectors. The shroud is located between the bulkheads and disposed about the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are coupled together electrically.

Abstract: A pressure differential flow meter for determining the flow rate of a fluid comprises a constriction device, wherein the constriction device is capable of creating at least a first area of constriction and a second area of constriction having cross-sectional areas that are different, wherein the constriction device automatically moves from the first area of constriction to the second area of constriction when the pressure differential increases above or falls below a predetermined range, and wherein the pressure differential is based on the fluid velocity of the fluid flowing in the flow meter. A method of determining the flow rate of a fluid using the pressure differential flow meter comprises flowing the fluid through the flow meter.