Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing one or more quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to Southern Root Knot Nematode (SRKN). The invention further provides germplasm and the use of germplasm containing QTL conferring disease resistance for introgression into elite germplasm in a breeding program, thus producing novel elite germplasm comprising one or more SRKN resistance QTL.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and aphid resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing quantitative trait loci that are associated with resistance to aphids, Aphis glycines. The invention further includes method for monitoring the introgression quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring aphid resistance into elite germplasm in a breeding program.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for measuring the position of a piston (2) in a cylinder (1), extending according to an axis, the device comprising at least two position sensors (3, 4) respectively comprising: a first sensor member (20, 40) integral with a supporting pallet (31) linked to the piston (2), a second sensor member (10, 30) integral with the cylinder (1), the first and second members of each sensor being arranged for being mobile in translation one relative to the other, along an axis parallel to the axis of the cylinder (1), the device being characterized in that the first sensor members (20, 40) are integral with the same supporting pallet (31) being linked to the piston (2) by a ball joint link (50). Using the device of this invention, a position sensor can be arranged in the cylinder, without having the transversal strains on the piston being transmitted to it, while the piston remains free in rotation about the axis of the cylindrical barrel.

Abstract: A protective device and protective measure for a radar system is provided that includes an active countermeasure by using passive emitter and/or decoys. Decoys are thereby utilized that function according to the reflection principle. These decoys are thereby radiated by the vehicle's radar. The radiation reflected by the decoys in the direction of the ARM has the same characteristic as the direct radiation from the radar itself. Thus, the ARM is unable to discriminate between decoys and the actual radar.

Abstract: A method having the following steps: running a circulation valve comprising a reactive material into the well bore on the casing; reverse-circulating an activator material in the well bore until the activator material contacts the reactive material of the circulation valve; reconfiguring the circulation valve by contact of the activator material with the reactive material; and reverse-circulating a cement composition in the well bore until the reconfigured circulation valve decreases flow of the cement composition. A circulation valve for cementing casing in a well bore, the valve having: a valve housing connected to the casing and comprising a reactive material; a plurality of holes in the housing, wherein the plurality of holes allow fluid communication between an inner diameter of the housing and an exterior of the housing, wherein the reactive material is expandable to close the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A method having the following steps: running a circulation valve comprising a reactive material into the well bore on the casing; reverse-circulating an activator material in the well bore until the activator material contacts the reactive material of the circulation valve; reconfiguring the circulation valve by contact of the activator material with the reactive material; and reverse-circulating a cement composition in the well bore until the reconfigured circulation valve decreases flow of the cement composition. A circulation valve for cementing casing in a well bore, the valve having: a valve housing connected to the casing and comprising a reactive material; a plurality of holes in the housing, wherein the plurality of holes allow fluid communication between an inner diameter of the housing and an exterior of the housing, wherein the reactive material is expandable to close the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A method having the following steps: running a circulation valve comprising a reactive material into the well bore on the casing; reverse-circulating an activator material in the well bore until the activator material contacts the reactive material of the circulation valve; reconfiguring the circulation valve by contact of the activator material with the reactive material; and reverse-circulating a cement composition in the well bore until the reconfigured circulation valve decreases flow of the cement composition. A circulation valve for cementing casing in a well bore, the valve having: a valve housing connected to the casing and comprising a reactive material; a plurality of holes in the housing, wherein the plurality of holes allow fluid communication between an inner diameter of the housing and an exterior of the housing, wherein the reactive material is expandable to close the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A method having the following steps: running a circulation valve comprising a reactive material into the well bore on the casing; reverse-circulating an activator material in the well bore until the activator material contacts the reactive material of the circulation valve; reconfiguring the circulation valve by contact of the activator material with the reactive material; and reverse-circulating a cement composition in the well bore until the reconfigured circulation valve decreases flow of the cement composition. A circulation valve for cementing casing in a well bore, the valve having: a valve housing connected to the casing and comprising a reactive material; a plurality of holes in the housing, wherein the plurality of holes allow fluid communication between an inner diameter of the housing and an exterior of the housing, wherein the reactive material is expandable to close the plurality of holes.

Abstract: Improved casing strings, and methods of using improved casing strings in subterranean cementing operations, are provided. An example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of an activator. Another example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of a set retarder. An example of a method is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. Other examples of methods are methods of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising a well bore.

Abstract: Improved casing strings, and methods of using improved casing strings in subterranean cementing operations, are provided. An example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of an activator. Another example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of a set retarder. An example of a method is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. Other examples of methods are methods of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising a well bore.

Abstract: Improved casing strings, and methods of using improved casing strings in subterranean cementing operations, are provided. An example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of an activator. Another example of an apparatus is a pipe string comprising at least one pipe section and a delivery system of a set retarder. An example of a method is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. Other examples of methods are methods of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising a well bore.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reverse-circulation cementing in subterranean formations are provided. An example of a method is a method of cementing casing in a subterranean well bore, comprising inserting a casing into the well bore, the casing comprising a casing shoe; equipping the casing with a well head, and a casing inner diameter pressure indicator; flowing an equilibrium fluid into the well bore; flowing a cement composition into the well bore after the equilibrium fluid; determining from the well-bore pressure indicator when the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; discontinuing the flow of cement composition into the well bore upon determining that the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; and permitting the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Examples of systems include systems for cementing casing in a well bore.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reverse-circulation cementing in subterranean formations are provided. An example of a method is a method of cementing casing in a subterranean well bore, comprising inserting a casing into the well bore, the casing comprising a casing shoe; equipping the casing with a well head, and a casing inner diameter pressure indicator; flowing an equilibrium fluid into the well bore; flowing a cement composition into the well bore after the equilibrium fluid; determining from the well-bore pressure indicator when the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; discontinuing the flow of cement composition into the well bore upon determining that the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; and permitting the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Examples of systems include systems for cementing casing in a well bore.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reverse-circulation cementing in subterranean formations are provided. An example of a method is a method of cementing casing in a subterranean well bore, comprising inserting a casing into the well bore, the casing comprising a casing shoe; equipping the casing with a well head, and a casing inner diameter pressure indicator; flowing an equilibrium fluid into the well bore; flowing a cement composition into the well bore after the equilibrium fluid; determining from the well-bore pressure indicator when the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; discontinuing the flow of cement composition into the well bore upon determining that the well bore pressure has reached a desired value; and permitting the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Examples of systems include systems for cementing casing in a well bore.

Abstract: A method of initiating fluid circulation in a well bore with a casing inner diameter and an annulus is provided. The method includes increasing the casing inner diameter fluid pressure at the top of the well bore; flowing a cement composition into the casing inner diameter at the top of the well bore; maintaining a difference in pressure between the fluid pressure of the casing inner diameter and the fluid pressure of the annulus until enough of the cement composition has entered the casing inner diameter to drive fluid circulation by the added cement composition weight; reducing the casing inner diameter fluid pressure at the top of the well bore while flowing a further portion of cement composition into the casing inner diameter; and pumping at a relatively higher fluid pressure the cement composition from the casing inner diameter into the annulus through a lower end of the casing.

Abstract: Zonal isolation of well bores is often desirable for performing downhole operations such as stimulation operations. In certain embodiments, diverter plugs for achieving zonal isolation in a casing string in a well bore may comprise a mandrel having a first end and a second end; a compressible body attached to and surrounding a longitudinal portion of the mandrel; and a sealing nose attached to the first end of the mandrel. In certain embodiments, systems for achieving zonal isolation of a casing string in a well bore may comprise a diverter plug comprising a mandrel having a first end and a second end, a compressible body attached to and surrounding a longitudinal portion of the mandrel, and a sealing nose attached to the first end of the mandrel; and a landing collar sized to mate with a portion of the sealing nose of the diverter plug. Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A regulating valve assembly for regulating fluid flow through a passage, the assembly having: a back-flow valve comprising a seat and a closure element, wherein the closure element engages with the seat in a closed configuration and disengages from the seat in an open configuration; a lock in mechanical communication with the back-flow valve to lock the backflow valve in the open configuration; and a forward-flow valve in mechanical communication with the lock and comprising a seat and a closure element, wherein the closure element engages with the seat in a closed configuration and disengages from the seat in an open configuration.

Abstract: A method for cementing a casing in a wellbore, the method having the following steps: attaching a valve to a casing; locking the valve in an open configuration; running the casing and the valve into the wellbore; reverse circulating a cement composition down an annulus defined between the casing and the wellbore; injecting a plurality of plugs into the annulus; unlocking the valve with the plurality of plugs; and closing the valve.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fluid pressure applied to a cementing plug comprises disposing the cementing plug within a casing string to define a trapped volume of fluid within the casing string, isolating a portion of the trapped volume of fluid adjacent the cementing plug to define an isolated volume of fluid, and relieving the fluid pressure within the isolated volume of fluid at a first rate sufficient to prevent damage to or inadvertent release of the cementing plug. An apparatus for relieving fluid pressure within a casing string being run into a well bore comprises at least one equalizer valve connected to a work string extending into the casing string, and a sealing device disposed above the equalizer valve to seal an annular space formed between the work string and the casing string.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for reverse circulation cementing a casing in an open-hole wellbore. The apparatus includes a surface pack-off device, which has a housing defined by an upper section and lower section. A load bearing plate is secured to the housing between the upper and lower sections. The load plate and lower section of the housing cooperate to prevent sloughing of the earth at the surface of the wellbore via a section of casing string. The surface pack-off device also includes a casing hanger, which couples to the casing in the wellbore. Fluid inlets allow the cement to be pumped into the wellbore in the annulus formed between the casing and wellbore sidewall. The method includes the steps of installing the surface pack-off device and operation on reverse circulation of the cement down the annulus.