Abstract: A pump system for producing fluids from a reservoir using a wellbore having a vertical section with a casing defining an annulus, a transitional section and a horizontal section, and a production tubing having a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the system includes a completion with an isolation device in the annulus near the bottom of the vertical section, a gas/liquid separator for receiving produced fluids from the horizontal section, and a vertical lift pump; a continuous flow path from the terminus of the production tubing to the vertical section; a plurality of horizontal pumps in the horizontal section, each having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path. The horizontal length of the production tubing is closed to the reservoir except through the horizontal pumps.

Abstract: A tool for evaluating the internal surfaces of tubular is provided, wherein one or more arms extend outwardly from the tool to contact an inner wall surface of the tubular, and changes in the dimensions or condition of the inner wall result in changes in the position of the ends of the arms relative to the tool. This motion is converted, through an electromagnetic transducer. The probe arms extending from the tool are releasably held in bores formed by opposed members on the tool, within which the probe arms may pivot. The internal end of the probe arms need not be physically secured to an internal element of the tool, yet still enable motion of an internal components to actuate a transducer to provide electrical signals indicative of the tip of the probe arm relative to the tool as the tool traverses a tubular, such as a wellbore casing.

Abstract: A method of producing fluids from a reservoir includes isolating a vertical section of a wellbore from a horizontal section; isolating a production tubing from the reservoir; pumping fluid from the reservoir adjacent a toe segment into a production tubing toe segment and towards the heel segment; and pumping fluid from the reservoir adjacent a heel segment into the production tubing heel segment and towards the vertical section, and pumping fluid up the vertical section to the surface.

Abstract: A tool for evaluating the internal surfaces of tubular is provided, wherein one or more arms extend outwardly from the tool to contact an inner wall surface of the tubular, and changes in the dimensions or condition of the inner wall result in changes in the position of the ends of the arms relative to the tool. This motion is converted, through an electromagnetic transducer. The probe arms extending from the tool are releasably held in bores formed by opposed members on the tool, within which the probe arms may pivot. The internal end of the probe arms need not be physically secured to an internal element of the tool, yet still enable motion of an internal components to actuate a transducer to provide electrical signals indicative of the tip of the probe arm relative to the tool as the tool traverses a tubular, such as a wellbore casing.

Abstract: A pump system for producing fluids from a reservoir using a wellbore having a vertical section with a casing defining an annulus, a transitional section and a horizontal section, and a production tubing having a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the system includes a completion with an isolation device in the annulus near the bottom of the vertical section, a gas/liquid separator for receiving produced fluids from the horizontal section, and a vertical lift pump; a continuous flow path from the terminus of the production tubing to the vertical section; a plurality of horizontal pumps in the horizontal section, each having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path. The horizontal length of the production tubing is closed to the reservoir except through the horizontal pumps.

Abstract: A pump system for producing fluids from a reservoir using a well bore having a vertical section with a easing defining an annulus, a transitional section and a horizontal section, and a production tubing having a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the system includes a completion with an isolation device in the annulus near the bottom of the vertical section, a gas/liquid separator for receiving produced fluids from the horizontal section, and a vertical lift pump; a continuous flow path from the terminus of the production tubing to the vertical section; a plurality of horizontal pumps in the horizontal section, each having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path. The horizontal length of the production tubing is closed to the reservoir except through the horizontal pumps.

Abstract: A tool for evaluating the internal surfaces of tubular is provided, wherein one or more arms extend outwardly from the tool into contact with an inner wall of the tubular, and changes in the dimensions or condition of the inner wall result in changes in the position of the ends of the arms relative to the tool. This motion is converted, through an electromagnetic transducer, into an electrical signal, the accuracy of which deteriorates as the temperature of the tool changes. Calibration transducers are provided on the tool to provide correction factors to convert the electromagnetic transducer output into an accurate reading of the distance of the end of the arms from the tool thereby increasing the accuracy of the assessment of the inner wall of the tubular.

Abstract: A tool for evaluating the internal surfaces of tubular is provided, wherein one or more arms extend outwardly from the tool into contact with an inner wall of the tubular, and changes in the dimensions or condition of the inner wall result in changes in the position of the ends of the arms relative to the tool. This motion is converted, through an electromagnetic transducer, into an electrical signal, the accuracy of which deteriorates as the temperature of the tool changes. Calibration transducers are provided on the tool to provide correction factors to convert the electromagnetic transducer output into an accurate reading of the distance of the end of the arms from the tool thereby increasing the accuracy of the assessment of the inner wall of the tubular.

Abstract: A pump system for producing fluids from a reservoir using a wellbore having a vertical section with a casing defining an annulus, a transitional section and a horizontal section, and a production tubing having a vertical section and a horizontal section, wherein the system includes a completion with an isolation device in the annulus near the bottom of the vertical section, a gas/liquid separator for receiving produced fluids from the horizontal section, and a vertical lift pump; a continuous flow path from the terminus of the production tubing to the vertical section; a plurality of horizontal pumps in the horizontal section, each having an intake exposed to the reservoir and an outlet in the continuous flow path. The horizontal length of the production tubing is closed to the reservoir except through the horizontal pumps.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.

Abstract: A method usable with a subterranean well that includes actuating a downhole tool (a valve assembly, for example). The method also includes applying at least one of an impulse stimulus and a vibration stimulus to the tool during the actuating to enhance operation of the tool.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a surface of an object, including scanning the surface using an array of opto-electronic sensors, obtaining a reflected light signal from a location on the surface, combining the light signals to form a representation of geometrical features of the surface, and processing the representation to obtain geometric quantities of the geometrical features. An apparatus for inspecting a well screen, including an array of a plurality of opto-electronic sensors, a motion control unit, and a processor for obtaining a geometric quantity of the well screen based on an image obtained by the sensor array and the location registered by the motion control unit.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.

Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system is provided for determining fluid properties of a two phase fluid flowing through various portions of a wellbore. Specifically, the method and corresponding system determines fluid properties (e.g. enthalpy flux) of the two phase fluid flowing upstream of the injector portion of the wellbore as well as fluid properties (e.g., mass flow rate and enthalpy flux) of the two phase fluid at various measurement locations along the injector.

Abstract: An apparatus (and corresponding method) for characterizing the fluid properties of a two phase fluid includes a restriction element (e.g., orifice plate or nozzle) along the flow path of the two phase fluid. At least one temperature sensor measures temperature of the two phase fluid flowing through the restriction element. A pressure sensor measures the pressure downstream of the restriction element. Time-of-flight measurements of pulses passing through the two phase fluid are made. The speed of sound within the two phase fluid is calculated from the time-of-flight measurements. At least one fluid property (e.g., a vapor phase fraction) of the two phase fluid is calculated from the measured pressure, the measured temperature, and the calculated speed of sound.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system is provided for determining fluid properties of a two phase fluid flowing through various portions of a wellbore. Specifically, the method and corresponding system determines fluid properties (e.g. enthalpy flux) of the two phase fluid flowing upstream of the injector portion of the wellbore as well as fluid properties (e.g., mass flow rate and enthalpy flux) of the two phase fluid at various measurement locations along the injector.

Abstract: An apparatus (and corresponding method) for characterizing the fluid properties of a two phase fluid includes a restriction element (e.g., orifice plate or nozzle) along the flow path of the two phase fluid. At least one temperature sensor measures temperature of the two phase fluid flowing through the restriction element. A pressure sensor measures the pressure downstream of the restriction element. Time-of-flight measurements of pulses passing through the two phase fluid are made. The speed of sound within the two phase fluid is calculated from the time-of-flight measurements. At least one fluid property (e.g., a vapor phase fraction) of the two phase fluid is calculated from the measured pressure, the measured temperature, and the calculated speed of sound.

Abstract: A subsea communication system includes addressable nodes in a wellbore and addressable nodes on a floor, where the nodes in the wellbore and on the floor are able to communicate wirelessly with each other, such as through a formation.

Abstract: A technique is provided to isolate regions of a wellbore. The technique utilizes a swellable material packer that comprises a layer of swellable material disposed about a tubular member of a completion. When the layer is exposed to a substance that induces swelling of the swellable material, the layer expands between the tubular and a surrounding wall to isolate a region of the wellbore annulus.