Abstract: A method for utilizing a millimeter wave drilling apparatus is provided. The method can include monitoring a permeability of a first portion of a borehole of a well while forming the borehole using a drilling apparatus including a drill bit for mechanical removal of material from within the borehole. The method can also include determining to utilize a millimeter wave drilling apparatus including a wave guide configured for insertion into the borehole based at least on the permeability of the borehole falling below a permeability threshold value. The method can further include forming a second portion of the borehole utilizing the millimeter wave drilling apparatus in response to the determining. A method for controlling the downhole pressure of a well is also provided. Related systems performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A technique facilitates verification of the integrity of a lower completion prior to deployment of a corresponding upper completion. A lower completion is initially deployed downhole into a wellbore and comprises a plurality of functional components, such as a sensor, a communication system, a flow control system, and/or other functional components. A service tool system is removably deployed into the wellbore and comprises a service tool with an interface which interacts with the lower completion. The interface enables verification of the integrity, e.g. functionality, of various functional components of the lower completion without the use of an additional communication line, e.g. power cable, routed separately to the lower completion.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter includes a housing disposing a filter media having a permeable sidewall and an axial bore connected with the inlet conduit, a sleeve connected in-line with the axial bore and downstream of the inlet conduit, and a shuttle having a piston moveably disposed in the sleeve and an upstream element carrying a scraper disposed with the axial bore, whereby the hydraulic fluid flows from the inlet conduit through the permeable sidewall into the housing annulus and the hydraulic pressure in the axial bore applies a downward force on the shuttle. The scraper is moved downstream within axial bore to clean the filter media when the downward force due to the increased differential pressure across the filter media exceeds an upstream shuttle force.

Abstract: A flow control valve assembly with a plunger continuously movable between closed, intermediate, and open positions. The plunger has an uphole side and a downhole side opposite the uphole side, and both uphole and downhole sides are exposed to the same hydrostatic pressure in the well, resulting in a flow control device that can be operated with minimal power consumption and still withstanding high pressure loads.

Abstract: A self-cleaning filter includes a housing disposing a filter media having a permeable sidewall and an axial bore connected with the inlet conduit, a sleeve connected in-line with the axial bore and downstream of the inlet conduit, and a shuttle having a piston moveably disposed in the sleeve and an upstream element carrying a scraper disposed with the axial bore, whereby the hydraulic fluid flows from the inlet conduit through the permeable sidewall into the housing annulus and the hydraulic pressure in the axial bore applies a downward force on the shuttle. The scraper is moved downstream within axial bore to clean the filter media when the downward force due to the increased differential pressure across the filter media exceeds an upstream shuttle force.

Abstract: A technique facilitates verification of the integrity of a lower completion prior to deployment of a corresponding upper completion. A lower completion is initially deployed downhole into a wellbore and comprises a plurality of functional components, such as a sensor, a communication system, a flow control system, and/or other functional components. A service tool system is removably deployed into the wellbore and comprises a service tool with an interface which interacts with the lower completion. The interface enables verification of the integrity, e.g. functionality, of various functional components of the lower completion without the use of an additional communication line, e.g. power cable, routed separately to the lower completion.

Abstract: A flow control valve assembly with a plunger continuously movable between closed, intermediate, and open positions. The plunger has an uphole side and a downhole side opposite the uphole side, and both uphole and downhole sides are exposed to the same hydrostatic pressure in the well, resulting in a flow control device that can be operated with minimal power consumption and still withstanding high pressure loads.