Abstract: Antibody molecules that specifically bind to APRIL are disclosed. The antibody molecules can be used to treat, prevent, and/or diagnose disorders, such as IgA nephropathy.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the pressure difference across an ESP comprises:—connecting the ESP (7) to a production tubing (6)—providing the production tubing (6) with a side pocket (9) which comprises an opening (13)—inserting a pressure sensor assembly (10) into the side packet (9) such that the opening (13) is located between a pair of annular seals (14, 15)—monitoring the pressure difference across the ESP (7) by inducing the sensor assembly to measure a pressure difference between an upper section of the side pocket which is in communication with the interior of the tubing and a middle section (16) of the interior of the side packet (9) which is located between the annular seals (14, 15).

Abstract: A method for monitoring the pressure difference across an ESP comprises:—connecting the ESP (7) to a production tubing (6)—providing the production tubing (6) with a side pocket (9) which comprises an opening (13)—inserting a pressure sensor assembly (10) into the side packet (9) such that the opening (13) is located between a pair of annular seals (14, 15)—monitoring the pressure difference across the ESP (7) by inducing the sensor assembly to measure a pressure difference between an upper section of the side pocket which is in communication with the interior of the tubing and a middle section (16) of the interior of the side packet (9) which is located between the annular seals (14, 15).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for injecting lift gas or other fluid into a production conduit of an oil well via one or more wear resistant downhole gas lift flow control devices which each comprise: a tubular valve housing (1) comprising a flow passage (2) having an upstream end (9) which is connected to a lift gas supply conduit and a downstream end (10) which is connected to the interior of the production conduit; a flapper type valve body (3) which is pivotally connected to the valve housing (1) and is arranged in the flow passage (2) such that if the valve body is pivoted in the open position the valve body is oriented substantially parallel to the flow passage and that if the valve body is pivoted in the closed position the valve body is oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow passage and is pressed against a ring shaped valve seat (4), thereby blocking passage of lift gas through the flow passage (2); a valve protection sleeve (5) which is slidably arranged in the flow passage (2) between a first posi

Abstract: A method is disclosed for injecting lift gas or other fluid into a production conduit of an oil well via one or more wear resistant downhole gas lift flow control devices which each comprise: a tubular valve housing (1) comprising a flow passage (2) having an upstream end (9) which is connected to a lift gas supply conduit and a downstream end (10) which is connected to the interior of the production conduit; a flapper type valve body (3) which is pivotally connected to the valve housing (1) and is arranged in the flow passage (2) such that if the valve body is pivoted in the open position the valve body is oriented substantially parallel to the flow passage and that if the valve body is pivoted in the closed position the valve body is oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow passage and is pressed against a ring shaped valve seat (4), thereby blocking passage of lift gas through the flow passage (2); a valve protection sleeve (5) which is slidably arranged in the flow passage (2) between a first posi

Abstract: A reservoir production control system includes a plurality of wells for producing a reservoir linked to a central computer over a downhole communication network and a surface communication network. Both the downhole and the surface communication networks are wireless communications paths for transmitting downhole data and surface data to the central computer. Both networks include a series of interconnected tubing or pipe that allows transmission of data over electrically isolated portions of the pipe and tubing. After integrating and analyzing all relevant data and comparing the data with a reservoir model, the central computer initiates changes in a plurality of downhole control devices associated with the wells, thereby optimizing the production of the reservoir.

Abstract: A gas-lift petroleum well and method for producing petroleum products using downhole pressurized gas to provide lift. The gas-lift well having a well casing, a production tubing, a packer, and a gas-lift valve. The well casing extends within a wellbore of the well, and the wellbore extends through oil and gas zones. The production tubing extends within the casing. The tubing having an opening formed therein, which is in fluid communication with an oil zone. The packer is located downhole in the casing and coupled to the tubing. The packer can have an electrically controllable packer valve, which is adapted to control a flow of downhole pressurized gas from one side of the packer to another. The downhole pressurized gas is provided by a gas zone that the wellbore passes through. The downhole gas-lift valve is coupled to the tubing and is adapted to control a flow of downhole pressurized gas into oil in the tubing for lifting the oil. The gas-lift valve can be an electrically controllable valve.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating among devices via a piping structure using at least one induction choke about the piping structure to route a time-varying current carrying communication signals between the devices. A communications system comprises a piping structure, a first communication device, a second communication device, and an induction choke. The piping structure comprises a first location, a second location, and an electrically conductive portion extending between the first and second locations. The first and second locations are distally spaced along the piping structure. The first and second communication devices are each electrically connected to the electrically conductive portion of the piping structure along the first location and second location, respectively, and each is adapted to send and receive communication signals via time-varying current.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the production of a petroleum well is provided. The petroleum well includes a borehole, a piping structure positioned within the borehole, and a tubing string positioned within the borehole for conveying a production fluid. Production of the well is optimized by determining a flow rate of the production fluid within the tubing string and determining a lift-gas injection rate for the gas being injected into the tubing string. The flow rate and injection rate data is communicated along the piping structure of the well to a selected location, where the data is collected and analyzed. After analysis of the data, an optimum operating point for the well can be determined.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating among devices via a piping structure using at least one induction choke about the piping structure to route a time-varying current carrying communication signals between the devices. A communications system comprises a piping structure, a first communication device, a second communication device, and an induction choke. The piping structure comprises a first location, a second location, and an electrically conductive portion extending between the first and second locations. The first-and second locations are distally spaced along the piping structure. The first and second communication devices are each electrically connected to the electrically conductive portion of the piping structure along the first location and second location, respectively, and each is adapted to send and receive communication signals via time-varying current.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating among devices via a piping structure using at least one induction choke about the piping structure to route a time-varying current carrying communication signals between the devices. A communications system comprises a piping structure, a first communication device, a second communication device, and an induction choke. The piping structure comprises a first location, a second location, and an electrically conductive portion extending between the first and second locations. The first and second locations are distally spaced along the piping structure. The first and second communication devices are each electrically connected to the electrically conductive portion of the piping structure along the first location and second location, respectively, and each is adapted to send and receive communication signals via time-varying current.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the production of a petroleum well is provided. The petroleum well includes a borehole, a piping structure (24) positioned within the borehole, and a tubing string (26) positioned within the borehole for conveying a production fluid. Production of the well is optimized by determining a flow rate of the production fluid within the tubing string (26) and determining a lift-gas injection rate for the gas being injected into the tubing string. The flow rate and injection rate data is communicated along the piping structure of the well to a selected location (44), where the data is collected and analyzed.

Abstract: A reservoir production control system includes a plurality of wells for producing a reservoir linked to a central computer over a downhole communication network and a surface communication network. Both the downhole and the surface communication networks are wireless communications paths for transmitting downhole data and surface data to the central computer. Both networks include a series of interconnected tubing or pipe that allows transmission of data over electrically isolated portions of the pipe and tubing. After integrating and analyzing all relevant data and comparing the data with a reservoir model, the central computer initiates changes in a plurality of downhole control devices associated with the wells, thereby optimizing the production of the reservoir.

Abstract: A gas-lift petroleum well (38, 98, 150) and method for producing petroleum products using downhole pressurized gas to provide lift. The gas-lift well (38, 98, 150) comprises a well casing (22), a production tubing (24), a packer (40), and a gas-lift valve (148). The well casing (22) extends within a wellbore of the well (38), and the wellbore extends through oil and gas zones. The production tubing (24) extends within the casing (22). The tubing (24) comprises an opening formed therein, which is in fluid communication with an oil zone. The packer (40) is located downhole in the casing (22) and coupled to the tubing (24). The packer (40) can comprise an electrically controllable packer valve (44), which is adapted to control a flow of downhole pressurized gas from one side of the packer to another. The downhole pressurized gas is provided by a gas zone that the wellbore passes through.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating among devices via a piping structure using at least one induction choke about the piping structure to route a time-varying current carrying communication signals between the devices. A communications system comprises a piping structure, a first communication device, a second communication device, and an induction choke. The piping structure comprises a first location, a second location, and an electrically conductive portion extending between the first and second locations. The first and second locations are distally spaced along the piping structure. The first and second communication devices are each electrically connected to the electrically conductive portion of the piping structure along the first location and second location, respectively, and each is adapted to send and receive communication signals via time-varying current.