Abstract: Changes occurring downhole during a fracturing process can create or reflect pressure signals. Capturing and evaluating such pressure waves during fracturing enables personnel to monitor, in real time or later, what happens downhole. When a fracture extends, a burst of acoustic noise is embodied in a pressure wave or signal, as is noise coming from other sources. By transforming time-based pressure signals to a frequency base, one can monitor this acoustic noise. In a particular implementation, a waterfall plot of frequency spectra at successive time slices of the original signal is used to determine frequency ridges, such as a ridge of decreasing frequencies indicates fracture extension and a ridge of increasing frequencies indicates either closure or proppant backing up in the fracture. Filtering, such as wavelet filtering, can be used. A fracturing process can be controlled in response to determining whether the fracture is extending.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating foam cement and placing foam cement in an annulus between a casing and a wellbore. The method includes the steps of displacing cement downwardly in the casing and injecting a gas, preferably nitrogen, into the cement at a predetermined location downhole in the casing. The nitrogen may be injected through a ported sub. The ported sub may be connected in a tubing string that is lowered in the casing. The ported sub has a plurality of ports, which may have nozzles connected therein, that communicate a central opening through the ported sub with an annulus between the ported sub and the casing. The rate at which nitrogen is injected into the cement preferably increases from a leading edge of the cement to a trailing edge of the cement so that a consistent foam cement quality is achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or treating a subterranean well formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons utilizing foam diversion in the well formation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling an unswept volume in a piston system. The method includes rotating a shaft around a rotation point to drive a piston within a cylindrical volume in a periodic manner, modifying the stroke length of the piston, and moving the center of the shaft relative to the cylindrical volume such that a change in an unswept volume or compression ratio is controlled.

Abstract: A force absorbing restraining system for a number of pipe sections, each having an integral restraining system which is subsequently connected and works in conjunction with the integral restraining system of adjacent pipe sections. It is known that during an explosive failure either of a pipe section or a joint between pipe sections, a tremendous amount of reaction force is generated by escaping effluent flow. This force, in turn, may energize equipment such as pipes, pumps, and the like to exhibit uncontrolled motion often at a rate of several hundred feet per second. The restraining system of the present invention is designed to absorb a sudden burst of explosive energy and to lessen the reaction forces generated by the explosion so as to ensure that equipment does not move about a service site in an uncontrolled manner which could injure people and damage buildings or other equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling an unswept volume in a piston system. The method includes rotating a shaft around a rotation point to drive a piston within a cylindrical volume in a periodic manner, modifying the stroke length of the piston, and moving the center of the shaft relative to the cylindrical volume such that a change in an unswept volume or compression ratio is controlled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a subterranean well formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons utilizing foam diversion in the well formation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure; and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims under 37CFR 1.72.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a subterranean well formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons utilizing foam diversion in the well formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating foam cement and placing foam cement in an annulus between a casing and a wellbore. The method includes the steps of displacing cement downwardly in the casing and injecting a gas, preferably nitrogen, into the cement at a predetermined location downhole in the casing. The nitrogen may be injected through a ported sub. The ported sub may be connected in a tubing string that is lowered in the casing. The ported sub has a plurality of ports, which may have nozzles connected therein, that communicate a central opening through the ported sub with an annulus between the ported sub and the casing. The rate at which nitrogen is injected into the cement preferably increases from a leading edge of the cement to a trailing edge of the cement so that a consistent foam cement quality is achieved.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a downhole formation according to which a plurality of jet nozzles are located in a spaced relation to the wall of the formation to form an annulus between the nozzles and the formation. An acid-containing, stimulation fluid is pumped at a predetermined pressure through the nozzles, into the annulus and against the wall of the formation. A gas is pumped into the annulus so that the stimulation fluid mixes with the gas to generate foam before the mixture is jetted towards the formation to impact the wall of the formation.

Abstract: A downhole tool for fracturing a subterranean formation according to which a tool having a plurality of discharge jets or nozzles is located in a spaced relation to a wall of the formation to form an annulus between the nozzles and the formation. An acid-containing, stimulation fluid is pumped at a predetermined pressure through the nozzles, into the annulus and against the wall of the formation. A gas is pumped into the annulus so that the stimulation fluid mixes with the gas to generate foam before the mixture is jetted towards the formation to impact the wall of the formation. The tool is adapted to bend, or tilt, so that the discharge jets can come in to proximity to the formation being fractured.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a downhole formation according to which a plurality of jet nozzles are located in a spaced relation to the wall of the formation to form an annulus between the nozzles and the formation. A non-acid containing stimulation fluid is pumped at a predetermined pressure through the nozzles, into the annulus, and against the wall of the formation, and a gas is introduced into the annulus so that the stimulation fluid mixes with the gas to generate foam before the mixture is jetted towards the formation to form fractures in the formation.

Abstract: A quick connect system and method for fluid devices according to which one end portion of a first tubular member is inserted in an end portion of a second tubular in a telescoping relationship. An arcuate clamp extends over the telescoping portions of the tubular members, and a tapered locking surface is formed on at least one of the tubular members and on the clamp. The tubular members move relative to each other in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure therein to move the tapered locking surfaces into engagement to lock the clamp against radial movement relative to the tubular members. A pipe assembly including a first connection system for connecting one end of a first pipe to one end of a second pipe while permitting relative rotation between the pipes, and a second connection system for connecting the other end of the first pipe to a third pipe so that rotation of the first pipe relative to the second pipe causes angular movement of the third pipe.

Abstract: A method of stimulating a downhole formation according to which a plurality of jet nozzles are located in a spaced relation to the wall of the formation to form an annulus between the nozzles and the formation. An acid-containing, stimulation fluid is pumped at a predetermined pressure through the nozzles, into the annulus and against the wall of the formation. A gas is pumped into the annulus so that the stimulation fluid mixes with the gas to generate foam before the mixture is jetted towards the formation to impact the wall of the formation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure, and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims under 37CFR 1.

Abstract: A method of fracturing a downhole formation according to which a plurality of jet nozzles are located in a spaced relation to the wall of the formation to form an annulus between the nozzles and the formation. A non-acid containing stimulation fluid is pumped at a predetermined pressure through the nozzles, into the annulus, and against the wall of the formation, and a gas is introduced into the annulus so that the stimulation fluid mixes with the gas to generate foam before the mixture is jetted towards the formation to form fractures in the formation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure; and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims under 37CFR 1.72.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a subterranean well formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons utilizing foam diversion in the well formation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure; and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims under 37CFR 1.72.

Abstract: A quick connect system and method for fluid devices according to which one end portion of a first tubular member is inserted in an end portion of a second tubular in a telescoping relationship. An arcuate clamp extends over the telescoping portions of the tubular members, and a tapered locking surface is formed on at least one of the tubular members and on the clamp. The tubular members move relative to each other in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure therein to move the tapered locking surfaces into engagement to lock the clamp against radial movement relative to the tubular members. A pipe assembly including a first connection system for connecting one end of a first pipe to one end of a second pipe while permitting relative rotation between the pipes, and a second connection system for connecting the other end of the first pipe to a third pipe so that rotation of the first pipe relative to the second pipe causes angular movement of the third pipe.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus and method for depositing metal at a desired area in a well casing. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises an oxygen tank filled with oxygen, a fuel tank filled with fuel, and a metal depositing device. An inert gas, such as nitrogen, may be supplied to dampen the heat generated by the metal depositing device. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus comprises a gas tank with nitrous oxide therein and a sparking device to initiate a decomposition reaction to separate the nitrous oxide into its oxygen and nitrogen components. The metal depositing device may be adapted for flame spraying, plasma spraying or welding. A steering head is provided to reciprocate and rotate the apparatus so that the metal depositing device may be directed to the desired area in the casing. A camera and light are disposed at the bottom of the apparatus so that the interior of a well casing is illuminated and an image is transmitted to the operator for proper actuation of the steering sub.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus and method for depositing metal at a desired area in a well casing. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises an oxygen tank filled with oxygen, a fuel tank filled with fuel, and a metal depositing device. An inert gas, such as nitrogen, may be supplied to dampen the hear generated by the metal depositing device. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus comprises a gas tank with nitrous oxide therein and a sparking device to initiate a decomposition reaction to separate the nitrous oxide into its oxygen and nitrogen components. The metal depositing device may be adapted for flame spraying, plasma spraying or welding. A steering head is provided to reciprocate and rotate the apparatus so that the metal depositing device may be directed to the desired area in the casing. A camera and light are disposed at the bottom of the apparatus so that the interior of a well casing is illuminated and an image is transmitted to the operator for proper actuation of the steering sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a main casing section to a lateral casing section using thermoset plastic molding. The apparatus is used to set a flexible sock made of a hardenable material at a location adjacent to an intersection between the main and lateral casing sections. The sock is inflated so that it conforms to the inner surfaces of the main and lateral casing sections. Heat is applied to the hardenable material so that the sock is cured in the inflated, operating position. Heat may be applied by releasing chemicals which provide an exothermic reaction and/or by using a heater positioned within the sock.