Abstract: A technique utilizes a Y-block which is coupled with a lateral tubing string and a main tubing string. The Y-block comprises features which facilitate service and/or production operations. In well applications, the Y-block may comprise a pressure housing and a recessed bypass slot disposed along an exterior of the Y-block. A control line is positioned in the recessed bypass slot to facilitate control functions along the lateral tubing string. The recessed bypass slot enables routing of a control line without forming a splice along the control line. In other applications, the Y-block may utilize additional or other features which facilitate the desired operations.

Abstract: A method includes running a downhole tool into a wellbore, operating the downhole tool in a suction mode and removing debris from the wellbore, and operating the downhole tool in a circulation mode. A tool includes a body sub, a debris sub coupled to the body sub, a suction sub disposed in the debris sub, an annular jet pump sub disposed in the body sub and in fluid communication with the suction tube, and a seal sub disposed in the annular jet pump sub and configured to move from a first position to a second position. The tool operates in a first mode when the sea sub is in the first position and in a second mode when the seal sub is in the second position.

Abstract: An isolation device for a frac plug, the isolation device including a ball seat having a seating surface and a ball configured to contact the seating surface, wherein a profile of the seating surface corresponds to a profile of the ball. A frac plug including a mandrel having an upper end and a lower end, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, and a ball seat disposed within a central bore of the mandrel, wherein the ball seat includes a seating surface having a non-linear profile. A method of isolating zones of a production formation, the method including setting a frac plug between a first zone and a second zone, disposing a ball within the frac plug, and seating a ball in a ball seat of the frac plug, the ball seat including a seating surface having a profile that substantially corresponds to the profile of the ball.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an Environmental Optimization System (“EOS”) provides a system for the intelligent control and monitoring of a poultry or livestock house environment through the utilization of a solar thermal collection system, a variety of environmental and livestock behavior sensors, apparatus for controlling the thermal collection and existing interior heating/air conditioning/ventilation (“HVAC”) systems, and Internet or cloud based intelligent control and monitoring capabilities of the system. In various embodiments central sensor data aggregation is utilized to provide improved optimization control for individual structures based on data from multiple structures.

Abstract: A system that is usable with a well includes a first tubing string and a plurality of tubing segments. The first tubing string is deployed in the well and includes a plurality of valve assemblies, which span a segment of the first tubing string. The tubing segments are adapted to be deployed in the well inside the first tubing string and attach together in the segment of the first tubing string in a sequence to form a second tubing string in a manner that allows sequential operation of the valve assemblies of the first tubing string.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose devices and methods for fabricating microporous particulate filters with regularly spaced pores wherein sheet membrane substrates are exposed to energetic particle radiation through a mask and the damaged regions removed in a suitable developer. The required depth of field is achieved by using energetic particles to minimize diffraction and an energetic particle source with suitably small diameter.

Abstract: An optrode may provide a cylindrical substrate two or more electrodes deposited said cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate and electrodes may be coated by an insulating layer with openings or vias over certain portions of the electrodes that may provide a contact for the neural probe or may be utilized to connect lead lines. Manufacturing of an optrode may utilize a jig that secures a cylindrical substrate coated by a conductive material and a resist. A first mask may be positioned in an opening provided by the jig, and the cylindrical substrate may be exposed ions or neutral particles to define one or more electrode patterns. After regions of the resist and conductive material are removed to form the electrodes, a second mask may be utilized to define vias regions in which portions of the electrodes are exposed and uncoated by an insulating layer.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a resilient body configured to be disposed on a drill string, the resilient body comprising a plurality of radial blades having an abrasive coating, wherein the radial blades are configured to deflect when inserted into downhole tubing, and wherein the resilient body is configured to allow rotation relative to the drill string. Additionally, a method for cleaning downhole tubing, the method including inserting a resilient scraper disposed on a drill string into the downhole tubing, the resilient scraper including a plurality of radial blades having an abrasive coating. The method further including rotating the drill string, and contacting the resilient scraper to an internal wall of the downhole tubing.

Abstract: A downhole debris recovery tool including a ported sub coupled to a debris sub, a suction tube disposed in the debris sub, at least one magnet disposed in the debris removal tool, and an annular jet pump sub disposed in the ported sub and fluidly connected to the suction tube. A method of removing debris from a wellbore including the steps of lowering a downhole debris removal tool into the wellbore, flowing a fluid through a bore of an annular jet pump sub, jetting the fluid from the annular jet pump sub into a mixing tube, displacing an initially static fluid in the mixing tube through a diffuser, thereby creating a vacuum effect in a suction tube to draw a debris-laden fluid into the tool, flowing the debris-laden fluid past at least one magnet disposed in a debris housing, and removing the tool from the wellbore is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable backup ring includes an outer surface, an inner surface having a plurality of protrusions projecting radially inwardly, and a plurality of segments, the segments defined by a plurality of outer surface cuts. The plurality of outer surface cuts extends radially inwardly from the outer surface and partially into each of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A downhole debris recovery tool including a ported sub coupled to a debris sub, a suction tube disposed in the debris sub, and an annular jet pump sub disposed in the ported sub and fluidly connected to the suction tube is disclosed. A method of removing debris from a wellbore including the steps of lowering a downhole debris removal tool into the wellbore, the downhole debris removal tool having an annular jet pump sub, a mixing tube, a diffuser, and a suction tube, flowing a fluid through a bore of the annular jet pump sub, jetting the fluid from the annular jet pump sub into the mixing tube, displacing an initially static fluid in the mixing tube through the diffuser, thereby creating a vacuum effect in the suction tube to draw a debris-laden fluid into the downhole debris removal tool, and removing the tool downhole debris removal tool from the wellbore after a predetermined time interval is also disclosed.

Abstract: A neural probe includes a probe, wherein a tip of the probe is tapered; an insulating layer covering the probe, and one or more metallic traces, wherein the metallic traces are provide along the length of the probe. The probe also includes one or more contacts provided on the tip of the probe, wherein each of the one or more metallic traces terminates at the one or more contacts, and the one or more contacts provide an array of nanosized metallic pillars. The neural probe may also incorporate a lightguide. The lightguide may include an insulating layer providing a first cladding layer on the probe, a core layer provided on top of the first cladding layer, wherein the metallic traces and contacts are provided in the core layer with a core material, and a second cladding layer provided on top of the core layer.

Abstract: A location and orientation assembly suitable for use in a multi-lateral wellbore may include a coupling portion, an upper muleshoe, a muleshoe spacer and a bottom muleshoe. The bottom muleshoe may connect to the coupling portion through a threaded connection. A method for locating and orienting in a multi-lateral wellbore includes providing a locating and orientation assembly. In the orientation assembly a coupling portion is provided and an upper muleshoe is inserted into the coupling portion. A muleshoe spacer is inserted into the coupling portion so as to matingly contact the upper muleshoe portion. Part of a bottom muleshoe is inserted into the coupling portion so as to matingly contact the muleshoe spacer. The coupling portion is jointed to the bottom muleshoe by a threaded connection.

Abstract: A drillable bridge plug includes a mandrel having external splines disposed on an outer surface of the mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element, and a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate the lower end of the sealing element, wherein an inner surface of the lower cone comprises internal splines configured to engage the external splines. The drillable bridge plug also includes an upper and a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, and an upper and lower ring assembly each including a first segmented barrier ring, a second segmented barrier ring, and a back-up ring disposed proximate sealing element. Methods include a method of setting the drillable bridge plug and a method of removing the drillable bridge plug.

Abstract: An expandable backup ring includes an outer surface, an inner surface having a plurality of protrusions projecting radially inwardly, and a plurality of segments, the segments defined by a plurality of outer surface cuts. The plurality of outer surface cuts extends radially inwardly from the outer surface and partially into each of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A downhole isolation tool including a sub, a sleeve disposed in the sub, and a ball seat mandrel coupled to the sleeve, the ball seat mandrel having at least two ball seats axially aligned with at least two throughbores disposed within the ball seat mandrel. A method of isolating a well, the method including running a downhole isolation system into a well, wherein the downhole isolation system includes a first downhole isolation tool, the first downhole isolation tool including a first sub, a first sleeve disposed in the sub, and a first ball seat mandrel coupled to the first sleeve, the first ball seat mandrel having at least two ball seats of a first size axially aligned with at least two throughbores disposed within the first ball seat mandrel, dropping at least two balls of a first size into the well, and seating the at least two balls of the first size in the at least two ball seats of the first ball seat mandrel.

Abstract: An isolation device for a frac plug, the isolation device including a ball seat having a seating surface and a ball configured to contact the seating surface, wherein a profile of the seating surface corresponds to a profile of the ball. A frac plug including a mandrel having an upper end and a lower end, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, and a ball seat disposed within a central bore of the mandrel, wherein the ball seat includes a seating surface having a non-linear profile. A method of isolating zones of a production formation, the method including setting a frac plug between a first zone and a second zone, disposing a ball within the frac plug, and seating a ball in a ball seat of the frac plug, the ball seat including a seating surface having a profile that substantially corresponds to the profile of the ball.

Abstract: A neural probe includes a probe, wherein a tip of the probe is tapered; an insulating layer covering the probe, and one or more metallic traces, wherein the metallic traces are provide along the length of the probe. The probe also includes one or more contacts provided on the tip of the probe, wherein each of the one or more metallic traces terminates at the one or more contacts, and the one or more contacts provide an array of nanosized metallic pillars. The neural probe may also incorporate a lightguide. The lightguide may include an insulating layer providing a first cladding layer on the probe, a core layer provided on top of the first cladding layer, wherein the metallic traces and contacts are provided in the core layer with a core material, and a second cladding layer provided on top of the core layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose devices and methods for fabricating microporous particulate filters with regularly space pores wherein sheet membrane substrates are exposed to energetic particle radiation through a mask and the damaged regions removed in a suitable developer. The required depth of field is achieved by using energetic particles to minimize diffraction and an energetic particle source with suitably small diameter.

Abstract: The present inventors have developed an accurate method for forming a plurality of images on a substrate. The present method provides an improved pattern replication technique that provides submicron resolution, for example 20 nm or less, especially 10 nm or less. The method may involve moving a structured beam of energetic radiation across a target substrate. The motion of an image of the template mask on the substrate is achieved by tilting a mask and substrate assembly relative to the axis of the incident beam. The technique does not require high precision motion of the template mask relative to the target substrate. The energetic radiation may comprise energetic particles. The technique is insensitive to particle energy and can be applied to uncharged, neutral particles.