Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a secure communication link between a first member and a second member in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a strain sensor and at least one processor. The strain sensor is at a mating end of the second member and measures a strain at the mating end. The at least one processor determines, from the strain, when a first force applied between the first member and the second member exceeds a first force threshold that indicates that the first member and the second member are in a first mating position in which a testable communication link is established between the first member and the second member. The at least one processor tests the testable communication link between the first member and the second member at the first mating position.

Abstract: An axial and rotational alignment system including a casing string having an axial orientation feature and a rotational orientation feature; and a tubing string having an axial and rotational orientation assembly thereon, the assembly including a rotational alignment subassembly having a selectively actuable member that is selectively engagable with the rotational orientation feature.

Abstract: A subsurface valve including a valve body having an inlet, and outlet, and a valve portion. A plunger is shiftably mounted in the valve body to selectively fluidically connect the inlet and the outlet. A valve system is arranged in the valve portion. The valve system includes a fixed member comprising a magnet and a moveable member shiftably mounted in the valve body and mechanically connected to the plunger. A control system is operatively connected to the fixed member. The control system is operable to selectively adjust a magnetic flux of the magnet to shift the moveable member and the plunger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a pressure in an annulus between an inner casing and an outer casing. An acoustic transducer is disposed within the casing at a selected depth within the inner casing and is configured to generate an acoustic pulse and receive a reflection of the acoustic pulse from the inner casing. A time of flight is measured of the acoustic pulse to the inner surface of the inner casing. An inner diameter of the inner casing is determined from the time of flight. The pressure in the annulus is determined from the inner diameter. A processor can be used to measure time and determine inner diameter and annulus pressure.

Abstract: An axial and rotational alignment system including a casing string having an axial orientation feature and a rotational orientation feature; and a tubing string having an axial and rotational orientation assembly thereon, the assembly including a rotational alignment subassembly having a selectively actuable member that is selectively engagable with the rotational orientation feature.

Abstract: A pressurized seat check valve including a flexible frustoconical seat having a back surface configured for exposure to upstream pressure, a closure member in sealable communication with the seat, the closure member being biased into contact with the seat and, in use, the seat being deflected toward the closure member by the exposure to upstream pressure.

Abstract: A method of protecting a component in a wet environment includes disposing a component into a wet environment, deploying a granulated disintegrable material into the wet environment and temporarily covering a portion of the component with the granulated disintegrable material, at least partially disintegrating the granulated disintegrable material, and flushing the granulated disintegrable material away from the portion.

Abstract: A method of protecting a component in a wet environment includes disposing a component into a wet environment, deploying a granulated disintegrable material into the wet environment and temporarily covering a portion of the component with the granulated disintegrable material, at least partially disintegrating the granulated disintegrable material, and flushing the granulated disintegrable material away from the portion.

Abstract: A connector system including a first connector configured to electrically and/or optically connect to a second connector. The first connector includes a first connector body configured to engage with the second connector; a first housing remotely located from the first connector body; a first connecting line including at least one of an electrical control line and an optical fiber connecting the first housing to the first connector body; a first main control line including at least one of an electrical control line and an optical fiber connected to the first housing; and, a first pressure isolator associated with the first housing, the first pressure isolator isolating pressure within the first main control line from pressure within the first connecting line and the first connector body. The first housing and the first connecting line are interposed between the first main control line and the first connector body.

Abstract: A pressurized seat check valve including a flexible frustoconical seat having a back surface configured for exposure to upstream pressure, a closure member in sealable communication with the seat, the closure member being biased into contact with the seat and, in use, the seat being deflected toward the closure member by the exposure to upstream pressure.

Abstract: A connector system including a first connector configured to electrically and/or optically connect to a second connector. The first connector includes a first connector body configured to engage with the second connector; a first housing remotely located from the first connector body; a first connecting line including at least one of an electrical control line and an optical fiber connecting the first housing to the first connector body; a first main control line including at least one of an electrical control line and an optical fiber connected to the first housing; and, a first pressure isolator associated with the first housing, the first pressure isolator isolating pressure within the first main control line from pressure within the first connecting line and the first connector body. The first housing and the first connecting line are interposed between the first main control line and the first connector body.

Abstract: A pressure orienting swivel arrangement includes a freely rotatable weight assembly to orient to gravity prior to being urged to a fixed position. In the fixed position, a pin adapter is reactably interengagable with the weight assembly to orient the pin adapter to the weight assembly without reorienting the weight assembly from gravity. A method for orienting a downhole tool is also included.

Abstract: A packer features spaced apart sealing elements with an extrusion barrier between them. When the packer is set the extrusion barrier is protected from debris in the well. The barrier provides full circumferential extrusion protection using one or more rings made of wedge shaped segments that have a keyway at their edges and are assembled in an alternating manner so as to be able to increase or decrease in diameter when mandrel components are moved toward or away from each other. The segments have an opening through which a mandrel projection extends so as to force the segments into the smaller diameter for removal. Travel stops for the segments in the form of machined flats are provided on the relatively movable mandrel components.

Abstract: A packer features spaced apart sealing elements with an extrusion barrier between them. When the packer is set the extrusion barrier is protected from debris in the well. The barrier provides full circumferential extrusion protection using one or more rings made of wedge shaped segments that have a keyway at their edges and are assembled in an alternating manner so as to be able to increase or decrease in diameter when mandrel components are moved toward or away from each other. The segments have an opening through which a mandrel projection extends so as to force the segments into the smaller diameter for removal. Travel stops for the segments in the form of machined flats are provided on the relatively movable mandrel components.

Abstract: A pressure orienting swivel arrangement including a weight assembly and a pin adapter reactably interengagable with the weight assembly to orient the pin adapter to the weight assembly. A pressure orienting swivel arrangement including a housing, a spring compression mandrel within the housing, a spring disposed about the spring compression mandrel, a weight assembly rotatably supported in the housing, and a pin adaptor rotatably supported within the housing and reactably interengagable with the weight assembly to accept a torque from the weight assembly. A method for orienting a downhole tool.