Abstract: A slip for an expanding hanger or patch is disclosed. The slip is mounted over the hanger body and has an internal profile that nests within a mating profile on the exterior of the hanger. When a compressive force is applied to the hanger, it shrinks longitudinally and as a result the slip is cammed radially to the extent the inside diameter of the surrounding tubing permits. When the swage is advanced, the diameter of the hanger increases forcing the slip into preferably penetrating contact with the inside wall of the surrounding tubular.

Abstract: An insurance policy funds end-of-lifetime activities for a non-human facility at an end of a lifetime of the facility with a policy benefit whose amount is based upon growth of a premium.

Abstract: Downhole wellbore tools are actuated by electrically controllable fluids energized by a magnetic field, for example. When energized, the viscosity state of the fluid may be increased by a degree depending on the fluid formulation. Reduction of the controllable fluid viscosity by terminating a magnetic field acting upon the fluid may permit in situ wellbore pressure to actuate a downhole device, such as a wellbore packer.

Abstract: A method of sealing casing or liners in a wellbore is described. The stands of casing or liner receive a jacket bonded to the outer surface. Preferably, the jacket is a rubber compound bonded to the outer wall. The formulation responds to well fluids to swell at a predetermined rate. The casing or liner can also be expanded with a swage preferably prior to the onset of significant jacket swelling. Packers and sealing hangers can be optionally added at the extremes of the casing or liner string to further secure against channeling between adjacent formations.

Abstract: A variety of approaches to reducing or eliminating “end effect” or the tendency of tubular ends to reduce in diameter after expansion are disclosed. Some involve pre-bending the ends outwardly while others involve removing material internally or/and externally near the ends. Yet other approaches feature weakening the ends in other ways including penetration of the tubular material using openings of various shapes including slots or/and holes where the openings are between the tube ends or where they can extend on one or both ends all the way to the end of the tubular. Inserts that are softer than the tube material can be placed near the ends. If there is an end effect, then the protruding material can be pushed out of the way or broken off.

Abstract: A slip for an expanding hanger or patch is disclosed. The slip is mounted over the hanger body and has an internal profile that nests within a mating profile on the exterior of the hanger. When a compressive force is applied to the hanger, it shrinks longitudinally and as a result the slip is cammed radially to the extent the inside diameter of the surrounding tubing permits. When the swage is advanced, the diameter of the hanger increases forcing the slip into preferably penetrating contact with the inside wall of the surrounding tubular.

Abstract: A thread for expandable downhole tubular connections is disclosed. The thread on at least one of the pin and box is coated, preferably with an anti-galling compound. During expansion the coating crumbles and the particles in between the threads keep the joint from becoming undone despite longitudinal shrinkage from the expansion or any tendency of the swage to impart a rotational motion on one part of the joint during the expansion process.

Abstract: A wet connect/disconnect arrangement is disclosed for a downhole system that allows installation of various tools and/or a string and subsequent electrical connection to the downhole system in a wet environment. Several embodiments are disclosed, all of which produce a clean, reliable connection. Exemplary embodiments include an upper section being mechanically and electrically joined to an intermediate section with electrical connectors for being joined at a lower section. The intermediate section further has auxiliary connectors that may be protected by a cover and remain unmated in a first connected application being therefore available for future use. The upper section may be removed leaving the intermediate section in place whereby the unmated connectors are available to rejoin a new upper section. Different types of connectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus to protect the mounting area of casing when subsequently attaching a tubular is disclosed. A sleeve that defines a sealed cavity having a loose incompressible material inside covers the mounting location on the casing. The cementing of the casing takes place through the sleeve. After the cementing, the sleeve is drilled out and the incompressible material is removed to the surface with the drill cuttings. A tubular is inserted in the casing and is preferably expanded into sealing contact with the mounting location on the casing. At the end of expansion, the run in shoe on the tubular is retrieved.

Abstract: A method of sealing casing or liners in a wellbore is described. The stands of casing or liner receive a jacket bonded to the outer surface. Preferably, the jacket is a rubber compound bonded to the outer wall. The formulation responds to well fluids to swell at a predetermined rate. The casing or liner can also be expanded with a swage preferably prior to the onset of significant jacket swelling. Packers and sealing hangers can be optionally added at the extremes of the casing or liner string to further secure against channeling between adjacent formations.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating seismic body waves in a hydrocarbon reservoir includes a closed-loop borehole source having a resonant cavity for generating resonant energy, a drive source and a control unit. The drive source injects pressure pulses to the resonant cavity at a predetermined or selectable pressure and frequency. The fluid circulates between the cavity and the drive source in a closed-loop fashion. In another embodiment, the borehole source utilizes a smart or controllable material that is responsive to an applied excitation field. The cavity includes an excitation coil for providing an excitation field that changes a material property of the smart fluid. The control unit is programmed to adjust operating parameters to produce seismic waves having a selected frequency and amplitude. In one embodiment, a control unit adjusts operating parameters in response to measured parameters of interest or surface commands.

Abstract: A downhole choke in the form of a sliding sleeve valve operable in a plurality of positions including fully open, fully closed, and positions in between, is disclosed. It features a hydraulic control system that, in one embodiment, provides the motive force to move the sliding sleeve a predetermined amount for a given applied control pressure. Further increments in applied pressure result in further predetermined movements of the sliding sleeve. In another embodiment, the sliding sleeve lands in a series of grooves in the surrounding housing depending on the degree of pressure applied to the control system.

Abstract: A wet connect/disconnect arrangement is disclosed for a downhole system that allows installation of various tools and/or a string and subsequent electrical connection to the downhole system in a wet environment. Several embodiments are disclosed, all of which produce a clean, reliable connection.

Abstract: Downhole wellbore tools are actuated by electrically controllable fluids energized by a magnetic field for example. When energized, the viscosity state of the fluid may be increased by a degree depending on the fluid formulation. Reduction of the controllable fluid viscosity by terminating a magnetic field acting upon the fluid may permit in situ wellbore pressure to displace a tool actuating piston. Displacement of the tool actuating piston is prevented by the controllable fluid in a viscous state. The viscous state of the fluid is energized by a magnetic field environment. When the field is de-energized, the controllable fluid viscosity quickly falls thereby permitting the fluid to flow through an open orifice into a low pressure receiving volume. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an expandable volume fluid may be used against a slip actuating element in the same manner as a fluid pressure motor.

Abstract: A downhole choke in the form of a sliding sleeve valve operable in a plurality of positions including fully open, fully closed, and positions in between, is disclosed. It features a hydraulic control system that, in one embodiment, provides the motive force to move the sliding sleeve a predetermined amount for a given applied control pressure. Further increments in applied pressure result in further predetermined movements of the sliding sleeve. In another embodiment, the sliding sleeve lands in a series of grooves in the surrounding housing depending on the degree of pressure applied to the control system.

Abstract: A thread for expandable downhole tubular connections is disclosed. It features a locking pattern on the pin and box, which engages upon expansion of the connection. The locking pattern compensates for longitudinal shrinkage away from a torque shoulder, as a result of expansion. A resilient seal can be incorporated into the design with pin to box clearance disappearing around the seal as a result of expansion. Resilient seals can be used in tandem to trap atmospheric pressure between them. The wellbore hydrostatic pressure helps engage the locking feature by pushing the box into the pin, helped by the trapped low pressure between the seals.

Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.

Abstract: A thread for expandable downhole tubular connections is disclosed. The thread on at least one of the pin and box is coated, preferably with an anti-galling compound. During expansion the coating crumbles and the particles in between the threads keep the joint from becoming undone despite longitudinal shrinkage from the expansion or any tendency of the swage to impart a rotational motion on one part of the joint during the expansion process.

Abstract: A thread for expandable downhole tubular connections is disclosed. It features a locking pattern on the pin and box, which engages upon expansion of the connection. The locking pattern compensates for longitudinal shrinkage away from a torque shoulder, as a result of expansion. A resilient seal can be incorporated into the design with pin to box clearance disappearing around the seal as a result of expansion. Resilient seals can be used in tandem to trap atmospheric pressure between them. The wellbore hydrostatic pressure helps engage the locking feature by pushing the box into the pin, helped by the trapped low pressure between the seals.