Abstract: Construction and operation of an oilfield molten salt battery. A battery includes an outer case, an elongated mandrel positioned within the outer case, and the mandrel being an electrical component of the battery. Another battery includes an electrical pickup, and a polymer insulator providing insulation between the outer case and the pickup. A method of charging a battery for use in a subterranean well includes the steps of: providing the battery including an electrolyte, and anode and cathode electrodes, the electrolyte being a molten salt comprising lithium salt, and at least one of the electrodes comprising lithium atoms; positioning the battery within a wellbore; and then charging the battery. Another method includes the steps of: heating the lithium ion molten salt battery; then charging the battery; and then positioning the battery within a wellbore.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool to operate downhole. The tool includes a heater. The tool also includes a cooler. The tool includes a controller to control allocation of power between the heater and the cooler based on a temperature downhole, power usage, a time delay or a pressure downhole.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool for a downhole operation. The tool includes a downhole power source to generate power. The tool also includes a cooler module to lower temperature based on the power.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool for a downhole operation. The tool includes an electrical component. The tool includes a rechargeable energy storage device to supply power to the electrical component. The tool also includes a generator to supply power to the electrical component.

Abstract: A mud pulser controlled by a field applied to an electroactive fluid. The electroactive fluid is employed to act as a rapid-response brake to slow or interrupt the rotation of a mud motor or mud siren, thus creating pressure pulses in a circulating fluid. In certain embodiments, the electroactive fluid is used as a direct brake acting on a shaft rotating in a volume of electroactive fluid where the shaft is coupled to the mud motor or siren. The application of a field to the electroactive fluid impedes the rotation of the shaft, thus slowing the mud motor and creating a pressure pulse in the circulating fluid. In another embodiment, a Moineau pump circulating an electroactive fluid is coupled to the mud motor. The application of a field to the electroactive fluid slows the rotation of the pump, thus slowing the mud motor and creating a pressure pulse in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: Perforation structures which allow increased production of fluids from a well. The perforation structures direct the flow of fluids into the well in a direction having a component parallel to the axis of the well and/or having a component which does not pass through the central axis of the well. Perforations in a productive zone may be slanted downward relative to the central axis of the well. Perforations may be tangentially deviated away from the central axis of the well so that fluid flowing from the perforation has a direction somewhat tangential to the well casing and circular motion is generated in fluids in the well. Fluids flowing through such perforations experience less pressure drop at the perforations, increasing pressure in the well and providing more energy to flow fluids up the well.

Abstract: A downhole fluid flow control device (188) and method for minimizing erosion are disclosed. The downhole fluid flow control device (188) includes a downhole surface (190) subjectable to an erosive stress (196, 198) which may be a moving fluid or an erosive agent, for example. A shape memory alloy (192) is integrated with the downhole surface (190) in order to provide erosion resistance by reversibly transforming from an austenitic phase (194) to a martensitic phase (200) in response to the application of the erosive stress (196, 198). Further, the shape memory alloy (192) reversibly transforms from the martensitic phase (200) to the austenitic phase (192) in response to the presence of sufficient heat.

Abstract: A navigation system for a downhole tool comprises a first sensor operable within a well bore to sense a parameter, at least one additional sensor, each of the at least one additional sensors being operable within the well bore to sense a parameter, and a locator component operable to determine a location of the downhole tool within the well bore based on the sensed parameters. A method for determining a location of a downhole tool within a well bore comprises deploying the downhole tool into the well bore, sensing a first parameter within the well bore via the tool, sensing at least a second parameter within the well bore via the tool, and self-determining the location of the tool based on the sensed parameters without receiving communications from the surface.

Abstract: A self-contained power generator comprises a fuel source, a solid oxygen source capable of releasing oxygen when heated, an engine capable of generating power by combusting the fuel with the oxygen so as to produce exhaust gases, and an exhaust gas absorbent. The oxygen source and the exhaust gas absorbent are preferably combined. The oxygen source may comprise potassium superoxide in combination with sodium peroxide, potassium oxide, or calcium oxide The engine may be any known heat engine. Fuel is fed to the engine at a desired rate so as to generate power at a desired rate. Heat from said combustion is preferably applied to the oxygen source and heat may be exchanged between the exhaust gases and oxygen. The exhaust gases are preferably absorbed at substantially the same rate as the rate at which they are generated such that pressure in the generator does not increase.

Abstract: An autonomous downhole tool for use in a well bore is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force, and the tool is self-operable to perform one or more functions at one or more locations within the well bore.. A method for operating a downhole tool within a well bore comprises deploying the tool along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force, and self-activating one or more functions of the tool, wherein the tool does not receive command communications from the surface.

Abstract: A method of servicing a well bore comprises deploying into the well bore a zonal isolation device operable to self-set at a sensed location, and self-setting the zonal isolation device to hold at the sensed location without receiving command communications from the surface, wherein the zonal isolation device is deployed along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force. Another method of servicing comprises deploying into the well bore a tool operable to self-activate at one or more locations, and self-navigating the tool to determine the one or more locations without receiving communications from the surface, wherein the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a well bore comprises an onboard navigation system for determining the location of the tool within the well bore, wherein the tool is moved along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force. A method of locating a downhole tool in a well bore comprises deploying the tool along at least a partial length of the well bore via an external force, and self-determining the location of the tool without receiving communications from the surface. In an embodiment, the tool is a well bore zonal isolation device.

Abstract: A vibration based power generator. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system includes a vibrating assembly which vibrates in response to fluid flow across the vibrating assembly. A generator generates electrical power in response to displacement of the vibrating assembly.

Abstract: An energy storage device for powering a downhole tool may be heated to an effective temperature to improve the operability of the energy storage device. The energy storage device may comprise, for example, a primary battery, a secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, or combinations thereof. The effective temperature to which the energy storage device is heated may be greater than an ambient temperature in the wellbore near the energy storage device. The energy storage device may be heated using various heat sources such as an ohmic resistive heater, a heat pump, an exothermic reaction, a power generator, a heat transfer medium, the energy storage device itself, a downhole tool, or combinations thereof. A thermal conductor may extend between the heat source and the energy storage device. Further, a thermal insulator may at least partially surround the heat source and the energy storage device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for creating pulsating fluid flow, including an inlet into which fluid flows and a chamber having an upstream end and a downstream end. The chamber is defined by a pair of outwardly-projecting sidewalls, and the inlet is disposed at the upstream end of the chamber. This particular embodiment further includes at least two feedback passages with opposed entrances at the downstream end of the chamber and opposed exits at the upstream end of the chamber, near where the chamber joins the inlet. At least one feedback outlet leaves each of the feedback passages. A feedback cavity is disposed at the downstream end of the chamber. At least one exit flowline having an exit port leaves the at least one feedback outlet.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring data across a component in a well, according to which a first module receives the data and transmits the data, via electromagnetic waves, through the component, and a second module receives the transmitted data from the first module.

Abstract: An enhanced electrical power generating system. In a described embodiment, an electrical power generating system for use in a subterranean well includes a flow passage formed through a tubular string in the well, a flow region in communication with, and laterally offset relative to, the flow passage, an electrical power generator operative in response to flow of fluid through the flow region and multiple flow restrictors in the flow passage. The flow restrictors are operative to influence at least a portion of the fluid to flow from the flow passage through the flow region.

Abstract: A downhole tool (100) for wellbore operations comprises a substantially tubular member (130) that is operably positionable in the wellbore and a rotation member (110) that is rotatably disposed within the substantially tubular member (130). The rotation member (110) has a passageway (112) through which objects may pass into the wellbore. The rotation member (110) rotates about an axis of rotation (x) that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (y) of the substantially tubular member (130) in response to fluid flow through the passageway (112). The rotation member (110) has magnetic properties such that rotation of the rotation member (110) generates a magnetic field that produces useable power.

Abstract: A mud pulser controlled by a field applied to an electroactive fluid. The electroactive fluid is employed to act as a rapid-response brake to slow or interrupt the rotation of a mud motor or mud siren, thus creating pressure pulses in a circulating fluid. In certain embodiments, the electroactive fluid is used as a direct brake acting on a shaft rotating in a volume of electroactive fluid where the shaft is coupled to the mud motor or siren. The application of a field to the electroactive fluid impedes the rotation of the shaft, thus slowing the mud motor and creating a pressure pulse in the circulating fluid. In another embodiment, a Moineau pump circulating an electroactive fluid is coupled to the mud motor. The application of a field to the electroactive fluid slows the rotation of the pump, thus slowing the mud motor and creating a pressure pulse in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: Magnetorheological fluids, which solidify in response to a magnetic field, offer the ability to simplify many of the valves and control systems used downhole in the search for and production of oil and gas. They lessen the need for moving parts, provide solid-state valves, and can provide a differential movement of fluid through the valves by varying the strength of the magnetic field. Combinations of permanent and electro-magnets can improve safety by providing valves that fail, when power is lost, in either an open or closed position, depending on design. A number of examples are given.