Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating in a tubular system (20) through a media (65) disposed therein and actuating a controllable device (58) are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a transmission apparatus (16) at a transmission node that is in communication with the media (65). The transmission apparatus (16) generates pressure impulses that are propagated through the media (65). The pressure impulses may be either positive or negative pressure impulses depending upon the selected transmission apparatus. The pressure impulses are detected by a reception apparatus (77) at a reception node. The detection apparatus may detect the pressure impulses as variation in the media (65) or as variation in the tubular system (20) caused by the pressure impulses. Once the detection apparatus (77) has detected the appropriate pressure impulse or pattern of pressure impulses, a signal may be generated to actuate the controllable device (58).

Abstract: An optical power distribution system and method permits multiple power consuming devices to be selectively supplied with power using a single fiber optic line. In a described embodiment, multiple electrical power consuming well tools are interconnected to a fiber optic line extending into a well. Control modules are interconnected between the fiber optic line and the well tools. When a particular optical wavelength band is transmitted through the fiber optic line, a corresponding one of the control modules causes the respective well tool to be selected for electrical power to be supplied thereto.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an apparatus for fiber optic tomographic analysis and imaging of fluids. This invention includes a method for providing information on downhole fluid flowing in a hydrocarbon well, utilizing at least one downhole tomograph chamber (10). Light is introduced into the tomograph chamber (10) by an optical fiber bundle (24), and portions of the light are collected in other optical fiber bundles (32, 34). The collected portions of light are conveyed through the optical fiber bundles (32, 34) to a surface system (14), where the light is detected to produce signals proportional to the portions of light to provide information on optical properties of downhole fluid flowing in the well. This invention allows the generation of two or three dimensional images of multiple phase flow in the wellbore and allows determination of production parameters of multiple zones on an individual zone basis.

Abstract: An early formation evaluation tool is provided which includes formation fluid sampling capabilities. In one disclosed embodiment, fluid pressure in a drill string in which the tool is interconnected is utilized to operate packers of the tool and to operate fluid samplers of the tool. To successively control actuation of the samplers, a ratchet mechanism responsive to altering fluid pressures in the drill string aligns a piercing member with a series of frangible pressure barriers associated with the samplers.

Abstract: An early formation evaluation tool is provided which includes formation fluid sampling capabilities. In one disclosed embodiment, fluid pressure in a drill string in which the tool is interconnected is utilized to operate packers of the tool and to operate fluid samplers of the tool. To successively control actuation of the samplers, a ratchet mechanism responsive to altering fluid pressures in the drill string aligns a piercing member with a series of frangible pressure barriers associated with the samplers.

Abstract: An early formation evaluation tool is provided which includes formation fluid sampling capabilities. In one embodiment, fluid pressure in a drill string in which the tool is interconnected is utilized to operate packers of the tool and to operate fluid samplers of the tool. To successively control actuation of the samplers, a ratchet mechanism responsive to altering fluid pressures in the drill string aligns a piercing member with a series of frangible pressure barriers associated with the samplers.

Abstract: Disclosed are new apparatus and methods for transmitting and enhancing the propagation of acoustic signals through a well tubing while providing a vent port. The apparatus and methods can be used to control subsurface well tools without wire or line connections to the surface.

Abstract: An optic sensor for use in a well is provided. The sensor can be configured to sense downhole conditions, such as temperature, pressure, or stress, either individually or in combination. The optic sensor has a sensor housing that defines a chamber. The sensor housing also defines a region that is responsive to an external force. An optic fiber extends through the housing. The optic fiber has a dielectric boundary that resides within the housing chamber , and has a refractive index variation that provides maximum reflectivity at a central reflectivity wavelength, the central reflectivity wavelength correspondingly shifting with respect to an expansion or contraction of the region. In a further aspect of the invention, the optic fiber has a second dielectric boundary spaced apart from the first dielectric boundary.

Abstract: A formation fluid sampling apparatus (40) for verification of monophasic samples is disclosed. The apparatus (40) comprises a housing (42) having a sampling chamber (48) and a sampling port (50) defined therein. The sampling port (50) is in communication with the sampling chamber (48) and the formation traversed by the wellbore such that formation fluids may be collected in the sampling chamber (48). A temperature monitoring device (52) monitors the temperature of the formation fluids collected in the sampling chamber (48). A temperature recorder (46) that is operatively connected to the temperature monitoring device (52) is used to record the temperature fluctuations of the formation fluids in the sampling chamber (48) to determine whether the formation fluids undergo phase change degradation during collection of the fluid sample and retrieval of the formation fluid sampling apparatus (40) from the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling downhole fluids comprising a tool (36) attached to a connector (34) that is locked into position within a pipe section (32) is disclosed. The pipe section (32) has a longitudinal slot (62) with first and second sides (78, 80). The pipe section (32) also includes a transverse slot (64) that extends perpendicularly from the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) and a hole (66) that extends perpendicularly from the second side (80) of the longitudinal slot (62). The connector (34) is inserted into the hole (66) such that the connector (34) may be rotated between an insertion position and an operating position. The connector head (100) of the connector (34) is closely received within the longitudinal slot (62) such that when the connector (34) is in the operating position, the connector head (100) contacts the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) to lock the connector (34) within the pipe section (32).

Abstract: Apparatus including a releasable lock is provided. In a described embodiment, a valve assembly includes a ball valve, a piston, and a releasable lock. The releasable lock prevents operation of the ball valve until a predetermined fluid pressure is applied to the exterior of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electromagnetic and acoustic signal repeater (34) for communicating information between surface equipment and downhole equipment and a method for use of the repeater (34) is disclosed. The repeater (34) comprises an electromagnetic receiver (48) and an acoustic receiver (49) for respectively receiving and transforming electromagnetic input signals (46) and acoustic input signals into electrical signals that are processed and amplified by an electronics package (50) that generates an electrical output signal that is forwarded to an electromagnetic transmitter (52) and an acoustic transmitter (51) for respectively generating an electromagnetic output signal (53) that is radiated into the earth and an acoustic output signal that is acoustically transmitted.

Abstract: A circulating valve and associated methods of servicing a well provide reliable operation, economical manufacture, and convenient maintenance in the circulating valve which is responsive to flow of fluid therethrough, and increased versatility in well servicing operations utilizing the valve. In a preferred embodiment, a circulating valve includes an upper case having a reverse circulating port formed radially therethrough, a circulating case having a circulating port formed radially therethrough, a lower adapter, a mandrel having a flow port formed radially therethrough, a biasing member, a ratchet, an inner sleeve, and a one-way flow restrictor carried on the mandrel. In an open configuration, fluid communication is permitted between the flow and circulating ports, and between the reverse circulating port and the flow restrictor. In a closed configuration, fluid communication is not permitted radially through the valve.

Abstract: A well tool and method are provided for evaluating a subterranean formation through an exposed formation surface, such as the wall of a newly drilled well bore. The tool has a tubular main housing that is connectable into a well work string. A probe and a scraper are extendible from the main housing in response to a first signal of a signal set transmitted from the surface. The probe and the scraper are returnable to the main housing in response to a second signal set transmitted from the surface. The probe provides an isolated fluid conduit from the formation surface to a sensor for measuring a condition in the well. The scraper is for removing debris and for smoothing the formation surface, thereby helping to establish a sealed engagement of the probe to the formation surface. The tool can also be provided with a sampling vessel for taking samples of formation fluids obtained via the isolated fluid conduit in the probe.

Abstract: A formation testing apparatus and associated methods provide efficient and convenient evaluation of formations. In a described embodiment, a formation testing apparatus has a pair of relatively closely spaced apart inflatable packer elements exteriorly disposed thereon. When positioned opposite a formation, the packer elements are inflated to substantially isolate a volume of the wellbore adjacent the formation. With the packer elements inflated and sealingly engaging the formation, the elements are alternately further inflated and partially deflated to thereby alternately expand and compress the volume therebetween. The volume is in fluid communication with an interior fluid passage of the apparatus, and the alternate expansion and compression of the volume results in fluid being pumped through the fluid passage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling downhole fluids comprising a tool (36) attached to a connector (34) that is locked into position within a pipe section (32) is disclosed. The pipe section (32) has a longitudinal slot (62) with first and second sides (78, 80). The pipe section (32) also includes a transverse slot (64) that extends perpendicularly from the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) and a hole (66) that extends perpendicularly from the second side (80) of the longitudinal slot (62). The connector (34) is inserted into the hole (66) such that the connector (34) may be rotated between an insertion position and an operating position. The connector head (100) of the connector (34) is closely received within the longitudinal slot (62) such that when the connector (34) is in the operating position, the connector head (100) contacts the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) to lock the connector (34) within the pipe section (32).

Abstract: A downhole current generator generates power in a wellbore and includes a power section and an generator section. The power section has a sleeve slidably disposed within a housing which oscillates in response to the application of fluid pressure to the current generator. A piston is slidably attached to the sleeve and oscillates relative to the sleeve and the housing. The piston extends longitudinally into an generator section and has a plurality of magnets attached thereto which oscillate with the piston. Wire coil sections are fixed relative to the housing of the generator section and are positioned between the oscillating magnets such that a current is induced in the wire coil sections upon oscillation of the magnets.

Abstract: A downhole tool for early formation evaluation is disclosed. The tool comprising a housing having a fluid passageway and a mandrel having an interior volume. The mandrel is slidably disposed within the housing and has a plurality of axial positions relative to the housing. The mandrel is slidably operated responsive to the fluid pressure within the interior volume such that the mandrel cycles through said plurality of positions. A retractor sleeve is operably associated with the housing and the mandrel for engaging the mandrel and slidably urging the mandrel relative to the housing. The retractor sleeve is slidably operated responsive to the fluid pressure within the interior volume. A seal assembly is slidably disposed around the housing. The seal assembly includes a floating piston.

Abstract: An automatic downhole pump assembly comprising a housing, a sleeve slidably disposed within the housing, a piston defining an interior volume, the piston slidably disposed within the sleeve and within the housing such that a fluid pressure within the interior volume causes the sleeve to oscillate relative to the housing and causes the piston to oscillate relative to the sleeve and the housing, and a pump which is operably associated with the piston such that fluid is pumped through the pump assembly as the piston oscillates relative to the housing.

Abstract: A formation testing system provides the ability to reliably and repeatedly perform tests, such as drawdown tests, on closely spaced apart formations intersected by subterranean wellbores without relying on absolute fluid pressure for actuation thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a formation testing system is alternately configured for normal drilling operations or for fluid sampling operations by applying preselected differential pressures to the system. In a representatively illustrated preferred embodiment, a formation testing system has opposing pistons which cooperate with uniquely configured ratchet mechanisms to change the system's configuration in response to changes in differential pressure applied thereto.