Abstract: A centralizer for downhole OCTG having a storage space capable of housing downhole electronics and other downhole devices, compositions and elements is disclosed. The storage space is located within an inner cavity formed in one or more of the blades making up the centralizer. A capsule is provided for protecting the contents of the items being stored within the inner cavity. The capsule may be hermetically sealed to protect the contents from the damaging effects of downhole fluids. Ports may be provided within the capsule to allow downhole electronics to be connected to sensors and other devices and components residing outside of the capsule.

Abstract: A centralizer for downhole OCTG having a storage space capable of housing downhole electronics and other down-hole devices, compositions and elements is disclosed. The storage space is located within an inner cavity formed in one or more of the blades making up the centralizer. A capsule is provided for protecting the contents of the items being stored within the inner cavity. The capsule may be hermetically sealed to protect the contents from the damaging effects of downhole fluids. Ports may be provided within the capsule to allow downhole electronics to be connected to sensors and other devices and components residing outside of the capsule.

Abstract: Reservoir characterization based on observations of displacements at the earth's surface. One method of characterizing a reservoir includes the steps of: detecting a response of the reservoir to a stimulus, the stimulus causing a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the response to the stimulus. The response may be the pressure change which varies periodically over time, or a set of displacements of a surface of the earth. In another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements. In yet another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a change in volume of the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements.

Abstract: Reservoir characterization based on observations of displacements at the earth's surface. One method of characterizing a reservoir includes the steps of: detecting a response of the reservoir to a stimulus, the stimulus causing a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the response to the stimulus. The response may be the pressure change which varies periodically over time, or a set of displacements of a surface of the earth. In another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a pressure change in the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements. In yet another example, a method includes the steps of: detecting a set of displacements of the earth's surface corresponding to a change in volume of the reservoir; and determining a characteristic of the reservoir from the surface displacements.

Abstract: A fiber optic differential pressure sensor. In a described embodiment, a differential pressure sensor system for use in a subterranean well includes a fluid property sensing housing having a flow passage formed therethrough. A differential pressure sensor has an optical fiber extending in a wall having a first side and a second side, each of the first and second sides being exposed to pressure in the flow passage.

Abstract: A sensor includes an optical-to-electrical conversion device that is operable to convert at least a portion of an optical power of an optical signal received by the sensor to electrical power. The sensor also includes a sensing device that is operable to detect one or more state properties of an environment. The sensing device is also operable to generate one or more sensing signals in response to the detected state properties. The sensing device uses at least a portion of the electrical power to detect the one or more state properties. The sensor further includes an optical device that is operable to manipulate one or more optical characteristics of the optical signal based at least in part on the sensing signal. The optical device is also operable to communicate at least a portion of the manipulated optical signal from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for measuring state properties without requiring an internal or proximate power supply. The apparatus provides a sensing device that is responsive to fluctuations in a state property that are encountered within the test zone. Due to the fluctuations experienced by the sensing device, a sensing signal is generated and transmitted to an optical device, such as an interferometer. The sensing signal's affect on the optical device produces an interference pattern that may be detected remotely and correlated to the fluctuation experienced by the sensing device.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

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 fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for determining downhole conditions including a time domain reflectometer (172) that is operable to generate a transmission signal and receive a reflected signal. A tubular (192) is positioned downhole in a downhole medium (214, 216, 218, 220, 222) and a waveguide (186), which is in electrical communication with the time domain reflectometer (172), is operably contacting the downhole (214, 216, 218, 220, 222). The waveguide (186) is operable to propagate the transmission signal and operable to propagate the reflected signal that is generated responsive to an electromagnetic property of the downhole medium (214, 216, 218, 220, 222).

Abstract: A fiber optic differential pressure sensor. In a described embodiment, a differential pressure sensor system for use in a subterranean well includes a fluid property sensing housing having a flow passage formed therethrough. A differential pressure sensor has an optical fiber extending in a wall having a first side and a second side, each of the first and second sides being exposed to pressure in the flow passage.

Abstract: High temperature imaging devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the imaging device comprises an array of photosensitive elements fabricated on an insulator substrate, and an information storage component coupled to the array. The information storage component stores data representing one or more light patterns detected by the array. The light patterns may be images or spectral patterns. The insulator substrate may be a sapphire or spinel substrate. Alternatively, the substrate may be silicon carbide or an insulated silicon substrate. In at least some embodiments, a processor is integrated on the same substrate as the array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for selectively supplying electrical power in a remote environment. The system comprises a plurality of electrical circuits, each designed to operate over a unique frequency passband. Power transmitted within the frequency passband of a circuit is filtered through that circuit to power a corresponding remote device. One or more remote devices can be simultaneously powered by transmitting power within the frequency passbands of the corresponding circuits. It is advantageous to design relatively narrow passbands to accommodate a relatively large number of circuits and corresponding devices for remote operation and a triac, rectifier or other suitable turn-on gate can be incorporated into each circuit to effectively control the width of the frequency passband of each circuit. Alternatively, an operational amplifier could be used.

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.