Abstract: In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F?) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.

Abstract: In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F?) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

Abstract: A method of identifying a connectivity characteristic structure in a network provided between a plurality of nodes in a network comprises the steps of acquiring node information detailing for each port of each node a connection characteristic of that port; collating for at least a plurality of nodes forming a plurality of trails in the network each node's respective acquired node information to form a set of connection characteristics; and analyzing the set of connection characteristics to determine a set of at least one rule describing a connectivity characteristic structure of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F?) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.

Abstract: In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F?) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for investigating downhole conditions are described. One method comprises inserting a tubular into a wellbore, the tubular comprising a tubular section having upper and lower fluid injection ports, and having a thermally insulated fiber optic cable section positioned inside the tubular extending to the upper fluid injection port, and a non-insulated fiber optic cable section positioned outside of the tubular section and extending at least between the upper and lower fluid injection ports; positioning the tubular section having upper and lower fluid injection ports near a suspected thief or pay zone; injecting a fluid through the upper fluid injection port; determining a first differential temperature profile between the upper and lower fluid injection ports; injecting a fluid through the lower fluid injection port; and determining a second differential temperature profile at least between the upper and lower fluid injection ports.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for investigating downhole conditions are described. One method comprises inserting a tubular into a wellbore, the tubular comprising a tubular section having upper and lower fluid injection ports, and having a thermally insulated fiber optic cable section positioned inside the tubular extending to the upper fluid injection port, and a non-insulated fiber optic cable section positioned outside of the tubular section and extending at least between the upper and lower fluid injection ports; positioning the tubular section having upper and lower fluid injection ports near a suspected thief or pay zone; injecting a fluid through the upper fluid injection port; determining a first differential temperature profile between the upper and lower fluid injection ports; injecting a fluid through the lower fluid injection port; and determining a second differential temperature profile at least between the upper and lower fluid injection ports.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a communications network generates a total value figure, using a store of value information. The system can identify which of the monitored flows of traffic rely on a given one or more of the components of the network, and generate a total value of all the identified flows. This type of value information can be easier for network operators to interpret because the information is more direct, and more explicit. Also, many specific rules/warnings about reconfigurations need not be provided. Values can be sent to remote field workers, or used for network configuration, network planning, and financial reporting.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method of controlling a multi-layer transport network. In accordance with the invention a determination is made as to whether a connection supporting a performance requirement of a call can be established within a first layer of the network. If the connection cannot be established, an association is defined between the call and a second call instantiated within a respective server layer of the network. By this means a network call controller in a client layer relies on a call and connection in a server layer instead of a connection in the client layer.

Abstract: Communications trails on a network can be provisioned by users using a trail manager. In a hierarchically-layered connection-management domain, when a trial (50) between trial termination points having respective adaptation capabilities is provisioned, client links (52,54,56) within the intersection of those adaptation capabilities are created. Further trails may then be provisioned in channels within those client links. Channel usage information (58,60,62) within the client links is recorded to indicate current channel usage and this information is updated by the trail manager whenever a trial using a channel is added or deleted. In a hierarchically-layered domain, channels within client-links corresponding to different adaptation capabilities, such as different data rates, may overlap and so when channel-usage information in one client link is updated, channel-usage information in other client links is also considered and updated as appropriate.

Abstract: A user is registered as a visitor to a site having one or more visitor destinations. After registration, the user is allowed to send and receive data relating to one or more of the visitor destinations (104) over a communications network (115). For example, a registered user may book an appointment at one of the destinations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a communications network generates a total value figure, using a store of value information. The system can identify which of the monitored flows of traffic rely on a given one or more of the components of the network, and generate a total value of all the identified flows. This type of value information can be easier for network operators to interpret because the information is more direct, and more explicit. Also, many specific rules/warnings about reconfigurations need not be provided. Values can be sent to remote field workers, or used for network configuration, network planning, and financial reporting.

Abstract: A settable thixotropic material comprises a thixotrope and a settable substance, the material being capable of gelling reversibly in a gelling time of less than 60 seconds. The thixotrope conveniently comprises a fine grained clay, especially smectite clays, e.g. hectorites. It is preferred to use synthetic smectite type clay colloids, and goods results have been obtained with the synthetic clay known as Laponite RDS. The settable material conveniently comprises cement, particularly Portland cement. The thixotropic material finds use generally in oilwell applications, e.g. to plug lost circulation zones, to repair damaged or corroded casing, as grouts, and to limit annular gas migration. The material also finds particular application in techniques for completion of horizontal wells completed with slotted or pre-drilled liners.

Abstract: A CO2-foamable gelling composition and use of said composition for conformance control operations are described The gelling fluid comprises a decomposing agent to counteract the detrimental effect of CO2 on the gelling process.

Abstract: In the horizontal parts of deviated wells arranged within a producing formation, good communication between the formation and the wellbore liner is required, and this may be achieved by using a slotted or perforated liner in the horizontal section without any cementing to bond the liner to the wellbore. However, problems can arise if it is desired to work selectively in a zone in the horizontal section, since with a perforate liner there is no way of isolating the zone from the remainder of the well by using internal packers. This problem can be overcome by providing packers around the outside of the liner, this then allows packers inside the liner to be used to isolate a portion of the well. However, these external casing packers must be sealed against the wellbore, they must be positioned in advance, and they substantially increase the cost of the completion.

Abstract: A portable or fold away workbench comprises a pair of elongate vise members which are supported from below and which are relatively movable towards and away from one another and a tool tray forming part of, or being attached to, one of the vice members. The tool tray includes a well for storing relatively large tools and a plurality of depressions, which are shallower than the well, for storing relatively small tools.

Abstract: An additive for a water-based fluid which is to be used when the likelihood of differential sticking is high and which reduces the sticking tendency of the fluid and mud cake. An additive according to the invention comprises a well dispersed-particulate phase such as an emulsion, a fine emulsion, a microemulsion, a micellar phase or a polymeric phase having a particle size comparable with the pore throat size of a mud cake and comprising a material which forms easily deformable particles and which reduces the sticking propensity of the mud. One embodiment of the invention comprises a microemulsion of an oil which is well dispersed, substantially stable and has a substantial portion of the particle size distribution in the range 5-500 nm. An alternative embodiment comprises a micellar phase comprising one or more surfactants. The additive is typically used at a level of about 5% by volume in the drilling fluid.