Abstract: A downhole tester valve disposed below an isolation member in a test string may facilitate a shut-in drill stem test procedure. The positioning of the tester valve allows the tester valve to remain in a static location when the test string above the isolation member expands or contracts. The volume of a wellbore interval below the isolation member may remain constant and pressure readings over the duration of a shut-in DST test period may effectively be monitored. The tester valve is operatively associated with a communication unit that permits selective activation of the tester valve from across the isolation member, and in some example embodiments, an actuator for operating the tester valve is also is also operable to set the isolation member in the wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole well device for positioning within a well having a fluid, comprising an outer casing comprising a port, an inner casing at least partially located within the outer casing, seals between the inner casing and the outer casing, a rupture disk located in the port, a substance located in a space between the rupture disk and the inner casing, wherein the substance is exothermically reactive with the fluid, and a sensor configured to detect an exothermic reaction within the chamber.

Abstract: A downhole tester valve disposed below an isolation member in a test string may facilitate a shut-in drill stem test procedure. The positioning of the tester valve allows the tester valve to remain in a static location when the test string above the isolation member expands or contracts. The volume of a wellbore interval below the isolation member may remain constant and pressure readings over the duration of a shut-in DST test period may effectively be monitored. The tester valve is operatively associated with a communication unit that permits selective activation of the tester valve from across the isolation member, and in some example embodiments, an actuator for operating the tester valve is also is also operable to set the isolation member in the wellbore.

Abstract: A position determination system and a method for position detection within a wellbore are disclosed. A radioactive tag may be disposed within the wellbore. One or more scintillating optical fibers may be longitudinally disposed along a drill string, wireline, or the like, and run into the wellbore. A detector system is coupled to the optical fiber(s). A scintillating optical fiber emits short, bright flashes of visible light whenever exposed to the gamma radiation. When a scintillating flash is measured, it may be determined that the optical fiber is located within proximity to the radioactive tag. The amplitude of received pulses may be used to estimate where in the optical fiber scintillating events are occurring. By providing a second optical fiber coupled to a scintillating optical fiber, a time delay between received pulses may be used to indicate where along the scintillating optical fiber scintillation events are occurring.

Abstract: A downhole well device for positioning within a well having a fluid, comprising an outer casing comprising a port, an inner casing at least partially located within the outer casing, seals between the inner casing and the outer casing, a rupture disk located in the port, a substance located in a space between the rupture disk and the inner casing, wherein the substance is exothermically reactive with the fluid, and a sensor configured to detect an exothermic reaction within the chamber.

Abstract: A position determination system and a method for position detection within a wellbore are disclosed. A radioactive tag may be disposed within the wellbore. One or more scintillating optical fibers may be longitudinally disposed along a drill string, wireline, or the like, and run into the wellbore. A detector system is coupled to the optical fiber(s). A scintillating optical fiber emits short, bright flashes of visible light whenever exposed to the gamma radiation. When a scintillating flash is measured, it may be determined that the optical fiber is located within proximity to the radioactive tag. The amplitude of received pulses may be used to estimate where in the optical fiber scintillating events are occurring. By providing a second optical fiber coupled to a scintillating optical fiber, a time delay between received pulses may be used to indicate where along the scintillating optical fiber scintillation events are occurring.

Abstract: A packer deactivation system can include a packer and a safety joint. Activation of the safety joint can prevent setting of the packer. A method for use with a subterranean well can include activating a safety joint in the well, and deactivating a packer connected to the safety joint, in response to the safety joint activating. Another packer deactivation system can include a safety joint and a packer drag block locking mechanism. Activation of the safety joint can operate the drag block locking mechanism, thereby preventing a drag block from displacing in a certain direction relative to a mandrel of a packer.

Abstract: A method of supporting a pressure bearing wall against a pressure differential applied across the wall can include positioning a support structure proximate the pressure bearing wall, the support structure having a support surface formed thereon, and the support surface contacting the pressure bearing wall and supporting the wall against the pressure differential. A pressure bearing housing assembly can include a pressure bearing wall and a support structure which supports the pressure bearing wall against a pressure differential applied across the wall. A well system can comprise a well tool including a pressure bearing housing assembly exposed to pressure in a wellbore, whereby a pressure differential is applied across a pressure bearing wall of the housing assembly, the pressure bearing wall being supported against the pressure differential by a support structure.

Abstract: A packer deactivation system can include a packer and a safety joint. Activation of the safety joint can prevent setting of the packer. A method for use with a subterranean well can include activating a safety joint in the well, and deactivating a packer connected to the safety joint, in response to the safety joint activating. Another packer deactivation system can include a safety joint and a packer drag block locking mechanism. Activation of the safety joint can operate the drag block locking mechanism, thereby preventing a drag block from displacing in a certain direction relative to a mandrel of a packer.

Abstract: A packer deactivation system can include a packer and a safety joint. Activation of the safety joint can prevent setting of the packer. A method for use with a subterranean well can include activating a safety joint in the well, and deactivating a packer connected to the safety joint, in response to the safety joint activating. Another packer deactivation system can include a safety joint and a packer drag block locking mechanism. Activation of the safety joint can operate the drag block locking mechanism, thereby preventing a drag block from displacing in a certain direction relative to a mandrel of a packer.

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: A safety joint for use in a subterranean well can include separable portions which, when separated, disconnect sections of a tubular string. Elongation of the safety joint can be permitted while longitudinal compression of the safety joint is prevented. A method of activating a safety joint in a subterranean well can include providing the safety joint with portions having end connectors which interconnect the safety joint between sections of a tubular string, permitting elongation of the safety joint, thereby facilitating disconnection of the tubular string sections, and then preventing longitudinal compression of the safety joint. Another safety joint can include separable portions, and a locking device which permits relative displacement between a generally tubular mandrel and a component of the safety joint in one direction, and prevents relative displacement between the mandrel and the component in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A method of releasing a safety joint in a subterranean well can include disconnecting a tubular string at the safety joint without rotation of the tubular string. A safety joint for use in a subterranean well can include sections which are separated from each other in response to a predetermined number of relative longitudinal and non-rotational displacements between the safety joint sections. Another method of releasing a safety joint in a subterranean well can include fully actuating a jar multiple times, the jar being interconnected in a same tubular string with the safety joint, and then disconnecting the tubular string at the safety joint in response to non-rotational displacement of the tubular string.

Abstract: A tubular string testing system for use with a tubular string having a longitudinally extending flow passage can include a valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of the flow passage, a bypass passage which provides fluid communication between the sections of the flow passage when the valve is closed, and a filter which filters fluid that flows through the bypass passage. A method of testing a tubular string can include permitting fluid to flow through a bypass passage which connects sections of a flow passage extending longitudinally through the tubular string, a filter filtering the fluid which flows through the bypass passage, a valve of a tubular string testing system preventing flow of the fluid between the sections of the flow passage through the valve, and flow through the bypass passage being prevented in response to a predetermined pressure differential being created across the filter.

Abstract: A safety joint for use in a subterranean well can include separable portions which, when separated, disconnect sections of a tubular string. Elongation of the safety joint can be permitted while longitudinal compression of the safety joint is prevented. A method of activating a safety joint in a subterranean well can include providing the safety joint with portions having end connectors which interconnect the safety joint between sections of a tubular string, permitting elongation of the safety joint, thereby facilitating disconnection of the tubular string sections, and then preventing longitudinal compression of the safety joint. Another safety joint can include separable portions, and a locking device which permits relative displacement between a generally tubular mandrel and a component of the safety joint in one direction, and prevents relative displacement between the mandrel and the component in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A tubular string testing system for use with a tubular string having a longitudinally extending flow passage can include a valve which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between sections of the flow passage, a bypass passage which provides fluid communication between the sections of the flow passage when the valve is closed, and a filter which filters fluid that flows through the bypass passage. A method of testing a tubular string can include permitting fluid to flow through a bypass passage which connects sections of a flow passage extending longitudinally through the tubular string, a filter filtering the fluid which flows through the bypass passage, a valve of a tubular string testing system preventing flow of the fluid between the sections of the flow passage through the valve, and flow through the bypass passage being prevented in response to a predetermined pressure differential being created across the filter.

Abstract: A safety joint for use in a subterranean well can include separable portions which, when separated, disconnect sections of a tubular string. Elongation of the safety joint can be permitted while longitudinal compression of the safety joint is prevented. A method of activating a safety joint in a subterranean well can include providing the safety joint with portions having end connectors which interconnect the safety joint between sections of a tubular string, permitting elongation of the safety joint, thereby facilitating disconnection of the tubular string sections, and then preventing longitudinal compression of the safety joint. Another safety joint can include separable portions, and a locking device which permits relative displacement between a generally tubular mandrel and a component of the safety joint in one direction, and prevents relative displacement between the mandrel and the component in an opposite direction.

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: 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: A safety joint for use in a subterranean well can include separable portions which, when separated, disconnect sections of a tubular string. Elongation of the safety joint can be permitted while longitudinal compression of the safety joint is prevented. A method of activating a safety joint in a subterranean well can include providing the safety joint with portions having end connectors which interconnect the safety joint between sections of a tubular string, permitting elongation of the safety joint, thereby facilitating disconnection of the tubular string sections, and then preventing longitudinal compression of the safety joint. Another safety joint can include separable portions, and a locking device which permits relative displacement between a generally tubular mandrel and a component of the safety joint in one direction, and prevents relative displacement between the mandrel and the component in an opposite direction.