Abstract: A pressure responsive downhole tool comprises a power piston pressure relief valve that is selectively activated and deactivated to allow pressure-related operations to be conducted. The pressure relief valve will not open until the power piston is activated, which also requires the operating element (ball valve, for example) to be opened, thereby avoided situations in which the ball valve is inadvertently placed in the Lock Open position.

Abstract: A system and method to determine and adjust positioning of a subsea test tree (“SSTT”) within a blowout preventer (“BOP”), the system including an SSTT, at least one sensing mechanisms to detect the position of one or more BOP rams and a fluted hanger. Once the assembly is deployed, the ram positions are detected and the position of the fluted hanger is adjusted while deployed to accordingly adjust the spacing between the SSTT and the fluted hanger, thereby eliminating the need of a dummy run. Another system and method improves a dummy run by providing a lightweight joint and dummy hanger deployed on a line (e.g., wireline, slickline, etc.). Through the use of a line and the lightweight of the joint and dummy hanger, the dummy run operation is conducted quickly and efficiently.

Abstract: An assembly and method to repeatedly set and isolate multiple sections along a zone of interest in a single downhole trip is disclosed. The assembly includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe adapted to telescope along the outer pipe. After a first section of a zone of interest is isolated, the inner pipe may be telescoped up along the outer pipe, and then set to isolate a second section above the first section. This process may be repeated as desired to stimulate and/or test each desired section along a zone of interest. Once the inner pipe is completely telescoped inside the outer pipe, the inner pipe may be disconnected from the outer pipe via use of a disconnect assembly.

Abstract: A rotationally activated downhole well valve for connection in a tubing string is disclosed that can be repeatedly opened and closed selectively to place the tubing string in communication with the annulus. The valve is moved between the closed position and the open position by rotating the string in the first direction.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features of the present invention are directed to a safety joint that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The safety joint can include a body configured to be disposed in the wellbore, a primary retention mechanism, a secondary retention mechanism, and a time delay mechanism. The primary retention mechanism can be coupled to the body and can prevent the actuation of the safety joint. The secondary retention mechanism can be coupled to the body and can prevent the actuation of the safety joint in response to the primary retention mechanism allowing the actuation of the safety joint. The time delay mechanism can generate a time delay between the primary retention mechanism allowing the actuation of the safety joint and the secondary retention mechanism preventing the actuation of the safety joint.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recirculation safety valve is disclosed. The valve has a tubular body with mandrel that is axially shifted in response to annulus pressure. Shifting of the mandrel can either close a safety valve or close a safety valve and open a recirculation port. The valve has an annular actuation chamber that relieves that pressure to prevent inadvertent shifting of the mandrel.

Abstract: A system for mixing a formation fluid sample obtained in a downhole sampling chamber. The system includes a mixing element disposed in the downhole sampling chamber. A support stand is operable to receive the downhole sampling chamber. A magnetic field generator is operably associated with the downhole sampling chamber such that when the magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field, the mixing element moves through the formation fluid sample responsive to the magnetic field, thereby mixing the formation fluid sample.

Abstract: A method of mixing a formation fluid sample obtained in a downhole sampling chamber. The method includes positioning the downhole sampling chamber having a longitudinal axis in a rotary stand and rotating the downhole sampling chamber generally about the longitudinal axis. The method also includes imparting angular momentum to the formation fluid sample in the downhole sampling chamber, thereby mixing the formation fluid sample.

Abstract: An assembly capable of being disposed in a subterranean bore for obtaining a fluid sample is described. The assembly can include an apparatus having a sample chamber and a housing encasing the sample chamber and providing a pressure source. The pressure source can be disposed of in an annulus defined by the sample chamber and the housing. The assembly can be attached to a slick line or wire line and conveyed into a wellbore.

Abstract: A ball valve includes a first ball clamping assembly that defines a first seat surface in contact with an exterior of the ball. A second ball clamping assembly defines a second, sealing seat surface in contact with and adapted to seal with the exterior of the ball. The second ball clamping assembly is coupled to the first ball clamping assembly to clamp the ball between the first and second seat surfaces. The second ball clamping assembly includes a seat ring holder and a seat ring carried by the seat ring holder. The seat ring of the second ball clamping assembly has a sealing seat surface. A springing member is provided between the seat ring and the seat ring holder and springingly biases the seat ring toward the ball. The seat ring holder has a shoulder that supports the seat ring against fully compressing the springing member.

Abstract: A downhole tester valve (100) includes a housing assembly (106) and a mandrel assembly (172, 174) that define therebetween an operating fluid chamber (176), a biasing fluid chamber (184) and a power fluid chamber (180). A valve assembly (126) disposed within the housing assembly (106) is operable between open and closed positions. A piston assembly (146) is operably associated with the valve assembly (126) such that annulus pressure entering the power fluid chamber (180) pressurizes operating fluid in the operating fluid chamber (176) which acts on the piston assembly (146) to shift the valve assembly (126) from the closed position to the open position and such that predetermined travel of the piston assembly (146) opens a bypass passageway (162) for the pressurized operating fluid to charge biasing fluid in the biasing fluid chamber (184), thereby enabling closure of the valve assembly (126) upon reducing annulus pressure by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotationally activated downhole well valve for connection in a tubing string is disclosed that can be repeatedly opened and closed selectively to place the tubing string in communication with the annulus. The valve is moved between the closed position and the open position by rotating the string in the first direction. In another embodiment, the valve is opened and closed by rotating the string in the first direction and is reset in the closed position by lifting and lowering the tubing string.

Abstract: A downhole tester valve (100) includes a housing assembly (106) and a mandrel assembly (172, 174) that define therebetween an operating fluid chamber (176), a biasing fluid chamber (184) and a power fluid chamber (180). A valve assembly (126) disposed within the housing assembly (106) is operable between open and closed positions. A piston assembly (146) is operably associated with the valve assembly (126) such that annulus pressure entering the power fluid chamber (180) pressurizes operating fluid in the operating fluid chamber (176) which acts on the piston assembly (146) to shift the valve assembly (126) from the closed position to the open position and such that predetermined travel of the piston assembly (146) opens a bypass passageway (162) for the pressurized operating fluid to charge biasing fluid in the biasing fluid chamber (184), thereby enabling closure of the valve assembly (126) upon reducing annulus pressure by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotationally activated downhole well valve for connection in a tubing string is disclosed that can be repeatedly opened and closed selectively to place the tubing string in communication with the annulus. The valve is moved between the closed position and the open position by rotating the string in the first direction.

Abstract: A downhole tool has a housing assembly with an interior and an exterior. A sensor is disposed to the interior of the housing assembly. The sensor is operable to obtain data relative to a fluid parameter of a fluid disposed within the interior of the housing assembly and operable to wirelessly transmit the data to a data acquisition device disposed to the exterior of the housing assembly responsive to interrogation by the data acquisition device.

Abstract: A method of mixing a formation fluid sample obtained in a downhole sampling chamber. The method includes positioning the downhole sampling chamber having a longitudinal axis in a rotary stand and rotating the downhole sampling chamber generally about the longitudinal axis. The method also includes imparting angular momentum to the formation fluid sample in the downhole sampling chamber, thereby mixing the formation fluid sample.

Abstract: A system for mixing a formation fluid sample obtained in a downhole sampling chamber. The system includes a mixing element disposed in the downhole sampling chamber. A support stand is operable to receive the downhole sampling chamber. A magnetic field generator is operably associated with the downhole sampling chamber such that when the magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field, the mixing element moves through the formation fluid sample responsive to the magnetic field, thereby mixing the formation fluid sample.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean well (14). The apparatus (10) includes a wireline conveyance (22) and a fluid sampler (12) supported by and positioned with the wireline conveyance (22) in the well (14). The fluid sampler (12) includes an actuator (24) operable to establish a fluid communication path between an exterior and an interior of the fluid sampler (12), a plurality of sampling chambers (26) operable to receive fluid samples therein and a self-contained pressure source (28) in fluid communication with the sampling chambers (26) operable to pressurize the fluid samples obtained in the sampling chambers (26) to a pressure above saturation pressure, thereby preventing phase change degradation for the fluid samples during retrieval of the fluid sampler (12) to the surface.

Abstract: A ball valve includes a first ball clamping assembly that defines a first seat surface in contact with an exterior of the ball. A second ball clamping assembly defines a second, sealing seat surface in contact with and adapted to seal with the exterior of the ball. The second ball clamping assembly is coupled to the first ball clamping assembly to clamp the ball between the first and second seat surfaces. The second ball clamping assembly includes a seat ring holder and a seat ring carried by the seat ring holder. The seat ring of the second ball clamping assembly has a sealing seat surface. A springing member is provided between the seat ring and the seat ring holder and springingly biases the seat ring toward the ball. The seat ring holder has a shoulder that supports the seat ring against fully compressing the springing member.

Abstract: An assembly capable of being disposed in a subterranean bore for obtaining a fluid sample is described. The assembly can include an apparatus having a sample chamber and a housing encasing the sample chamber and providing a pressure source. The pressure source can be disposed of in an annulus defined by the sample chamber and the housing. The assembly can be attached to a slick line or wire line and conveyed into a wellbore.