Abstract: A downhole distributor valve includes a housing that includes a housing fluid port therethrough, a mandrel that defines a bore and is positioned radially within the housing, and a fluid chamber radially defined between the housing and the mandrel and configured to contain a fluid at a particular pressure. The mandrel includes a mandrel fluid port therethrough. The mandrel is moveable from a first position with the bore fluidly decoupled from the housing fluid port to a second position with the bore fluidly coupled with the housing fluid port through the mandrel fluid port. The mandrel is moveable based on a hydrostatic pressure in the bore greater than the particular pressure of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A downhole distributor valve includes a housing that includes a housing fluid port therethrough, a mandrel that defines a bore and is positioned radially within the housing, and a fluid chamber radially defined between the housing and the mandrel and configured to contain a fluid at a particular pressure. The mandrel includes a mandrel fluid port therethrough. The mandrel is moveable from a first position with the bore fluidly decoupled from the housing fluid port to a second position with the bore fluidly coupled with the housing fluid port through the mandrel fluid port. The mandrel is moveable based on a hydrostatic pressure in the bore greater than the particular pressure of the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A drill string tool has a control mechanism to switch the tool between an inactive condition and an active condition in response to operator-performance of a predefined trigger sequence comprising variations in a drilling fluid pressure differential. The trigger sequence comprises multiple cycles of (a) raising the predefined trigger sequence into, but not above, a predefined pressure range, and (b) lowering the predefined trigger sequence below a lower threshold of the pressure range. Raising of the pressure difference above an upper pressure range threshold results in automatic interruption and resetting of the predefined trigger sequence.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. An acoustic signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The acoustic signal is perceived with a transceiver communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly and thereby activates a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The assembly is introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. A trigger signal is them transmitted with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool to actuate the at least one downhole tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: A drill string tool has a control mechanism to switch the tool between an inactive condition and an active condition in response to operator-performance of a predefined trigger sequence comprising variations in a drilling fluid pressure differential. The trigger sequence comprises multiple cycles of (a) raising the predefined trigger sequence into, but not above, a predefined pressure range, and (b) lowering the predefined trigger sequence below a lower threshold of the pressure range. Raising of the pressure difference above an upper pressure range threshold results in automatic interruption and resetting of the predefined trigger sequence.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. An acoustic signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The acoustic signal is perceived with a transceiver communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly and thereby activates a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The assembly is introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. A trigger signal is them transmitted with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool to actuate the at least one downhole tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly, communicating a signal to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator, the signal being configured to activate a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly, introducing the assembly into the wellbore and advancing the assembly until reaching a target depth, and transmitting a trigger signal with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool and thereby actuating the at least one downhole tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use of an electronic pressure gauge at high temperatures is presented. An electronic pressure sensor is exposed to wellbore pressure at a location having high-temperatures. A pressurized fluid, preferably a refrigerant, is flowed into a chamber proximate the pressure sensor and cools it sufficiently to preclude damage from the high wellbore temperatures. Preferably, the pressurized fluid is expanded, from liquid to gaseous phase, in the chamber. In another method, an electronic pressure gauge is positioned uphole, where temperature is not expected to damage the sensor, and a pressure chamber is positioned downhole at a location where pressure is to be sensed. The pressure chamber communicates downhole pressure to the uphole pressure gauge by way of a pressure conduit filled with pressurized fluid, such as an inert gas. The system is isolated from pressure during run-in by a temporary pressure isolation device such as a rupture disk.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree. The assembly includes at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. A signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly before the assembly is introduced into the wellbore, the signal being configured to activate a timer. The assembly is then introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. At the target depth, a trigger signal is transmitted to the at least one downhole tool using the signal receiver subassembly, the trigger signal being configured to initiate actuation of the at least one downhole tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a “disappearing” perforator gun assembly. In a preferred method of perforating a well casing, inserted into the well casing is a tubing conveyed perforator having an outer tubular made from a metallic glass alloy having high strength and low impact resistance. An inner structure is positioned within the outer tubular and holds one or more explosive charges. Upon detonating the explosive charges, the outer tubular is fragmented. The inner structure is preferably also substantially destroyed upon detonation of the one or more explosive charges. For example, the inner structure can be made from a combustible material, corrodible, dissolvable, etc., material. A disintegration-enhancing material is optionally positioned between the outer tubular and the inner structure. Additional embodiments are presented having gun housings which dematerialize upon detonation of the charges.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly, communicating a signal to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator, the signal being configured to activate a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly, introducing the assembly into the wellbore and advancing the assembly until reaching a target depth, and transmitting a trigger signal with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool and thereby actuating the at least one downhole tool.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree. The assembly includes at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. A signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly before the assembly is introduced into the wellbore, the signal being configured to activate a timer. The assembly is then introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. At the target depth, a trigger signal is transmitted to the at least one downhole tool using the signal receiver subassembly, the trigger signal being configured to initiate actuation of the at least one downhole tool.

Abstract: A deep water subsea tree completion having a distributed temperature sensing system. In a described embodiment, a method of installing an optical fiber in a well includes the steps of: conveying an optical fiber section into the well; and monitoring a light transmission quality of the optical fiber section while the section is being conveyed into the well.

Abstract: Fiber optic wet connector acceleration protection and tolerance compliance. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system for use in a subterranean well includes two assemblies, each having a fiber optic connector. A biasing device applies a biasing force which maintains the fiber optic connectors operatively connected to each other while the assemblies are secured to each other in the well.

Abstract: A single phase sampling apparatus and method for retrieving a formation fluid sample at or above the bubble point of the sample. The apparatus utilizes a gas charge contained between a sample piston and a charging piston to maintain a formation sample at the desired pressure. The charging piston utilizes the hydrostatic pressure present at the depth of the desired formation sample to compress and therefore increase the gas charge to the appropriate pressure necessary to maintain the formation sample at the desired pressure. The utilization of hydrostatic pressure to increase the pressure of the gas charge allows the use of a low pressure gas charging system to prepare the apparatus prior to sampling, thereby increasing the safety and ease of use of the device.

Abstract: A hydraulic control and actuation system for downhole tools. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic control and actuation system includes an internal chamber serving as a low pressure region and a well annulus serving as an energy source. A valve assembly provides selective fluid communication between alternating opposite sides of a piston and each of the energy source and low pressure region. Displacement of the piston operates a well tool. Operation of the valve assembly is controlled via telemetry between a remote location and an electronic circuit of the system.