Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a system and method for an image processing-based approach has been developed for in vivo quantification of tissue and bodyfluid kinematics when certain human movements, physical loads and physiological stresses are experienced. Due to the absence of artificial or physical markers in those tissues or fluids during typical imaging (ultrasound, CT-scan or MRI), a virtual marker displacement and deformation scheme has been developed to measure movement and strain of both tissues and body fluids.

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow from multiple isolated producing zones in a well is provided. Components of the system are placeable in and retrievable from bottom entry side pocket mandrel sections permanently installed in a production tubing string in the well. These components include retrievable isolation valve modules. Control signals for modules are developed either downhole or at the surface and modules may be placed or retrieved through the production tubing without pulling the production tubing from the well. In high flow rate applications the sliding sleeve flow control valve of the present invention provides a variable aperture valve having a fully open cross sectional area equal to that of the production tubing, thereby achieving a minimal pressure drop across the valve.

Abstract: A well control and monitoring system which may be completely installed downhole and run into a cased well borehole or a production tubing string is disclosed. At least one mandrel having a side pocket instrument section having a downwardly facing entry and a wet connector or inductive coupler is placed in the well. A downhole digital processor and sensors are used to monitor tubing and casing fluid pressures and to control variable orifice valves or ESP pumps to control fluid flow to the production tubing from the casing/tubing annulus. The processor is progammable and reprogrammable in-situ.

Abstract: A system for the inspection of a well borehole and the formation around the borehole. The system includes a pair of concentric reeled tubings for injecting a pair of fluids into a wellbore through a wellhead, one of said fluids being an optically transparent or acoustically homogenous fluid which forms a slug of said fluid around an optical sensor which transmits signals indicative of well conditions to the surface. The other of said fluids is used to perform functions with respect to said sensor such as cooling said sensor or protect it from a corrosive environment. In addition, a fiberoptic cable construction in combination with the reel tubing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pressurizing the top of the valve member of a subsurface safety to equalized pressure thereacross and assist in opening the valve. The apparatus includes a chamber filled with fluid under pressure which is admitted in to the space between the apparatus and a valve when landed in the valve to pressurized the valve. A spring loaded prong on the apparatus urges the valve member of the safety valve to open position. A latch is included which will bypass a top landing nipple and land in a second landing nipple. The subsurface safety valve is provided with means for filling its spring chamber with liquid with the valve closed. When the safety valve is open the spring chamber is isolated to protect the chamber from flow of fluids and solids.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly (10) comprising a cable core (12) and filler layer (16) encased in longitudinally welded reeled tubing (23) so as to restrict relative axial and longitudinal motion between the cable core (12) and reeled tubing (23). Small-diameter tubing (24) is optionally provided as part of the cable core (12) to facilitate the delivery of fluids such as lubricants and corrosion inhibitors to downhole equipment. A method is disclosed for deploying electrical cables in deep wells through use of the subject apparatus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for pressurizing the top of the valve member of a subsurface safety to equalized pressure thereacross and assist in opening the valve. The apparatus includes a chamber filled with fluid under pressure which is admitted in to the space between the apparatus and a valve when landed in the valve to pressurized the valve. A spring loaded prong on the apparatus urges the valve member of the safety valve to open position. A latch is included which will bypass a top landing nipple and land in a second landing nipple. The subsurface safety valve is provided with means for filling its spring chamber with liquid with the valve closed. When the safety valve is open the spring chamber is isolated to protect the chamber from flow of fluids and solids.

Abstract: A system and methods for the inspection of a well borehole and the formation around said borehole. The system includes a coiled tubing unit for injecting flexible coiled tubing into a wellbore through a wellhead, a pump and valves for control of injection of fluids such as water, nitrogen, light-hydrocarbons, natural gas, and carbon dioxide through the coiled tubing into the wellbore, and a sensor for visually inspecting and/or acoustically examining the wellbore and a region around the sensor within a slug of fluid injected into the wellbore from the coiled tubing. The method includes the steps of injecting coiled tubing having an inspection sensor into a wellbore to a selected location, injecting an optically transparent or acoustically homogenous fluid into the wellbore through the coiled tubing to form a slug of such fluid around the sensor, and transmitting signals from the sensor representative of well conditions to the surface.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve system for petroleum production wells including a solenoid operated valve securable in a well bore connected in electrically insulated relation with the lower end of a tubing string extending to the surface and a tubing string below the valve to a well packer and an electric circuit from a control system at the surface through the tubing string to the valve and back to the surface in the casing the tubing and casing serving as the electrical conductors for opening the valve and monitoring the valve position. The solenoid operated valve has an operator tube formed of tubular sections of different magnetic characteristics so that the valve is opened against a biasing spring by a high current flow and held open by a current flow of a lower value. The valve solenoid is operable by either AC or DC current.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing subsea wells with a flexible riser. The flexible riser can be modified for use either with wireline or through the flow line tools. The flexible riser eliminates the requirement for motion or heave compensating equipment associated with rigid marine riser systems. The flexible riser, lower riser package and associated surface support equipment can be used to obtain vertical access to a subsea well without the need to use a drill ship or semisubmersible.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member and holding it open, an annular piston on the operator tube operative in response to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, a spring biasing the operator tube to a position at which the valve is closed, and a lockout sleeve mounted in tandem with the operator tube for movement simultaneously with the operator tube to a position at which the lockout sleeve holds the valve open. The operator tube and lockout sleeve are engageable by a shifting tool to operate the operator tube and lockout sleeve simultaneously. The lockout sleeve can be returned to an inoperative position by control fluid pressure moving the operator tube to a position which opens the valve closure member. The safety valve is also operable by a modified shifting tool engaging the operator tube.

Abstract: A well test tool for closing a well at a downhole location below the well packer and near the formation to be tested, the apparatus being openable and closable from the surface by tensioning and relaxing the cable or wire line on which it is lowered into the well, the test tool having a lock mechanism which locks automatically upon entering its landing receptacle in the well and is further provided with a releasing mechanism for unlocking the test tool automatically after a present number of open/close cycles have been performed. A bypass landing receptacle is provided which permits high rates of flow during testing. A modified bypass landing receptacle is provided to permit use of the apparatus above the well packer, as in wells having an existing packer therein. Methods of testing wells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved coil tubing injection apparatus for servicing wells by running coil tubing thereinto for circulating fluids through the well and having the ability to rotate the coil tubing for performing drilling operations. The apparatus can readily provide concurrent longitudinal and rotational movement of the coil tubing. Methods of servicing wells involving such movement of coil tubing are disclosed.

Abstract: Lock-open mechanism for surface controlled subsurface safety valves. A lock-open sleeve can be positioned by wireline techniques to hold open the valve closure means for a subsurface safety valve. The operating tube of the safety valve can be used to return the valve closure means to normal operations. One embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful as a well tool which can readily be attached to the lower portion of presently available flapper type safety valves. Alternative embodiments of the present invention can be built into both ball type and flapper type safety valves as an integral part of the complete safety valve assembly.

Abstract: A submergible, underwater well completion habitat and a method of employing the same in the completion of wells at extended depths. The well completion habitat may be attached to an underwater well platform and maintained at a pressure of sufficient value to expel water from the work chamber and also to maintain it substantially water free so that one or more saturated divers may work within the chamber to complete the well. This abstract of the invention is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: Well tubing handling apparatus useful for running and pulling tubing in a well bore and drilling a well bore including a main frame assembly, a pulling and snubbing assembly, a ladder assembly, and a work platform assembly. The apparatus is quickly assembled and torn down. The main frame assembly includes a base, telescoping non-load bearing guide tubes, a load-bearing mast, fixed slips, and winches and sheave and cable assemblies for manipulating pipe joints between handling positions in the apparatus and a pipe rack. The pulling and snubbing assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder connectible at the free end of the piston on the frame base, sheave mounted drive cables secured on the cylinder, traveling slips mounted on the drive cables, and an anchor between the drive cables and the main frame so that as the cylinder is raised and lowered the cables are driven around pulleys raising and lowering the traveling slips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in controlling a well during drilling operations is disclosed. The method includes actuating a downhole packer and providing for flow in a controlled manner past the packer. The apparatus includes a packer and means for controlling flow past the packer. This abstract is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is defined in the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting in anyway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a desired operation in a selected mandrel in a well. The apparatus includes a running assembly with selector stop means and operating tool means. The running assembly is run in the tubing string until the selector stop means positively locates it with respect to the selected mandrel. The operating tool means can then be manipulated to perform the desired operation in the selected mandrel. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating wells to provide surface controlled subsurface safety systems in the wells, whether previously completed wells or newly completed wells. A method and apparatus is provided for installing receptacles in the well flow conductors below the surface for receiving surface controlled subsurface safety valves therein for controlling undesired flow from the well in the event of emergency, disaster or accident damaging the well surface flow controlling system or threatening the integrity thereof. Also, a method and apparatus is provided for installing a hanger for well flow conductors in the well casing below the surface for supporting the flow conductor or conductors in the well casing below the surface and then installing the receptacles in the well flow conductors below the surface for receiving surface controlled subsurface safety valves therein.

Abstract: A well testing system and method in which a by-pass valve is positioned in the tubing and a probe run on a line from the surface opens and closes the valve with vertical movement of the probe. The probe when landed in the valve is exposed to formation fluids and may transmit back to the surface, or may record information about the formation. The probe may also collect a sample of fluid to return to the surface with the probe.