Abstract: A method of making a reconfigurable article is disclosed. The method includes providing a powder comprising a plurality of base material particles. The method also includes providing a powder comprising a plurality of removable material particles; and forming a base article from the base material comprising a plurality of removable material particles. A method of using a reconfigurable article is also disclosed. The method includes forming a base article, the base article comprising a base material and a removable material, wherein the base article comprises a downhole tool or component. The method also includes inserting the base article into a wellbore. The method further includes performing a first operation utilizing the base article; exposing the removable material of the base article to a wellbore condition that is configured to remove the removable material and form a modified article; and performing a second operation using the article.

Abstract: A reconfigurable downhole article is disclosed. The article comprises a base material. The article also comprises a removable material disposed on or within the base material that is configured for removal from the base material in response to a wellbore condition, wherein the base material and the removable material define a base article that is configured to perform a first function, and wherein upon removal of the removable material, the base material defines a modified article that is configured to perform a second function that is different than the first function.

Abstract: Thermally crosslinked polysulfone may be made from linear polysulfone, such as polyethersulfone, in powder form blended with a powdered inorganic peroxide such as magnesium peroxide or another oxygen source, to form a mixture followed by compression inside a mold. The mixture is cured at a an elevated temperature, for instance above 325° C., for an effective period of time to form a dense object. The object is then boiled in water, optionally under pressure, to remove the salt to give a structure that is open and porous which may be used as a filtration device on a downhole tool for hydrocarbon recovery. If a powdered salt is not used, a thermally crosslinked, solid, void-free polysulfone is made which may be strong and rigid at ambient, surface temperatures, but is an elastomer at elevated downhole temperatures, and is thus suitable for use as a packer or an O-ring.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer composite comprises mixing, a thermosetting polymer precursor, and 0.01 to 30 wt % of a derivatized nanoparticle based on the total weight of the polymer composite, the derivatized nanoparticle including functional groups comprising carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups.

Abstract: A polymer nanocomposite comprises a polymer; and a nanoparticle derivatized to include functional groups including carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups. The variability in tensile strength and percent elongation for the polymer nanocomposite is less than the variability of these properties obtained where an underivatized nanoparticle is included in place of the derivatized nanoparticle.

Abstract: A polymer nanocomposite comprises a polymer; and a nanoparticle derivatized to include functional groups including carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups. The variability in tensile strength and percent elongation for the polymer nanocomposite is less than the variability of these properties obtained where an underivatized nanoparticle is included in place of the derivatized nanoparticle.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer is initially fabricated to a size where its peripheral dimension will be at least as large as the borehole wall in which it is to be deployed. After the initial manufacturing the material temperature is elevated above the transition temperature and the material is stretched on a mandrel to retain its inside dimension as its outside dimension is reduced to size that will allow running the seal to a desired subterranean location without failing the material during the stretching. The material is allowed to cool below the transition temperature to hold the new shape. The material on the mandrel is then secured to a tubular string and delivered to the desired location. Wellbore fluid at given temperature raises the material again above the transition temperature, which causes the material to revert to its originally manufactured shape.

Abstract: A method of deploying a borehole filtration device is provided utilizing the steps of: deploying a filtration device comprising a polymer foam having a first cell structure, a portion of the molecular structure of which polymer foam is degradable by exposure to a post-treatment fluid, into a borehole; and exposing the polymer foam to the post-treatment fluid, thereby modifying the cell structure of the polymer foam to a second cell structure.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer composite comprises mixing, a thermosetting polymer precursor, and 0.01 to 30 wt % of a derivatized nanoparticle based on the total weight of the polymer composite, the derivatized nanoparticle including functional groups comprising carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups.

Abstract: A polymer nanocomposite comprises a polymer; and a nanoparticle derivatized to include functional groups including carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups. The variability in tensile strength and percent elongation for the polymer nanocomposite is less than the variability of these properties obtained where an underivatized nanoparticle is included in place of the derivatized nanoparticle.

Abstract: Filtration devices may include a shape-memory material having a compressed run-in position or shape and an original expanded position or shape. The shape-memory material may include an open cell porous rigid polyurethane foam material held in the compressed run-in position at the temperature below glass transition temperature (Tg). The foam material in its compressed run-in position may be covered with a fluid-dissolvable polymeric film and/or a layer of fluid-degradable plastic. Once filtration devices are in place in downhole and are contacted by the fluid for a given amount of time at temperature, the devices may expand and totally conform to the borehole to prevent the production of undesirable solids from the formation.

Abstract: Filtration devices may include a shape-memory material having a compressed run-in position or shape and an original expanded position or shape. The shape-memory material may include an open cell porous rigid polyurethane foam material held in the compressed run-in position at the temperature below glass transition temperature (Tg). The foam material in its compressed run-in position may be covered with a fluid-dissolvable polymeric film and/or a layer of fluid-degradable plastic. Once filtration devices are in place in downhole and are contacted by the fluid for a given amount of time at temperature, the devices may expand and totally conform to the borehole to prevent the production of undesirable solids from the formation.

Abstract: Filtration devices may include a shape-memory material having a compressed run-in position or shape and an original expanded position or shape. The shape-memory material may include an open cell porous rigid polyurethane foam material held in the compressed run-in position at the temperature below glass transition temperature (Tg). The foam material in its compressed run-in position may be covered with a fluid-dissolvable polymeric film and/or a layer of fluid-degradable plastic. Once filtration devices are in place in downhole and are contacted by the fluid for a given amount of time at temperature, the devices may expand and totally conform to the borehole to prevent the production of undesirable solids from the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a defined space, such as an annulus around a production tubular within a wellbore, includes a compliant porous material. The compliant porous material can be compressed and maintained in a compressed state by incorporation of a deployment modifier which may be a water-soluble or oil-soluble adhesive or biopolymer, used as an impregnant, a coating, or a casing. The production tubular can be positioned at a desired location and the compliant porous material exposed to a deployment modifier neutralizing agent, which then dissolves or otherwise prevents the deployment modifier from continuing to inhibit the deployment. Thus, deployment can be delayed to an optimum time by controlling exposure of the deployment modifier to the deployment modifier neutralizing agent.

Abstract: Sealing devices such as packers comprise a shape-memory material having a compressed run-in position or shape and an original expanded position or shape. The shape-memory material may comprise a polyurethane foam material held in the compressed run-in position by an adhesion material that is dissolvable by a fluid. The fluid may be a wellbore fluid already present in the wellbore or a fluid pumped down the wellbore after the sealing device is disposed within the wellbore. The fluid may also be a production fluid from the well. Upon being contacted by the fluid, the adhesion material dissolves and the shape-memory material expands to its original expanded position or shape, thereby sealing and dividing the annulus of the wellbore.

Abstract: Filtration devices may include a shape-memory material having a compressed run-in position or shape and an original expanded position or shape. The shape-memory material may include an open cell porous rigid polyurethane foam material held in the compressed run-in position at the temperature below glass transition temperature (Tg). The foam material in its compressed run-in position may be covered with a fluid-dissolvable polymeric film and/or a layer of fluid-degradable plastic. Once filtration devices are in place in downhole and are contacted by the fluid for a given amount of time at temperature, the devices may expand and totally conform to the borehole to prevent the production of undesirable solids from the formation.

Abstract: A driving device for a scanner includes an elongate guiding unit mounted in a base and disposed under an image sensor carriage that extends in a first direction, extending along a second direction transverse to the first direction, and having first and second side rail surfaces transverse to a top rail surface. A roller unit is mounted rotatably on a bottom side of the image sensor carriage, and includes a first roller rotatable about a first axis parallel to the first direction and disposed to roll along the top rail surface, and a second roller rotatable about a second axis transverse to the first and second directions and disposed to roll along the first side rail surface. A spring-loaded retaining unit is mounted on the image sensor carriage, and is disposed to contact rotatablely the second side rail surface. A driving unit drives the image sensor carriage to move in the second direction in the base.

Abstract: Ball seats comprising at least one sealing material facilitate restricting fluid flow through the ball seat when a plug, such as a ball, is landed on the seat. The plug is forced into the sealing material causing the sealing material to be deformed and to at least partially deform to a shape reciprocal to the shape of the plug, thereby reducing leakage around the plug and through the seat. In one particular embodiment, the ball seat is an extrudable ball seat. Suitable sealing materials include polymers and elastomers.

Abstract: Sealing devices such as packers comprise a shape-memory material having a compressed run-in position or shape and an original expanded position or shape. The shape-memory material may comprise a polyurethane foam material held in the compressed run-in position by an adhesion material that is dissolvable by a fluid. The fluid may be a wellbore fluid already present in the wellbore or a fluid pumped down the wellbore after the sealing device is disposed within the wellbore. The fluid may also be a production fluid from the well. Upon being contacted by the fluid, the adhesion material dissolves and the shape-memory material expands to its original expanded position or shape, thereby sealing and dividing the annulus of the wellbore.