Abstract: A well tool is operable to receive a flow of fluid. The well tool includes a first hydraulic area on which the fluid acts tending to move a first body to substantially seal against passage of fluid through an aperture. A second, larger hydraulic area is provided on which the fluid acts tending to move a second body. The second body is movable by the fluid acting on the second hydraulic to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture. An energy storing device is provided that is configured to store energy from movement of the second body until at least a specified amount of energy is stored and release the energy when the second body is moved to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture.

Abstract: Electrical connections between different materials. An electrical connection system includes electrical components and an electrical connection between the electrical components. The electrical connection includes a functionally graded material. A method of making an electrical connection between different materials includes the steps of: providing an electrical component which includes a material; providing another electrical component which includes another material; and electrically connecting a functionally graded material between the electrical components. An electrical connection system includes an electrical component and a functionally graded material electrically connected to the electrical component. The functionally graded material provides a gradual transition between at least two dissimilar materials.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for swellable material activation and monitoring in a subterranean well. A sensor system for use in a subterranean well includes a swellable material, and at least one sensor which is displaced to a wellbore surface in response to swelling of the swellable material. Another sensor system includes a sensor which detects swelling of a swellable material. A swellable well tool system includes a base pipe, a swellable material on an exterior of the base pipe, and eccentric weighting for inducing rotation of the swellable material about a longitudinal axis of the base pipe.

Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore includes a prediction unit operable to predict a change in a drilling event while the wellbore is being drilled and prior to the drilling event change occurring. The prediction unit monitors surface and downhole data and well inflows to predict drilling events. The prediction unit may activate alarms for predefined drilling conditions, such as a kick alarm to provide an early warning of a dangerous influx of formation fluids into the wellbore.

Abstract: Casing deformation and control for inclusion propagation in earth formations. A method of forming at least one inclusion in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: installing a liner within a casing section in a wellbore intersecting the formation; and expanding the liner and the casing section, thereby applying an increased compressive stress to the formation. Another method of forming the inclusion includes the steps of: installing an expansion control device on a casing section, the device including at least one latch member; expanding the casing section radially outward in a wellbore, the expanding step including widening at least one opening in a sidewall of the casing section, and displacing the latch member in one direction; and preventing a narrowing of the opening after the expanding step, the latch member resisting displacement thereof in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A device has a first elongate tubular body and a second elongate tubular body coupled to the first tubular body, both adapted to reside in the wellbore. The device is changeable between the first tubular body axially fixed against movement in a first direction relative to the second tubular body and axially moveable in the first direction relative to the second elongate tubular body in response to temperature.

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.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool for a downhole operation. The tool includes a downhole power source to generate power. The tool also includes a cooler module to lower temperature based on the power.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool to operate downhole. The tool includes a heater. The tool also includes a cooler. The tool includes a controller to control allocation of power between the heater and the cooler based on a temperature downhole, power usage, a time delay or a pressure downhole.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool for a downhole operation. The tool includes an electrical component. The tool includes a rechargeable energy storage device to supply power to the electrical component. The tool also includes a generator to supply power to the electrical component.

Abstract: Flow control for increased permeability planes in unconsolidated formations. A well system includes a casing expansion device interconnected in a casing string for initiating an inclusion propagated into a formation surrounding the casing string. The device has at least one opening in a sidewall for fluid communication between the inclusion and an interior of the casing string. A flow control device is retrievably installed in the expansion device and controls flow between the formation and an interior of the casing string. A method of controlling flow of fluid between a formation and an interior of a casing string includes the steps of interconnecting a casing expansion device in the casing string; expanding the device to thereby initiate propagation of an inclusion into the formation; and installing a flow control device in the expansion device to thereby control flow between the inclusion and the casing string interior.

Abstract: Initiation of injection planes in a well. A method of forming at least one generally planar inclusion in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: expanding a wellbore in the formation by injecting a material into an annulus positioned between the wellbore and a casing lining the wellbore; increasing compressive stress in the formation as a result of the expanding step; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, thereby forming the inclusion in a direction of the increased compressive stress. Another method includes the steps of: expanding a wellbore in the formation by injecting a material into an annulus positioned between the wellbore and a casing lining the wellbore; reducing stress in the formation in a tangential direction relative to the wellbore; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, thereby forming the inclusion in a direction normal to the reduced tangential stress.

Abstract: A safety valve system includes a safety valve having an actuator and a line connected to the actuator. The safety valve is operable by opening the line in the well, with the line being free of any connection to a surface control system. Another safety valve system includes multiple safety valves. An actuator of each safety valve is connected to an actuator of another safety valve via a line. A biasing force in each of the actuators is operative to close the respective one of the safety valves in response to opening of the line. The biasing force is produced at least in part by hydrostatic pressure in a well.

Abstract: A safety valve system includes a safety valve having an actuator and a line connected to the actuator. The safety valve is operable by opening the line in the well, with the line being free of any connection to a surface control system. Another safety valve system includes multiple safety valves. An actuator of each safety valve is connected to an actuator of another safety valve via a line. A biasing force in each of the actuators is operative to close the respective one of the safety valves in response to opening of the line. The biasing force is produced at least in part by hydrostatic pressure in a well.

Abstract: A well tool is operable to receive a flow of fluid. The well tool includes a first hydraulic area on which the fluid acts tending to move a first body to substantially seal against passage of fluid through an aperture. A second, larger hydraulic area is provided on which the fluid acts tending to move a second body. The second body is movable by the fluid acting on the second hydraulic to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture. An energy storing device is provided that is configured to store energy from movement of the second body until at least a specified amount of energy is stored and release the energy when the second body is moved to displace the first body from substantially sealing against passage of fluid through the aperture.

Abstract: Well control systems and associated methods. A well control method includes the steps of drilling a wellbore and predicting a change in flow between the wellbore and a reservoir prior to the change occurring, the predicting step being performed, and the change in flow occurring while drilling. Another well control method includes the steps of: sensing at least one first drilling operation variable while drilling a wellbore, thereby generating first sensed variables; sensing at least one second drilling operation variable while drilling the wellbore, thereby generating second sensed variables; and training a predictive device, using the first and second sensed variables, to predict the second drilling operation variable at a selected time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various nonvolatile integrated device embodiments suitable for use at high temperatures. In some embodiments, a high temperature nonvolatile integrated device comprises a sapphire or spinel substrate having multiple ferroelectric memory cells disposed upon it. In other embodiments, a high temperature nonvolatile integrated device comprises a silicon on insulator substrate or a large bandgap semiconductor substrate having multiple ferroelectric or magnetic memory cells disposed on it. In yet other embodiments, a high temperature nonvolatile integrated device comprises a sapphire, silicon on insulator, or a large bandgap substrate having programmable read only memory (PROM) cells or electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM) cells disposed on it.

Abstract: A phase change fluid spring (450) for actuating a downhole tool (50) in a wellbore. The phase change fluid spring (450) includes a housing (114) defining a fluid chamber (120) and a phase change fluid disposed within the fluid chamber (120). The phase change fluid is in a first phase and at a first pressure at the surface. The phase change fluid is in a second phase and at a second pressure in the wellbore, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. The phase change fluid is operable to store and release energy downhole to actuate the downhole tool (50).

Abstract: Phase-controlled well flow control. A well system includes a flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid in the well system, the flow control device being responsive to both pressure and temperature in the well system to regulate flow of the fluid. A flow control device includes a flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid through the flow control device, and an actuator which is operative to actuate the flow regulator in response to a predetermined relationship between a phase of the fluid and both pressure and temperature exposed to the actuator. A method of controlling a phase change of a fluid in a well system includes the steps of: flowing the fluid through a flow control device in the well system; and adjusting the flow control device in response to both pressure and temperature in the well system.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.