Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the compression or deformation of a packer element in a well, according to which at least one member is associated with the packer element and changes its physical state in response to the compression, and the change in the physical state of the member is quantified.

Abstract: Electric power is generated downhole by changes in annulus pressure. In a described embodiment, a system for generating electric power includes a piston, an accumulator, a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a turbine, and a generator. A change in annulus pressure causes displacement of the piston due to a pressure differential between the annulus and the accumulator. Piston displacement causes the hydraulic fluid to flow through the turbine, thereby driving the generator to generate electricity.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a device in a well, according to which a sensor is embedded in the device for sensing a condition of the device, and outputting a signal in response to the condition.

Abstract: A drill string is equipped with a down hole sub assembly which contains sensors to detect equipment condition during drilling. The sub assembly has no electrical communication with the drill bit itself, and the sensors detect drill bit condition from vibrations or strain or other detectable phenomena. Sensors in the bit itself are not needed.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing leakage across a packer in a well, according to which a sensor is disposed in the well for sensing a characteristic of the packer such as vibrations, and a corresponding signal is outputted that is indicative of whether there is any fluid leakage across the device.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) for absorbing a shock comprises a first tubular member (62) and a second tubular member (80) that are slidable positioned relative to one another. A plurality of layers (94-104) of energy absorbing members (88) extend radially from the second tubular member (80) such that movement of the second tubular member (80) in a first direction relative to the first tubular member (62) sequentially deforms the layers (94-104) of energy absorbing members (88). As the layers (94-104) are sequentially deformed, a subsequent layer (96) of energy absorbing members (88) begins to deform before the previous layer (94) of energy absorbing members (88) is completely deformed. The deformation of the energy absorbing members (88) absorbs the shock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for progressively treating an interval of a wellbore (32) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sand control screen (138) that is eccentrically positioned within the wellbore (32) and a fluid delivery tubular (140) that is disposed within the wellbore (32) adjacent to the sand control screen (138). During a treatment process when a treatment fluid is pumped into the fluid delivery tubular (140), the fluid delivery tubular (140) progressively allows the treatment fluid to exit from the interior of the fluid delivery tubular (140) to the exterior of the fluid delivery tubular (140) from a first end (46) of the interval (48) to a second end (44) of the interval (48) to progressively treat the interval (48) of the wellbore (32).

Abstract: An actuator uses a gas absorptive material to produce displacement of a member of the actuator. In a described embodiment, an actuator includes a metal hydride powder. When the powder absorbs hydrogen gas, it expands and displaces a piston. When the powder discharges hydrogen gas, the powder contracts, displacing the piston in an opposite direction. Various methods of controlling gas absorption and discharge are provided.

Abstract: Methods of expanding well tools, which permit operation of the well tools after expansion, are provided. In a described example, a cementing tool includes a valve and a packer. After the cementing tool is expanded, the valve is selectively opened and closed, and the packer is sealingly engaged in a wellbore.

Abstract: A drill string is equipped with a downhole assembly having an instrumented sub and a drill bit. The instrumented sub has a power source that requires no electrical chemical batter. A mass-spring system is used, which during drilling causes a magnet to oscillate past a coil. This induces current which is used to power downhole instruments.

Abstract: There is a need to better understand well conditions during gravel pack completions and during production through a gravel pack. The sensors that are used to determine the conditions at the actual interface between the gravel pack and the production interval are located directly on the gravel pack assembly. This allows for the most accurate and timely understanding of the interface conditions. Sensors along the length of the gravel pack can provide real time bottom hole pressure and temperature readings. Other sensors could provide information on flow rate of fluids produced as well as density measurements. Thus, during completion, the sensors can provide information on the effectiveness of gravel placement. During production, the sensors could provide instantaneous information on dangerous well conditions in time to minimize damage to the well equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and reporting downhole bit failure. Sensors are located on a sub assembly (which is separate from the drill bit itself but located above it on the drill string). Data from the sensors (preferably accelerometers) are collected in blocks, then analyzed in the frequency domain. The frequency domain is divided into multiple bands, and the signal power in each band is compared to that of another band to produce a ratio of powers. When a bit is operating at normal condition, most of the spectral energy of the bit vibration is found in the lowest frequency band. As a bearing starts to fail, it produces a greater level of vibration in the higher frequency bands. This change in ratios is used to determine probable bit failure. Bit failure can be indicated by a given ratio surpassing a given threshold, or by monitoring the standard deviation of the frequency ratios. When the standard deviation exceeds a certain value, a failure is indicated.

Abstract: A signal filtering apparatus and associated methods enable noise to be significantly reduced or eliminated from a signal. In a described embodiment, the signal is indicative of tension in a slickline. An adaptive filter is used to effectively cancel the noise from the signal, using an input signal characteristic of a noise source.

Abstract: A downhole electrical power system provides long term electrical power in a downhole environment. In a described embodiment, a downhole electrical power system includes a power source which supplies electrical power to a well tool interconnected in a tubular string. The power source includes a voltaic cell.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a device in a well, according to which a sensor associated with the device monitors any movement of the device in the well and outputs a corresponding signal. The signal is processed and transmitted to a remote location.

Abstract: An apparatus and accompanying method for monitoring and reporting downhole bit failure. Individual sensors are placed on a sub which is separate from the drill bit itself, and are powered by a vibration driven power system. The sensor readings are used to compute values which represent the ratios of sensor readings on one sensor in relation to the readings of one or more other sensors. This creates a self-calibrating sensor system that accounts for changes in downhole conditions which might cause sensor readings to fluctuate, but which do not indicate failure.

Abstract: A method of progressively gravel packing is provided which enables individual sections of a continuous wellbore portion to be gravel packed in succession. In a described embodiment, multiple well screens are positioned in a wellbore. A continuous portion of the wellbore is isolated using, for example, one or more packers, with the well screens being disposed in the isolated portion. The isolated wellbore portion is then progressively gravel packed in successive individual predetermined sections of the isolated wellbore portion.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing and monitoring the status/performance of components of a downhole tool to enable any problems to be corrected.

Abstract: An actuator uses a gas absorptive material to produce displacement of a member of the actuator. In a described embodiment, an actuator includes a metal hydride powder. When the powder absorbs hydrogen gas, it expands and displaces a piston. When the powder discharges hydrogen gas, the powder contracts, displacing the piston in an opposite direction. Various methods of controlling gas absorption and discharge are provided.