Abstract: A flow control apparatus (100) for controlling the inflow of production fluids into an interior passage (118) of a tubular member (116) in a wellbore includes a flow restrictor (104) positioned in the flow path between an exterior of the tubular member (116) and the passage (118). The flow restrictor (104) has an active chamber (114) and a bypass chamber (112). A bypass tubing is disposed within the bypass chamber (112). The bypass tubing (122) has a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage (118) from the bypass chamber (112). A plurality of flow blocking members (132) is disposed within the active chamber (114) and cooperate with outlets (128) of the tubular member (116) to autonomously vary an effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage (118) from the active chamber based upon the constituent composition of the production fluids.

Abstract: A method of performing a servicing operation within a pipeline comprises positioning a swellable component about at a desired location within a pipeline, exposing the swellable component to a swelling agent within the pipeline, expanding the swellable component into sealing engagement with the pipeline, thereby forming a seal across the pipeline, and opening a fluid pathway through the pipeline without removing the swellable component. Another method of performing a servicing operation within a pipeline comprises inserting into the pipeline a pipeline tool comprising an externally mounted swellable component, propelling the pipeline tool through the pipeline to about a desired location via a flow of fluid, expanding the swellable component into sealing engagement with the pipeline at about the desired location, and opening a flow path through the pipeline tool.

Abstract: A pipeline tool for use within a pipeline comprises a tool body with an internal flow bore, a swellable component disposed about the tool body, and a temporary seal disposed internally of the flow bore. The pipeline tool may further comprise a tracking device attached to the tool body, wherein the tracking device comprises a mechanical fixture, or an emitter that emits a signal that can be tracked.

Abstract: A method of performing a servicing operation within a pipeline comprises positioning a swellable component about at a desired location within a pipeline, exposing the swellable component to a swelling agent within the pipeline, expanding the swellable component into sealing engagement with the pipeline, thereby forming a seal across the pipeline, and opening a fluid pathway through the pipeline without removing the swellable component. Another method of performing a servicing operation within a pipeline comprises inserting into the pipeline a pipeline tool comprising an externally mounted swellable component, propelling the pipeline tool through the pipeline to about a desired location via a flow of fluid, expanding the swellable component into sealing engagement with the pipeline at about the desired location, and opening a flow path through the pipeline tool.

Abstract: A method and a device for expanding a body (10, 22) under overpressure, in which the body (10, 22) which is formed of a material (12, 24) with a considerable portion of cavities, and which is compressed when being placed in an area of overpressure, is expanded by the cavities filling with fluid.

Abstract: Well tools utilizing swellable materials. Actuators for well tools may incorporate swellable materials as force generating devices. A well tool includes an actuator which actuates the well tool in response to contact between a swellable material and a well fluid. A method of actuating a well tool includes the steps of: installing a well tool including an actuator; contacting a swellable material of the actuator with a well fluid; and actuating the well tool in response to the contacting step. A well system includes a well tool with a flow control device and a swellable material. The well tool is operative to control flow through a passage of a tubular string in response to contact between the swellable material and well fluid.

Abstract: A method and a device for sealing a void incompletely filled with a castable material, in which an expandable material is placed in the void which is to be filled with the castable material, the expandable material expanding into spaces which are not filled with cast material. A method of sealing an annulus in a borehole includes the steps of: positioning an expandable material on a tubular structure; installing the tubular structure in the borehole, the annulus being formed between the tubular structure and the borehole; flowing a castable material into the annulus, the castable material partially displacing a fluid in the annulus, but leaving at least one space containing the fluid in the annulus; and expanding the expandable material into the space.

Abstract: An arrangement for restricting the inflow of formation water from an underground formation to a hydrocarbon producing well, where, between the underground formation and a production tubing (38) located in the well, there is disposed at least one flow chamber (3, 33) connected to the production tubing (38), the flow chamber (3, 33), preferably via a filter (2) in one portion, being open to inflow of formation fluid and in communication with the production tubing (38) via at least one opening (7, 32), and where the flow chamber (3, 33) is provided with at least one free-floating body (4, 34) with approximately the same density as the formation water, the at least one body (4, 34) being designed by means of the closing of at least one opening (32) or choking, to reduce the inflow of formation water to the production tubing (38).

Abstract: A cable duct device in a swellable packer (1) of the kind in which the packer (1) is adapted to be able of sealing an annulus (3), and in which the swellable packer (1) is provided with at least one opening (6) therethrough adapted to constitute a duct for a cable (12).

Abstract: A device and method for optional closing of a section of a well formation (6) in which there is disposed a pipe (2), and where the pipe (2) is provided with at least two receivers (1) or pluggable openings (28), with receivers (1) or pluggable openings (28) in different sections of the well formation (6) having different dimensions and/or geometry, whereby the receivers (1) and the pluggable openings (28) are arranged so as allow optional closing of these through supplying the pipe (2) with a sealing body (4, 32) of a corresponding dimension and/or geometry.

Abstract: An arrangement for restricting the inflow of formation water from an underground formation to a hydrocarbon producing well, where, between the underground formation and a production tubing (38) located in the well, there is disposed at least one flow chamber (3, 33) connected to the production tubing (38), the flow chamber (3, 33), preferably via a filter (2) in one portion, being open to inflow of formation fluid and in communication with the production tubing (38) via at least one opening (7, 32), and where the flow chamber (3, 33) is provided with at least one free-floating body (4, 34) with approximately the same density as the formation water, the at least one body (4, 34) being designed by means of the closing of at least one opening (32) or choking, to reduce the inflow of formation water to the production tubing (38).