Abstract: A pressure storage device includes a porous material; and a non-wetting fluid having a glass transition temperature above a normal exposure temperature for the device and method.

Abstract: A method of producing a well utilizes a submersible pump run on a line, such as braided wire rope, that includes power conductors. The operator sets a packer in the casing, the packer having a check valve and a tieback receptacle. The operator pressure tests the integrity of the casing above the packer, and if it passes, then runs the pump assembly on the line. The pump assembly has a shroud with a downward extending extension that seals to the passage of the packer. If the pressure test of the casing fails, the operator runs a liner into the well and engages the tieback receptacle. A smaller diameter pump is then lowered on a line into the liner and into engagement with the packer.

Abstract: A fluid loss control system having a loss control valve and a plurality of zones including an isolation assembly disposed in a wellbore and a string having a stinger at a downhole most end thereof. The string is supportive of a moveable seal at a selected position uphole of the stinger, the position being calculated to cause engagement of the seal with the isolation assembly and to position the moveable seal to facilitate fluid-flow around the seal when the stinger is engaged with a seal bore of one of the plurality of zones. A method for controlling fluid loss including isolating a fluid column uphole of a pressure seal spaced from the lower completion, opening a fluid loss control valve, stabbing a stinger into a seal bore of the lower completion, and positioning the seal to facilitate fluid flow therearound.

Abstract: An actuation and/or communication device for the downhole environment. The device includes a selectively implosion resistant canister; and an environment within the canister and releasable upon implosion of the canister. A method for actuating a downhole device and/or communicating. The method includes delivering a selectively implosion resistant canister having an environment internal to the canister releasable upon implosion of the canister to a selected location within a borehole; imploding the canister; releasing the environment; and receiving a signal generated by the release of the environment. A method for an actuating a tool and/or communicating including delivering of an implosive device to a selected location; creating a rarefaction event by imploding said device; and affecting a tool in response to the event.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing acoustic devices in wellbores. The method comprises: providing a tubing with at least one anchoring device in the wellbore, where the anchoring device is extendable to the wellbore to exert a force on the wellbore; attaching at least one acoustic device to at least one anchoring device; placing the tubing in the least one acoustic device attached to the at least one anchoring device in the wellbore; and setting the anchoring device to extend to the wellbore to exert a force on the wellbore, thereby coupling the acoustic device to the wellbore. The wellbore system comprises a tubing that has an annular space between the tubing and the wellbore. At least one anchoring device is disposed on an outer surface of the tubing and extends to and exerts a force on the wellbore. An acoustic device is attached to the anchoring device.

Abstract: Methods and equipment are described for placement of an array of seismic sensor sets along a horizontal section of wellbore for monitoring microseismic activity during and after hydro-fracturing. A perforated wellbore liner is positioned in the horizontal wellbore production section with sonic transmission enhancement devices such as longitudinal blade centralizers for acoustically coupling seismic sensing devices to the production formation. Internally of the perforated liner, a coiled tube is placed having an array of signal cable connected seismic sensor sets. The seismic sensor sets are linked to the coiled tube wall by sonic transmission enhancement devices and the tube wall linked by acoustic transmission enhancement devices to the perforated liner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling and monitoring injection zone and production zone parameters in order to control the injected fluid front to avoid breakthrough of the injected fluid to the production zone and thus optimize hydrocarbon recovery.

Abstract: A well control valve assembly having a downhole portion with a primary valve, and electromechanical actuator connected to the valve and a first wireless communicator connected to the actuator. The assembly further includes an uphole portion having a pump, a second wireless communicator complementary to the first wireless communicator and being supported in the uphole portion of the valve assembly. The downhole portion and uphole portion are physically non-connected and informationally connected.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for using optical sensors to determine the position of a movable flow control element in a well control tool. A housing has a movable element disposed within such that the element movement controls the flow through the tool. An optical sensing system senses the movement of the element. Optical sensors are employed that use Bragg grating reflections, time domain reflectometry, and line scanning techniques to determine the element position. A surface or downhole processor is used to interpret the sensor signals.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a surface located oscillator to generate seismic signals at a downhole location. The system includes a vibratory source for generating axial vibrational energy in a tubular string anchored in the borehole at a suitable location. The vibratory source may be operated at a predetermined frequency or may generate a swept frequency signal. The axial vibrations are transmitted through the tubular string and impart a seismic signal through the anchor to the formation.. In different configurations, the system imparts broadband seismic signals into the formation. Sensors are mounted on the vibratory source and downhole anchor for monitoring the system operation. Seismic receivers are deployed on the surface, in offset wells, or in the source well. Signals from the receivers are transmitted to a control unit. The control unit utilizes the sensor and receiver signals to control the operation of the vibratory source.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling flow in offset parallel bores contained within a single completion component provides parallel bores and recesses for mounting monitoring or control devices in a single unit which is sized to fit within an 8.5″ I.D. of a 9⅝″ standard casing of an oil field wellbore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling and monitoring injection zone and production zone parameters in order to control the injected fluid front to avoid breakthrough of the injected fluid to the production zone and thus optimize hydrocarbon recovery.

Abstract: Downhole tools and systems can be actuated chemically by placing a chemical sensor downhole and introducing a chemical slug into fluids being pumped downhole. When the slug reaches the sensor a reaction in the sensor may be employed to trigger an event (e.g., actuation) or may cause a count to increase by one on its way to a full count and actuation of a tool or system downhole.

Abstract: A well control valve assembly having a downhole portion with a primary valve, and electromechanical actuator connected to the valve and a first wireless communicator connected to the actuator. The assembly further includes an uphole portion having a pump, a second wireless communicator complementary to the first wireless communicator and being supported in the uphole portion of the valve assembly. The downhole portion and uphole portion are physically non-connected and informationally connected.

Abstract: Computer control and sensory information are combined with gas lift valve having a plurality of individual openings which are openable or closeable individually to provide varying flow rates of the lift gas. Each of the openings is controlled and is sensitive to downhole sensors.

Abstract: A permanently installed, remotely monitored and controlled transient pressure test system is provided. This system utilizes shut-in/choke valves, pressure sensors and flow meters which are permanently associated with the completion string to perform transient pressure tests in single and multiple zone production and injection wells. The present invention permits full bore testing which thereby eliminates undesirable wellbore storage effects. The present invention further allows for pressure testing limited only to a selected zone (or zones) in a well without expensive well intervention and without halting production from, or injection into, other zones in the well. The permanently located pressure test system of this invention also allows for real-time, downhole nodal sensitivity and control. This pressure test system may be permanently deployed either in production wells or injection wells.

Abstract: Computer control and sensory information are combined with gas lift valve having a plurality of individual openings which are openable or closeable individually to provide varying flow rates of the lift gas. Each of the openings is controlled and is sensitive to downhole sensors.

Abstract: A permanently installed, remotely monitored and controlled transient pressure test system is provided. This system utilizes shut-in/choke valves, pressure sensors and flow meters which are permanently associated with the completion string to perform transient pressure tests in single and multiple zone production and injection wells. The present invention permits full bore testing which thereby eliminates undesirable wellbore storage effects. The present invention further allows for pressure testing limited only to a selected zone (or zones) in a well without expensive well intervention and without halting production from, or injection into, other zones in the well. The permanently located pressure test system of this invention also allows for real-time, downhole nodal sensitivity and control. This pressure test system may be permanently deployed either in production wells or injection wells.

Abstract: A plurality of electronically controlled downhole tools and systems for use in production wells is presented. These tools and systems include safety valve and pressure monitoring systems, remotely controlled inflation/deflation devices, remotely actuated downhole tool stop systems, remotely controlled fluid/gas control systems, remotely controlled variable choke and shut-off valve systems and a retrievable sensor side pocket mandrel.