Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of production tubing within a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. More specifically, the transceivers provide for node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of fluid flow within the production tubing adjacent gas lift valves. A method of monitoring the flow of fluid gas lift valves is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the production tubing which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed to determine gas lift valve operation and fluid flow data.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes are placed within the annular region surrounding the joints of casing within the well-bore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a topside communications node at the wellhead. More specifically, the transceivers provide for node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of a parameter within an annular region behind the string of casing. A method of evaluating a parameter within an annular region along a cased-hole wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting scale formation in a hydrocarbon well that includes a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and a selective-release scale inhibitor located within a portion of the subterranean formation. The methods include locating a selective-release scale inhibitor within a portion of the subterranean formation and producing a reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation via the hydrocarbon well, including facilitating a change in environmental conditions present within the portion of the subterranean formation from initial environmental conditions to subsequent environmental conditions. Under the initial environmental conditions, the selective-release scale inhibitor is insoluble both in hydrocarbons and in water. Under the subsequent environmental conditions, the selective-release scale inhibitor is soluble in water.

Abstract: Autonomous tools for use in tubular members associated with managing hydrocarbons. The autonomous tools are at least partially fabricated from a dissolvable material, which is configured to dissolve in the fluid within the tubular member. The autonomous tool includes one or more components that determine the location of the autonomous tool within the tubular member and actuate the actuatable tool component once a predetermined or selected location has been reached within the tubular member.

Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy.

Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body such as a pipe in a wellbore. The nodes allow hybrid wired-and-wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation and a receiver at the surface. The nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers providing node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to deliver an alternating electrical and acoustic transmission of data along the wellbore.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication of data indicating elastic waves generated as a result of the formation of subsurface fractures. The data is processed which generates a map of fracture geometry. A method of evaluating fracture geometry in a subsurface formation uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are analyzed which generates a subsurface map.

Abstract: Remotely actuated screenout relief valves, systems and methods are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a proppant slurry stream that includes proppant to a casing conduit that is defined by a casing string that extends within a subterranean formation. The methods further include detecting an operational parameter that is indicative of a screenout event within the casing conduit. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include providing a flush fluid stream to the casing conduit, opening the remotely actuated screenout relief valve, and displacing the proppant from the casing conduit into the subterranean formation with the flush fluid stream via the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The methods may further include closing the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the remotely actuated screenout relief valve and/or hydrocarbon wells that include controllers that are configured to perform at least a portion of the methods.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data in a wellbore uses a signal receiver that is run into the wellbore on a working string. The signal receiver receives wireless signals from receiver communications nodes placed along the wellbore. The data from those signals is then sent up the wellbore, either by directing the signals directly up the working string, or by spooling the string to the surface and uploading the data. Sensors and associated communications nodes arc placed within the wellbore to collect data. The communications nodes may be the signal receiver nodes; alternatively, the communications nodes may send data from the sensors up the wellbore through acoustic signals to a receiver communications node. In the latter instance, intermediate communications nodes having electro-acoustic transducers are used as part of a novel telemetry system.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of production tubing within a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. More specifically, the transceivers provide for node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of fluid flow within the production tubing adjacent gas lift valves. A method of monitoring the flow of fluid gas lift valves is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the production tubing which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed to determine gas lift valve operation and fluid flow data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inhibiting scale formation in a hydrocarbon well are disclosed herein. The systems include a hydrocarbon well that includes a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and a selective-release scale inhibitor that is located within a portion of the subterranean formation. The methods include locating a selective-release scale inhibitor within a portion of the subterranean formation and producing a reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation via the hydrocarbon well. The methods further include facilitating a change in environmental conditions present within the portion of the subterranean formation from initial environmental conditions to subsequent environmental conditions. Under the initial environmental conditions, the selective-release scale inhibitor is insoluble both in hydrocarbons and in water. Under the subsequent environmental conditions, the selective-release scale inhibitor is soluble in water.

Abstract: A method of completing a well involving remediating a condition of screen-out that has taken place along a zone of interest. The method includes forming a wellbore, and lining at least a lower portion of the wellbore with a string of production casing and placing a valve along the production casing, wherein the valve creates a removable barrier to fluid flow within the bore. The barrier is removed by moving the valve in the event of a screen-out. This overcomes the barrier to fluid flow, thereby exposing ports along the production casing to the subsurface formation at or below the valve. Additional pumping takes place to pump the slurry through the exposed ports, thereby remediating the condition of screen-out.

Abstract: A method of completing a well involving remediating a condition of screen-out that has taken place along a zone of interest. The method includes forming a wellbore, and lining at least a lower portion of the wellbore with a string of production casing and placing a valve along the production casing, wherein the valve creates a removable barrier to fluid flow within the bore. The barrier is removed by moving the valve in the event of a screen-out. This overcomes the barrier to fluid flow, thereby exposing ports along the production casing to the subsurface formation at or below the valve. Additional pumping takes place to pump the slurry through the exposed ports, thereby remediating the condition of screen-out.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a condition of a tubular configured to convey a fluid such as for use in producing hydrocarbons in relationship with a hydrocarbon system related wellbore operation. The methods include transmitting a data signal along the tubular with the communication network. The methods may include initiating a tubular operation responsive to the data signal indicating that the condition of the tubular is outside a predetermined condition range. The methods may include transmitting the data signal by propagating the data signal along the tubular via a plurality of node-to-node communications between communication nodes of the communication network and monitoring a signal propagation property of the plurality of node-to-node communications that is indicative of the condition of the tubular. The methods may include detecting the condition of the tubular and generating a condition indication signal.

Abstract: Discrete wellbore devices, hydrocarbon wells including a downhole communication network and the discrete wellbore devices, and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The discrete wellbore devices include a wellbore tool and a communication device. The wellbore tool is configured to perform a downhole operation within a wellbore conduit that is defined by a wellbore tubular of the hydrocarbon well. The communication device is operatively coupled for movement with the wellbore tool within the wellbore conduit. The communication device is configured to communicate with a downhole communication network that extends along the wellbore tubular via a wireless communication signal. The methods include actively and/or passively detecting a location of the discrete wellbore device within the wellbore conduit. The methods additionally or alternatively include wireless communication between the discrete wellbore device and the downhole communication network.

Abstract: Autonomous wellbore devices with orientation-regulating structures and systems and methods including the same. The autonomous wellbore devices include a wellbore tool, a control structure, and an orientation-regulating structure. The wellbore tool is configured to autonomously perform a downhole operation within a wellbore conduit that extends within a subterranean formation. The control structure is programmed to determine that an actuation criterion has been satisfied and to provide an actuation signal to the wellbore tool. The orientation-regulating structure is configured to regulate a cross-sectional orientation of the wellbore tool while the autonomous wellbore device is being conveyed autonomously within the wellbore conduit.

Abstract: A completion assembly designed to perforate a section of casing along a wellbore, comprises a perforating gun, a canister, and a locator device. The canister contains ball sealers that are dimensioned to seal perforations, while the locator device is a casing collar locator that senses the location of the assembly within the wellbore based on the spacing of casing collars. The completion assembly also includes an on-board controller configured to send an actuation signal to the perforating gun to cause one or more detonators to fire when the locator has recognized a selected location of the completion assembly, thereby perforating the casing, and to release the ball sealers from the canister. Methods for seamlessly perforating and fracturing multiple zones along a wellbore are also provided, using a select-fire perforating gun.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of fluid flow within the wellbore. A method of monitoring the flow of fluid within a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string sending signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. In one embodiment the nodes are placed within the cement sheath surrounding the joints of casing and allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of cement sheath integrity. A method of evaluating a cement sheath in a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed.

Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body and a specially configured network to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy.