Abstract: A surface drivehead drives a downhole pump by rotating a rod string at the surface. The downhole pump can be connected downhole to the rod string via a downhole latching mechanism. The surface drivehead has an assembly that can move the rod string upwards or downwards along an axis to either increase or decrease rod string tension. During rod string rotation, rod tension is monitored. If rod string tension changes during rotation, the surface drivehead can automatically compensate by moving the rod string upwards or downwards along the axis to either recapture or eliminate tension. In this way, the surface drivehead can maintain a substantially constant rod string tension to drive the downhole pump at high speeds.

Abstract: A logging system for producing borehole images of acoustic properties of formations penetrated by the borehole. Images of formation compressional wave and shear wave velocities are generated in real time. The system can be a LWD system with a source section that comprises a unipole, dipole, quadrupole or other acoustic source. The receiver section comprises multiple receiver stations disposed at different axial spacings from the acoustic source. The system requires that the source and receiver sections rotate synchronously as the logging tool is conveyed along the borehole. Receiver responses are measured in a plurality of azimuthal angle segments and processed as a function of rotation angle of the tool. Acoustic parameters of interest are obtained from the azimuthal receiver responses at annotated depths along the borehole and used to produce borehole images of the parameters of interest.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to developing a method of measuring the amount of producible oil and the producible oil saturation in shale-oil reservoirs using sample source rock. Further, the physical and chemical properties and amounts of producible oil in shale-oil reservoir samples may be determined. First and second solvents are applied to a sample source rock to extract petroleum from the sample source rock. The extracted source rock, the twice-extracted source rock, and the first and second extracted petroleum may be analyzed to determine the characteristics and properties of the reservoir rock.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. In another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a swivel having selectively actuatable seals. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.

Abstract: An optical waveguide feedthrough assembly passes at least one optical waveguide through a bulk head, a sensor wall, or other feedthrough member. The optical waveguide feedthrough assembly comprises a cane-based optical waveguide that forms a glass plug sealingly disposed in a feedthrough housing. For some embodiments, the optical waveguide includes a tapered surface biased against a seal seat formed in the housing. The feedthrough assembly can include an annular gold gasket member disposed between the tapered surface and the seal seat. The feedthrough assembly can further include a backup seal. The backup seal comprises an elastomeric annular member disposed between the glass plug and the housing. The backup seal may be energized by a fluid pressure in the housing. The feedthrough assembly is operable in high temperature and high pressure environments.

Abstract: A flow tool has a sensor that detects plugs (darts, balls, etc.) passing through the tool. An actuator moves an insert in the tool once a preset number of plugs have passed through the tool. Movement of this insert reveals a catch on a sleeve in the tool. Once the next plug is deployed, the catch engages the plug on the sleeve so that fluid pressure applied against the seated plug through the tubing string can move the sleeve. Once moved, the sleeve reveals ports in the tool communicating the tool's bore with the surrounding annulus so an adjacent wellbore interval can be stimulated. The actuator can use a sensor detecting passage of the plugs through the tool. A spring disposed in the tool can flex near the sensor when a plug passes through the tool, and a counter can count the number of plugs that have passed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a disc-valve design with a self-cleaning feature. The self-cleaning feature may be integrated into the valve, for example, by removing a “cut-out” portion between sealing surfaces of ports. These cut-out portions may create vortices that might clean debris from the sealing surfaces. The cut-outs may also provide a place for debris to collect-keeping it away from the sealing surfaces. In addition, or as an alternative to cut-outs, some other type of mechanism, such as sealing members designed to disturb flow to sweep away debris near a sealing surface or helical grooves (rifling) formed in the ports, may also be used to promote self-cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus for isolating at least a portion of a tubular for use in a wellbore comprising a first, inner tubular in the form of carrier tube and a second, outer tubular in the form of protective shroud, coupled to the carrier tube. One or more aperture is provided in a wall of the carrier tube for permitting fluid transfer through the tube and one or more aperture is provided to permit fluid transfer through the shroud A sealing layer is disposed on a surface of the shroud, the sealing layer defining a first configuration permitting fluid flow through the apertures and, on exposure to a selected reactant, adopting a second configuration to restrict fluid flow through the apertures, the sealing layer adapted to return from the second configuration to the first configuration where concentration of the selected reactant falls below a selected threshold.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the active control of a wavelength-swept light source used to interrogate optical elements having characteristic wavelengths distributed across a wavelength range are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring a phase fraction of a flow stream are disclosed. An infrared phase fraction meter includes a light source for emitting into a flow stream infrared radiation that includes first and second wavelength bands. The first wavelength band substantially transmits through first and second phases of the flow stream and is substantially absorbed by a third phase. In contrast, the second wavelength band is substantially absorbed by the second phase relative to the first and third phases. One or more detectors simultaneously detect attenuation of the first and second wavelength bands upon the infrared radiation passing through at least a portion of the flow stream, and a phase fraction of the second phase is determined based on the attenuation. As an example, the first, second and third phases are gas, water and oil, respectively, produced from a well.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a continuous sucker rod coil, wherein the method includes the step of selecting a plurality of input coils, each input coil having the same uniform hardness, and each input coil having two free ends. The method further includes the step of fusing adjacent free ends of adjacent input coils together to form one continuous length of rod, the fusing creating fused areas and a heat-affected zone at each fused area. The method also includes the step of treating each of the heat-affected zones to alleviate irregularities induced during fusing. Additionally, the method includes the step of winding the continuous length of rod into a finished coil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.

Abstract: A method of cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: deploying the tubular string into the wellbore; pumping cement slurry into the tubular string; launching a cementing plug after pumping the cement slurry; propelling the cementing plug through the tubular string, thereby pumping the cement slurry through the tubular string and into an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore; and controlling flow of fluid displaced from the wellbore by the cement slurry to control pressure of the annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the connection of tubulars using a top drive, the apparatus having a supporting member connectable to said top drive characterized in that it further comprises an internal tool for engaging said tubular and an external clamping device for engaging said tubular.

Abstract: A neutron logging tool has multiple detectors spaced about the circumference of the tool. The detectors are shielded from each other such that each detector detects gamma rays from the area of the borehole and formation to which it is closest. The log readings from each detector can be associated with the orientation of that detector. The orientation-specific log readings can then be aggregated to form an azimuthal log which can be used to analyze pre-fractured and/or post-fractured formations.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and corresponding apparatus for making armored cables with optical fibers contained therein. The techniques may be utilized to control an amount of excess fiber length (EFL) in the armored cables. The techniques may also allow introduction of optical fibers directly into a welding process without using an inner tube in the final armored cable.

Abstract: Swellable elastomeric compositions including an elastomer, a covalent crosslinking system and an ionic crosslinking system, where the composition have improved rate of swelling in water, brines and aqueous solutions, swellability, and/or physical properties of the compositions

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tools and methods for hanging and/or expanding liner strings. In one embodiment, a method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore includes running the liner assembly and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string. The setting tool includes an isolation valve and the liner assembly includes a liner hanger and a liner string. The method further includes sending an instruction signal from the surface to the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve closes in response to the instruction signal and isolates a setting pressure in the setting tool from the liner string; and increasing fluid pressure in the setting tool, thereby setting the liner hanger.

Abstract: A method of flow testing multiple zones in a wellbore includes lowering a tool string into the wellbore. The tool string includes an inflatable packer or plug and an electric pump. The method further includes operating the pump, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a first zone from one or more other zones; monitoring flow from the first zone; deflating the packer or plug; moving the tool string in the wellbore; and operating the pump, thereby inflating the packer or plug and isolating a second zone from one or more other zones; and monitoring flow from the second zone. The zones are monitored in one trip.