Abstract: A well lift frame stabilizer, system, and method for stabilization thereof is disclosed. In an embodiment, the stabilizer includes one or more engagement mechanisms carried by one or more extension arms. The extension arms may be movable between a retracted position, in which the engagement mechanisms are not captured by a pair of vertical stabilization rails, and an extended position, in which the engagement mechanisms are vertically movably captured between the stabilization rails. A drive mechanism may be provided to move the extension arms and to sequentially operate the engagement mechanisms to first, engage side rollers, and then to subsequently engage front and back rollers against the rails.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for operating a tubular running device includes a housing assembly coupled to the outer cage. The housing assembly is movable relative to the inner mandrel. An upper fluid chamber is disposed between the housing assembly and the inner mandrel, and a lower fluid chamber is disposed between the housing assembly and the inner mandrel. Fluid pumped through an upper pressure port into the upper chamber moves the housing assembly in a first direction thereby causing the gripping apparatus to engage the tubular, and fluid pumped through a lower pressure port into the lower fluid chamber moves the housing assembly in a second direction thereby causing the gripping apparatus to disengage the tubular.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are usable for automatically engaging and setting slips of an automatic slip setting apparatus about a tubular, when the automatic slip setting apparatus is properly positioned relative to a desired section of the tubular for gripping, lifting and/or holding, and installing and/or removing the tubular, in or out from a wellbore, while preventing slippage and/or dropping of the tubular. The automatic slip setting apparatus is usable with an elevator or spider assembly, each comprising a main body having a central opening extending therethrough, a plurality of slips, and a yoke. An arm assembly, connected to the elevator or spider assembly, moves when contacted by a tubular moving through the central opening, and a latching member, which is connected to the yoke, can be moved by the arm assembly, thereby causing the plurality of slips to move to a closed position for gripping the tubular.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed concerning an injector apparatus, comprising: an upper injector coupled to a frame, wherein the upper injector has an upper injector passage; a lower injector coupled the frame, wherein the lower injector has a lower injector passage; wherein the upper injector and the lower injector are substantially axially aligned; and a work window between the upper injector and the lower injector.

Abstract: A milling-drilling section billet and anchoring device that is an improvement over current technology. The invention provides a device that incorporates an aluminum milling-drilling section billet and an anchoring device. The assembly is segregated into three main functional components: a setting tool connector system, an aluminum billet, and an anchoring section. The anchoring section has two slips, offset laterally and positioned 180 degrees apart on the device. When deployed, the slips lock the device in the formation and produce an offset of the billet within the formation. This angular positioning allows a milling head to be moved in a new direction from the existing well formation. Once the device is properly positioned in the wellbore, a frangible member breaks to allow removal of the setting tool prior to the renewed drilling operation.

Abstract: A vibratory tool for use in a tubular string to prevent sticking or to release a stuck string features a fluid operated dart valve working in conjunction with an impact sleeve to deliver continuous axial jarring blows in opposed directions as long as flow is maintained. Movement of one of those components axially in opposed directions opens and closes access to opposed lateral ports so that a lateral vibration is also established as flow cyclically occurs and stops sequentially at opposed lateral outlets.

Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation utilizing a slurry having a plurality of shrinkable material. The method of treatment may include a diversion treatment during a fracturing operation. The shrinkable material may be adapted to shrink in response to a temperature change. The slurry may be used to perform a plugging of a perforation or fracture in the formation.

Abstract: A hydrated inorganic oxide material capable of elongating from a planar shape to a fiber shape along a thickness direction of the planar shape, wherein the fiber shape is at least about 25 times greater in the thickness direction than the planar shape, and wherein during elongating a radial dimension of the hydrated inorganic oxide material changes by less than about 10% may be useful in a plurality of wellbore operations. For example, a method may include introducing a wellbore fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a hydrated inorganic oxide material into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and swelling the hydrated inorganic oxide material by contacting the hydrated inorganic oxide material with a polar amine compound such that the hydrated inorganic oxide material elongates from a planar shape to a fiber shape along a thickness direction of the planar shape.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly has a casing hanger for supporting a string of casing, the casing hanger having an external upward-facing shoulder. A shoulder ring is mounted on the shoulder. A radially movable annular lockdown member is carried on the shoulder ring for movement between a refracted position while the casing hanger is being run and an expanded position for engaging an interior surface of a wellhead housing. A casing hanger seal is carried by the casing hanger above the lockdown member. The casing hanger seal has a nose on a lower end that engages and moves the lockdown member to the expanded position while the casing hanger seal is being lowered into a set position. The shoulder ring is formed of a material of greater yield strength than the shoulder. Flow channels between the shoulder and the shoulder ring assist in flowing debris from above the shoulder to below.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes an outer tubular wellhead member and an inner tubular wellhead member with a seal pocket between them. A seal ring is located in the seal pocket. An annular energizing ring urges the seal ring into sealing engagement with the outer tubular wellhead member and the inner tubular wellhead member. A recess is located on an outer diameter of the annular energizing ring or a radially inner diameter of the seal ring, and a ratcheted retainer is on the other. A ratchet clip with a clip profile is located within the recess. The recess and the ratchet clip extend less than a full circumferential distance around the outer diameter of the annular energizing ring or the radially inner diameter of the seal ring. A retainer profile on the ratcheted retainer selectively engages with the clip profile of the ratchet clip.

Abstract: A blowout preventer comprising: a body comprising a bore therethrough; a cavity disposed through the body and intersecting the bore; first and second closure members moveably disposed within the cavity on opposite sides of the bore; a first rod having a length and comprising a first end coupled to the first closure member; a second rod having a length and comprising a first end coupled to the second closure member; a first glider assembly wherein a second end of the first rod is at least partially disposed within the first glider assembly; and a second glider assembly wherein a second end of the second rod is at least partially disposed within the second glider assembly.

Abstract: A packer having a thermal memory spacing system that includes a portion of the system that that selectively changes an outer diameter due. The packer may include upper and lower sealing elements, and at least one thermal memory shape material sub positioned between the sealing elements. The thermal memory shape material sub may have a first outer diameter at a first temperature and a second larger outer diameter at a second temperature. The first temperature may be greater than the second temperature. The outer diameter of the sub may be selectively increased to temporarily decrease the annular area in which debris and/or materials may collect and potentially cause the packer to become stuck within the wellbore. Prior to moving the packer to a different location, the outer diameter of the sub may be decreased to increase the annular area.

Abstract: In one aspect, a wellbore system is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a cement section in the wellbore formed to prevent flow of fluids including hydrocarbons through the cement section, a plug disposed uphole of the cement section to provide a space between the cement section and the plug and a sensor in the space for providing measurements relating to a parameter of interest. In one aspect, the parameter of interest may include one or more of presence and extent of a hydrocarbon, presence of moisture; pressure; and temperature. The system may further include a transmitter that transmits measurements from the sensor via a communication line or wirelessly to a receiver for processing the sensor measurements.

Abstract: A method for cementing an annular space outside of an inner casing of a subterranean well includes running and setting a cement packer assembly into a bore of the inner casing. The cement packer assembly includes a plurality of nails spaced around a circumference of the cement packer assembly. Slips are set and a lower end of each of the nails is pushed through the inner casing with a setting tool to form holes. A middle portion of the nails having a smaller outer dimension than the lower end of the nails is positioned within the holes. Cement is pumped through the inner casing, through the holes and into the annular space. A force is applied to the nails to move the nails through the holes and position a seal plate of each nail against an inside surface of the bore surrounding one of the holes.

Abstract: A method for casing a subsea wellbore includes running a tieback casing string into the subsea wellbore using a workstring including first, second, and third wiper plugs. The method further includes: launching a first release plug or tag into the workstring; pumping cement slurry into the workstring, thereby driving the first release plug or tag along the workstring; after pumping the cement slurry, launching a second release plug or tag into the workstring; and pumping chaser fluid into the workstring, thereby driving the release plugs or tags and cement slurry through the workstring. The release plugs or tags engage and release the respective wiper plugs from the workstring. The first wiper plug or release plug ruptures, thereby allowing the cement slurry to flow therethrough. The method further includes: stabbing the tieback casing string into a liner string; and retrieving the workstring, the workstring still including the third wiper plug.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid treatment apparatus includes a tubing string including a first port with a first closure disposed thereover to close the first port to fluid flow and a second port spaced axially uphole from the first port and having a second closure disposed thereover to close the second port to fluid flow; and an actuator tool configured to move through the tubing string and (i) to set a seal in the tubing string downhole of the first port; (ii) to actuate the first closure to open the first port; and (iii) to actuate the second closure to open the second port. A method for treating a well may employ the tool.

Abstract: A tool for enhancing or directing magnetic fields using ferrofluids in a downhole system is provided. The downhole system can include a tool body, a source of ferrofluid, and a positioning magnet. The positioning magnet can magnetically couple with the ferrofluid from the source for enhancing or directing a magnetic field through at least a portion of an annulus between the tool body and a wellbore formation.

Abstract: A method for treating the formation of hydrates in a fluid system includes pumping a fluid at a substantially constant fluid flow rate through a hydrate removal system including a pressure modulator, communicating a vacuum pressure to a piece of subsea equipment from a pressure port of the pressure modulator, closing a valve in the hydrate removal system to cease the fluid flow through the hydrate removal system at the substantially constant fluid flow rate, and communicating a positive pressure greater than the vacuum pressure to the piece of subsea equipment in response to closing the valve of the hydrate removal system.

Abstract: Techniques and systems to provide additional holding ability to a subsea wellhead system. A device includes an auxiliary frame that may be coupled to an outer portion of a BOP frame that encloses at least a portion of a BOP. The auxiliary frame may also house a plurality of accumulators that may be used to provide pressurized fluid to the BOP.

Abstract: A dense volumetric grid coming from an oil/gas reservoir simulation output is translated into a compact representation that supports desired features such as interactive visualization, geometric continuity, color mapping and quad representation. A set of four control curves per layer results from processing the grid data, and a complete set of these 3-dimensional surfaces represents the complete volume data and can map reservoir properties of interest to analysts. The processing results yield a representation of reservoir simulation results which has reduced data storage requirements and permits quick performance interaction between reservoir analysts and the simulation data. The degree of reservoir grid compression can be selected according to the quality required, by adjusting for different thresholds, such as approximation error and level of detail.

Abstract: A wellbore apparatus and method comprising a first wellbore tool having a primary flow path and at least one secondary flow path and a second wellbore tool having a primary flow path and secondary flow path. A radial center of the primary flow path in the first wellbore tool is offset from a radial center of the primary flow path in the second wellbore tool which comprises a crossover joint connecting the first wellbore tool to the second wellbore tool having a primary flow path fluidly connecting the primary flow path of the first wellbore tool to the primary flow path of the second wellbore tool, and at least one secondary flow path fluidly connecting the at least one secondary flow path of the first wellbore tool to the at least one secondary flow path of the second wellbore tool.

Abstract: A method for sealing a flexible liner that has been emplaced in a borehole manifesting artesian water flow. The upper end of the liner is closed with a plug, and a mud tube is extended from the plug down to a small volume of mud at the bottom end of the liner. The pressure in the liner interior is increased according to the weight of the mud column in the mud tube. Pressure in the liner interior can be regulated by allowing mud to move up and down in the mud tube, and by adding or withdrawing water from the closed liner interior.

Abstract: A tool for both perforating a well casing in a hydrocarbon formation and for subsequently fracturing the formation. The tool allows not only perforation and fracking, but in a preferred embodiment allows both perforation of the casing and fracking of the formation without having to further reposition the tool within the wellbore. The tool comprises a cylindrical member having thereon an upper and lower seal member and a longitudinal bore therein, and a cooperating piston which operates a punch to perforate the well casing. A flushing port is provided immediately uphole of the upper seal member, which port when said tool is lowered downhole allows fluid flowing up a longitudinal channel to flush an annular region immediately uphole of said upper seal, thereby greatly reducing the incidence of sand impaction and thereby better allow the tool to be moved uphole for further perforation and fluid injection into the formation.

Abstract: A method of setting the value of an operational parameter of a well is provided. The method includes providing a measure related to the actual value of the parameter; setting a maximum limit for the measure; setting a minimum limit for the measure; setting a demanded value for the parameter; and automatically overriding the demanded value if it is such that it would result in the measure exceeding the maximum limit or being below the minimum limit to produce an actual value for the parameter with results in the measure not exceeding the maximum limit and not being below the minimum limit.

Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a dielectric grease injector configured to inject dielectric grease around the at least one RF contact.

Abstract: Methods including providing resin double-coated proppant comprising proppant coated with a first resin and thereafter coated with a second resin atop of the first resin; wherein the first resin is curable by a first curing agent and wherein the second resin is curable by a second curing agent that is different than the first curing agent; curing the second resin by exposing it to the second curing agent; introducing the resin double-coated proppant into at least a portion of a fracture within a subterranean formation; breaking the cured second resin to expose the first resin; introducing the first curing agent into the portion of the fracture where the resin double-coated proppant was placed; and curing the first resin by exposing it to the first curing agent to form a proppant pack.

Abstract: A method for producing minerals and, more specifically, for producing hydrocarbons, by hydraulic fracturing of the rock, can be used for the optimization of formation fracturing crack processing conditions. The method includes splitting a main stream of a propping agent suspension in a fluid at a mixer output into at least two flows having different volume delivery rates, and comingling the at least two flows before delivering to the hydraulic fracturing zone.

Abstract: A cyclone type liquid/gas or liquid/liquid separator having separation properties that are stabilized, even when the flow rate and the proportions of the liquid phases for separation vary, by means of a platform situated in the low portion of a cylindrical separation chamber that is fed at its top end via a tangential feed orifice. An installation and a method are also provided for separating the oil and water contained in crude oil, with the help of a cyclone separator.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting over-torquing or un-torquing of a threaded connection between components in a borehole penetrating the earth includes: a string of components coupled in series by a threaded connection; a transmission line attached to each component; a signal coupler in communication with the transmission line and disposed on each component at each threaded connection, the signal coupler being configured to transmit the signal to an adjacent signal coupler on an adjacent coupled component in order to transmit a signal along the transmission line attached to the adjacent coupled component; a receiver configured to receive the signal; and a processor in communication with the receiver and configured to: (i) determine a difference between a characteristic of the signal and the characteristic of a reference signal and (ii) transmit an alert signal signifying that the threaded connection is over-torquing or un-torquing in response to the difference exceeding a threshold value.

Abstract: Optimizing the operation of a hydraulically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth is described. Drilling optimization is provided measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, determining from the relationships a first more optimal mode of operation, and changing at least one operating parameter to move the operation of the rotor and stator towards the more optimal mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a borehole image by firing a signal in the direction of a borehole formation using at least one transmitter in a horizontal array, firing a signal in the direction of the borehole formation using at least one transmitter in a vertical array, where the fired signals engage the downhole formation, receiving signals associated with the transmitted signals after the fired signals have engaged the formation, and using the received signals to determine one or more vertical and horizontal formation parameters for generating an omni-directional image using the formation parameters.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for measuring a temperature within a subsea installation includes a fixture portion coupled to the subsea installation and a retrievable portion that is selectively operable to couple to the fixture portion. The fixture portion includes a constant volume of a fluid disposed at a measurement point within the subsea installation. The retrievable portion includes a pressure sensing element operable to measure a pressure associated with the constant volume of fluid such that a temperature at the measurement point is determinable.

Abstract: A magnetic system for determining an operating position of a downhole tool. The system includes an array of magnets operable to produce a magnetic field that is operably associated with a stationary component of the downhole tool. A moveable component of the downhole tool has at least first and second positions relative to the stationary component. In the first position, the moveable component has a first degree of interference with the magnetic field. In the second position, the moveable component has a second degree of interference with the magnetic field. A magnetic field detector is operable to be run into the wellbore and moved relative to the downhole tool such that the position of the moveable component relative to the stationary component is determined by detection of a magnetic signature produced by the moveable component and the array of magnets.

Abstract: This application describes methods and apparatus for monitoring flow at a given location downwell. The method of comprises performing fiber optic sensing on an optical fiber 204 deployed within the well 101. The optical fiber is attached to first tubing (201) that extends into the well to at least a first location (110a-c) at which it is wished to monitor inflow. The first tubing comprises at least one aperture (202a-c) having known properties at said first location. The first tubing is in fluid communication with flow tubing (107) that provides flow to/from the top (108) of the well. In use fluid therefore flows into the first tubing via the apertures (202a-c) which, having known properties, provide a calibrated response that can be detected by a fiber optic sensor unit (205).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for deploying at least one repeatable signal to empirically measure cement bonding before and after operating a tool string assembly comprising a selectively arrangeable tool assembly of a downhole drive tool usable for operating a downhole placement tool with shaft and axial displacement member extendable and retractable therefrom to radially deploy and operate at least one conduit and downhole coupling tool for placing cement and at least one inner conduit proximally concentrically within a surrounding bore, wherein said drive coupling tool is further usable for transmitting or receiving, through a conductance well element into a memory tool, to measure cement bonding about said surrounding bore before and after concentrically cleaning and coupling cement to at least one conduit and surrounding bore.

Abstract: An acoustic transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal through a downhole medium includes a voltage source; a composite load; and switching circuitry that applies voltage from the voltage source across the composite load in response to a drive signal. The composite load includes charge control circuitry, in the form of at least one inductor, connected electrically in series with a piezoelectric transducer that may be electrically modeled as a capacitor.

Abstract: A method for receiving an encoded integer includes acquiring a digitized waveform including a first plurality of pulses distributed among a second plurality of time slots, locating each of the pulses in the digitized waveform, computing a confidence value for each of the pulses, selecting a subset of the plurality of pulses, the subset including pulses having low confidence values computed, generating a set of unique waveforms corresponding to various combinations of the subset of pulses selected, computing a cross-correlation between each of the waveforms generated and the digitized waveform acquired, and selecting the waveform having the highest cross-correlation computed.

Abstract: Geophysical prospecting may be achieved using borehole seismic data and processing velocity seismic profiles using downward continuation to simulate the seismic source being at the depth of the borehole receivers. Such methods may involve collecting seismic data for a subterranean formation with at least one borehole receiver; grouping the seismic data into a one common receiver gather corresponding to each borehole receiver; performing a downward continuation on at least one of the common receiver gathers to produce corresponding downward continued common receiver gathers; performing a normal moveout analysis on at least one of the downward continued common receiver gathers to produce corresponding semblance velocity spectra; and analyzing at least one of the semblance velocity spectra for a zone of interest in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore formed in a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a probe for obtaining a formation fluid into a flow line, a pump for extracting formation fluid from a formation into the flow line, a chamber for receiving the formation fluid from the probe, and a flow control device that controls the formation fluid flow from the flow line into a chamber, wherein the flow control device includes a movable member that moves between a first seal position and a second seal position, wherein the flow control device is closed when the movable member is in the first seal position and the second seal position and is open when the movable member is between the first seal position and the second seal position.

Abstract: In a drum housing for a working drum of a construction machine or mining machine, said working drum being provided with tools and rotating about a drum axis, with a housing shell which at least partially encloses the circumference of the working drum, and with at least one inspection opening for a monitoring device arranged in the housing shell, wherein said monitoring device inspects the condition of the working drum or the tools thereof, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: a closing mechanism is arranged on the outside of the housing shell, said closing mechanism enabling closure of the at least one inspection opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bit holder for an earth working machine, in particular a surface miner, a road milling machine, or the like, having a holding projection that comprises a bit receptacle and/or carries a cutting element. In order to improve the operating reliability of an earth working machine, provision is made according to the present invention that the holding projection has, behind the cutting element or behind a receiving region of the bit receptacle in the tool advance direction, a wear protection element having a hard-material element in order to provide an emergency-mode property.

Abstract: A control system and related method for controlling the machine in a mine. The control system may comprise a LADAR, an interface device, a processor and an AECM. The LADAR may be configured to capture scan data of physical mine walls. The interface device may be configured to display a mine map illustrating a section of the mine. The processor may be configured to add a virtual wall to the mine map in response to a first user input. The processor may be configured to add a temporary wall to the mine map in response to a second user input. The temporary wall may be based on scan data of a physical mine wall captured by the LADAR. The AECM is configured to control an operation of the machine, based on the mine map, to avoid collision of the machine with the virtual wall or the temporary wall.

Abstract: A constant-resistance and large deformation anchor cable and a constant-resistance device are provided. The constant-resistance and large deformation anchor cable comprises cables (7), an anchoring device (13), a loading plate (12) and clipping sheets (4). The upper end of cables (7) is fixed on the anchoring device (13) and the loading plate (12) by clipping sheets (4). The constant-resistance and large deformation anchor cable also comprises a constant-resistance device, and the constant-resistance device comprises a sleeve (8) and a constant-resistance body (5). The sleeve (8) is a straight tube. The constant-resistance body is conical, and the diameter of the lower end of the constant-resistance body is bigger than the diameter of the upper end of the constant-resistance body. The inner diameter of the sleeve (8) is smaller than the diameter of the lower end of the constant-resistance body.

Abstract: A friction bolt for frictionally engaging the internal surface of a bore includes a circular tube, which is split longitudinally, and which has a leading end and trailing end. An expander mechanism is disposed within the tube towards the leading end. An elongate bar/cable is disposed within the tube and extends between the expander mechanism at one end and an anchor arrangement at the other end. The bar/cable extends through a ring attached to the trailing end into connection with the anchor arrangement. A restrainer member is disposed within the tube adjacent the ring and extends at least partially about and in engagement with the bar/cable. The tube has a weakened region adjacent the ring and the restrainer member extends longitudinally within the tube past the weakened region. The restrainer member includes a projection that projects through the longitudinal split of the tube for engagement with the bore.

Abstract: A safe haven wall for use in defining a safe haven in an underground mine comprising a lower section and an upper section, wherein said upper section is slidingly engaged to the lower section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.

Abstract: A fluid working machine has at least one working chamber of cyclically varying volume and low and high pressure valves to regulate the flow of working fluid into and out of the working chamber, from low and high pressure manifolds. The low and high pressure valves are actuated by electronically controlled valve actuation means which, when actuated, applies forces to the low and high pressure valve members to open and/or close the respective valves. The low and high pressure valve members are independently moveable and, although the low pressure valve member typically begins to move quickly in response to a shared valve control signal, the high pressure valve member typically moves only after a change in the pressure within the working chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for repairing a blade are provided. The system includes an induction heating coil configured for heating a platform and slash face of the blade. The induction heating coil extends under the platform and is adjacent to the slash face to provide substantially uniform localized heating to both the platform and slash face of the blade. The induction heating coil is configured so that the platform is visible during a repair or welding operation.

Abstract: A blade row group arrangeable in a main flow path of a fluid-flow machine includes N adjacent member blade rows firmly arranged relative to each other in both a meridional direction (m) and a circumferential direction (u). A relative secondary passage length (v?) and a relative secondary passage width (w?) each increase at least in one part of the area between the mean meridional flow line (SLM) and at least one of the main flow path boundaries (HB) towards the main flow path boundary (HB).

Abstract: A rotary machine includes a machine stator and a machine rotor rotatable relative to the machine stator and having a metal shaft portion, a composite impeller portion, and at least a first metal ring portion securing the composite impeller portion to the metal shaft portion, the metal ring portion having a first interface with the composite impeller portion and a second interface with the metal shaft portion.