Abstract: A screen connection area assembly configured to mount between adjacent sand screens of a gravel pack string including a body attachable to a screen connection area between two adjacent sand screens of the gravel pack string, the body configured to displace fluid and present a radial dimension between about 75% and 100% of a radial dimension of the adjacent sand screens. A method for packing a gravel pack string including disposing an assembly as in any prior embodiment on a screen connection area between adjacent sand screens of the string, running the string into a borehole, supplying a slurry to the borehole proximate the sand screens, packing the sand screens and the screen connection area between adjacent sand screens without altering a flow regime of the slurry.

Abstract: A system and method for stimulating hydrocarbon production from a wellbore that perforates the formation around the wellbore in strategic locations so that fractures can be formed in the formation having specific orientations. The system includes deep penetration perforators that extend past a portion of the formation adjacent the wellbore having locally high internal stresses (a stress cage); and big hole perforators that form perforations with a larger entrance diameter. The perforators form perforations in the formation that are axially consolidated along the wellbore. After perforating, the wellbore is hydraulically fractured with high pressure fluid, which creates fractures in a formation surrounding the wellbore that extend radially outward from the perforations. Creating perforations that are axially consolidated reduces the chances of forming competing fractures in the formation during fracturing.

Abstract: Adaptable systems for a surface pumping unit that includes a low inertia pumping unit mechanism having a pneumatic counterbalance assembly are described, as well as methods for the use of such systems for subterranean fluid recovery. The system is capable of being integrated with well management automation systems, thereby allowing for response to active control commands, and automatically altering and/or maintaining a counterbalance force in the pumping unit by adding or removing air mass from a containment vessel associated with the pumping unit.

Abstract: A method for acidizing a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method includes using an acid to lower the pH of a fluid within a subterranean formation. The method further includes reacting exothermic reaction components in the fluid within the subterranean formation to heat the subterranean formation. The method additionally includes acidizing the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Transverse fractures are formed from a borehole using hydraulic fracturing fluid while maintaining the downhole pressure close to a target pressure. The target pressure is selected to be greater than the expected transverse fracture initiation pressure at predetermined weak points, such as notches, and less than the expected longitudinal fracture initiation pressure. The process can be repeated to form multiple transverse fractures by pumping diversion composition(s).

Abstract: A method involves generating a hydraulic fracture growth pattern for a fracture network. The generating involves representing hydraulic fractures as a vertically stacked elements, extending the represented hydraulic fractures laterally from the wellbore and into the formation to form a hydraulic fracture network by adding new elements to the vertically stacked elements over time, determining hydraulic fracture parameters of the represented hydraulic fractures, determining transport parameters for the proppant passing through the hydraulic fracture network, deriving an estimated fracture tip velocity from a pressure and a stress profile of the formation; extending a height of the vertically stacked elements and the new elements over time based on the derived velocity to form extended vertically stacked elements.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions and methods for enhancing fracturing operation. In some embodiments, the present application includes compositions and methods that are used to minimize clustering of proppants or introduce proppants into narrow fractures. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods involve magnetic proppants.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of solution mining trona by injecting an aqueous solvent into an underground cavity comprising trona to dissolve trona in the aqueous solution and removing the aqueous solution from the cavity at about the WTN triple point (the temperature at which solid phase wegscheiderite, trona, and nahcolite can co-exist in an aqueous solution). Alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution are recovered to produce a barren liquor. The method further includes either (i) treating the barren liquor to produce an aqueous solvent or (ii) treating injected aqueous solvent to reduce clogging at the trona dissolution surface caused by supersaturation of sodium bicarbonate, and precipitation of nahcolite and wegscheiderite as the aqueous solution in the cavity approaches saturation of both dissolved sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus for aligning drilling machines, the alignment apparatus comprising a casing and mounting means. The mounting means allowing, in use, for a true north seeking sensing means to be aligned with the drilling machinery to be aligned. The alignment apparatus being capable of displaying azimuth and pitch information to a user, so that the drilling machinery can be aligned as required.

Abstract: A method can include receiving an estimated spatial location of a three-component receiver in a borehole; receiving a plurality of spatial locations of sources of seismic energy; receiving incident angles for the three-component receiver at the estimated spatial location for the plurality of spatial locations of the sources of seismic energy; computing orientations for the three-component receiver based at least in part on the incident angles; minimizing an error function for the orientations; and, based at least in part on the minimizing, determining one or more deviation survey parameter values that specify at least a portion of a trajectory for the borehole.

Abstract: A method for use in measuring a property of an environment or an object in, or adjacent to, an elongated space (10), comprises unspooling and/or spooling a line (6) attached to a tool (4) so as to move the tool along an elongated space. The method may comprise using the tool to measure a property of an environment or an object in, or adjacent to, an elongated space during movement of the tool along the elongated space. The method may comprise, determining an acceleration of the line, measuring an acceleration of the tool along the elongated space, and controlling damping of the movement of the tool along the elongated space according to the measured acceleration of the tool and the determined acceleration of the line. The elongated space may be located downhole or may be defined in, or adjacent to, an oil or gas well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fracture mapping may utilize frequency changing to aid in providing high-resolution mapping. Integrated chips may be injected into a well and dispersed into a formation. A downhole tool that provides a transmitter and receiver may be positioned in the well. The transmitter may transmit electromagnetic (EM) signals into the formation. The dispersed integrated chips may receive the transmitted EM signal and return a frequency-changed signal to the receiver of the downhole tool. Utilizing the returned frequency changed signal, the system is able to determine the locations of the integrated chips that have been dispersed into the formation and provide fracture mapping.

Abstract: A completion tool locating arrangement includes, an anchor attachable within a completion structure having a bore extending through the anchor, a seat disposed at the anchor receptive to a plug runnable thereagainst, and an attachment feature positioned at the anchor. The attachment feature is configured to allow at least one tool to be attached thereto for positioning the at least one tool with the anchor within the completion structure.

Abstract: A method of hanging an inner tubular string from an outer tubular string cemented in a wellbore includes running the inner tubular string and a deployment assembly into the wellbore using a deployment string, wherein a running tool of the deployment assembly longitudinally and torsionally fastens the liner string to the deployment string; plugging a bore of the deployment assembly; hanging the inner tubular string from the outer tubular string by pressurizing the plugged bore; and after hanging the inner tubular string, sending a command signal to the running tool, thereby unlocking or releasing the running tool.

Abstract: A communication system for use in a wellbore can include a first cylindrically shaped band that can be positioned around a first outer housing of a first subsystem of a well tool. The first cylindrically shaped band can be operable to electromagnetically couple with a second cylindrically shaped band. The second cylindrically shaped band can be positioned around a second outer housing of a second subsystem of the well tool. The first cylindrically shaped band can electromagnetically couple with the second cylindrically shaped band via an electromagnetic field or by transmitting a current to the second cylindrically shaped band through a fluid in the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for configuring transmission signals is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal from a downhole tool in a wellbore. The signal may include a telemetry portion and a noise portion. The method also includes reproducing the telemetry portion based at least partially on the signal. Further, the method includes subtracting the telemetry portion from the signal. The method includes estimating, based at least partially on the subtraction, the noise portion of the signal. The method also includes altering a transmission configuration of the downhole tool based at least partially on the noise portion of the signal.

Abstract: A system for channel sounding and initializing an equalizer using a frequency hopping sounder signal. The system identifies a frequency range for sounding a channel between a first device at a first location within a wellbore and a second device at a second location within the wellbore. Center frequencies, bandwidths, and timeframes are assigned to each of a plurality of sounding sequences, such that an entirety of the frequency range is assigned to the plurality of sounding sequences, and wherein when played in order according to the timeframe assigned to each sounding sequence in the plurality of sounding sequences, a sounding signal having a non-contiguous frequency is produced. By comparing an attenuated sounding signal based on the sounding signal to the sounding signal, the system estimates a transfer function of the channel. The system also initializes the equalizer based on the comparison.

Abstract: Various methods and well systems are provided for characterizing a hydraulically-fractured hydrocarbon-bearing formation that is traversed by a well partitioned into a number of intervals. The methods and well systems analyze surface flow characteristics of fluid that flows from the well (for example, using a multiphase flow meter) in order to characterize local formation properties for one or more intervals for one or more intervals (or other sections) of the well.

Abstract: A method for determining a volume of a constituent(s) in a geological formation may include generating an equation of state based upon log measurements for the geological formation, with the equation of state providing a correlation between the log measurements, determining a quality factor for the equation of state, and for each of a plurality of different constituents expected to be in the formation, determining a constituent compliance factor for each of the constituents. The method may further include determining an uncertainty for each constituent compliance factor, determining a likelihood that each constituent is present in the formation based upon the quality factor, the constituent compliance factor for the constituent, and the uncertainty for the constituent compliance factor, generating a volumetric model based upon the log measurements and the determined likelihoods of the constituents in the formation, and determining the volume of the constituent(s) based upon the volumetric model.

Abstract: A tool includes an actuator assembly, a rod, a first nut, and a second nut. The actuator assembly includes a cylinder, a ram, and a bore extending through the cylinder and the ram. The cylinder includes an internal chamber supporting the ram, a first end, a second end, and a reaction surface positioned proximate the first end. The ram is movable relative to the cylinder and positioned adjacent the second end of the cylinder. The rod extends through the bore of the actuator assembly. The first nut is selectively coupled to one of a first end of the rod and a second end of the rod, and defines a first dimension larger than the bore width of the bit block. The second nut is selectively coupled to the other of the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod, and defines a second dimension less than the bore width.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rock bolt assembly for installing a mesh panel against a rock face which includes a rock bolt which has an elongate body extending between a first end and a second end, a cylindrical bush engaged with the bolt body, towards the second end, the cylindrical bush having a plurality of annular or arcuate grooves formed in an exterior of the surface of the bush and a washer having a plate-like body with an aperture formed there through.

Abstract: An annular clamping nut which is provided for being placed onto the end of a tie bar, in order to brace the latter, and which has in addition to a central recess for receiving the tie bar parallel to a longitudinal direction passages at uniform radial spacings in the ring circumferential direction which are directed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the central recess and are provided for receiving clamping screws. An external thread is provided on the outer surface of the clamping nut, which outer surface is arranged on a side which lies substantially opposite the wall of the central recess, which external thread runs substantially in the ring circumferential direction of the outer surface.

Abstract: An airfoil for a turbine engine includes pressure and suction sides extending in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between an axial leading edge location and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial with a generally U-shaped curve having an initial negative slope followed by a positive slope. The positive slope leans aftward and the negative slope leans forward. The curve has a critical point in the range of 30-50% span position at which the curve changes from the negative slope to the positive slope. The curve is generally linear from 55% span to 75% span and has a positive slope that increases at a rate of about 0.0875 inch (2.22 mm) per 1% span, +/?0.04 inch (1.01 mm) per 1% span.

Abstract: A turbine rotor blade is provided including an airfoil having an airfoil shape. The airfoil shape having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table I wherein the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values from 0% to 100% convertible to dimensional distances in inches by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a height of the airfoil in inches, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z, the airfoil profile sections at Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.

Abstract: Methods are provided for manufacturing a component. In one method, first metal material is cast into a first body. At least a portion of the first body is machined. Second metal material is cast onto at least the machined portion of the first body to form a monolithic second body. A first portion of the second body is formed by the first metal material, A second portion of the second body is formed by the second metal material. The second metal material is different from the first metal material.

Abstract: An airfoil may include an external airfoil surface and an airfoil body. The airfoil body may include an external wall structure and an internal wall structure. The external airfoil surface may be adjacent the external wall structure. The airfoil body may define a skin core that is at least partially defined by a first section of the external wall structure and a first section of the internal wall structure. The airfoil body may also define an embedded core that is at least partially defined by the first section of the internal wall structure. An embedded core heat transfer augmentation feature may be formed within the embedded core on an embedded core surface of the first section of the internal wall structure.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine component having a cooling hole includes a first wall having a cooling hole inlet, a second wall generally opposite the first wall and having a cooling hole outlet, a metering section extending downstream from the inlet and having a hydraulic diameter (dh), and a diffusing section extending from the metering section to the outlet. The metering section includes a substantially convex first surface extending from a first end to a second end, a substantially concave second surface extending from a third end to a fourth end, and first and second curved portions connecting the ends of the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bladed rotor for a gas turbine, with a body and a plurality of rotating blades where contact regions of a cylindrical surface of the body and front faces of the rotating blades are joined together cohesively. At least one of these contact regions and/or at least one of these front faces has at least one blind hole, in which at least one impulse body is arranged with play of movement and which is sealed and rotating blades are joined with the cylindrical surface. Alternatively, the body and rotating blades are manufactured integrally with one another by machining, and at least one blind hole extends from an inner surface of the body facing away from the blade out to one of the rotating blades, at least one impulse body being disposed with play of movement in this hole, and this hole is sealed.

Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine includes a wall that has an exterior surface and an interior surface spaced from the exterior surface. A cooling circuit extends from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The cooling circuit includes a feed passage that has a first end defining an inlet at the interior surface and a second end spaced from the first end. At least one second passage is in fluid communication with the feed passage. At least one slot passage is in fluid communication with the second end of the feed passage and a cooling slot in the exterior surface.

Abstract: A component of a gas turbine engine having: an internal cooling cavity; a baffle insert configured to be inserted into the internal cooling cavity; a plurality of trip strips extending upwardly from an exterior surface of the baffle insert; at least one separating feature located between a pair of ends of a pair of the plurality of trip strips, wherein the plurality of trip strips and the at least one separating feature are spaced from an interior surface of the internal cooling cavity; a plurality of trip strips extending upwardly from the interior surface; and at least one separating feature located between a pair of ends of the plurality of trip strips located on the interior surface of the internal cooling cavity, wherein the plurality of trip strips and the at least one separating feature of the interior surface are spaced from the exterior surface of the baffle insert.

Abstract: A compliant attachment for an organic matrix composite component that is configured to interface with a mating component is disclosed. The compliant attachment may comprise an inner surface configured to bond to an interfacing surface of a body portion of the organic matrix component, and an outer surface configured to interface with the mating component. The compliant attachment may have a coefficient of thermal expansion intermediate between a coefficient of thermal expansion of the body portion of the organic matrix composite component and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the mating component.

Abstract: An engine component assembly is provided with an insert having cooling features. The engine component comprises a cooled engine component surface having a flow path on one side thereof and a second component adjacent to the first component. The second component, for example an insert, may have a plurality of openings forming an array wherein the openings extend through the second component at a non-orthogonal angle to the surface of the second component. The second engine component has a plurality of discrete cooling features disposed on a surface facing the first component and near the plurality of cooling openings.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle segment includes a radially-inner endwall, a radially-outer endwall, and a pair of airfoil-shaped vanes extending between the radially-inner endwall and the radially-outer endwall. The back face of the radially-inner endwall and/or the back face of the radially-outer endwall has a pocket formed therein in an area between the pressure sidewall of the first vane and the suction sidewall of the second vane to enhance stiffness distribution between the second vane and the radially-inner endwall and/or radially-outer endwall.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a case having a wall that provides a cavity. The wall includes an aperture and a bore. A tube assembly with a flange provides a fluid passage aligned with the aperture. A flow diverter is arranged in the cavity and includes a plate with a hole. An insert has a body and a head. The body is received in the hole and press-fit in the bore. The head captures the plate against the wall. A fastener secures the flange to the insert and clamps the flow diverter to the case.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine according to the present disclosure includes a first component, a second component coupled to the first component, and a pilot unit. The pilot unit provides means for maintaining a pilot-setting force between the first and second component to retain alignment of the first component with the second component.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine seal assembly (160) including: a rigid seal (58) cooperatively configured with a structure (14, 42) of a gas turbine engine to define a leakage path (102, 130) including a flow-controlling section (106, 134); and a compliant seal (162, 164) positioned in the leakage path.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a seal arc segment that defines radially inner and outer sides and first and second axial arc segment sides, a carriage that carries the seal arc segment, and a cover that defines first and second axial cover sides. The second axial cover side is adjacent the first axial arc segment side.

Abstract: A blade outer air seal support includes, at least one arc body having a first portion and a second portion, a blade outer air seal mounting region defined at least partially between the first portion and the second portion, and an interface feature interfacing the first portion and the second portion. The interface feature is configured such that axially aligned forces are communicated between the first and second portions through the interface feature, bypassing the blade outer air seal mounting region.

Abstract: A method of applying an additive to an abrasive coated blade tip comprises applying the additive to the abrasive coated blade tip and wicking the additive into the abrasive coated blade tip, wherein the additive is configured to prevent adhesion of an organic component of an abradable seal onto the abrasive coated blade tip.

Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine engine assembly includes a transmission coupling a starter generator assembly to a first set of gears. The transmission is transitionable between a first mode where the starter generator assembly is driven at a first speed relative to the second towershaft, and a second mode where the starter generator assembly is driven at a different, second speed relative to the second towershaft.

Abstract: In one aspect the present subject matter is directed to a system for cooling a turbine shroud. The system includes a cooling medium source that provides a cooling medium, and a turbine shroud support assembly that includes a shroud support ring. A shroud seal is coupled to the turbine shroud support assembly. The shroud seal includes a back side surface and an inner surface. A pin extends at least partially through the shroud support ring towards the back side surface. The pin includes a flow passage having an inlet that is in fluid communication with the cooling medium source and an aperture that is disposed downstream from the inlet. The aperture is oriented to direct a flow of the cooling medium out of the flow passage in a flow direction that is non-perpendicular to the back side surface of the shroud seal.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for rotational equipment includes an annular seal plate rotatable around an axis. The annular seal plate includes an annular seal land surface, an internal plenum, a plurality of inlet passages, a plurality of cooling passages and a plurality of outlet passages. The inlet passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the inlet passages extends into the annular seal plate to the internal plenum. The cooling passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the cooling passages extends into the annular seal plate from the annular seal land surface to the internal plenum. The outlet passages are arranged about the axis. Each of the outlet passages extends into the annular seal plate to the internal plenum. The outlet passages are arranged radially between the inlet passages and the cooling passages.

Abstract: A bearing housing configured to enclose a bearing assembly rotatable supporting a shaft coupled to a rotating assembly of a turbine engine, may include a housing base and a housing cover each including a flange for coupling the housing base to the housing cover. The housing cover may include an inner shell and an outer shell radially spaced outward of the inner shell to provide a cavity therebetween. The bearing housing may include a plurality of outlets arranged along an outer surface of the inner shell and configured to spray the pressurized cooling fluid to an inner surface of the housing cover defining the cavity. At least one of the outlets may be configured to spray the pressurized cooling fluid to a region of the inner surface of the housing cover that is adjacent to the flange of the housing cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbomachine with a housing structure as well as a corresponding housing structure an outer housing wall and an inner housing wall, which, passing around the flow duct of the turbomachine at a distance from each other, surround the outer side of the flow duct, wherein the inner housing wall of the housing structure is formed by an OAS (outer air seal, outer fluid seal) in the region of the rotating blades of the turbomachine, which rotate around an axial axis of the turbomachine, wherein a heat protection shield is constructed between the outer housing wall and the OAS. The heat protection shield has a plurality of spacers in the peripheral direction that are distanced from one another in the peripheral direction and are situated additionally to and in the radial direction outside of the heat protection element.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing oil escape into an exhaust gas during operation of a turbocharged engine. The method includes providing pressurized fluid to an area sealing off a bearing housing of an axial turbine unit from an adjacent exhaust conduit downstream of the axial turbine unit, and detecting a malfunction in the provision of pressurized fluid. Further to this, the method includes the step of, in response to such malfunction detection, controlling an exhaust pressure increasing device arranged downstream of the axial turbine unit for increasing the pressure inside the exhaust conduit upstream of the exhaust pressure increasing device.

Abstract: An exhaust frame includes: an inner casing; an inner diffuser which defines, between the inner diffuser and the inner casing, an annular inner cooling passage connected to a final-stage wheel space; an outer diffuser which defines an exhaust passage between the outer diffuser and the inner diffuser; an outer casing which defines an annular outer cooling passage between the outer casing and the outer diffuser; a strut which connects the inner casing and the outer casing to each other while crossing the exhaust passage; a strut cover which connects the inner diffuser and the outer diffuser to each other, and defines, between the strut cover and the strut, an annular connection passage connecting the inner cooling passage and the outer cooling passage to each other; and a communication hole provided in a wall of the outer cooling passage at a position on the downstream side of a center line of the strut in the flow direction of a combustion gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

Abstract: An automation system that determines the theoretical maximum rate of cooling of a steam turbine and operates a steam generator in such a way that the thermal energy of the steam does not exceed nor drop below the predefined rate of cooling.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods useful for power production. In particular, a power production cycle utilizing CO2 as a working fluid may be combined with a second cycle wherein a compressed CO2 stream from the power production cycle can be heated and expanded to produce additional power and to provide additional heating to the power production cycle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a cam drive system of an engine. In one example, a front end of an engine includes an idler gear assembly including an idler gear and idler pulley, the idler gear in meshing engagement with a first end of a crankshaft and the idler pulley coupled to and sharing a rotational axis with the idler gear. The front end of the engine may further include first and second camshaft pulleys positioned vertically above the idler gear assembly and a cam drive belt contacting each of the first and second camshaft pulleys and the idler pulley.