Abstract: A motorized window treatment may provide a low-cost solution for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window. The window treatment may include a covering material (e.g., a cellular shade fabric or a roller shade fabric), a drive assembly for raising and lowering the covering material, and a motor drive unit including a motor configured to drive the drive assembly to raise and lower the covering material. The motorized window treatment may comprise one or more battery packs configured to receive batteries for powering the motor drive unit. The batteries may be located out of view of a user of the motorized window treatment (e.g., in a headrail or in a battery compartment). The motorized window treatment may use various power-saving methods to lengthen the lifetime of the batteries, e.g., to reduce the motor speed to conserve additional battery power and extend the lifetime of the batteries.

Abstract: A manually-operated window treatment system includes a roller tube, a covering material, and a chain (e.g., a semi-rigid chain). The roller tube is supported at opposed ends thereof. The covering material is attached to the roller tube. The covering material is operable between a raised position and a lowered position via rotation of the roller tube. The chain is configured to be operated by a user to rotate the roller tube. The chain has a first minimum bend radius when bent in a first direction and a second minimum bend radius when bent in a second direction. The first minimum bend radius is less than the second minimum bend radius.

Abstract: The support connector system includes a first shade band having a support connector and a lock that receives the support connector. The lock includes a first opening in a first position, wherein the first opening is configured to receive the support connector and configured to restrict rotation of the support connector. The lock includes a second opening in a second position, wherein the second opening is configured to receive the support connector and configured to allow rotation of the support connector.

Abstract: Ladder components, such as braces, as well as ladders and methods of manufacturing ladders are provided. In one embodiment, a ladder brace is provided which extends between a rail and a cross member (e.g., a rung or a cross-brace). The ladder brace may include a first connecting portion associated with the rail, a second connecting portion associated with the cross member, and a strut portion extending between the first and second connecting portions. At least one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is configured to completely encircle its associated component (e.g., either the rail or the cross member, respectively).

Abstract: A stabilizer apparatus has a mounting frame that mounts onto a ladder so as to be longitudinally slidable along the rails of the ladder. Stabilizer legs are pivotally supported on the mounting frame between a stored position in which the legs are supported alongside the mounting frame and a working position protruding outwardly from the mounting frame. A screw clamp type retaining mechanism selectively prevents longitudinal displacement of the mounting frame relative to the ladder for stabilising the ladder while in the working position of the legs.

Abstract: A mechanical extension ladder support stand that a worker can mount on an extension ladder. Perform work or repairs on interior walls or stairways safely. The device is installed and removed from the ladder, disassembled or repaired without need of tools, safely. The ladder stand is expandable to fit extension ladders of different widths and lengths, without use of tools. When set up to work on a wall, the ladder stand's support board will automatically pivots to match the angle at top of ladder to the wall's surface, without any tools or adjustment. The ladder stand will always rest a padded support board, safety on two or more of the walls vertically framing members. Without damaging or marring the walls. The ladder stand operates safely for the layman on the interior walls without need of any tools, only human hands.

Abstract: Ladders and ladder components are described herein, including multipurpose and adjustable ladders. In one embodiment, a ladder includes a first assembly having rails and rungs, a second assembly having rails and rungs, and one or more hinges coupling the first and second assemblies together such that the first and second assembly may be positioned relative to one another in at least a position or state and at least a second position or state. A top cap is coupled to the rails of the first assembly, such that when the first and second assemblies are in the first position, the rails of the second assembly do not contact the top cap. When the first and second assemblies are in the second position, each rail of the second assembly is at least partially nested in one of a pair of channels formed in the top cap.

Abstract: A hybrid bit includes fixed blades and wheel support structures. The wheel support structure includes a wheel inserted into a slot between a leading support and a trailing support. One or more shims fill a gap between a flange and the leading supports. An elongated seal between the wheel and the supports is provided to seal the wheel support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a roller cone includes machining a cone blank and thereby defining one or more land surfaces and one or more insert grooves on the cone blank, surface hardening the cone blank, and milling a plurality of recesses into at least one of the one or more land surfaces. The method further includes subjecting the cone blank to a quenching process, forming an insert hole at each recess, and inserting an insert into each insert hole.

Abstract: A cutting element (30) includes a substrate (40); and a body of superhard polycrystalline material (34) bonded to the substrate (40) along an interface, the body of superhard polycrystalline material having a peripheral side edge (42). The body of superhard polycrystalline material has a cutting surface (34); a plurality of spaced apart cutting edges (36) extending to the cutting surface (34) through respective chamfer portions (38), the cutting edges being spaced around the peripheral side edge; a plurality of recesses/regions (48) extending from the cutting surface (34) towards the substrate, adjacent cutting edges (36) being spaced apart by a respective one of said recesses/regions (48); and a protrusion or recessed region extending from the cutting surface about a central longitudinal axis of the cutting element. A method of making such a cutting element is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various shaped cutters are disclosed for use on a drill bit or other wellbore forming tool. In one aspect, the shaped cutter includes a plurality of radial ridge sets. Each radial ridge set includes a plurality of ridges radially extending along the cutting table between a periphery of the cutting table and the cutter axis. The cutter may be positioned on the drill bit with one of the radial ridge sets exposed to the formation so the ridges may generate multiple cracks in the formation while drilling. After the current radial ridge set becomes worn, the cutter may be repositioned on the drill bit to expose another one of the radial ridge sets, such as during a repair, refurbish, or maintenance operation. The plurality of ridges may also exploit vibrations in the drill string to enhance rock failure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal-transparent and actuator-transparent tubulars for use with downhole tubular strings are. The signal-transparent tubulars include a tubular connector configured to engage with and connect to a different downhole tubular, the tubular connector formed from metal, a signal-transparent portion connected to the tubular connector, the signal-transparent portion formed from a composite material, and at least one of a sensor, an actuator, and a transmitter arranged within the signal-transparent portion and at least partially surrounded by the composite material, wherein the composite material of the signal-transparent portion is selected to be transparent to a characteristic of a signal that is detectable by or transmitted by the at least one sensor, actuator, and/or transmitter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate connection of multiple stage completions. A first completion stage is deployed at a wellbore location. Subsequently, the next completion stage is moved downhole into engagement with the first completion stage. The completion stages each have communication lines that are coupled together downhole via a wetmate connection. Debris prevention and removal devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Securing system intended to secure a cable to a tube for a tubular column for oil & gas, energy, or storage applications, said securing system comprising:—a bearing surface and an outside surface, the bearing surface being turned inwardly, said bearing surface defining an inside housing for the tube, the outside surface being turned outward relative to the bearing surface,—a tube fixing mechanism having an open state and a closed state, the tube fixing mechanism being configured to fix the securing system on the tube in the closed state of the tube fixing mechanism, the tube being housed in the inside housing in said closed state of the tube fixing mechanism, said tube fixing mechanism being mobile relative to the tube in an open state of the tube fixing mechanism; said tube fixing mechanism comprises a band, the band extending along a longitudinal axis, the band extending radially, the band extending around the tube, said band forming the bearing surface,—a cable securing mechanism having an outside hous

Abstract: A device for transmitting data and/or power from a rotating part, for example a pipe handler, to a non-rotating part, for example a top drive, of a drilling rig or a workover rig has at least one slip ring with at least one sliding contact in contact therewith. The device includes a first ring and a second ring. The first ring and the second ring delimit a closed area. The slip ring(s) and the sliding contact(s) is/are arranged within the closed area.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a joint pipe element of a well system includes providing an outer pipe having a bore; providing an inner pipe having a bore; placing the inner pipe in the bore of the outer pipe; and connecting the inner pipe to the outer pipe with a connecting mechanism so that a rotational torque is transferred from the outer pipe to the inner pipe.

Abstract: In combination a drilling mast and a top drive system for a drilling rig having a drill floor with a well center. The drilling mast has a U-shaped horizontal cross section with a left-hand mast wall, a rear mast wall, and a right-hand mast wall, and with an open front side. Each of the mast walls is provided with one or more vertical rails that are, in use of the drilling rig, parallel to a vertical firing line that extends through the well center. The top drive system comprises a traveling carriage and a top drive unit supported by said carriage. A left-hand fingerboard device is mounted to the left-hand mast wall and a right-hand side fingerboard device is mounted to the right-hand mast wall.

Abstract: A method of handling pipe segments during makeup and breakout of a drill string. The method uses a hydraulic circuit, which provides fluid to a motor or motors for translating a drill pipe segment. The drill pipe segment is supported by a carriage, which places the segment next to a drill string for addition thereto. Hydraulic pressure within the circuit is monitored to determine if a pressure fluctuation exists. If so, the translation speed is adjusted by modifying the hydraulic fluid flow to the motors. Sensors may be utilized to determine whether or not the system is in a “transition zone” and therefore ready for pressure monitoring for makeup and breakout functions.

Abstract: A wellbore positioning system includes a first wellbore casing element bearing a first magnetic pattern that encodes first information associated with the wellbore or a drone. The first wellbore casing element is configured for placement down-hole in the wellbore. The first wellbore casing element extends along a central axis and defines an axially oriented passage. Also, the system includes an untethered drone configured for relative movement in the passage of the first wellbore casing element. The drone is configured to detect the first magnetic pattern and determine a position of the drone within the wellbore based on the first information.

Abstract: A method for logging in a well is disclosed. The method includes securing a passive logging while levitating (PLWL) assembly to a bottomhole assembly (BHA) to form a logging assembly and running the logging assembly into a wellbore of the well. The method further includes detecting a deviation in the wellbore, detecting a fluid flow direction around the logging assembly in the wellbore, activating the PLWL assembly based, at least in part, on the deviation in the wellbore and the fluid flow direction, and levitating the logging assembly in a center of the wellbore. The method also includes determining whether the logging assembly has reached a target depth and performing logging in the well while the logging assembly is levitating in the center of the wellbore.

Abstract: A wireline release tool may include a casing configured to couple to a wireline and a connector configured to couple to a tool string. The casing may have a first end, a second end, and a chamber therebetween, and the connector may be detachably attached to the second end of the casing. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to detach the connector from the casing.

Abstract: An acoustic actuator for scale removal and prevention in a wellbore is described herein. For example, a system can include a tubing string deployed downhole in a wellbore. A downhole tool can be coupled to the tubing string. An acoustic actuator can be coupled to the tubing string and positioned proximate to the downhole tool. The acoustic actuator can generate an acoustic signal that can vibrate the tubing string to generate a fluidic disturbance in downhole fluid within the tubing string for removing contaminants from, or preventing formation of contaminants, on the downhole tool.

Abstract: Techniques for positioning and setting a barrier within a well string are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes securing a barrier device at a lubricator extension of a lubricator assembly and positioning the lubricator assembly at a wellhead assembly having a wellhead from which a well string is suspended. The method also includes advancing the lubricator extension to advance the barrier device into the well string. The barrier device may be set within the well string to block flow. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method can include deploying a diverter plug into a well, the diverter plug comprising a group of particles that are prevented from dispersing, flowing fluid, thereby conveying the diverter plug into engagement with a fluid passageway, the particles conforming to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway, and the particles being prevented from dispersing while the diverter plug blocks the fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The diverter plug can include a group of particles disposed within an outer enclosure. The particles in the enclosure can conform to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway. In another method, the enclosure can sealingly engage the fluid passageway while the particles remain disposed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A micro frac plug used to seal individual perforations formed in a casing installed within a subterranean wellbore. The plug comprises an insert element and a deformable sleeve. The insert element is received and retained within a medial section of the sleeve. The plug is sized to be lodged in or seated on a single perforation. The plug blocks fluid from flowing through the perforation.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include expanding and collapsing apparatus that include a slips cartridge that is bookended by seal elements. The pressure (e.g., whether from uphole and/or from downhole of the downhole tool) pushes at axial points at which the seal elements abut the slips cartridge. In addition, all of the load is transferred to the wellbore casing, and not to an inner mandrel at all. Specifically, the inner mandrel only experiences the setting force in tension. In addition, the elastomer that is being used is not stretched during expansion, but simply moved as it is expanded.

Abstract: Provided is a frac plug or the like capable of being inserted into a borehole to seal the borehole with high strength, and then quickly disassembled and removed, thereby efficiently producing petroleum. A frac plug according to the present embodiment has a member made of a magnesium (Mg) alloy. The member has a multi-phase structure including a first phase, which is a matrix phase, and a second phase present in the first phase. In the multi-phase structure, the second phase is distributed in a substantially striped pattern in the first phase in a first cross section perpendicular to a second direction of the frac plug, and distributed in a substantially mesh-like pattern in the first phase in a second cross section perpendicular to a first direction of the frac plug.

Abstract: A lubricator and plunger catcher used in conjunction with an oil or gas well includes a manifold positioned between the wellhead and the plunger catcher. The manifold includes a plunger passageway that extends from the bottom of the manifold to the top of the manifold, with the plunger catcher being mounted to the top of the manifold. The manifold also includes a production passageway through which oil or gas leaving the wellhead is routed. A choke mechanism for at least partially blocking the production passageway is provided on the manifold to selectively vary the volume of the oil or gas leaving the wellhead that is routed through the plunger catcher. This, in turn, can selectively vary a force imparted to a plunger by the oil or gas leaving the wellhead to ensure the plunger is fully seated in the catcher when it arrives at the wellhead.

Abstract: A system and method for a fully-integrated flow control module (FI-FCM) in a hydrocarbon reservoir is disclosed. The FI-FCM is a unibody structure or a single-piece machined body having a flow meter integrated to the unibody structure. A choke is to be associated within a provision of the FI-FCM that also has an entry flow path for reservoir fluid and an exit flow path for the reservoir fluid. The entry flow path and the exit flow path inside the unibody structure or the single-piece machined body. Fluid communication is enabled between the flow meter, which is upstream relative to the choke, and an entry flow path. The choke is to control flow between the entry flow path and the exit flow path.

Abstract: Valve assemblies are disclosed for use in the oil and gas industry. A disclosed valve assembly includes a housing having a bore; a valve member arranged within the housing which is movable relative to the bore between open and closed positions. The valve member includes a cutting feature and a sealing surface; a cutting component that cooperates with the cutting feature when the valve member is in moved to the closed position; a first seal element arranged within the housing and providing a first seal relative to the sealing surface; and a second seal element arranged within the housing and providing a second seal relative to the sealing surface. The second seal element is movable relative to the housing bore between first and second positions. A corresponding method of controlling communication along a bore of a housing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system may include a connector coupled to a wellhead assembly. The system may also include a hydraulic power unit coupled to the connector and a valve of the wellhead assembly. The system may further include a controller in communication with the connector and the hydraulic power unit. The controller may be operable to receive one or more conditions associated with the connector and a valve of the wellhead assembly. The controller may also be operable to operate at least one of the connector and the valve through the hydraulic power unit based on the one or more condition.

Abstract: A drill assembly for percussive drilling, comprising a drill bit and a percussion device. The drill assembly further includes a hollow cylindrical foot valve partially received within a first central flushing channel thereof and extending therefrom in the uphole direction, such that the foot valve is also partially received within a central recess of an impact piston of the percussion device, at least when the impact piston is in a lowermost position of its reciprocation cycle, and such that the foot valve is no longer received within the central recess, at least when the impact piston is in an uppermost position of its reciprocation cycle. The foot valve includes an internal stiffener extending radially inwardly from at least two circumferential positions of an inner surface of the foot valve.

Abstract: A system for emergency response to a well control incident is disclosed, which includes a capture device fitted to a subsea wellhead, a pipeline termination unit fluidly connected to the capture device, and a subsea module fluidly connected to the pipeline termination unit via a subsea flowline, wherein the subsea module comprises a subsea separator, and wherein the subsea module is anchored to a seabed. The system also includes a mini spar fluidly connected to the subsea module by a riser system.

Abstract: Provided is a multilateral leg bore, a multilateral junction, and a well system. The multilateral leg bore, in one aspect, includes a unitary housing having a first end and a second opposing end defining a length (L). In accordance with this aspect, the multilateral junction includes three or more bores formed in the housing and extending along the length (L).

Abstract: Provided is a multilateral junction and a well system. The multilateral junction, in one aspect, includes a housing, the housing including a first housing end and a second housing end, a bore extending through the housing from the first housing end to the second housing end, and a toothed coupling profile located along an inside surface of the bore proximate the second housing end. The multilateral junction, according to this aspect, further includes a multilateral bore leg extending into the bore, the multilateral bore leg including a tubular having a first tubular end and a second tubular end. The multilateral junction, according to this aspect, further includes a toothed coupling located between the bore and the tubular and engaged with the toothed coupling profile and the tubular to axially fix the housing and the multilateral bore leg relative to one another.

Abstract: Provided is a downhole tool, a well system, and a method for forming a well system. The downhole tool, in at least one aspect, includes a two part drilling and running tool, the two part drilling and running tool including a conveyance, a smaller assembly coupled to an end of the conveyance, and a larger bit assembly slidably coupled to the conveyance, the smaller assembly and larger bit assembly configured to slidingly engage one another downhole to form a combined bit assembly. The downhole tool, in accordance with this aspect, further includes a whipstock assembly coupled to the two part drilling and running tool using a coupling mechanism, and a hydraulically actuated anchoring assembly coupled to a downhole end of the whipstock assembly. The downhole tool, in accordance with this aspect, additionally includes a multilateral junction seal assembly coupled between the whipstock assembly and the hydraulically actuated anchoring assembly.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon flow control generator system includes a pressurized hydrocarbon flow inlet, an expansion device in pressurized hydrocarbon flow communication with the pressurized hydrocarbon flow inlet, a generator connected to the expansion device, a drive system connecting the generator and the expansion device, a gathering point at which depressurized hydrocarbon stream is delivered to an end use location, and a variable load device via which an electrical power stream generated by the generator is delivered to an electric load. The expansion device is configured to receive a highly pressurized hydrocarbon stream from the pressurized hydrocarbon flow inlet, control and regulate a received hydrocarbon stream, and depressurize the hydrocarbon stream. The variable load device is configured to adjust load on the generator by adjusting electrical demand on the generator based on a pressure of the depressurized hydrocarbon stream sensed between the expansion device and the gathering point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detonating a power charge in downhole wellbore using a heating element embedded within the energetic material of the power charge.

Abstract: A composite fracturing tree includes an operating valve and a master valve in fluid communication with the operating valve. The master valve includes an inlet portion in fluid communication with the operating valve, an outlet portion, and a gate portion. The gate portion is disposed between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The gate portion is moveable between a flow position and an occluding position. In the flow position, the gate portion permits flow between the inlet portion and the outlet portion. In the occluding position, the gate portion prevents flow from the inlet portion to the outlet portion. The gate portion is actuated from the flow position to the occluding position with a closing force and from the occluding position to the flow position with an opening force. The master valve allows for the closing force to reduced compared to conventional fracturing valves.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydraulic fracturing system for driving a plunger pump with a turbine engine, including a fracturing equipment comprising a turbine engine fueled by natural gas or diesel as a power source, an exhaust system, and a plunger pump; a high-low pressure manifold; a blending equipment adapted to blend a fracturing base fluid; and a sand-mixing equipment adapted to provide the fracturing base fluid and a fracturing proppant to the high-low pressure manifold. A first end of the high-low pressure manifold is connected to the fracturing equipment through a connection pipeline. A second end of the high-low pressure manifold is connected to a wellhead. An exhaust end of the turbine engine is connected to the exhaust system whereas an output driving end of the turbine engine is connected to the plunger pump via a connection device. The connection device comprises at least a reduction gearbox.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating hydraulic fracturing units, each including a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead and an internal combustion engine to drive the hydraulic fracturing pump, may include receiving signals indicative of operational parameters. The systems and methods also may include determining an amount of required fracturing power sufficient to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation, determining an available power to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation and a difference between the available power and the required power, and controlling operation of the hydraulic fracturing units based at least in part on the power difference. When the power difference is indicative of excess power available, the system and methods may include causing at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units to idle, and when the power difference is indicative of a power deficit, increasing a power output of at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steam fracking may provide for fracking at a lower cost, providing faster cycles, higher pressure, and more perforation, thereby making a safer system and less expensive method. A high-energy spark initiator may be maneuvered into a horizontal drill hole where a petroleum-bearing formation is fractured for trapped petroleum to flow out through cracks and into the horizontal borehole and pumped to the surface for collection. The horizontal borehole may be flooded with slickwater which may submerge the spark initiator. A high-energy electric charge may be sparked across the contacts on the spark initiator, followed by a high energy steam explosion caused by the heat of the spark. This may heat the water in the borehole near the initiator into high-pressure live steam which forces slickwater into the formation's cracks, opening the cracks wider where the slickwater sand will pack into cracks to hold them open.

Abstract: Methods determine a state of a well and comprise: receiving a set of well operations data comprising at least some measured well operations data; determining the occurrence of a well operations event based on the received data; evaluating one or more possible state transitions from a current well operations state to one or more possible new well operations states, the current state and the possible new states selected from a configurable plurality of well operations states, wherein evaluating the one or more possible state transitions is based on the current state, the determined event and the received data and wherein evaluating the one or more possible state transitions comprises determining a confidence level associated with each of the possible new states; and determining one of the possible new states to be a new predicted well operations state according to whichever possible new state has a highest confidence level.

Abstract: A method of non-mechanically remediating damage to a wellbore comprising a plurality of fracture stages is disclosed. A total treatment volume is calculated based on the plurality of fracture stages, the wellbore space, and either the production tubing or the annulus of the wellbore. The fracture stages of the wellbore are then divided into a plurality of chemical stages. The wellbore is pre-flushed, and each chemical stage is treated and isolated in order of depth by a volume of remediation chemicals and a volume of diverter. A post-treatment flush completes the remediation process and after a shut-in period, the well's production is substantially improved.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vessel configured to be pressurized and heated at a well site to match desired process conditions at which a demulsifier is to break an emulsion of crude oil. The vessel includes a first end, a second end, an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe receives crude oil and a demulsifier and mixes the crude oil and the demulsifier to form a mixture. The apparatus includes a heater surrounding at least a portion of the vessel. The heater is configured to provide heat to the mixture. The apparatus includes a guided wave radar configured to generate a reference pulse of microwave energy and detect a surface echo reflected from the mixture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating vibration in drill strings include performing a drilling operation using a disintegrating tool, obtaining a first load measurement of a first load during the drilling operation using a first load sensor having a first sampling rate in the drill string, obtaining a second load measurement of a second load during the drilling operation using a second load sensor having a second sampling rate in the drill string, wherein the second load measurement is different from the first load measurement, and wherein the first load measurement and the second load measurement are synchronized with an accuracy that is greater than a first sampling interval corresponding to the first sampling rate and a second sampling interval corresponding to the second sampling rate, and performing a vibration mitigation operation

Abstract: A drilling method and a drilling apparatus are provided. In the method, the feature parameter of the stratum around the well, the feature parameter of the stratum in front of the drill bit, the preset drilling parameter, the preset trajectory parameter, the current pose of the drill bit and the current rate of penetration of the drill bit are obtained; the feature parameter of the reservoir in front of the drill bit is determined based on the feature parameter of the stratum around the well and the feature parameter of the stratum in front of the drill bit; the above parameters are inputted to the pre-trained drilling parameter modification model to obtain drilling trajectory parameter and drilling speed parameters; and the drilling direction and the rate of penetration are regulated based on the above parameters.

Abstract: An automated slide drilling system (ASDS) may be used with a drilling rig system to control slide drilling. The ASDS may autonomously control slide drilling without user input during the slide drilling. The ASDS may further support a transition from rotary drilling to slide drilling to rotary drilling without user input during the transitions. The ASDS may also support user input and user notifications for various steps to enable manual or semi-manual control of slide drilling by a driller or an operator.

Abstract: The position of a droppable object (e.g., a cementing plug or drillpipe dart) in a cased wellbore may be determined in real time during a cementing operation. A pressure data acquisition system is installed at a wellsite and a pressure transducer is installed at the wellhead. As the droppable object travels through casing it encounters regions with a positive or a negative change of inner cross-sectional dimension. The droppable object generates a pressure pulse as it passes through the regions. The pressure pulse and associated reflections are detected by the pressure transducer, and the signals are processed mathematically to determine the current position of the droppable object.

Abstract: A method of operating an actuator in mud having debris and lost circulation material is described. The method includes closing a servo valve positioned within a valve housing. The valve housing has a plurality of fluid vents positioned downstream of the servo valve and a plurality of debris vents positioned upstream of the servo valve. Dimensions of the plurality of fluid vents are less than dimensions of the plurality of debris vents. Closing of the servo valve creates a first fluid path such that fluid flows from a mud pump at a surface into the plurality of debris vents and out of the plurality of fluid vents shielding the servo valve from debris and lost circulation material.