Abstract: A passive diffusion sampler and kit that includes a passive diffusion sample bag comprising a regenerated cellulose membrane to allow for sampling of a broad spectrum of contaminants and VOCs. The sample bag is disposed in a rigid housing which protects the bag from tearing and also allows the housing to be inverted to suspend the bag upside down and provide a user access to a fluid outlet means on the bag for withdrawing a sample from the bag without agitating the sample.

Abstract: A dump bailer assembly includes a downhole power unit and a dump bailer body. A piston is disposed within the dump bailer body and is releasably coupled to a moveable shaft of the downhole power unit. An actuation assembly is disposed proximate a first end of the dump bailer body and a barrier is positioned proximate a second end of the dump bailer body. A wellbore agent is disposed within the dump bailer body between the barrier and the piston. In operation, the downhole power unit retracts the moveable shaft shifting the piston toward the first end and energizing the actuation assembly. Further operation of the downhole power unit releases the moveable shaft from the piston such that the energized actuation assembly shifts the piston toward the second end such that interaction between the piston and the wellbore agent opens the barrier and dispenses the wellbore agent.

Abstract: A pressure measurement system for use with a subterranean well can include a chamber positioned in the well, the chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion as positioned in the well, and a device which, in response to gravity acting on the device, selects the upper portion of the chamber for communication with a line extending to a remote location. A method of measuring pressure in a well can include introducing a chamber into the well, then selecting a vertically upper portion of the chamber, and establishing communication between the upper portion of the chamber and a line extending to a remote location.

Abstract: A pressure measurement system for use with a subterranean well can include a chamber positioned in the well, the chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion as positioned in the well, and a device which, in response to gravity acting on the device, selects the upper portion of the chamber for communication with a line extending to a remote location. A method of measuring pressure in a well can include introducing a chamber into the well, then selecting a vertically upper portion of the chamber, and establishing communication between the upper portion of the chamber and a line extending to a remote location.

Abstract: A sampling tool to sample formation fluids in a wellbore is disclosed. The sampling tool may include a sample chamber having a fluid inlet port and a tubular portion. A first piston may be sealably and movably disposed within the tubular portion. One or more surfaces of the first piston and the sample chamber may, at least in part, define a sample space. A second piston may be sealably and movably disposed within the first piston.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for removing fluid from a subterranean well and enhancing the production of oil and/or gas are herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an injection conduit, an injection valve, a relief valve, a container, a container valve, a return conduit valve, and a return conduit, all arranged within a subterranean well for removing at least one fluid from the well. The removal of at least one fluid from the well is controlled by the flow of gas into the injection conduit.

Abstract: A coiled tubing deployed fluid sampler (50) for collecting a single phase fluid sample from a well. The fluid sampler (50) is actuated to establish fluid communication between an interior (56) and an exterior of the fluid sampler (50) such that a fluid sample is obtained from the well in a chamber (92) of the fluid sampler (50). The fluid pressure in the coiled tubing string is then increased, which pressurizes the fluid sample in the chamber (92). Thereafter, the coiled tubing and the fluid sampler (50) are retrieved to the surface with the pressurized fluid sample remaining above its saturation pressure during collection and retrieval to the surface.

Abstract: Utilization of geothermal energy in depths above 5 km could contribute considerably to resolving the global problems related to a lack of energy and to glasshouse gases from fossil fuels. The invention describes innovative equipment which makes deep holes in geological formations (rock) by disintegrating the soil into blocks carried to the land surface through the excavated hole filled with liquid, using transport modules yielded up by gas buoyancy interaction in the transport module utilizing supercavitation. In an opposite direction—by help of negative buoyancy—the necessary energy carriers, materials and components, or entire devices required for rock excavation, are carried to the bottom. The opportunity to transport rock in entire blocks reduces energy consumption considerably, because the rock is disintegrated in the section volumes only. Some of the extracted rock and material carried from the surface is used to make a casing of the hole using a part of the equipment.

Abstract: An underbalanced perforating system is disclosed for use in openhole completions to maximize the wellbore and matrix cleanup efficiency, to connect natural fracture patterns, and/or to enable application of new drilling fluid technology in difficult subsurface environments. The perforating system can be used for any hydrocarbon bearing formations with any lithology.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that permit a packer element to be deflated in the event of an emergency wherein power to the inflating pump is lost. An inflatable packer assembly having packer elements are selectively inflated by fluid pumped from the wellbore through an inflation tube into the packer elements. The packer assembly includes a deflation sub that houses the components of the emergency deflation mechanism. The deflation sub defines a dumping chamber that is at approximately atmospheric pressure, retains a portion of the inflation line for the packer elements and a means for separating the inflation line. To actuate the emergency deflation mechanism, an operator pulls up on the tubing string. A piston is then moved axially with respect to the housing, causing separation of the inflation line. Fluid from within the packer elements is then released into the dumping chamber to deflate the packer elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole cementing apparatus run into a borehole on a tubular. The apparatus is constructed on the pipe in such a way that pressure surge during run-in is reduced by allowing fluid to enter the pipe and utilize the fluid pathway of the cement. In one aspect of the invention, an inner member is provided that filters fluid as it enters the fluid pathway. In another aspect of the invention, various methods are provided within the cementing apparatus to loosen and displace sediment in the borehole prior to cementing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, use of one or more chambers to create an underbalance condition and/or a fluid surge in the wellbore. In another arrangement, a tool string comprises a packer, a circulating valve, and an atmospheric chamber, in which the circulating valve, when open, is adapted to vent a lower wellbore region below the packer when the packer is set, and the atmospheric chamber is capable of being operated to create an underbalance condition below the packer. In yet another arrangement, an apparatus comprises a subsea wellhead equipment including a blow-out preventer, choke line filled with a low density fluid, and a kill line filled with a heavy fluid. The choke line is adapted to be opened to create an underbalance condition in the wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole in-line tubular accumulator for the attenuation of pressure pulses generated by operation of a downhole vibratory apparatus in an oil or gas well. An inner tube is positioned within a hollow housing, with the inner tube being attached to the housing at their upper ends. The lower end of the inner tube is unattached within the housing, thereby establishing an annular upper cavity between the inner tube and the housing, and an open lower cavity in the housing below the unattached lower end of the inner tube. The attenuator is run into the well on a work string. Pressure pulses traveling through the fluid column in the work string are attenuated by entrapped air in the annular upper cavity in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic system for lifting petroleum, for application in wells, which may be flowing or non-flowing wells, preferably with low productivity levels or with low static pressure. The system uses cyclic pressurization and depressurization of a petroleum storage chamber located in the lower portion of the well by the injection of gas to force the fluid which has accumulated in the storage chamber to be lifted via the production column. After the storage chamber has been emptied to a certain degree, it is depressurized to allow refilling. When the storage chamber is depressurized, the gas may be diverted to the annular space between the production column and an auxiliary lift tube, where it plays a part in increasing the height of the column of fluid which it is possible to lift. A control system is responsible for the cyclic nature of the operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing sand and other debris from a wellbore. The apparatus is particularly suited for wireline operation, and requires minimal surface equipment. A housing is lowered into the wellbore until the housing is proximate to the sand, and a valve is opened to permit entry of the sand into a housing chamber. The housing can be raised to the wellbore surface so that the sand can be removed from the housing chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing has two chambers each having a floating piston. A liquid is initially retained within the first chamber and is pressurized as the housing is lowered into the wellbore. Activation of a valve and differential pressures acting across the first piston move the liquid into the second chamber and draw the sand into the first chamber. The second chamber captures the liquid and facilitates return of the pistons to the initial position after the sand is emptied from the first chamber.

Abstract: To take a sample of liquid and/or gaseous hydrocarbon at the surface or down an oil well, use is made of a flexible bag suspended by a tube from a top region of a wall of a closed receptacle. The bag and the tube are made of a flexible material that is leakproof and inert relative to the sample to be taken, such as a cross-linked polymer. The volume of sample admitted into the bag is controlled so as to avoid stretching the wall of the bag.

Abstract: A tall cylindrical silicone rubber gas permeable tube is adapted to fit in an injection well at least partly below the water table for the bioremediation of organic contaminants and to contain pressurized oxygen and/or other gases supportive of the anaerobic micro-organism activity. The gases slowly diffuse through the bladder at rates that permit their full utilization by dissolution in the underground water.

Abstract: A well fluid sampling tool and method for retrieving chemically accurate hydrocarbon samples from new wells. The sampling tool is provided with a chemically inert sample chamber and lowered to the required depth in the well where a well fluid sample is admitted to the sample chamber, which is subsequently sealed. The tool is preferably arranged so that pressures inside and outside the sample chamber remain substantially equal during and after sample taking. The sample may be subject to post-sampling pressurisation to keep the sample in its original single-phase state.The chemical inertness of the sample chamber avoids removal of reactive components of the well fluid from the sample by chemical reaction with the material of the sample chamber (which is conventionally metal). This enables accurate assessment of new wells without the need for extended flow testing.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluid flow separators for use with high velocity production fluid flow. The separator has an expansion chamber provided with a flow barrier mounted within the chamber. The barrier is formed from an impact deformable material, such as wood, which allows the solid particles carried by the fluid flow to embed themselves and form a layer against which other solid particles strike without destroying the equipment. A choke assembly is mounted upstream from the barrier and is formed by a main body and a removable choke bean. The bean is threadably engaged within the main body to allow its easy removal once excessive wear is detected. A flexible O-ring seal is made upstream from the threadable engagement and another seal, metal-to-metal, is formed downstream from the engaging threads. A transverse port made in the main body communicates with an annular space formed between an interior wall of the main body and exterior wall of the insert downstream from the metal-to-metal seal.

Abstract: An improved module and assembly for sampling liquids and gases within the ground is characterized by module housings containing sampling cavities having lateral openings to the exterior of the housings. Within each lateral opening a removable insert and piston assembly is provided. The piston is displaceable between open and closed positions within the insert in response to changes in pressure from pressure and vacuum sources. When in the closed position, the piston and insert are flush with the exterior of the housing to prevent contaminants from accumulating at the opening. When the module is inserted to a desired depth in the ground, the piston is displaced to the open position and samples from the soil at the desired depth enter the sampling cavity.

Abstract: A down hole well tool for use in operating another well tool against the resistance of incompressible well bore fluid. The down hole tool includes a pressure chamber that communicates through an adjustable pressure relief valve with the well bore fluids beneath the tool, so that when the pressure of said fluids exceeds the relief valve setting the valve opens and allows said fluids to pass into the chamber, thereby lowering the fluid pressure beneath the tool and facilitating its downward movement to actuate the other well tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operation for the release of concentric tubing strings used in well operations. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a tubing release assembly and an air chamber assembly as an actuating tool. The tubing release assembly comprises a housing, release sleeve, adjustment nut, pull tube mandrel, pull tube adapter, pull tube latch and retainer ring. The air chamber assembly as an actuating tool comprises a lower end plug, a housing, a housing retainer, seal element assembly, upper and lower shear pin retainers, upper element cone, release ring, setting mandrel, upper end plug, retrieving mandrel, and match drill assembly. Alternately, the tubing release assembly may be actuated by a ball and increased fluid pressure level within the interior of the tubing release assembly.

Abstract: The ground-water sampler collects a time-averaged or composite sample of the ground water. The sampling system was designed to be self-contained and all sources of power being contained within the well casing. The sampler collects the sample on a sorptive media and the media analyzed by a laboratory. The sampling system prevents the exchange of gases between the ground water and the atmosphere. The exchange is prevented by a well packer which is designed to be placed in well casings of 2 inches or greater. The well packer can be easily and economically placed into the well casing with the use of a packer tool. The sampler is inserted into the well packer and once inserted a one-way check valve opens to the aquifer allowing the water to be sampled. After the sampling episode, the sampler is removed from the well packer and the one-way check valve closes. The media is then analyzed in a laboratory.

Abstract: In the representative embodiments of the new and improved apparatus disclosed herein, a string of full-bore well tools are arranged to be suspended from a pipe string in a well bore penetrating an earth formation in flow communication with the well bore. A full-bore packer coupled to the pipe string is operated from the surface for isolating the well bore interval below the packer from the fluids in the well bore thereabove. To test the formation, a test valve coupled to the pipe string is selectively operated from the surface for opening the pipe string to the flow of formation fluids from the isolated well bore interval. Thereafter, when it is desired to obtain a sample of the formation fluids flowing in the pipe string, the new and improved full-bore sample-collecting apparatus coupled to the pipe string is selectively operated from the surface to admit the fluids in the pipe string into an annular sample chamber within the new and improved apparatus.

Abstract: A well bottom hole fluid pressure measuring structure including external to internal pressure transducer fluid passage communicating structure with pressure balancing on engaged probe members to prevent undesired pressure lift separation of one probe section from another. A locking mandrel, landing nipple and probe structure is provided with positioning of the probe to the lock set state holding the mandrel in a locked state such that fluid pressure differential across the mandrel cannot unlock the probe from the mandrel.