Abstract: A centralizer comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, a plurality of bow springs connecting the first body portion to the second body portion, and one or more expandable elements coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion. A method of centralizing a wellbore tubular comprises compressing a bow spring radially inward from a starting position to a compressed position, wherein the bow spring is coupled to a first body portion and a second body portion, applying a tensile force between the first body portion and the second body portion while the bow spring is in the compressed position, and restoring the bow spring from the compressed position to the starting position.

Abstract: A non-rotating downhole sleeve adapted for open hole drilling and/or casing centralization. The sleeve includes a tubular body made of hard plastic with integrally formed helical blades positioned around its outer surface and an inner surface configuration which allows drilling fluid circulation to form a non-rotating fluid bearing between the sleeve and the drill pipe or casing. The helical blades reduce sliding and rotating torque while drilling, with minimal obstruction to drilling fluid passing through the borehole between the blades.

Abstract: A centralizer comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, a plurality of bow springs connecting the first body portion to the second body portion, and a window disposed in the first body portion. The centralizer may also have a wellbore tubular disposed longitudinally within the first body portion, the second body portion, and the plurality of bow springs, and an upset disposed on the surface of the wellbore tubular and within the window.

Abstract: A system for providing temporary protection, including an operative device located at an external surface of a member. A cover is externally disposed with respect to the operative device for initially protecting the operative device. The cover is chemically reactive to a downhole fluid for removal of the protective cover. A method of temporarily protecting an operative device is also included.

Abstract: A wedge ring is provided for securing a centralizer or other structure to a tubular element. The wedge ring comprises a first surface comprising a plurality of teeth configured to engage a surface of the tubular element. The wedge ring also comprises a second surface that is threaded to engage a complementary threaded surface of the centralizer or other structure.

Abstract: A retainer and guide ring includes a first ring half and a second ring half that when placed adjacent to one another forms a complete ring. The retainer and guide ring also includes a kerf that is formed between ends of each of the first and second ring halves, which ranges from about zero inches to about 0.010 inches. In some exemplary embodiments, the retainer and guide ring is formed by obtaining two identical rings and making a cut along an edge of the diameter on each ring thereby forming a larger ring arc and a smaller ring arc for each of the rings. The two larger ring arcs are used to form the retainer and guide ring. In another exemplary embodiment, the retainer and guide ring is formed by obtaining a single ring and making a cut along the diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for cleaning the inner wall of wellbores and for capturing downhole wellbore debris. An elongated, tubular central mandrel is provided with recesses on its outer surface. Various service elements are interchangeably mounted over the split rings. The various service elements include stabilizers, brush assemblies, junk baskets and magnets.

Abstract: A tubular centralizer is secured to the tubular for run in. The profile for run in is small so that damage to the centralizer is minimized during run in. When the string is in position the centralizer is actuated to change shape or volume to engage the surrounding borehole to centralize the tubular for subsequent operations such as cementing or in the case of screens for gravel packing. The centralizer can be a shape memory material that is initially compressed at above its transition temperature to hold the smaller shape. At the desired location after run in it is brought above the transition temperature and changes back to the original shape or volume to centralize the tubular string. The structure can be spaced ring segments or a cohesive ring structure with an undulating profile or radiating blades to create flow spaces in the annulus where it is deployed for flow of a sealing material or gravel, for example.

Abstract: A control line protector for use with a tubing string, e.g. production tubing having at least one control line on an outer surface thereof is disclosed. The control line protector comprises a sleeve having a cylindrical rigid outer wall, the sleeve being locatable around the tubing string and the at least one control line, and a polymeric scaling element disposed, in use, between an inner surface of the outer wall of the sleeve and the tubing string, operable to substantially seal the space between the outer wall of the sleeve and the tubing string.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for removing hazardous trace elements from hydrocarbon reservoir effluent is implemented by placing an adsorbing volume of material designed to adsorb the hazardous trace elements into the vicinity of a producing formation face at a downhole location; and letting the reservoir effluent flow through the volume of adsorbing material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for securement of lines to downhole well tools. A method of securing one or more lines to a well tool includes the steps of: installing the one or more lines in a groove formed longitudinally along an outer surface of the well tool, the groove having a width at the outer surface of the well tool which is narrower than a width of the groove at a position radially inward relative to the outer surface; and securing the one or more lines in the groove. A well tool includes a groove formed longitudinally along an outer surface of an outer housing of the well tool. The groove has a width at the outer surface of the well tool which is narrower than a width of the groove at a position radially inward relative to the outer surface. One or more lines are secured in the groove.

Abstract: Control lines on the outer surface of a tubular disposed within a drilling riser casing may be encapsulated to facilitate formation of a seal in an annular space defined by an inner surface of the drilling riser casing and an outer surface of the tubular. More specifically, an encapsulation body may be configured to at least partially encase control lines. The encapsulation body may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may have an arcuate shape that corresponds to the outer surface of the tubular to facilitate formation of a seal between the first surface of the encapsulation body and the outer surface of the tubular when the first surface of the encapsulation body abuts the outer surface of the tubular. The second surface may be shaped to provide a geometrically continuous periphery about the tubular and the encapsulation body when the first surface of the encapsulation body abuts the outer surface of the tubular.

Abstract: A temperature activated actuator installed on a tubular to actuate an adjacent device may include one or more shape-memory alloy elements. The elements may be coupled between a first portion and a second portion of a device, or the elements may be coupled between the tubular and a portion of the device. The elements are activated by raising the temperature to a transition temperature to cause metallurgical phase transformation, causing the elements to shrink and displace at least a portion of the device. The actuator may be used, for example, to actuate a centralizer from a run-in mode to a deployed mode or, alternately, to actuate a packing member from a run-in mode to an isolating mode. A nickel-titanium alloy, for example, may be used as the shape-memory alloy material from which the shape-memory element is made.

Abstract: A method of providing at least one projection (4) on a tubular body (1) of the type required by the oil and gas industry for use in recovery of and transporting of crude oil or gas, namely oil-country-tubular goods (OCTG), said projection (4) having a predetermined form such as a blade, ribbing, or the like stand-off projection, by providing materials capable of being moulded, applying a mould to a tubular (OCTG) body, and moulding said materials using said mould onto said tubular body (1).

Abstract: A tubular component includes a limit collar disposed about the tubular component, and the limit collar comprises a body portion comprising a plurality of upsets disposed on an inner surface of the body portion, wherein the plurality of upsets define a first ring, a second ring, and at least one rib, at least one chamber formed between the inner surface of the body portion, an outer surface of the tubular component, and one or more surfaces of the first ring, the second ring, or the at least one rib, and a binder portion disposed in the at least one chamber.

Abstract: A downhole stabilizer includes a radial expansion assembly deployed about, and configured to rotate substantially freely with respect to, a tool mandrel. The expansion assembly preferably includes at least one stabilizer block configured to extend radially outward from the mandrel into contact with a wellbore casing string. When deployed between uphole and downhole cones, the stabilizer block preferably includes a plurality of angled splines configured to engage corresponding splines disposed on the cones. Relative axial motion between the stabilizer block and the cones causes a corresponding radial extension or retraction of the block.

Abstract: A centralizer having a plurality of collapsible bows interconnecting a first collar and a second collar, with the centralizer disposed on a tubular with a stop collar, and an attachable retainer(s) of the centralizer blocking passage of the stop collar therethrough. The bows may have a yield strength of at least about 200,000 psi. Outer surface of the bows may have a coefficient of friction equal or less than about 0.02. Maximum radial thickness of centralizer when the plurality of collapsible bows is fully collapsed may be equal to or less than 3/16?. Centralizer may be rotatable relative to tubular. Centralizer having a split tubular body forming first and second collars connected by collapsible bows and a retainer to retain the split tubular body on the tubular, and the retainer, the first collar and/or the second collar providing a recess therein to receive a stop collar of the tubular.

Abstract: A well bore fluid recovery system and method is disclosed for recovering a column of well bore fluid within a stand of casing before cutting the casing. The recovery system relates to a system for preventing fluids from being spilled when casing is being finished for a well bore. After being run the casing must be cut and finished at an appropriate level to install rig equipment such as blow out preventers along with other equipment. However, because of earlier operations, the entire length of casing is typically filled with drilling fluid. Depending on conditions, the length of casing which is to be cut and removed may therefore over a 100-foot (27.4 meter) column of drilling fluid therein. The drilling fluid in this section must be properly drained before the casing is cut and removed.

Abstract: A downhole affixation and release assembly including a first component; a second component, and an interconnection device for at least temporarily securing the first component to the second component. The interconnection device operatively arranged to at least partially degrade upon exposure to a fluid. Also included is a method of affixing and releasing two components.

Abstract: A rotating drill string sub redistributes wellbore drill cuttings into the drilling fluid flowstream to improve the efficiency of the drilling operation. Standoff elements are located on each side of an agitator, all configured on a relatively short section of drill pipe. The agitator comprises a plurality of alternating blades standing radially outward from and arranged helically about the axis of the sub, and grooves located between pairs of adjacent blades, each groove comprising a flow channel that is open at both ends of the agitator. The standoff elements contain abutment surfaces having an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the agitator, so that the agitator is prevented from contacting the wall of the wellbore and therefore does not experience the forces that the standoff elements experience.

Abstract: A well fishing method and system is described. In at least one example of the invention, a method of retrieval of material (e.g., a tubing string) having broken control or monitoring lines from a cased well is provided. The method comprises: isolating, from the well casing, broken lines above the material to be retrieved, thereby creating a substantially axial work passage; grasping the material to be removed through the substantially axial work passage; and pulling the material to be retrieved and the restrained lines from the well. Example shrouds, probes and other members are also described.

Abstract: A line retention system includes a positionally fixed retainer having one or more recesses therein that are receptive to one or more lines. The system further includes one or more spline recesses in the positionally fixed retainer receptive to one or more position splines and one or more position splines that are receivable in the one or more spline recesses. A method for retaining one or more lines is included.

Abstract: A centralizer for an oil well drill casing including at least one strip of ceramic or plastic material applied onto an outer wall of the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fluids using the Earth's inner heat to generate power and desalinate water. Fluids include fresh water and sea water to be desalinized. The method involves passing a filtered fluid down a channel formed by two concentric tubes in a deep well defining inner and outer channels, to a depth at which the fluid reaches the needed temperature. Hot fluids pass into an inner channel and flow to surface with small heat loss, through an insulated pipe. The hot fluid may be vaporized to produce power, and returned to the system when condensed, forming a closed system, or it may be desalinize seawater in an integrated process that also produces electrical power.

Abstract: A close-tolerance expandable bow spring centralizer 8 having a first expandable collar 10A coupled to and spaced apart from a second expandable collar 10B through a plurality of bow springs 30 wherein expandable collars 10A, 10B comprise a plurality of slidably coupled links 16 that separate to expand the diameter of the collars 10A, 10B, e.g., upon expansion of an expandable pipe string 80 on which the centralizer 8 is received. Expandable bow spring centralizer 8 may grip the expandable pipe string 80 when in the collapsed configuration to eliminate the need for a stop collar. Additionally or alternatively, a fin 32 may be connected to each bow spring 30, and then connected to one or more adjacent fins 32 upon collapse of the bow springs 30 to form a restraining band 39 that may be ruptured, e.g., upon expansion of the expandable pipe string 80.

Abstract: A transport assembly comprising: an attachment member attachable to a downhole tool; normally two rotatable members, connected to the attachment member, the rotatable members being arranged to rotate around their main longitudinal axis; a plurality of engaging members attached to each rotatable member and extending radially outwards therefrom with respect to the main longitudinal axis; the engaging members being helically arranged around the rotatable members. The transport assembly can thus be driven into a well in a ‘corkscrew’ type manner. Embodiments include a jarring mechanism which may be reset downhole and can jar attached tools in either direction.

Abstract: A centralizer for an instrument such as an in-place inclinometer is described. The centralizer has a clamp with an inner receptacle configured for coupling to the instrument housing, and a plurality of elongate fingers extending from the clamp that center the instrument in the casing. The fingers carry rollers that fit into grooves in the instrument casing. The fingers are arcuate and provide a spring-like contact force that causes the rollers to abut the instrument casing and stabilize the instrument.

Abstract: A downhole controller for aligning downhole tools including a body extending between an upstream portion and a downstream portion, wherein a longitudinal axis of the body is coincident with the longitudinal axis of a borehole. First and second springs are disposed proximate the upstream and downstream portions, respectively. A first bulkhead is disposed around the upstream portion and a second bulkhead is disposed around the downstream portion. The first bulkhead having a first plurality of ribs extending outwardly therefrom to define an upper recess spaced from a middle recess and the second bulkhead having a second plurality of ribs extending outwardly therefrom to define a bottom recess. A linkage bar system is coupled to the upper, middle, and bottom recesses disposed around the body, wherein the linkage bar system includes first through third linkage bars, a roller support plate, and a roller.

Abstract: A centralizer for a well logging instrument includes a mandrel, a plurality of bow springs arranged circumferentially about the exterior surface of the mandrel and a biasing device in contact with one longitudinal end of each bow spring. The biasing device is configured to apply longitudinal biasing force to the longitudinal end of the respective bow spring.

Abstract: A centralizer comprises a first collar, a second collar, a plurality of bow springs coupling the first collar to the second collar, and a plurality of particulates disposed on an outer surface of at least one bow spring. One or more of the first collar, the second collar, and the bow springs comprises a composite material. In some embodiments, the centralizer comprises a third collar, wherein the plurality of bow springs comprise a first portion of bow springs and a second portion of bow springs, and wherein the first portion of the bow springs couple the first collar to the third collar and the second portion of the bow springs couple the second collar to the third collar.

Abstract: Centralizer includes a body formed of a first material and an outer shell formed of a second material. The outer shell is installed to resist destructive damage and longitudinal creep of the portion formed of the first material. The outer shell covers the entire exterior surface of the body, including ribs that protrude from the exterior surface. The outer shell material is more durable than the material of the body. The outer shell material may be steel and the body material may be a polymer. The ribs and exterior surface of the body bond to the outer shell. The centralizers fit on well pipes to centralize them within boreholes.

Abstract: Shrinkable sleeve stabilizers formed around the outer surface of a pipe to enhance position stability of the pipe when operably positioned within a well bore and related methods, are provided. The shrinkable sleeve stabilizer according to an embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of elongate stabilizer blades shaped and configured to connect around an outer diameter of the pipe, and a shrinkable sleeve sized to wrap around an outer surface of the each of the plurality of stabilizer blades when connected to the outer diameter of the pipe to immobilize each of the plurality of stabilizer blades when activated.

Abstract: A centralizer comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, a plurality of bow springs connecting the first body portion to the second body portion, and a window disposed in the first body portion. The centralizer may also have a wellbore tubular disposed longitudinally within the first body portion, the second body portion, and the plurality of bow springs, and an upset disposed on the surface of the wellbore tubular and within the window.

Abstract: A close-tolerance expandable bow spring centralizer 8 having a first expandable collar 10A coupled to and spaced apart from a second expandable collar 10B through a plurality of bow springs 30 wherein expandable collars 10A, 10B comprise a plurality of slidably coupled links 16 that separate to expand the diameter of the collars 10A, 10B, e.g., upon expansion of an expandable pipe string 80 on which the centralizer 8 is received. Expandable bow spring centralizer 8 may grip the expandable pipe string 80 when in the collapsed configuration to eliminate the need for a stop collar. Additionally or alternatively, a fin 32 may be connected to each bow spring 30, and then connected to one or more adjacent fins 32 upon collapse of the bow springs 30 to form a restraining band 39 that may be ruptured, e.g., upon expansion of the expandable pipe string 80.

Abstract: A stop collar or like device is formed in one piece to have a portion for a tool to be attached. Movement of the tool allows the collar to be drawn tightly into engagement onto a pipe or other tubular member. A bow centraliser has alternate bows longitudinally offset to reduce initial insertion force. The centraliser may be formed to have end bands of the type used in the stop collar.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a rigid centralizer having at least one annular band with radially extending embossed flutes spaced around an outer surface of the at least one annular band and a plurality of elongated connecting posts welded to an inner surface of the at least one annular band to form a tubular receiving annulus.

Abstract: A downhole centraliser arranged to receive a downhole tubular has a tubular body with opposed ends and is formed of plastics material A respective end ring is mounted in the or each opposed end and is formed of a plastics material having a Youngs Moldulus no greater than that of the tubular body.

Abstract: A control line running system includes a control line storage unit and a guiding system having a guiding device and a guide rail for guiding a control line from the control line storage unit toward a well center. The system may also include a control line manipulator assembly for moving the control line toward a tubular and a control line clamp for attaching the control line to the tubular.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus for location on a tubular, an assembly, and a method of use are described. The apparatus comprises a body with a throughbore configured to receive a tubular, and at least one swellable member that comprises a material selected to expand upon exposure to at least one predetermined fluid. The swellable member is arranged to provide a seal between the body and a tubular on which it is located during use, for example in a micro-annulus between the body and the tubular. Advantageously, the apparatus may be configured such that the body is moveable on the tubular before expansion, which may permit the apparatus to be slipped or slid onto the tubular into its desired location. The apparatus may be configured to rotate or slide on the tubular.

Abstract: An RCD can include a housing assembly which contains a bearing assembly and an annular seal which rotates and seals off an annulus between a tubular string and an RCD body, a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits and prevents relative displacement between the housing assembly and the body, and a remotely operable safety latch which selectively permits and prevents unclamping of the clamp device. A method of remotely operating an RCD clamp device can include remotely operating a safety latch which selectively permits and prevents unclamping of the clamp device, and remotely operating the clamp device while the safety latch is in an unlatched position, thereby unclamping a bearing housing assembly from the RCD body. Another RCD can include a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits access to an RCD body interior, and a remotely operable safety latch which selectively prevents unclamping of the clamp device.

Abstract: A zonal isolation device (10; 20; 30; 300; 400; 500; 600) in the form of an active external casing packer is provided which includes a tubular section such as a casing or liner (1; 21; 31; 171; 203) arranged to be run into and secured within a larger diameter generally cylindrical structure such as an open borehole (163; 213). At least one sleeve member (3; 23; 33; 43; 173) is positioned on the exterior of the casing or liner and is sealed thereto and at least two deformable band members (201; 401, 403; 501) are provided around and are bonded to the outer circumference of the sleeve member. The sleeve member and the at least two deformable band members is/are expanded into place against the inner circumference of the open borehole by increasing the pressure within the sleeve member.

Abstract: A device (100, 200) is for centering a drill casing (7) within a wellbore (3). The device (100, 200) includes a generally tubular body (9) having an outer surface (11) facing the wellbore (3). A plurality of protrusions (4) is disposed on the outer surface (11) along a line (6). A gap region between the protrusions (4) along the line (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming downhole apparatus. The method comprises disposing a plastics material (26) on a reinforcing apparatus (24) to form a body (12) having a bore extending through the body. The reinforcing apparatus (24) provides reinforcement of the plastics material (26) and the thus formed body (12) is configured to provide, when in use, standoff between downhole components, with the reinforcing apparatus being configured to at least one of contract and expand.

Abstract: One apparatus for releasing a chemical in a well bore includes a casing collar configured to couple to a casing string. A chemical container is disposed within the casing collar, and the casing collar is configured to release the chemical from the chemical reservoir.

Abstract: Centralizers including at least a portion formed of a first material and at least one end band secured to the first material and formed of a second material. The end band being installed to resist detachment from the portion formed of the first material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a stop collar for tubulars, wherein the collar includes an annular stop collar member formed from at least one collar segment, and a weld joint attaching each of the at least one collar segments together, each of the weld joint(s) having a head and stem, wherein in certain embodiments the head has a width that is generally greater than the stem.

Abstract: A stroker device for use in a borehole in the ground is disclosed. The stroker at least comprises an actuator arranged for displacing a tool in a longitudinal direction of the borehole, and grippers arranged to anchor the stroker to the wall of the borehole, alternatively to a pipe wall, wherein the stroker is provided with driving wheels or driving belts for propulsion.

Abstract: A centralizer for tubular elements is provided which includes an inner part formed by a first material having high mechanical performance and chemical stability and an outer part arranged on said inner part, formed by a second material. The second material may be an autolubricating material. The second material may further possess a low coefficient of friction. The second material may additionally possess lower mechanical performance and chemical stability than the first material. A method of manufacturing the centralizer is also provided, including steps of injecting the first material on a tubular element to form the inner part on the tubular element and injecting the second material to form the outer part on the formed inner part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a downhole tool during a downhole operation. The method and apparatus include a stabilizer having a stabilization member adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position in order to engage a surface in a wellbore. The stabilizer also includes a plurality of actuators adapted to move the stabilization members from the retracted position to the extended position.

Abstract: A stop collar assembly used for axially securing and/or to resist axial sliding of a downhole tool device. The assembly provided on a housing of the downhole tool and includes a generally annular ring having an inner circumference beveled outward proximate to the ring edge. A clamp ring having a raised portion on its outer surface is disposed adjacent and substantially coaxial with the annular ring. Pushing the annular ring against the clamp ring compresses the clamp ring onto the housing to resist axial sliding of the annular ring.