Abstract: A steam injection nozzle for controlling the flowrate of steam injected into a hydrocarbon containing reservoir comprises a passage extending between an inlet and an outlet, wherein the passage comprises a first, pressure dissipating section and a second, pressure recovery section.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering hydrocarbons, such as heavy oils, from a subterranean reservoir. The process includes providing a subcritical or a supercritical aqueous fluid at a high temperature and high pressure to the underground hydrocarbon reservoir, injecting the aqueous fluid into the reservoir to heat the hydrocarbons in the reservoir, and recovering the heated hydrocarbons from the reservoir. In some cases, the supercritical fluid is also used to upgrade the hydrocarbons and/or facilitate the transportation of the hydrocarbons from the production field to another location, such as a refinery. Advantageously, isentropic expansion may be employed anywhere in the system for a more efficient and effective processes and systems.

Abstract: A downhole expandable liner hanger positioned in a subterranean wellbore. The liner hanger may comprise a liner and an expansion element. The expansion element may comprise one or more seal elements bonded to the expansion element in an open-ended containment system, wherein each of the one or more seal elements is a nanoreinforced rubber element comprising a polymer host and a plurality of nanostructures.

Abstract: Provided is a well screen assembly, and method of use therefore. The well screen assembly, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of fluid collecting elements, wherein the fluid collecting elements have collection troughs extending along a length thereof. The well screen assembly, of this embodiment, further includes filter elements positioned over the collection troughs, and flexure mechanisms connecting proximate pairs of the fluid collecting elements, the flexure mechanisms allowing the plurality of fluid collecting elements to radially extend from a compact state to a radially extended state.

Abstract: A tubular coupling comprising a first component (1) having a tubular male spigot (2) with a headed formation (3) on the outside thereof and extending towards one of its ends and a second component (5) has a socket for receiving the headed formation on the tubular male spigot in releasable manner. The second component has a flow passage (6) communicating with the socket generally collinearly with the tubular male spigot in the installed position. A seat (7) is provided in the inner surface of the socket so that it encircles an opening (8) where it communicates with the socket and the tubular male spigot has a resilient seal (9) for sealing an adjacent end of the tubular male spigot to the flow passage. The headed formation and socket are shaped to provide guide surfaces enabling introduction of the headed formation into the socket with the axis of the tubular male spigot extending transverse, typically at right angles, to the axis of a flow passage in the second component.

Abstract: An improved rope socket for downhole operations, capable of separating within the wellbore to permit removal of upper components and attached wireline, while lower components including an uphole-facing fishing neck remain attached to a tool string or fish within the wellbore. Also, an improved drop bar for actuating a release mechanism of the improved rope socket. The improved drop bar includes wheel assemblies having integrated axles to provide a stronger axle capable of offset placement along the circumference of the drop bar.

Abstract: A device for connecting sucker, or drive rods, consisting of a threaded coupling, one end of which has a right hand female thread and the other a left hand female, which joins the threaded pins of adjacent rods. The ends of the pins are equipped with dogs, or lugs, that interlock when the connection is made up, firmly linking the rods torsionally. The coupling serves only to keep the dogs, or lugs, engaged and to carry the tensional load on the connection. Such a connection provides a stronger torsional link between rods than connections currently available. The connection also does not require the special make-up procedure of the current systems and cannot over tighten or back off during operation.

Abstract: A workover riser arrangement designed to allow installation/retrieval of a coiled tubing suspended Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) into live wells is described. The installation takes place by the use of a coiled tubing as a running string that extends through respective apparatuses in said workover riser arrangement and further down towards the well bottom. The workover riser apparatus comprises a first (upper) dual stripper apparatus through which said coiled tubing is to extend, a second (lower) dual stripper apparatus through which said coiled tubing is to extend, a surface BOP, if required, and a surface flow tree arranged between the first and second dual stripper apparatus, an EDP, LRP and an XMT arranged below the second dual stripper apparatus.

Abstract: A submersible pumping assembly for a deviated wellbore is disclosed. The pump assembly including one or more electric submersible pumps disposed in a casing. The casing being disposed in a below ground deviated wellbore. The assembly including one or more electric motors disposed in the casing and configured to operate the one or more electric submersible pumps. The assembly further including one or more flexible joints. The one or more flexible joints are configured to linearly couple the one or more electric submersible pumps and the one or more electric motors and impart flexibility to the assembly in the deviated wellbore. Also provided is a submersible assembly for pumping a fluid.

Abstract: An umbilical assembly for supplying power to subsea equipment includes an electrical conductor to convey an electrical current to the subsea equipment. An insulator surrounds the conductor. A support member is positioned between the insulator and the conductor. The support member has either non-magnetic properties or low-magnetic properties because of its material composition. The support member is adapted to connect to a structure at the surface of the sea. The support member supports the weight of the conductor. The supporting of the weight of the conductor by the support member can be to reduce creep typically associated with the conductor supporting its own weight. The support member can be used to hermetically seal the conductor and prevent hydrogen migration along the conductor.

Abstract: A method for providing a string of tubing for installation in a well, which method comprises installing a string of tubing within a wellbore. The string of tubing comprises a plurality of elongated tubular members and at least one cylindrical liner comprising a polymer. At least one of the plurality of elongated tubular members includes a cylindrical wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The cylindrical liner has an outer surface that is disposed in adjacent contact with the inner surface of the elongated tubular member. The cylindrical liner has an inner surface that defines the tubing borehole through which fluids are capable of flowing. The cylindrical liner has a scrolled configuration.

Abstract: A well screen system comprises a wellbore tubular and a coiled shunt tube disposed along the wellbore tubular. The coiled shunt tube is configured to be unwound from a reel. A method of gravel packing comprises passing a slurry through a coiled shunt tube, passing the slurry from the coiled shunt tube to an annulus between an outside of a sand screen assembly and a wellbore wall, disposing the slurry about the sand screen assembly, and forming a gravel pack in response to disposing the slurry about the sand screen assembly. The coiled shunt tube is disposed along the sand screen assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing erosion of a cable for use in a wellbore is described herein. The cable has one or more optical fibers adapted to monitor and/or control a condition in the wellbore. The cable includes a layer of elastomeric material at least partially located on an outer surface of the cable. The elastomeric material is adapted to absorb energy due to the impact of particles in production fluid or wellbore fluid against the cable.

Abstract: A flexible tubular structure for oil exploitation, said flexible tubular structure having at least one reinforcing layer and at least one layer of a fluoropolymer compound, wherein said fluoropolymer compound has a composition including a polyvinylidene fluoride homopolymer and a vinylidene fluoride/fluorinated comonomer copolymer, and a plasticizer. The proportion by weight of hexafluoropropylene monomer in the copolymer is greater than 25%.

Abstract: Well conduit system and methods using a first outer conduit wall and at least one second inner conduit wall positioned through a wellhead to define an annulus with radial loading surfaces extending across the annulus and radially between at least two of the conduit walls to form passageways through subterranean strata concentrically, wherein an inner pipe body of greater outer diameter is inserted into an outer pipe body of lesser inner diameter by elastically expanding the circumference of the outer pipe body and elastically compressing the circumference of the inner pipe body, using a hoop force exerted therebetween. Releasing the hoop force after insertion will release the elastic expansion and compression of the pipe bodies to abut the radial loading surfaces within the annulus for sharing elastic hoop stress resistance and thereby forming a greater effective wall thickness, capable of containing higher pressures than the conduit walls could otherwise bear.

Abstract: A casing annulus remediation hose assembly having a hose with an inlet in selective fluid communication with a fluid supply and an exit connected to a nozzle. On the nozzle is an insertion tip for facilitating insertion and retrieval of the hose assembly in and out of an annulus in a wellhead assembly. The insertion tip has an outer annular flexible housing that is coaxially attached to the nozzle and spherical weighted members arranged in series in the housing. A cable extends coaxially from a downstream end of the nozzle and through each weighted member.

Abstract: A drilling tool that has a flexible shaft so as to be able to make short radius curves while still being able to transmit torque and axial loads. The drilling tool includes a drill shaft for transmitting axial load, comprising a series of coaxial ring members connected together such that adjacent ring members are flexible in an axial plane relative to each other; each ring member being connected to an adjacent ring member by connecting member arranged to transmit torque therebetween; and axial supports extend between adjacent ring members so as to transmit axial loads therebetween.

Abstract: A cable and tubing suspends an electrically powered tool in a borehole and provides the tool with electrical power. The cable is disposed in the tubing, and the cable incorporates a conducting member which carries the majority of the tensile stress on the cable without the cable being secured along its length to the inside of the tubing. The cable may be capable of supplying high voltage electrical power, in which case the cable comprises a conducting member having a steel core, an outer cladding of copper, and at least one insulating layer surrounding the outer cladding of copper. The copper makes up between 20% and 40% of the total metal content of the cable, the cable being able to support at least its own weight.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon application cable of reduced nylon with increased flexibility and useful life. The cable may be of a hose or solid configuration and particularly beneficial for use in marine operations. A power and data communicative core of the cable may be surrounded by a lightweight intermediate polymer layer of a given hardness which is ultimately then surrounded by an outer polymer jacket having a hardness that is greater than the given hardness. Thus, a lighter weight polymer is provided interior of the outer polymer jacket, which may be of nylon or other suitably hard material. As such, the overall weight and cost of the cable may be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A self-centering tool for use in a wellbore includes a centering mechanism, a biasing mechanism, and a release mechanism. The centering mechanism includes at least one arm that is configured to move from a first position to a second position. The arm urges a centerline of the tool towards a centerline of the wellbore when in its second position. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the centering mechanism and urges the arm from its first position to its second position. The release mechanism is electro-mechanically actuated. In its locked position, the release mechanism prevents the arm from moving towards its second position, while in its released position the arm is able to move towards its second position. The release mechanism is a split-spool type mechanism. A control system that includes one or more sensors controls the operation of the release mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus (14) for supporting a cable (16) in a fluid-filled pipe (10) extending through an underground borehole, comprising a body for connection to an end of the cable extending along the pipe, the body being buoyant in the fluid filling the pipe, such that when the body is connected to the end of the pipe, it floats at or near the surface (15) of the fluid in the pipe. A method of supporting a cable in a fluid-filled pipe using such apparatus, comprises connecting the cable to the body, and dropping the body into the pipe so as to float on the surface of the fluid filing the pipe.

Abstract: A self-centering tool for use in a wellbore includes a centering mechanism, a biasing mechanism, and a release mechanism. The centering mechanism includes at least one arm that is configured to move from a first position to a second position. The arm urges a centerline of the tool towards a centerline of the wellbore when in its second position. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the centering mechanism and urges the arm from its first position to its second position. The release mechanism is electro-mechanically actuated. In its locked position, the release mechanism prevents the arm from moving towards its second position, while in its released position the arm is able to move towards its second position. The release mechanism is a split-spool type mechanism. A control system that includes one or more sensors controls the operation of the release mechanism.

Abstract: A tool (10) for installing and removing a valve removal plug (60) from wellhead components, the tool comprising a curved pressure containing housing (11) having a first and a second end (12, 13), the housing having a bore (20) extending from the first end to the second end, a flexible drive member (21) within the bore and drive means (40, 41) connected to the drive member for causing rotational movement of the drive member within the pressure containing housing.

Abstract: An expandable tubular system that includes a launcher section coupled to a tubular string and that houses an expansion device. A shoulder section that is formed at a transition point between the launcher section and the tubular string has a wall thickness greater than the wall thicknesses of the tubular string and the launcher section. The shoulder section has an inner diameter less than inner diameters of the launcher section and the tubular string. The shoulder section is arranged to increase the force required to begin expansion of the tubular string and increase the contact area between the inner surface of the shoulder section the expansion device when supporting the weight of the tubular string.

Abstract: There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for the laser drilling of a borehole in the earth. There is further provided with in the systems a means for delivering high power laser energy down a deep borehole, while maintaining the high power to advance such boreholes deep into the earth and at highly efficient advancement rates, a laser bottom hole assembly, and fluid directing techniques and assemblies for removing the displaced material from the borehole.

Abstract: Described herein is a tubular apparatus for the continuous completion of wells for hydrocarbons, of the type comprising a flexible cylindrical wall (11; 11?) defining inside it a hollow passage (19) suitable for being wound, in particular on a spool, and laid for use in the step of completion of a drilling well. According to the invention, said cylindrical wall (11; 11?) comprises a fabric (12, 13, 15; 12?, 13?, 15?) including inside it at least one gap (14; 14?), which develops in the axial direction of said cylindrical wall (11), said fabric (12, 13, 15; 12?, 13?, 15?) comprising means suitable for operating under traction (15; 15?) when within said at least one gap (14; 14?) a pressurized fluid (20) is present injected for stiffening the tubular apparatus (10; 10?).

Abstract: A mechanism to enhance disengagement of release assembly portions from one another when disposed in a well. The mechanism may be disposed at an internal rod of the release assembly and configured to prevent frictional resistance to shifting of the rod.

Abstract: A system for performing subterranean operations is disclosed. The system includes a coiled tubing having a first segment and a second segment. The system further includes a swivel joint positioned at an interface of the first segment and the second segment and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is operable to engage and disengage the swivel joint.

Abstract: A flexible wellbore casing guide having a tubular body positioned at an end of a wellbore casing having a lower stiffness than the wellbore casing whereby the casing guide more easily deflects as the wellbore casing is inserted into the wellbore without causing undue stress on a wellbore formation.

Abstract: A well screen system comprises a wellbore tubular and a coiled shunt tube disposed along the wellbore tubular. The coiled shunt tube is configured to be unwound from a reel. A method of gravel packing comprises passing a slurry through a coiled shunt tube, passing the slurry from the coiled shunt tube to an annulus between an outside of a sand screen assembly and a wellbore wall, disposing the slurry about the sand screen assembly, and forming a gravel pack in response to disposing the slurry about the sand screen assembly. The coiled shunt tube is disposed along the sand screen assembly.

Abstract: Concentric control lines have an outer line disposed about one or more inner lines. Encapsulated together, the lines only require one penetration through the wellhead to extend downhole. At the wellhead, the lines communicate with an operating system, which can provide hydraulics, electric power, signals, or the like for downhole components. Beyond the wellhead, the concentric lines extend along the tubing to a manifold. The outer line sealably terminates at the manifold's inlet, while the inner conduit passes out an outlet with a sealed fitting to connect to a downhole component. A downhole line couples to an outlet of the manifold and communicates internally with the outer conduit terminated at the manifold's inlet. This downhole line can then extend to the same downhole component or some different component.

Abstract: A technique utilizes micro-coil which is formed as a composite to enable use at substantial depths and/or with substantial flow rates. The micro-coil is formed as a tubing with a multi-layered tubing wall. The composite tubing wall provides substantial strength and longevity which allows deployment of the micro-coil in a much wider variety of well treatment applications, such as applications having substantial flow rates and/or applications at substantial well depths.

Abstract: A technique utilizes micro-tubing to facilitate performance of a well treatment in which the micro-tubing is deployed for cooperation with a larger tubing, such as a coiled tubing positioned in wellbore. The micro-tubing is used to deliver a separated chemical downhole to modify a property of a treatment fluid used in performing a desired well treatment operation at a desired treatment region along the wellbore. A variety of additional components may be combined with the micro-tubing to further facilitate the treatment application.

Abstract: A coiled tubing connection system is used in a well. A connector having an engagement end is used to couple a wellbore device to the end of a coiled tubing. The connector is spoolable, and the engagement end comprises engagement features that facilitate formation of a connection that is dependable and less susceptible to separation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing erosion of a cable for use in a wellbore is described herein. The cable has one or more optical fibers adapted to monitor and/or control a condition in the wellbore. The cable includes a layer of elastomeric material at least partially located on an outer surface of the cable. The elastomeric material is adapted to absorb energy due to the impact of particles in production fluid or wellbore fluid against the cable.

Abstract: The current application discloses coiled tubing assemblies and methods of connecting coiled tubing with downhole devices. In an exemplary embodiment, the assembly comprises a coiled tubing, a downhole device for performing an operation in a subterranean wellbore, a connector that mechanically connects the coiled tubing to the downhole device; and a sealing device that seals the connection between the coiled tubing and the connector. The sealing device is substantially free of axial tensions caused by a weight of the downhole device.

Abstract: An apparatus and assembly create a seal in a wellbore around a cable or line. The assembly includes a longitudinal body and a swellable portion which comprises a material selected to increase in volume on exposure to at least one triggering fluid. The swellable portion has a formation open to the longitudinal surface of the body which provides a pathway for a cable or line to extend through the swellable portion, and an insert of swellable material. The insert may partly or fully enclose or encapsulate the cable or line. a formation which is open to an outer longitudinal surface of the body.

Abstract: A method of radially expanding a tubular element in a wellbore formed in an earth formation comprises arranging the tubular element in the wellbore such that a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, whereby an annulus is defined between said expanded and remaining tubular sections, and axially extending the expanded tubular section by moving the remaining tubular section downward relative to the expanded tubular section so that said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A diameter of the expanded tubular section is controlled by controlling a fluid pressure in the annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are shown for installing a metal transition end on an open end of a length of plastic pipe having an outer diameter and an inner diameter by placing a stiffener sleeve within the inner diameter of the plastic pipe at a point which is circumscribed by the metal transition end. An actuating sleeve, carried on the draw rod, allows the stiffener sleeve to be installed in a desired location within the open plastic pipe end by using the draw rod to first position the stiffener sleeve in the desired location. The metal transition end is provided with an internal relief groove which accepts any excess plastic material forced past the stiffener sleeve during the installation process.

Abstract: A spoolable downhole control system includes a length of one or more lines suitable for the downhole environment. The spoolable downhole control system also includes one or more components disposed in signal bearing communication with the one or more lines and along a length of the one or more lines, prior to the system being connected with a string. The components are capable of actuating an operation. A method for creating a downhole system includes spooling out the spoolable downhole control system and joining the one or more components with one or more subs of the tubing string.

Abstract: The subject disclosure generally relates to the field of elongated structures such as coiled tubing and coiled tubing applications in hydrocarbon wells. More particularly, the subject disclosure relates to increasing the reach of coiled tubing by delaying the onset of buckling.

Abstract: A system which attaches at least one line to a tubular string can include at least one clip pivotably secured on one side of a recess. At least one structure is positioned on an opposite side of the recess. Rotation of the clip into engagement with the structure secures the line in the recess. A method of attaching at least one line to a tubular string can include securing the line to a support on the tubular string as the tubular string is being conveyed into a wellbore. The securing step further includes rotating at least one clip into engagement with at least one structure, thereby preventing removal of the line from a recess formed in the support.

Abstract: A swelling element on a packer has a trough formed on a longitudinal axis. The control line or cable or conduit that needs to run along the string where the packer is mounted is first wrapped in a preferably non-swelling underlayment that can be a loose scroll or have its seam sealed. A swelling cover is placed over the underlayment using a seam that can be longitudinal or spiral to allow rapid deployment. The covering assembly for the control line or conduit is placed in the slot of the swelling element of the packer. The line or cable continues out opposed ends and can be secured to the tubular string with clamps. The control line can be covered with a swelling material and forced into a groove that runs the length of the packer swelling element.

Abstract: A wellbore system comprises a wellbore extending into an earth formation, the wellbore containing a body of fluid, and an expandable tubular element arranged in the wellbore, wherein a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element is bent radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. The expanded tubular section is axially extendable by downward movement of the remaining tubular section relative to the expanded tubular section. The body of fluid is located in the remaining tubular section, and a fluid conduit extends from the body of fluid to a location above the remaining tubular section, the fluid conduit being movable in upward direction relative to the remaining tubular section.

Abstract: A method of deploying a downhole tool into a wellbore includes: lowering a cable into the wellbore; after lowering the cable, engaging a mold with an outer surface of the cable; injecting sealant into the mold and into armor of the cable, thereby sealing a portion of the cable; lowering the downhole tool to a deployment depth using the cable; engaging a seal with the sealed portion of the cable; and operating the downhole tool using the cable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the hybrid tool string include coiled tubing and jointed tubing, as well as a means typically located at the connection of the coiled and jointed tubing for sealing the fluid flowpath through the bore of the hybrid tool string. Embodiments of the hybrid tool string may use a pressure-activated valve tool attached in series between the coiled tubing and the jointed tubing, which allows for sealing of the bore by application of pressure. Embodiments of the pressure-activated valve tool may use a flapper in conjunction with a sleeve to seal the bore. The novel hybrid tool string may be used to service a well.

Abstract: An electrical line for installation in a well for transmitting power to a well pump includes a string of coiled tubing. An electrical cable having insulated electrical conductors embedded within an elastomeric jacket extends longitudinally through the interior passage of the tubing. Body members are placed around the outer periphery of the electrical cable, and the body members are compressed onto the electrical cable through the use of an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is held in a compressed state through the use of frangible support elements. Once the electrical cable is in place within the coiled tubing, the user applies an external force to cause the support elements to fail, thereby releasing the anchor assembly from its compressed state. The anchor assembly contacts the inner wall of the coiled tubing, such that the weight of the electrical cable is transferred to coiled tubing.

Abstract: A swelling element on a packer has a trough formed on a longitudinal axis. The control line or cable or conduit that needs to run along the string where the packer is mounted is first wrapped in a preferably non-swelling underlayment that can be a loose scroll or have its seam sealed. A swelling cover is placed over the underlayment using a seam that can be longitudinal or spiral to allow rapid deployment. The covering assembly for the control line or conduit is placed in the slot of the swelling element of the packer. The line or cable continues out opposed ends and can be secured to the tubular string with clamps. The control line can be covered with a swelling material and forced into a groove that runs the length of the packer swelling element.

Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore (1) into an earth formation is disclosed. The method comprises arranging a drill string (6) and an expandable tubular element (8) coaxially in the wellbore, the drill string having an axially extending fluid passage (30), the tubular element surrounding the drill string and having a lower end bent (12) radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section (10) extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, said lower end defining a bending zone of the tubular element, wherein an annular space is formed between the drill string and the remaining tubular section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly installing or withdrawing a sealing liner into or out of a subsurface well bore or borehole. An eversion aid, such as an open-ended cylinder, is engaged with the liner, the eversion aid serving to push the liner down the borehole during installation, and to assist in proper liner extraction during its withdrawal from the borehole. Water is transferred between the liner interior and the borehole outside the liner to regulate the disposition of borehole water, and to aid in proper sealing functions of the liner and to promote proper liner extraction during withdrawal.