Abstract: A caliper-behind casing apparatus and method determines a location and size of a washout (i.e., a void) behind casing in a borehole for a salt cavern used for storing hydrocarbons. The cavern and tubing in the casing are filled with brine. Gaseous nitrogen is used to fill an annulus between the tubing and the casing above and below a casing shoe to obtain image responses from operating a pulsed neutron logging tool in the tubing along the borehole. Analysis of burst ratios of near and far detectors on the pulsed neutron logging tool from these passes is used to detect and estimate a void or washout in the formation behind the casing.

Abstract: Degradable downhole tools that include a doped aluminum alloy may degrade via a galvanic mechanism. More specifically, such a degradable downhole tool may comprise at least one component of the downhole tool made of a doped aluminum alloy that at least partially degrades by micro-galvanic corrosion in the presence of water having a salinity of greater than about 10 ppm, wherein the doped aluminum alloy comprises aluminum, 0.05% to about 25% dopant by weight of the doped aluminum alloy, less than 0.5% gallium by weight of the doped aluminum alloy, and less than 0.5% mercury by weight of the doped aluminum alloy, and wherein the dopant is selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, nickel, tin, chromium, silver, gold, palladium, carbon, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment of this disclosure, method of formulating a sealant to span an opening and form a seal with surfaces across the opening is provided. The method further includes selecting a fluid material capable of contacting and adhering to the surface of the opening and which reacts to form a solid material as a result of a thermal reaction. The method further includes selecting and intermixing one or more solids with the fluid material to form a composite, wherein the composite cures from a fluid to a solid and bond to the surfaces of the opening and the change in volume of the composite as the temperature thereof changes during curing is insufficient to cause it to pull away from the surfaces of the opening or fail internally.

Abstract: Downhole tools, and methods and systems related thereto, comprising a body; and at least one sealing element composed of an elastomer and anhydrous acid particles, and wherein at least a portion of the sealing element hydrolytically degrades in a wellbore environment. The anhydrous acid particles hydrolyze to form an acid that accelerates degradation of the sealing element.

Abstract: A method of drilling a borehole can include chopping drill cuttings with a drilling tool connected in a drill string, the tool receiving the drill cuttings from a drill bit, and then forcing the chopped cuttings against a borehole wall. A well system can include a drilling tool which chops drill cuttings, and another drilling tool which forces the chopped drill cuttings against a borehole wall. Another method of drilling a borehole can include chopping drill cuttings with a drilling tool connected in a drill string, and then forcing the chopped drill cuttings against a wall of the borehole with another drilling tool connected in the drill string. Another drilling system can include a drilling tool connected in a drill string, the tool including at least one device which decreases an average size of drill cuttings between an outer housing and an inner mandrel.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process for providing a clean, non-contaminating process, for producing fracturing of shale, limestone, sands and other geological and mining formations to release natural gas, oil and minerals within a formation. A system used in the process produces on site the energy required to induce fracturing, removing natural gas and oil, and to recycle fluids used in fracturing for additional use. Removable storage provides the necessary materials to provide fracturing, removal and processing of the fracturing liquids for addition use at one or more sites, and to provide processing, storage and transportation of the resulting natural gas and oil.

Abstract: Device for performing deep drillings, especially geothermal, may include a surface base, a borehole in a geological formation, filled with fluid, and a robotic multi-functional underground drilling platform, which contains especially a block (2) for crushing rock (1), a block for continuous formation of casing profile, a block of casing as transfer and transport infrastructure, a block (16) of transport container, a control and communication block (39), an energy block (4), a block of operating transport containers, and a block of removing and loading rock (1) from the place of crushing. The block (2) for rock crushing may be interconnected with block of removing and loading rock (1) from the place of crushing by means of water channels, ensuring removal of the crushed rock—107—. The block of removing and loading rock (1) from the place of crushing may be interconnected with block (16) of transport container by means of water channels.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing cement plugs into a well, comprising a protective sleeve having one end adapted to be attached to the end of a drill pipe and arranged to carry a cementing plug around its outer surface such that a dart passing through the drill pipe can pass through the sleeve and engage only on formations on the plug to withdraw it from the end of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include placing a barrier substance in the wellbore while a fluid is present in the wellbore, and flowing another fluid into the wellbore while the first fluid and the barrier substance are in the wellbore. The first and second fluids may have different densities. Another method can include circulating a fluid through a tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore, then placing a barrier substance in the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore and then flowing another fluid into the wellbore. A well system can include at least two fluids in a wellbore, the fluids having different densities, and a barrier substance separating the fluids.

Abstract: A method of controlling pressure in a wellbore can include placing a barrier substance in the wellbore while a fluid is present in the wellbore, and flowing another fluid into the wellbore while the first fluid and the barrier substance are in the wellbore. The first and second fluids may have different densities. Another method can include circulating a fluid through a tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore, then placing a barrier substance in the wellbore, then partially withdrawing the tubular string from the wellbore and then flowing another fluid into the wellbore. A well system can include at least two fluids in a wellbore, the fluids having different densities, and a barrier substance separating the fluids.

Abstract: Methods for creating packers at a desired location or locations within a wellbore for use in specific wellbore applications. A slurry of fluid medium and hydrolysable particulate matter is flowed to a downhole position and dehydrated. At this location, the particulate matter is released from the fluid medium and accumulated. The continual accumulation of the slurry and consequent deposition of particulate matter creates a degradable packer at the desired location within the wellbore. The particulate matter may be formed of an acid particle which may be removable, degradable, or hydrolysable under certain conditions of temperature, time, hydration, pH, and/or pressure. Either simultaneous with or subsequent to a wellbore activity, the packer is partially or completely removed from the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and assembly for creating 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 which provides a pathway for a cable or line to extend through the swellable portion, and an insert of swellable material. In an embodiment of the invention, the insert partly or fully encloses or encapsulates the cable or line. An aspect of the invention is characterised by the provision of a formation which is open to an outer longitudinal surface of the body.

Abstract: Introducing within a well or pipe a mandrel equipped with an inflatable membrane which can expand radially under the effect of an internal pressure. Positioning the mandrel opposite the portion to be treated, in introducing a pressurized fluid within the membrane such that its end regions form annular bulges pressing firmly against the wall, whereas its mid-region expands to a lesser degree. Forming a peripheral annular space into which is then injected a cement which is liquid but able to harden. Leaving the cement to set so as to form a solid sleeve. Deflating the tubular membrane. Withdrawing the mandrel together with the deflated membrane. The method can be used in the oil sector, particularly for repairing and/or plugging a portion of casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for reverse circulation cementing of surface casing in subterranean formations and associated methods are provided. One example of a method may involve a method of reverse circulation cementing a surface casing in a well bore with a conductor casing positioned therein comprising: providing a tool comprising at least one isolation device coupled to the surface casing; positioning the isolation device in the well bore to isolate an annulus between the surface casing and the conductor casing; flowing cement through a port in the conductor casing in a reverse circulation direction; and allowing the cement to set therein.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of treating a zone of a well comprising a wellbore, a tube which is permeable to settable material, said tube forming an annulus with the wellbore; and wherein said zone is located in the annulus, the method comprises the steps of: (i) placing inside said tube a first plug; (ii) creating on said tube a first opening and a second opening, so that: the zone be located between said first and second openings and the first opening be located between said zone and said first plug; (iii) placing inside said tube a second plug, so that said second plug is located between said second opening and said zone; (iv) injecting a settable material inside said tube between said second and first plugs, so that settable material fills the annulus and the zone by passing through the first opening; and (v) eliminating said second plug.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and to a tool to consolidate a wellbore by displacing conventional cement slurry or any other settable fluid, without any permanent casing. A bladder is inflated inside the bore to act as a mold and to form an annulus that can be filled by cement slurry or any other settable fluid. When the cement or the resin is set, the form is retrieved by straight pull; leaving a cement or resin sheath to support the formation without requiring any re-dulling. The sheath can be perforated if necessary (in the producing zone).

Abstract: A process for drilling a well or a portion of a well capable of providing a generally constant interior wall diameter (monobore) and does not require installation of any liner or steel casing. The process comprises circulating settable material into the borehole wherein the settable material sets on at least a portion of the interior wall of the borehole to create a liner along the wall of the borehole and removing excess settable material out of the borehole.

Abstract: A method comprises heating a formation adjacent a selected depth level within a wellbore extending into the formation, forming a temporary liner in the wellbore, measuring a first temperature of the formation at the selected depth level at a first time after heating the formation, measuring a second temperature of the formation at the selected depth level at a second time after heating the formation, and combining the temperature measurements to derive an indication of thermal properties of the formation. An apparatus comprises a coiled tubing drillstring extending into a wellbore, an assembly supported by the drillstring, the assembly comprising an extruder that extrudes a liner material onto a wall of the wellbore, a heat source that heats the liner material and a formation, and at least one temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use as a downhole tool or a component thereof for insertion into a wellbore. According to one aspect, the apparatus has a body having a chamber, wherein at least a portion of the body is radially expandable; and a water-swellable material in the chamber, wherein the water-swellable material is dissolvable in water. According to another aspect, the apparatus has a body having a chamber, wherein at least a portion of the body is radially expandable, and wherein at least a portion of the body is made with a material that is deteriorable by hydrolysis; and a water-swellable material in the chamber. According to a further aspect, the water-swellable material is dissolvable in water.

Abstract: A process for drilling a well or a portion of a well capable of providing a generally constant interior wall diameter (monobore) and does not require installation of any liner or steel casing. The process comprises circulating settable material into the borehole wherein the settable material sets on at least a portion of the interior wall of the borehole to create a liner along the wall of the borehole and removing excess settable material out of the borehole.

Abstract: Methods of forming permeable sand screens in long, open hole well bores within fluid producing zones are provided by the present invention. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a perforated pipe in the open hole well bore, providing a hardenable composition which after being placed in a desired location cures into a hard mass, placing said hardenable composition in said well bore adjacent to said fluid producing zone within the interior of the perforated pipe therein, between the perforated pipe and the walls of the open hole well bore and within voids or fractures in the producing zone, causing the hardenable composition to cure into a hard permeable mass and drilling the hard permeable mass out of the interior of the perforated pipe.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for sealing an expandable tubular in a wellbore wherein the methods basically comprise placing the expandable tubular in the wellbore, placing a resilient sealing composition into the wellbore, expanding the expandable tubular and allowing the sealing composition to set in the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming metal or metal alloy casings in well bores are provided. A method of the invention comprises the steps of providing and pumping a fluid suspension of a particulate metal or metal alloy into a pipe string within a well bore having a casing forming tool connected thereto. The casing forming tool includes an internal passageway sealingly communicated with the pipe string and with a plurality of radial openings in the tool positioned around the periphery thereof. An internal heater for heating the fluid suspension and melting the particulate metal or metal alloy and an internal rotating impeller for imparting centrifugal force to the fluid suspension are provided in the casing forming tool. Centrifugal force is imparted to the fluid suspension by the rotating impeller whereby the melted particulate metal or metal alloy forms a casing which solidifies on the walls of the well bore.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming permeable cement sand screens in well bores are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, a particulate cross-linked gel containing an internal breaker which after time causes the gel to break into a liquid and water present in an amount sufficient to form a slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions and methods of using the compositions for sealing subterranean zones. The compositions are basically comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophillic clay, sodium carbonate, an epoxy resin and a hardening agent for said epoxy resin.

Abstract: A tubular casing section for a subterranean well has side wall apertures therein which are temporally sealed with plug structures. The plugged casing section is positioned within a wellbore at a selected subterranean formation and cemented in place within the wellbore. The plugs are removed, such as by melting, fracturing, shearing or corrosion, and a stimulation tool is lowered into the casing and operated to pierce through the cement lining at the unplugged casing side wall apertures and into the surrounding subterranean formation to establish communication between the formation and the interior of the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing an inner wall of a portion of a casing positioned in a well employs an inflatable sleeve having an outer surface and a conformable composite sleeve of curable composition extending around the outer surface of the inflatable sleeve. The inflatable sleeve is inflated to compress the composite sleeve against the surface of the inner casing wall. A local, activatable energy source, positioned downhole to deliver heat to the composite sleeve, is activated to cure the composite sleeve to form a hardened sleeve. The hardened sleeve presses against the inner wall of the casing portion to create a fluid seal. The embodiments shown have a number of preferred features. The local energy source includes an exothermic heat energy source for generating heat energy to cure the composite sleeve. The composite sleeve includes a mixture of resin and a curing agent, and the exothermic heat source includes thermite. The thermite includes a composition having a metal oxide and a reductant.

Abstract: A device and its method of application is described for inserting into a shot hole which is at least partially filled with a mud suspension, the device being enclosed by a cover soluble in the mud and containing an expandable material capable of expanding upon contact with the mud and forming a plug which is capable of sealing the borehole, to include apparatus allowing the plug container to be retrieved from the borehole.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced cement lining for an unconsolidated or otherwise problematic zone in a wellbore is built up by first under-reaming the section of the wellbore to be stabilized by the cement lining. Next a drillable metallic liner is centralized in the under-reamed section and the annulus formed between the metal liner and the wellbore wall is filled with the fiber cement. After the cement has hardened, the drillable liner and a portion of its surrounding cement are milled out using the drillable liner as a guide for a piloted mill tool, thus leaving a relatively uniform thick-walled cement sheath bridging the zone to be stabilized in the wellbore while restoring the original diameter of the wellbore through the unconsolidated zone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sealing an inner wall of a portion of a casing positioned in a well employs an inflatable sleeve having an outer surface and a conformable composite sleeve of curable composition extending around the outer surface of the inflatable sleeve. The inflatable sleeve is inflated to compress the composite sleeve against the surface of the inner casing wall. A local, activatable energy source, positioned downhole to deliver heat to the composite sleeve, is activated to cure the composite sleeve to form a hardened sleeve. The hardened sleeve presses against the inner wall of the casing portion to create a fluid seal. The embodiments shown have a number of preferred features. The local energy source includes an exothermic heat energy source for generating heat energy to cure the composite sleeve. The composite sleeve includes a mixture of resin and a curing agent, and the exothermic heat source includes thermite. The thermite includes a composition having a metal oxide and a reductant.

Abstract: A casing is cemented within a well bore (P) or pipe by means of a radially expandable tubular preform (1). For this purpose, a) folded preform (1) is inserted into the well (P) or pipe down to the required level; b) the well is sealed off at the bottom of the preform (10 by means of an inflatable hydraulic retainer (4); c) a curable fluid cement is injected onto the retainer so that it surrounds the lower portion of the preform; d) the preform is gradually unfolded from the top towards the bottom to press the cement against the wall of the well or pipe along the full length of the preform; e) the preform is cured to form a casing while the cement is allowed to set; and f) the retainer (4) is deflated and withdrawn from the well or pipe.

Abstract: The method of casing off a producing formation in a well includes drilling into the producing formation (19) and reaming the borehole in the producing formation zone. Then the producing fomation (19) is shut off with a fluid-impervious envelope (14) of profile pipes reamed in the process of their setting by building up a pressure drop thereacross. Then the flow casing string (5) is run into the well and cemented, followed by re-exposing the producing formation (19). The running-in of the flow casing string (5) is terminated upon its having entered the upper part of the fluid-impervious envelope (14).

Abstract: A system and method for improving the seal integrity and useful life of tubing and casing strings fills the volume between the nose ends of facing tubing sections and the collar to which they are mutually joined with a temperature and corrosion resistant element having a smooth interior surface substantially flush with the inner diameter of the tubing or casing. During makeup of each successive section of the drill string, a center fill tool including an expansible tubular element is seated below the coupling area to be self-retained, by the use of pressure expansion of a cylindrical surface. A precise amount of a curable material is inserted into the volume bounded by the nose ends and the collars (the so-called "J area") and while the material is still flowable the coupling is made up by threading in of the next tubular element.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the seal integrity and useful life of tubing and casing strings fills the volume between the nose ends of facing tubing sections and the collar to which they are mutually joined with a temperature and corrosion resistant element having a smooth interior surface substantially flush with the inner diameter of the tubing or casing. During makeup of each successive section of the drill string, a center fill tool including an expansible tubular element is seated below the coupling area to be self-retained, by the use of pressure expansion of a cylindrical surface. A precise amount of a curable material is inserted into the volume bounded by the nose ends and the collars (the so-called "J area") and while the material is still flowable the coupling is made up by threading in of the next tubular element.

Abstract: An impermeable and continuous coating is formed on the wall of a borehole in which a drill string is present by injecting coating forming components and a carrier fluid through the drill string. Subsequently the coating forming components are separated, e.g. in a decanting centrifuge, from the carrier fluid and plastered to the wellbore as a continuous layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an invention for shutting off a portion of a producing zone such as a steam override zone in a hydrocarbon producing wellbore. The bottom of the wellbore is filled with a material such as sand up to the bottom of the steam override zone. A pipe is placed and centralized in the middle of the wellbore so that the pipe extends throughout the steam override zone. A cement plug is placed around the centralized pipe while keeping the interior of the pipe free of cement. A larger cylindrical hole is then drilled through the cement plug by using the centralized pipe to center and guide a drill through the middle of the cement plug.

Abstract: An apparatus for plugging a wellbore with a solid gel plug stem in high impulse or high energy fracturing. This apparatus facilitates the removal of the propellant canister support means, the propellant ignition means, as well as any debris adhering thereto. By this apparatus, damage to the wellbore and formation is minimized.

Abstract: A method for plugging a wellbore with a solid gel plug stem in high impulse or high energy fracturing. This method facilitates the removal of the propellant canister support means, the propellant ignition means, as well as any debris adhering thereto. By this method, damage to the wellbore and formation is minimized.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for setting a cement plug in the wide-mouth shaft of an earth cavern. The apparatus includes a deflated balloon with a liquid fill pipe therein. In practice, the cavern is first filled with a liquid. Following this, the balloon is encased in a releasable girdle and lowered into the cavern through a casing, along with a cement fill pipe which remains above the balloon. When the balloon reaches a certain point in the cavern, below the casing, the girdle is released from the balloon and the balloon is filled with a liquid to inflate it. The inflated balloon seats against the cavern walls to provide an excellent support for the cement, which is pumped down the cement fill pipe.

Abstract: A method of forming a gravel pack in a wellbore is disclosed which involves disposing a pipe adjacent the incompetent formation, depositing gravel around the pipe, consolidating the resulting gravel bed using a suitable resinous material, and removing the pipe to leave a high permeability, high strength, self-supporting annular gravel sheath.

Abstract: A slipform for lining upright shafts with monolithic concrete by pumping concrete downwardly under pressure to a slipform apparatus to simultaneously move the slipform apparatus upwardly within the shaft while concrete is being formed continuously into a monolithic lining within the shaft. The apparatus includes outer and inner slipform members. The outer member includes a sealing mechanism by which the area above the outer slipform is hydraulically sealed from the area below. The inner slipform fits within a conical recess of the outer slipform and includes a lower cylindrical portion for forming the open inside diameter of the lining. Concrete, in a plastic, wet condition, is pumped under pressure between the two slipform members to be molded against the shaft wall into an upwardly open monolithic concrete lining. Since the concrete is pumped between the two forms under pressure, a reaction force is created that operates upwardly against the slipform members.

Abstract: A slipform and method for lining upright shafts with monolithic concrete by pumping concrete downwardly through a "tremmie tube" to a slipform apparatus and simultaneously pulling the slipform apparatus upwardly within the shaft such that the delivered concrete is formed continuously into a monolithic lining within the shaft. The apparatus includes downwardly open outer and inner slipform members. The inner slipform or core member fits within a conical recess of the outer slipform member and includes a lower cylindrical portion for forming the open inside diameter of the lining. Concrete, in a wet condition, is delivered by the tremmie tube between the two slipform members and molded against the shaft wall. The tremmie tube is pulled upwardly from the shaft opening by a hoist mechanism that is also used during the previous drilling operation.

Abstract: A slipform and method for forming a concrete lining in upright open shafts having been previously filled with a liquid such as drilling mud. The drilling mud below the slipform apparatus is pressurized to push the slipform upwardly within the shaft while it simultaneously forms delivered concrete into a monolithic lining within the shaft. The apparatus includes outer and inner slipform members. The inner slipform member fits within a conical recess of the outer slipform member and includes a lower cylindrical portion for forming the open inside diameter of the lining. Concrete, in a plastic, wet condition, is pumped between the two slipform members to be molded against the shaft wall into an upwardly open monolithic concrete lining. The rate of ascent of the forms is timed in accordance with the setting time of the concrete so that the upwardly moving form leaves a hardened monolithic lining behind.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method of completing a cased well that penetrates a subterranean formation to control the production of sand from the formation. The well is provided with perforation tunnels that extend through the casing and communicate with the formation. Removable plugs are formed in the perforation tunnels and thereafter a gravel pack is formed and consolidated in the well within the casing adjacent the perforation tunnels. Thereafter the removable plugs are removed from the perforation tunnels to provide unobstructed tunnels for the flow of fluids from the formation into the well. The formation adjacent the perforation tunnels may also be consolidated to mitigate the movement of sand from the formation into the perforation tunnels.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for lining large diameter, deep, boreholes in the earth, which provides a relatively thick lining of cement. A slip form is provided having a cylindrical outer wall of the diameter corresponding to the desired inner diameter of the liner. This is supported on a long central pipe through which cement can be pumped through side pipes and through openings in the wall of the slip form. A base unit is provided with an internal diameter substantially equal to that of the slip form. A petal basket of flexible material is not provided to seal against the wall of the borehole. The slip form is attached to the base by means of shear pins, and the assembly lowered into the borehole until the base is on bottom. Cement is pumped down through the central pipe and out through the openings in the slip form to form a cement liner between the slip form, the base, and the wall of the borehole. When the cement reaches a first set, the slip form is lifted, breaking the shear pins.