Abstract: A centralizer assembly includes a tubular comprising a ground-down region and a raised region. A wall thickness of the tubular in the ground-down region is less than a wall thickness of the tubular in the raised region, and the wall thickness of the tubular in the ground-down region is substantially constant as proceeding around the tubular in the ground-down region. The centralizer assembly also includes a centralizer disposed at least partially in the ground-down region.

Abstract: A connection between a downhole tool string and axially extending coiled tubing 102 includes a compression ring 120 that in use grips the coiled tubing sufficiently to enable a slip ring to be set and provides a satisfactory seal with the coiled tubing 102. The compression ring 120 is preferably of a relatively malleable metal and includes a skirt 142 of reduced thickness to be preferentially compressible and which in use is compressed against the coiled tubing 102.

Abstract: A method of seal condition monitoring may determine the state of the annular seal, the state of one or more sealing elements, take actions to maintain the annular seal as one or more sealing elements transition from new to worn, and provide advance notice of the impending failure of one or more sealing elements so as to avoid a catastrophic annular seal failure while the marine riser is pressurized. Advantageously, operations may be conducted proactively rather than reactively, and one or more sealing elements may be replaced well in advance of failure, but potentially later than a conventional maintenance schedule would dictate. The one or more failing sealing elements may be proactively replaced without depressurizing the marine riser, prior to seal failure or replacement may be planned well in advance and coordinated with other rig operations to improve efficiency and maintain the safety of the drilling rig and personnel.

Abstract: A method of seal condition monitoring may determine the state of the annular seal, the state of one or more sealing elements, take actions to maintain the annular seal as one or more sealing elements transition from new to worn, and provide advance notice of the impending failure of one or more sealing elements so as to avoid a catastrophic annular seal failure while the marine riser is pressurized. Advantageously, operations may be conducted proactively rather than reactively, and one or more sealing elements may be replaced well in advance of failure, but potentially later than a conventional maintenance schedule would dictate. The one or more failing sealing elements may be proactively replaced without depressurizing the marine riser, prior to seal failure or replacement may be planned well in advance and coordinated with other rig operations to improve efficiency and maintain the safety of the drilling rig and personnel.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit head defining a longitudinal axis, an adjustable cutter blade having a cutting element, and a blade ramp extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis and arranged to radially adjust the adjustable cutter blade when the adjustable cutter blade moves axially along a side of the bit head. The drill bit further includes a gauge pad coupled to the adjustable cutter blade and a gauge pad ramp extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis and arranged to radially adjust the gauge pad when the gauge pad moves axially along the side of the bit head.

Abstract: The support tool described includes a body with a lower narrow portion dimensioned to fit within the interior cavity of a tubing string inlet or an upper wellhead extension thereof. The body has an upper wide diameter portion defining a landing surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the support tool. The landing surface is dimensioned to rest upon the top edge of the tubing string inlet or the upper wellhead extension thereof. The body includes a central interior longitudinal cavity spanning the length of the tool which is continuous with a longitudinal slot in the outer sidewall of the tool spanning the length of the tool. A sucker rod is held within the longitudinal cavity when the tool is supported on the top edge of the tubing string inlet or an upper wellhead extension thereof.

Abstract: A modular manifold system includes a first manifold ring which comprises a first tubular body defined by an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end, and a second end. The inner wall and the outer wall extend between the first end and the second end. The first manifold ring also includes a first path formed between the inner wall and the outer wall and extending to at least one of the first end and the second end. At least one of the first end and second end comprises a coupling feature configured to couple the first manifold ring to a second manifold ring or well equipment. The first path is put in fluid communication or electrical communication with the second manifold ring or well equipment when the first manifold ring is coupled to the second manifold ring.

Abstract: A sand control screen for heavy oil thermal recovery, including: a core base pipe having a plurality of base-pipe holes distributed on a pipe body thereof; a filtering sleeve sleeved on the core base pipe and arranged with respect to the base pipe holes; and a non-welded support disk mounted on the core base pipe and fastening the filter sleeve to the core base pipe by means of a wedge insertion locking and sealing structure. The invention solves the problems in the prior art in which sand control screen has a poor reliability in a high-temperature condition of a thermal production well, resulting in potential safety risks of down hole sand control operation of the screens. In addition, the sand control screen of the present invention has a long service life, thus improving cost effectiveness of oil wells.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided for a system including an electronic submersible pump. The adaptor includes a body including an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the lower surface. The body forms an adaptor passage and a channel. The adaptor passage extends along a vertical axis between the upper surface and the lower surface. The channel extends between the upper surface and the lower surface and is operable to receive a cable coupled with the electronic submersible pump. The channel extends in a direction that forms an angle relative to the vertical axis. The upper surface is operable to receive a valve assembly forming a valve passage that aligns with the adaptor passage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for transmitting electrical energy to a downhole tool including a tubing head. The system also includes a tubing hanger coupled to the tubing head, the tubing head receiving a downward force transmitted by at least a section of tubing coupled to the tubing hanger onto a load shoulder formed in the tubing head. The system includes one or more insulating features for electrically isolating the tubing hanger from the tubing head.

Abstract: A tool for suspending in a well retrieves various metal debris from the well, and includes an elongated tool body with a plurality of magnets included in a plurality longitudinal ridges which are circumferentially spaced. In the method a plurality of magnets can be positioned within openings, recesses, or pockets in each ridge, and held in place by one or more retaining plates, the tool being connected to a drill string and lowered into a well.

Abstract: A downhole element for use in a wellbore with a wellbore fluid. The downhole element includes a body formed from a dissolvable material to degrade at a first rate when exposed to the wellbore fluid, with at least one cavity defined by the body. A degradation agent is disposed within the at least one cavity. The at least one cavity selectively releases the degradation agent and the degradation agent degrades the body at a second rate when exposed to the wellbore fluid and the dissolvable material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an invention related to a packing cylinder for an expansion joint. A packing cylinder for an expansion joint, disclosed in the present invention, comprises: a main packing body having a through hole that forms an injection path for a packing material, having a pressure ball portion that is movably injected into the lower end of the through hole so as to open and close the through hole, and having a supporting member for preventing the pressure ball portion from falling out; and an auxiliary cylinder having on the lower side thereof an injection port to be detachably attached to the main packing body such that the packing material is injected through the through hole of the main packing body, having the central part thereof form an injection path, and having the upper part of the injection path open and close by means of a plug portion.

Abstract: A system and method for well abandonment, comprising installing a first steel plate comprising a hole having a pipe section attached above the hole, wherein a coupler may be installed to house a stopper which is then positioned below the surface casing having a second steel plate, the capping plate, affixed to the top of the surface casing. The stopper system then acts to prevent the exchange of wellbore fluid into the environment while allowing for proper venting of casing strings by pressure actuating the stopper system against the cap. The coupler further provides for attachment of various gas sampling or other monitoring equipment in for purposes of detection of leaks or other analytical objectives.

Abstract: A method and system for installing a Christmas tree in place of a blowout preventer on a wellhead. The donut in the wellhead BOP is landed using a coiled tubing injector. Then the wellhead BOP is removed and the Christmas tree is installed using the same crane that supported the coiled tubing injector. This employs the coiled tubing rig already in use at the well site for a previous operation, such as plug drilling or perforating and fracturing. Notably, the system provides a second seal, such as a ceramic disk, below the donut while the Christmas tree is installed. The tool string used to install the donut includes a safety union so that the tool string can be disconnected after the donut is landed and locked into place.

Abstract: A gravel pack assembly for a borehole has first and second joints and a foil. The basepipes of the joints connect end-to-end, and both of the basepipes having filters for filtering fluid passage from a borehole into bores of the basepipes. Transport tubes are disposed along the first and second joint, and a jumper tube expands across the connected ends of the basepipes and connects the transport tubes together. The foil encloses an area across the connected ends. The foil has an external surface defining an annulus thereabout with the borehole. The foil has end rings abutting the filters of the joints. At least a section of the foil leaks fluid from the borehole to the area enclosed by the foil, and at least a filter portion of the assembly filters the leaked fluid from the area to at least one of the first and second bores.

Abstract: A weight compensating pipe stabbing assembly utilizes bail mounting members operationally attached to bail members of a drilling rig. At least one compensation cylinder is mounted to each bail mounting member, while a cable or other linkage member extends from each cylinder assembly to a set of single joint elevators.

Abstract: A multiple control line travel joint is disclosed having at least one non-coiled, fluid control line and at least one internal control line, such as a hydraulic, electrical, or fiber optic control line. The fluid control line can include an upper control line that enters the travel joint at a top port and a lower control line that exits out a bottom port of the travel joint. The top port and bottom port can be fluidly coupled through a sealed chamber in the travel joint. The second control line can be coiled within the sealed chamber. As the travel joint expands and contracts, the sealed chamber expands and contracts while remaining sealed, maintaining sealed fluid coupling between the top port and the bottom port.

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting measurement-while-drilling (MWD) data while drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. The system utilizes a transmission sub located uphole of the drill bit which transmits an electromagnetic signal through the surrounding drilling fluid to a receiver assembly located farther uphole at a position suitable for relaying the signal to the surface.

Abstract: Methods for communicatively coupling components at down-hole locations within a wellbore include introducing first and second cables through which signals are transmissible into the wellbore. Terminal ends of the cables are coarsely aligned by coupling connector housings associated with the cables within the wellbore. The terminal ends are then finely aligned by activating motors to move at least one of the terminal ends within the connector housings until a signal of sufficient strength is transmissible between the first and second cables.

Abstract: A well screen assembly includes an elongate base pipe, a shroud layer about the base pipe, and a mesh layer between the shroud layer and the base pipe. A portion of the mesh layer overlaps another portion of the mesh layer to form an area of overlap. A spine is positioned proximate substantially an entire length of the area of overlap, and transmits a force from the shroud layer to the mesh layer that compresses and seals the area of overlap against passage of particulate.

Abstract: Hearing devices configured to fit within the bony portion of the ear canal and batteries that may be used with same.

Abstract: A wireline extension assembly includes a first tubing string housing a wireline extension electrically interconnecting wet connects at the upper and lower ends of the first string, with the lower wet connect being electrically connected to a downhole tool. The assembly is pushed into the horizontal leg of a deviated wellbore by forming a second tubing string extending upward from the upper end of the first string, thereby positioning the tool within the horizontal leg while leaving the upper wet connect disposed within the vertical leg. A primary wireline is then run from a surface wireline unit into the upper string and connected to the upper wet connect, thus providing electrical power, data communication, and/or other facilities to the tool. The tool can be repositioned within the horizontal leg by withdrawing the primary wireline, removing or upper string tubing sections, and then reinstalling the primary wireline.

Abstract: A casing window assembly for completion of a lateral wellbore. The casing window assembly includes a tubular casing sleeve with a casing window and an inner sleeve releasably secured within the casing sleeve at a pre-released position adjacent the casing window.

Abstract: A velocity string installation method comprises the steps of: removing an existing safety valve from a production tubing safety valve nipple; running a velocity string into the production tubing to engage the safety valve nipple; and then running a velocity string safety valve into the velocity string and coupling the safety valve with a port at the safety valve nipple.

Abstract: A cylindrical, hollow stuffing box arranged to be able to take up geometrical differences between drill pipes and tool joints includes an outer housing, an upper and a lower set of support plates and also a sleeve-shaped, flexible sealing element arranged rotationally between said support plates and enclosed by a liquid filled, a pressurized annulus which in a fluid sealing manner is defined by a central part of the stuffing box housing, the outside of the sealing element and said support plates; each of the upper and lower support plate sets comprise two halves connected to an actuator each arranged for radial displacement of the halves; each of the support plate halves comprise a cut-out arranged to be able to encircle a peripheral portion of the drill string; and the inside and the ends of the sealing element comprise cast-in, ceramic elements.

Abstract: Methods for forming a wellbore may include placing an upper section of inside a lower section of a parent liner; positioning an upper sealing member and a lower sealing member in the wellbore to form a pressure chamber, and expanding the second liner using the pressure chamber. The sealing members move axially relative to one another and the second liner has an inner bore that is hydraulically isolated from the pressure chamber. A related apparatus may include upper and lower sealing members that cooperate to form a pressure chamber that is hydraulically isolated from an inner bore of the second liner. A work string may include the sealing members, a connector that extends through the pressure chamber and the second liner; and an expander. The expander expands the second liner in response to the axial separation of the sealing members.

Abstract: A technique includes running a lower completion assembly into a well in a single trip. The lower completion assembly includes a screen, a first valve and a second valve. The technique includes performing a gravel packing operation using the lower completion assembly, where performing the gravel packing operation includes running a service assembly into the lower completion assembly to operate the first valve. The technique further includes removing the service assembly from the well and subsequently installing an upper completion assembly in the well. The installation of the upper completion assembly enables remote control of the second valve of the lower completion assembly for purposes of regulating the production of fluid from the well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflow control device for controlling the flow of fluid into a well tubular structure arranged in a borehole, comprising a tubular part for mounting as part of the well tubular structure, an aperture provided in a wall of the tubular part, and a hollow valve member rotatably received inside the tubular part, the hollow valve member comprising an orifice in a wall thereof, and an outer surface of the hollow valve member being spherical and the orifice being adapted to fluidly communicate with the aperture when the inflow control device is in an open position, whereby the aperture is in fluid communication with an inside of the tubular part, wherein the hollow valve member comprises a spherical first valve part and a spherical second valve part adapted to be assembled inside the tubular part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole well filter (800) and method of use in a tubing string with a power head (704) for creating reverse flow. The filter assembly includes an inner pipe (820) into which fluid flow is directed. The inner pipe is positioned within a cylindrical screen member (830). The well fluid flows through the screen member and debris from the fluid is deposited in the annulus (832) between the inner pipe and screen member. The screen member has a cap (860) at its upper end to prevent fluid from escaping from the upper end of the screen member. The cap may have a pop off valve (870) so fluid can escape from the screen member when the screen becomes clogged with debris or pressure builds within the screen member.

Abstract: A well pump assembly has an upper plunger and a lower plunger. A working fluid conduit extends between the upper and lower plunger. An upper piston in the working fluid conduit is connected with the upper plunger. A lower piston in the working fluid conduit is connected with the lower plunger. A downstroke working fluid is located between the upper and lower pistons in the working fluid conduit. An upstroke conduit extends between an upper port in the working fluid conduit above the upper piston. and a lower port in working fluid conduit below the lower piston. An upstroke working fluid fills the upstroke conduit and the working fluid conduit above the upper piston and below the lower piston.

Abstract: An improved perforating gun comprising a titled ported sub in an improved perforating gun is disclosed, comprising a first end, a second end, a tilted port, a center portion, a central channel, and an outer body. Said central channel comprises a first bore in said first end, an electrical channel, and a second bore in said second end. Said central channel comprises said first bore in said first end opening into said electrical channel and said electrical channel opening to said second bore. Said tilted port penetrates from said center channel and through to said outer body. Said tilted port comprising an offset angle being greater than 0 degrees and 90 degrees, where said offset angle is 0 degrees, said titled port is aligned to a normal line of said outer body. Said offset angle comprises a range of 15-60 degrees to allow easy access to said electrical channel.

Abstract: A polyamide-poly(phenylene ether) composition includes, based on the total weight of the composition, 35 to 80 weight percent of polyamide, and 20 to 65 weight percent of a poly(phenylene ether). The polyamide-poly(phenylene ether) composition is utilized in a variety of methods, including methods applicable to the oil and gas industry.

Abstract: Methods for communicatively coupling components at down-hole locations within a wellbore include introducing first and second cables through which signals are transmissible into the wellbore. Terminal ends of the cables are coarsely aligned by coupling connector housings associated with the cables within the wellbore. The terminal ends are then finely aligned by activating motors to move at least one of the terminal ends within the connector housings until a signal of sufficient strength is transmissible between the first and second cables.

Abstract: Milling tools, systems, and assemblies may have an adjustable gauge diameter. An example mill may include a body with tracks thereon. The tracks may slope in an axial direction and may be configured to couple to multiple blades. A locking collar may be positioned on the body and may be movable between multiple locking positions. Each locking position may be axially offset from another. At each locking position, the blades may be located at a different axial position on the body. Where the tracks slope, each different axial positions of the blades may also correspond to a different radial position for the blades. A gauge diameter of the blades may be based on the locking positions of the locking collar.

Abstract: A retrofit assembly for functionally replacing a fluid isolation valve disposed in a borehole above a lower completion, including a barrier valve operatively arranged to selectively isolate the lower completion when the fluid isolation valve is open. The barrier valve is transitionable between an open position and a closed position due to engagement with an upper completion string. A packer device is included and operatively arranged to isolate a formation in which the borehole is formed.

Abstract: A downhole control device is configured to activate downhole equipment requiring control signals. The device having a housing adapted to protect electronic components; a transducer configured to measure one or more of pressure and temperature; an accelerometer; and control circuitry in communication with the transducer and the accelerometer and configured to control the operation of a downhole tool depending on data from one or more of the transducer and accelerometer. The transducer, the accelerometer and at least part of the control circuitry are mounted on a chassis that is removably inserted within the housing.

Abstract: Spring loaded dogs are attached to the housing to engage the casing internally or externally to facilitate extension or retraction of the slips that selectively grab the topmost of a string of casing. When the tool is suspended from the top drive, its components are rotationally locked to facilitate insertion into the casing stand on top of a string being run in the hole. Some set down weight allows top drive rotation to move a multi-ramped mandrel axially because that mandrel is rotationally locked to the housing that is held fast by the spring loaded dogs bearing on the casing. Once the slips are extended with a specified torque applied from the top drive, further setting down weight locks the components and the housing so that applied rotation with setting down weight will turn the casing string but will not torque up the slips beyond their set position.

Abstract: A method for making a riser component includes: positioning a coupler adjacent and end of a tube such that a region of the coupler forms an interface with the tube's end, wherein the region includes a material (in some embodiments an aluminum alloy), and the tube's end includes a groove and another material (in some embodiments a steel alloy) that is different than the region's material; heating the region of the coupler to increase the region's malleability; and exerting pressure on the region of the coupler to plastically deform the region to insert some of the region's material into the groove in the tube's end. By fixing the coupler to the tube in this manner, the coupler may be strongly secured to the tube, and thus able to withstand high, dynamic loads frequently experienced in service. Also, the material of the coupler may be different than the material of the tube, and thus the material of the coupler may be lighter than the material of the tube.

Abstract: A method for installing and operating a cable head with cable shear mechanism for wireline cable supporting oilfield equipment in a wellbore. The cable head has a housing, a cable bore, a tapered sleeve, a sliding bell, a drive pinch cylinder, a linear biasing mechanism positioned between the tapered sleeve and the drive pinch cylinder, a plurality of shear pins disposed partially into the housing and though the drive pinch cylinder, wherein each shear pin is adapted to withstand from 100 pounds to 2000 pounds of shear load, a pair of slidable cutting segments, and a pair of slidable cutting segment guides. When cable load exceeds a preset limit, the shear pins shear allowing the slidable cutting segments to be moved up the slidable cutting segment guides to impact and shear the cable.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices that can be used for improving wireline cable performance during logging operations in a variety of boreholes. An embodiment includes a wireline standoff that may ameliorate the effects of wireline cable differential sticking, wireline cable key seating, and high cable drags by reducing or eliminating contact of the wireline cable with the borehole wall during the logging operation. An embodiment includes a wireline standoff. The wireline standoff may comprise a pair of opposing assemblies. The opposing assemblies may each comprise a half shell, a cable insert configured to be disposed in the half shell, and external fins coupled to the half shell. The wireline standoff may further comprise one or more fasteners configured to couple the opposing assemblies to one another.

Abstract: A firing head embodiment of the invention confines a connected capacitance cartridge, explosive detonator, and wireline connection switch within an independent, cylindrical housing tube that is environmentally capped at both ends by threaded closures for secure transport to a well site.

Abstract: In a completion for producing methane the bottom hole assembly has a base pipe with porous media surrounding it for equalizing flow along the base pipe. A shape memory polymer foam surrounds the porous media. The borehole can be reamed to reduce produced methane velocities. Surrounding the shape memory polymer is an exterior layer of consolidated proppant or sand that can self-adhere and/or stick to the polymer foam. The proppant or sand can be circulated or squeezed into position although, circulation is preferred. The borehole may enlarge due to shifting sands in an unconsolidated formation as the methane is produced. The bottom hole assembly helps in fluid flow equalization and protects the foam and layers below from high fluid velocities during production.

Abstract: An expandable downhole tool for use in an oil well, including a flexible member rolled into a helix and comprising first and second lateral edges on opposing lateral ends of the member. The flexible member is selectively changeable between a compressed configuration wherein the transverse cross-section of the flexible member has a first diameter, and an expanded configuration wherein the transverse cross-section of the flexible member has a second diameter, the second diameter larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly for use subsea includes a high pressure housing landed within a low pressure housing. The low pressure housing is an annular member that mounts into the sea floor and having an inner surface engaging the high pressure housing along a loading interface. Upper and lower sockets are formed along axially spaced apart portions of the outer surface of the high pressure housing. As the high pressure housing inserts into the low pressure housing, the high pressure housing sockets engage corresponding sockets formed along axially spaced apart sockets on portions of the inner surface of the low pressure housing. The sockets each have cylindrically shaped outer surfaces, and when engaged with one another define the loading interface. The sockets are strategically located on the upper and lower portions of the housings to maximize their distance apart.

Abstract: A system and method of perforating by stacking a perforating string within a wellbore, then deploying the perforating string to a designated depth for detonating shaped charges in the perforating string. The string can be formed by anchoring a single perforating gun in the wellbore, then landing subsequent guns on one another atop the anchored gun. Wet connects on the ends of the perforating guns enable mechanical engagement of each adjacent gun as well as signal communication through the connections.

Abstract: A high pressure seal adapter for a conductor housing of a wellhead, and a method of completing a well having a conductor housing attached thereto, are disclosed. The high pressure seal adapter has a unitary body including a first circular bore extending through the unitary body. The first circular bore has a circular perimeter extending beyond a centerline of the unitary body. The unitary body further includes a second circular bore adjacent the first circular bore and extending through the unitary body. The seal adapter is configured to be installed in the conductor housing. The method includes providing such a high pressure seal adapter and installing the high pressure seal adapter in the conductor housing.

Abstract: A bulkhead connector assembly for assembly within a downhole tool to isolate a dry side of the downhole tool from a fluid side of the downhole tool and to allow electrical communication therebetween. The bulkhead connector assembly comprises a bulkhead comprising holes extending therethrough, wherein the bulkhead is adapted to form a fluid seal against an inside surface of the downhole tool. Terminals extend through the bulkhead, wherein an end of each terminal is in electrical communication with one of a plurality of electrical wires. Boots each extend about the end of a corresponding one of the terminals. A retaining block has holes each receiving one of the boots. A housing positioned around the retaining block is coupled to the bulkhead, thus positionally fixing the retaining block relative to the bulkhead.

Abstract: A centralizer for centralizing a tubular in a wellbore, and a method of manufacturing a centralizer. The centralizer may include a plurality of ribs spaced circumferentially apart from one another around the tubular. Each of the ribs may include a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section extending between the first and second end sections. A first plurality of spacers may be spaced circumferentially apart from one another around the tubular. Each of the first plurality of spacers may be positioned circumferentially between two of the plurality of ribs. The first plurality of spacers and the first end sections of the plurality of ribs may be axially aligned and together at least partially define a first end collar.

Abstract: Downhole tools, such as MWD modules (or components), may be coupled together with a coupler (or coupling device) having a shall housing with slidable electrical connectors disposed at each end. The electrical connectors may each be supported in connector housings disposed with springs or other movable devices. In a first position, the electrical connectors may extend past the ends of the shaft housing. The slidable connector housings allow the electrical connections to he made before the sleeves connecting (or mechanically connecting) the MWD modules with the coupler are begun to be threadedly attached with the coupler. Each of the connector housings may have a key configuration on their exposed end. The shaft housing may also have key configurations on its ends. The key configurations of the connector housings and the shaft housing may he configured to mate with compatible ends of MWD modules.