Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing gas/liquid flow in a vertical conduit by utilizing one or more flow stabilizing devices positioned inside the conduit along a structural support tube. The flow stabilizing devices are configured and dimensioned to accelerate the velocity of the flowing two-phase fluid mixture in the conduit to sustain upward liquid flow.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus includes an actuatable downhole tool with a brush actuator that includes brush elements extending outwardly from a slide member that surrounds a mandrel having a proximal end connectable to a tubular string. The brush elements are sized to engage a casing into which the apparatus is disposed. A spring element is disposed intermediate the slide member and the mandrel to bias the mandrel to a proximal position. A transition mode of the brush elements is achievable by reversing the direction of movement of the apparatus within the casing from the trailing up mode towards the trailing down mode and provides a sufficient amount of resistance to overcome the spring element to move the slide member to a distal position and displace a displaceable member of the actuatable downhole tool to actuate the tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least partially sealing an annulus of a wellbore comprises a hollow mandrel pipe adapted to attach to a tubing string, and a cylindrical cage surrounding and attached to an exterior length of the mandrel pipe, the cylindrical cage having a plurality of generally lengthwise tortuous path apertures generally parallel with one another between the two open ends of the mandrel pipe, the plurality of generally lengthwise tortuous path apertures defining a plurality of bow springs therebetween, the plurality of bow springs bowed outward from the mandrel pipe.

Abstract: A production logging tool to analyze at least one property of a multiphase fluid mixture flowing in a hydrocarbon well has an elongated cylindrical housing shape and comprises a central pressure-resistant rigid housing carrying a centralizer arrangement. The production logging tool further comprises a deploying arrangement nested within the centralizer arrangement comprising deploying arms circumferentially positioned between two centralizer arms, and downhole fluid properties analysis probes secured on each deploying arm such as to expose a tip of said, at least one, probe to the multiphase fluid mixture flowing in the hydrocarbon well. The deploying arrangement follows radial movements imposed by the centralizer arrangement to radially and/or angularly position the tip of the probes in a first circumferential zone of a hydrocarbon well section substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the well.

Abstract: Managing operation of a sealing element is described. In some aspects, failure of the sealing element of a pressure drilling system may be predicted. Deformation of the sealing element as a tool joint is pulled through the sealing element may be detected and tracked to determine if a deformation pattern of sealing element changes. Responses of sealing element due to one or more of stress, strain, temperature, mechanical load, and pressure using a network of sensors around sealing element can be detected. Responses may be tracked over time. Detected responses are compared to tracked responses to identify changes in the symmetry of responses over time or changes in magnitude of responses over time. Changes are associated with fractures occurring within sealing element. A remaining life of sealing element is predicted based on the changes and replacement may be scheduled based at least in part on the predicted remaining life.

Abstract: A downhole seal element (10) comprises a cup portion (11) formed of or including a resiliently deformable material. The cup portion (11) extends between on the one hand a nose part (12) comprising an annulus intended for sealingly mounting the seal element on a mandrel (22) and on the other hand a skirt (13), the seal element flaring in shape between the nose part (12) and the skirt (13). The skirt includes extending therefrom away from the nose part (12) a plurality of elongate, flexible limbs (18) that are spaced at intervals about the skirt (13).

Abstract: The invention subject of this disclosure teaches a method of determining a production factor for a carbonaceous material reservoir, the method comprising: providing a well in a carbonaceous material reservoir; providing unsampled fluid at a depth in the well; placing a sensor adjacent to the unsampled fluid and performing a measurement on the unsampled fluid; using data from the measurement to determine a partial pressure of a solution gas in the carbonaceous material reservoir; and determining a production factor for the carbonaceous material reservoir from the partial pressure of the solution gas.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the impact of guided (or “tube”) waves in permanently installed seismic systems. By utilizing passive acoustic absorbers, the impact of tube waves may be reduced, leading to improved performance of permanently installed seismic systems that are installed onto production tubing when the well is completed.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid flow through a downhole device, comprises a) providing an acoustic tube wave in fluid in the device; b) measuring the acoustic tube wave after it has passed through the fluid in the device; and c) assessing the permeability of the device by measuring the attenuation of the acoustic signal. Changes in velocity of the acoustic signal may also be measured. The device may be a permeable downhole device such as a sand screen the measurements in step b) are made using a plurality of sensors deployed in the hole. The method may further including the step of cross-correlating a signal received at a first receiver with signals received at additional sensors so as to obtain an effective response as if the signal had been emitted from a source at the position of said first receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a well test operation includes a closed chamber testing system having a downhole flow control device. In some embodiments, a method of performing a well test operation includes performing a well test operation with a closed chamber testing system having a downhole flow control device and estimating the reservoir properties based on pressure and flow data measured during the well test operation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base plate having a first aperture to receive an inlet in fluid communication with a downhole tool; a compliant outer cover having a first end terminating at the base plate and a second end terminating adjacent a forward opening of the inlet, the compliant outer cover having a first surface configured to engage a borehole wall and a second surface forming an inner cavity with the base plate; and a core disposed within the inner cavity and having a second aperture forming at least a portion of the inlet, wherein the outer cover comprises a first material and the core comprises a second material more compliant than the first material.

Abstract: A downhole measurement system may comprise an optional fluid inlet section configured to accommodate fluid flow between a well and a zone surrounding the well. The system may further comprise a flow conditioning section configured to receive the fluid from the fluid inlet section. The flow conditioning section may be configured to produce a substantially homogenized fluid flow. In addition, a measuring section may be provided and configured to measure at least a portion of the fluid flow from the flow conditioning section. The measuring section characterizes a parameter of the fluid flow. In other embodiments, there may be a method for characterizing a parameter of a fluid flow comprising the steps of directing the fluid flow to a flow conditioning section. Other steps may be conditioning the fluid flow to a substantially homogeneous state and measuring a parameter for at least a portion of the fluid flow.

Abstract: A measurement device is disclosed which includes a structure adapted to be removably coupled to a Christmas tree, a sleeve operatively coupled to the structure and a flowmeter positioned at least partially within the sleeve.

Abstract: A system that is usable with a subterranean well that has a casing includes an apparatus that is associated with production of fluid from the well and is located downhole in the well in a passageway of the casing. The system also includes a sensor that is located downhole near the apparatus in the passageway and is adapted to measure a characteristic of the formation fluids and rock located outside of the casing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for suppression of wave energy within a fluid-filled borehole using a low pressure acoustic barrier. In one embodiment, a flexible diaphragm type device is configured as an open bottomed tubular structure for disposition in a borehole to be filled with a gas to create a barrier to wave energy, including tube waves. In another embodiment, an expandable umbrella type device is used to define a chamber in which a gas is disposed. In yet another embodiment, a reverse acting bladder type device is suspended in the borehole. Due to its reverse acting properties, the bladder expands when internal pressure is reduced, and the reverse acting bladder device extends across the borehole to provide a low pressure wave energy barrier.

Abstract: A downhole sub for instrumentation, such as a fiber optic sensor. The sub is configured to be connected to a string of pipe, such as a string of tubing. The sub first comprises an essentially concentric tubular body. The tubular body has an inner diameter that generally conforms to the inner diameter of the tubing string. A recess is formed within the wall of the tubular body. Next, the sub comprises a gauge housing that is received within the recess of the tubular body. The gauge housing includes a plate portion that is exposed to fluids within the production tubing. The gauge housing further includes a side bore that receives a sensor. One or more gauge housing ports are pre-fabricated into the gauge housing to provide fluid communication between the inner bore of the production tubing and the side bore of the gauge housing. The entire sub is preferably self-contained without any elastomers or metal-to-metal seals.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing leakage across a packer in a well, according to which a sensor is disposed in the well for sensing a characteristic of the packer such as vibrations, and a corresponding signal is outputted that is indicative of whether there is any fluid leakage across the device.

Abstract: Determining the in situ effective mobility of a formation layer comprises selecting a location in the formation layer; lowering in the borehole traversing the formation layer a tool that comprises a central conduit having an inlet and being provided with a pressure sensor, a fluid receptacle having an inlet opening into the central conduit. a fluid analyser, and means for discharging fluid; making an exclusive fluid communication between the formation and the inlet of the central conduit; allowing formation fluid to pass through the central conduit, analysing the fluid, allowing the formation fluid to enter into the fluid receptacle when the fluid is the substantially uncontaminated formation fluid, and measuring the pressure build-up: and determining the effective mobility from the pressure build-up.

Abstract: A differential pressure flow rate measurement apparatus comprises:

Abstract: Subsurface wellbore conditions are measured directly in the wellbore while the fluid circulation system is not pumping. The measured values are recorded at the subsurface location and subsequently transmitted to the well surface when circulation is resumed using fluid pulse telemetry (FPT). Real-time measurements made/when the fluids are circulating are transmitted real time using FPT. Axially spaced measurements are used to obtain differential values. The apparatus of the invention comprises an assembly carried by a drill string that is used to selectively isolate the area within the well that is to be evaluated. The apparatus includes an assembly having axially spaced inflatable well packers that are used to isolate an uncased section of the wellbore. The apparatus is equipped with self-contained measuring and recording equipment, a fluid receiving reservoir, circulation valving, measurement while drilling equipment, and automated controls.

Abstract: A system for pressure testing the seals and fittings associated with at least one communication line passing through a well tool mandrel, each communication line housed within a communication line conduit defined through the well tool and sealingly engaged to each end of its corresponding communication line conduit by way of a fitting and the fittings also sealingly engaged to the communication line conduit. The system generally comprises a testing conduit, a testing passageway system, and a testing plug. The testing conduit is defined in the well tool mandrel. The testing passageway system is defined in the well tool mandrel and provides fluid communication between the testing conduit and the fittings and seals associated with each of the communication line conduits. The testing plug provides fluid communication between a pressure testing source and the testing passageway system.