Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080245533 | Fiber support arrangement for a downhole tool and method - A fiber support arrangement for a downhole tool includes a tubular; at least one end ring positioning the tubular spaced radially from a downhole tool and lacking contact therewith; and a fiber supported at the tubular and method. | 10-09-2008 |
20080264628 | Restrictor Valve Mounting for Downhole Screens - In one aspect of the invention a valve that operates in association with a downhole screen is threaded into the wall of a base pipe after being inserted through a saddle. When the valve body is threaded in, the engagement into the wall threads in the base pipe acts as a sealing force on a ring seal between the saddle and the base pipe and between the valve body and the saddle. The valve itself can be outfitted with a cover with openings that can be integral or removable and disposed at the end of the valve that is innermost to the base pipe. Preferably a series of elongated slots are used that can catch slurry if the well is to be killed while allowing subsequent production to drive the accumulated solids from well killing back into the base pipe. Another feature places the valve in a base pipe opening under a cylindrical screen section to reduce assembly time and cost of constructing an adjacent housing to one side of the cylindrical screen section to accommodate the valve. | 10-30-2008 |
20080271926 | MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR A FIBER OPTIC CABLE AT A DOWNHOLE TOOL - Disclosed herein is a fiber optic cable downhole tool mounting system. The system includes, a downhole tool, a support member attached to the downhole tool and a fiber optic cable parameter transmissively mounted to the downhole tool by the support member. The support member has an elongated body with a pair of legs extending therefrom, the pair of legs intersect at an oblique angle and define a volume therebetween receptive of the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable is attached to the support member and the support member is attached to the downhole tool such that a parameter encountered by the downhole tool is sensible by the fiber optic cable. | 11-06-2008 |
20080279513 | OPTICAL FIBER CABLE CONSTRUCTION ALLOWING RIGID ATTACHMENT TO ANOTHER STRUCTURE - A tubular and a jacketed cable combination includes a strip of material helically wound about itself to form a tubular structure having an inside dimension and an outside dimension, one or more optic fibers disposed within a filler material, a jacket disposed about the filler material to protect the same and an affixation between the jacket and the tubular and methods of making the combination and the cable. | 11-13-2008 |
20080290602 | SELF ENERGIZING SEAL ELEMENT - A self-energizing seal element includes at least one inside interference surface having a dimension smaller than an inside dimension of an annulus in which the seal is to be disposed in use, at least one outside interference surface having a dimension larger than an outside dimension of the annulus in which the seal is to be disposed in use, the at least one inside interference surface being axially offset from the at least one outside interference surface and at least one angular flange extending between the at least one outside interference surface and the at least one inside interference surface and method for sealing. | 11-27-2008 |
20080302527 | String Mounted Hydraulic Pressure Generating Device for Downhole Tool Actuation - Two subs are held in a fixed position relative to each other when assembled to a string and run into a wellbore. A reservoir of fluid is defined in a wall between the subs. The reservoir has one or more outlets connected by a short jumper line to an adjacent tool to be operated. At the appropriate time, set down weight breaks a shear pin to reduce the reservoir volume and create pressure in the exit lines. The exit lines can be connected to operating pistons in adjacent tools to actuate them or to perform other desired functions using a stream of pressurized fluid. The device can be set for one time or multiple cycles where fluid in the reservoir can be replenished and re-pressurized for multiple cycles of operation. | 12-11-2008 |
20090095487 | FLOW RESTRICTION DEVICE - An inflow control device may include flow control elements along a flow path. The flow control elements may change the inertial direction of the fluid flowing in the flow path. The change in inertial direction occurs at junctures along the flow path. The flow control elements may also be configured to form segmented pressure drops across the flow path. The segmented pressure drops may include a first pressure drop segment and a second pressure drop segment that is different from the first pressure drop segment. The pressure drop segments may be generated by a passage, an orifice or a slot. In embodiments, the plurality of flow control elements may separate the fluid into at least two flow paths. The flow control elements may also be configured to cause an increase in a pressure drop in the flow path as a concentration of water increases in the fluid. | 04-16-2009 |
20090101329 | Water Sensing Adaptable Inflow Control Device Using a Powered System - A device or system for controlling fluid flow in a well includes a flow control element and a water detector. The water detector may actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of the flowing fluid. The water detector may be a capacitive proximity sensor. The measured property may be a dielectric constant. The flow control element may permit a predetermined amount of fluid flow after being actuated to a closed position. Also, the water detector may measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element is in the closed position. A method for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular may include positioning a flow control element along the wellbore tubular; measuring a property of a flowing fluid using a water detector; and actuating the flow control element in response to the measurement. | 04-23-2009 |
20090101344 | Water Dissolvable Released Material Used as Inflow Control Device - Methods and devices for controlling fluid flow into a wellbore tubular includes an in-flow control device, an element co-acting with the in-flow control device, and a disintegrating medium at least partially surrounding the element. The medium may be configured to release the element upon disintegration of the medium. The disintegrating medium may be configured to disintegrate when exposed to a selected fluid. The element may be configured to at least partially restrict flow across a flow path associated with the in-flow control device when released. The flow path may convey the fluid from the formation to a flow bore of the wellbore tubular and the element may be positioned along the flow path. The element may be: a liquid, a solid, a particle and/or particles. The selected fluid may be water, a hydrocarbon, an engineered fluid, and/or a naturally occurring fluid. | 04-23-2009 |
20090101352 | Water Dissolvable Materials for Activating Inflow Control Devices That Control Flow of Subsurface Fluids - An apparatus for controlling flow of a fluid into a wellbore tubular may include a flow control device controlling the flow of the fluid; and a disintegrating element associated with the flow control device. The flow control device may be actuated when the disintegrating element disintegrates when exposed to the flowing fluid. The disintegrating element may disintegrate upon exposure to water in the fluid. A method for producing fluid from a subterranean formation includes: configuring an element to disintegrate when exposed to a selected fluid; positioning the element in a wellbore; and actuating a flow control device using the element. The element may disintegrate when exposed to water. Actuating the flow control device may restrict a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular. | 04-23-2009 |
20090101353 | Water Absorbing Materials Used as an In-flow Control Device - A device or system for controlling fluid flow in a well includes a flow restriction member that transitions from a first effective density to a second effective density in response to a change in composition of the flowing fluid. The flow restriction member may increase in effective density as the water cut of the flowing fluid increases and/or disintegrate when exposed to a selected fluid in the flowing fluid. The flow restriction member may be formed of a water-absorbing material and/or a porous material. The pores may be water permeable but not oil permeable. A method for producing fluid from a subterranean formation includes controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular with a flow restriction member. The method may include reducing a flow of water into the wellbore tubular when a percentage of water in the flowing fluid reaches a predetermined value. | 04-23-2009 |
20090101355 | Water Sensing Adaptable In-Flow Control Device and Method of Use - A device and system for controlling fluid flow into a wellbore tubular may include a flow path in a production control device and at least one in-flow control element along the flow path. A media in the in-flow control element adjusts a cross-sectional flow area of the flow path by interacting with water. The media may be an inorganic solid, a water swellable polymer, or ion exchange resin beads. A method for controlling a fluid flow into a wellbore tubular may include conveying the fluid via a flow path from the formation into a flow bore of the wellbore; and adjusting a cross-sectional flow area of at least a portion of the flow path using a media that interacts with water. The method may include calibrating the media to permit a predetermined amount of flow across the media after interacts with water. | 04-23-2009 |
20090139733 | MOUNTING OF A CONDUCTOR ON A TUBULAR COVER - A method for securing a signal propagating line to a downhole component includes configuring the downhole component in a final form prior to securing the line thereto; positioning the line at an outside dimension of the component; and fusing the line to the component with a heat based fusion method and apparatus therefore. | 06-04-2009 |
20090142024 | RIGID ATTACHMENT OF OPTICAL FIBER CABLE TO ANOTHER STRUCTURE USING LASER WELDING - A conductor mounting configuration includes a conductor having a signal carrying portion, and insulative portion radially outwardly disposed of the signal carrying portion and a jacket radially outwardly disposed of the insulative portion; an intermediary material having a thickness selected to accommodate a heat based fusion to the jacket while requiring a heat load of less than that associated with damage to the conductor; and a heat fusion affixing the conductor to the intermediate material and method. | 06-04-2009 |
20090145603 | REMOTE-CONTROLLED GRAVEL PACK CROSSOVER TOOL UTILIZING WIRED DRILLPIPE COMMUNICATION AND TELEMETRY - A downhole system employing a crossover tool includes an actuator in operable communication with the crossover tool; a controller in operable communication with the actuator; a wired pipe in operable communication with the controller; and a control device in operable communication with the wired pipe and method. | 06-11-2009 |
20090145613 | OPTICAL FIBER FOR PUMPING AND METHOD - A fiber optic cable includes at least one optic fiber; and a buoyancy modifying coating on the at least one optic fiber, the coating comprising at least one microballoon and a matrix material. | 06-11-2009 |
20090148110 | OPTICAL FIBER FOR PUMPING AND METHOD - A fiber optic cable includes at least one optic fiber; and a buoyancy modifying coating on the at least one optic fiber, the coating comprising at least one microballoon and a matrix material. | 06-11-2009 |
20090205834 | Adjustable Flow Control Devices For Use In Hydrocarbon Production - A flow control device may include a body having at least two flow paths configured to convey the fluid. The flow paths may be hydraulically isolated from one another in the body and at least one of the flow paths may be selectively occludable. In certain arrangements, a filtration element may be positioned upstream of one or more of the plurality of in-flow control devices. The flow paths may utilize features such as chamber and openings in order to impose a specified pressure drop on the fluid flowing thereacross. | 08-20-2009 |
20090236102 | WATER SENSITIVE VARIABLE COUNTERWEIGHT DEVICE DRIVEN BY OSMOSIS - A method for producing fluid from a subterranean formation includes configuring a body to at least partially fill with a selected fluid; and actuating a flow restriction element using the body. The selected fluid may be water. An apparatus for controlling flow of a fluid into a wellbore tubular may include a selectively buoyant body, and a flow restriction element responsive to a movement of the selectively buoyant body. The selectively buoyant body includes a membrane configured to block a flow of hydrocarbons into the selectively buoyant body. The flow restriction element may include a flapper, a sliding sleeve, and a poppet valve. The body may be at least partially filled with a permeable material, which includes, but is not limited to, open-cell foam, reticulated metal foam, shaped sintered powder and capillary tubes. | 09-24-2009 |
20090255692 | Zero-Relaxation Packer Setting Lock System - A packer mandrel is radially surrounded by an axially compressible packer element and a backing ring. A setting sleeve arrangement also surrounds the packer mandrel adjacent the packer element. A hydraulic locking mechanism is used to secure the setting sleeve arrangement against the packer element. The hydraulic locking mechanism includes an expansible fluid-sealed chamber that is defined between the setting sleeve and the central packer mandrel. | 10-15-2009 |
20090301710 | Fixed Swirl Inducing Blast Liner - Wear is reduced in abrasive slurry service at an outlet into an annular space defined by the wellbore and around the tool. In a gravel packing application with a crossover, the slurry exits a central passage and goes into an internal annulus in the tool. Turning vanes that make at least one full turn and that have a height at least partially the height of the annular space are there to impart a swirl movement to at least a portion of the slurry stream. The swirling motion has beneficial effects of reducing turbulence which allows a velocity reduction for a comparable output volume. As a result of the lower turbulence leading to the final exit from the tool into the surrounding annulus, the exit ports experience reduced erosion and longer service life. | 12-10-2009 |
20100243272 | CONTROL LINE RETENTION AND METHOD FOR RETAINING CONTROL LINE - A line retention system includes a positionally fixed retainer having one or more recesses therein that are receptive to one or more lines. The system further includes one or more spline recesses in the positionally fixed retainer receptive to one or more position splines and one or more position splines that are receivable in the one or more spline recesses. A method for retaining one or more lines is included. | 09-30-2010 |
20110030965 | Downhole Screen with Valve Feature - A screen assembly for downhole uses features screen sections that have a valve associated with the screen base pipe. Flow through the screen has to go into an annular space to reach one or more ports on the base pipe over which is located a sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is preferably located at an axially spaced location from the screen and its underlying base pipe to allow the presence of the sliding sleeve to be located in a recess avoiding a drift diameter reduction in the screen assembly. | 02-10-2011 |
20110036578 | Apparatus and Method for Passive Fluid Control in a Wellbore - In aspects the present disclosure provides systems, devices and methods for controlling the flow of water from a subterranean formation into a production well. In one embodiment, the device may include a flow control member formed from a shape-conforming material and a hydrophilic polymer disposed within the shape-conforming member in an amount sufficient to cause the flow control member to restrict flow of water therethrough. | 02-17-2011 |
20110048704 | Fracturing and Gravel Packing Tool with Upper Annulus Isolation in a Reverse Position without Closing a Wash Pipe Valve - A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or jet valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the wash pipe valve. The wash pipe valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the wash pipe valve. The jet valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down whether the crossover tool is supported on the packer or on the smart collet. | 03-03-2011 |
20110048705 | Fracturing and Gravel Packing Tool with Anti-Swabbing Feature - A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or multi-acting circulation valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the low bottom hole pressure ball valve. The low bottom hole pressure ball valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the low bottom hole pressure ball valve. The multi-acting circulation valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down with the crossover tool supported or on the reciprocating set down device and the multi-acting circulation valve is closed without risk of closing the wash pipe valve. | 03-03-2011 |
20110048706 | Fracturing and Gravel Packing Tool with Multi-position Lockable Sliding Sleeve - A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or jet valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the wash pipe valve. The wash pipe valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the wash pipe valve. The jet valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down whether the crossover tool is supported on the packer or on the smart collet. | 03-03-2011 |
20110067861 | Fracturing and Gravel Packing Tool with Shifting Ability between Squeeze and Circulate while Supporting an Inner String Assembly in a Single Position - A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or jet valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the wash pipe valve. The wash pipe valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the wash pipe valve. The jet valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down whether the crossover tool is supported on the packer or on the smart collet. | 03-24-2011 |
20110067862 | Fracturing and Gravel Packing Tool with Multi Movement Wash Pipe Valve - A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or jet valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the wash pipe valve. The wash pipe valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the wash pipe valve. The jet valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down whether the crossover tool is supported on the packer or on the smart collet. | 03-24-2011 |
20110073323 | LINE RETENTION ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD - A line retention arrangement including one or more supports; and two or more clips, each clip having a base and a cantilever portion the two or more clips being oriented oppositely to one another, each clip mounted to the one or more supports. A method for retaining one or more lines at a string. | 03-31-2011 |
20110146975 | Wireline-Adjustable Downhole Flow Control Devices and Methods for Using Same - A method of producing fluids from a wellbore that has therein n adjustable flow control device for controlling flow of fluid between a formation and the wellbore may include: providing a tool having a sensor configured to provide measurements relating to a downhole property of interest, wherein the tool is configured to adjust flow from the flow control device; conveying the tool into the wellbore; determining the property of interest using the tool; and adjusting the flow through the flow control device with the tool at least in part in response to the determined parameter of interest. An apparatus for controlling fluid flow between a formation and a wellbore, according to one embodiment may include: a tool configured to be conveyed into a wellbore that contains at least one sensor for estimating a property of interest downhole and a latching device configured to couple to a flow control device in the wellbore to alter flow of the fluid through the flow control device. | 06-23-2011 |
20110147006 | Downhole-Adjustable Flow Control Device for Controlling Flow of a Fluid Into a Wellbore - A flow control device is provided that in one embodiment includes a flow-through region configured to receive formation fluid at an inflow region and discharge the received fluid at an outflow region and a setting device configured to adjust the flow of the fluid through the flow-through region to a selected level. The setting device includes a coupling member configured to be coupled to an external latching device adapted to move the coupling member to cause the setting device to alter the flow of the fluid from the flow-through region to the selected level. | 06-23-2011 |
20110147007 | Downhole-Adjustable Flow Control Device for Controlling Flow of a Fluid Into a Wellbore - A flow control device is provided that in one embodiment includes a flow-through region configured to receive formation fluid at an inflow region and discharge the received fluid at an outflow region and a setting device configured to adjust the flow of the fluid through the flow-through region to a selected level. The setting device includes a coupling member configured to be coupled to an external latching device adapted to move the coupling member to cause the setting device to alter the flow of the fluid from the flow-through region to the selected level. | 06-23-2011 |
20120298370 | FLOW RESTRICTION DEVICES - An inflow control device may include flow control elements along a flow path. The flow control elements may change the inertial direction of the fluid flowing in the flow path. The change in inertial direction occurs at junctures along the flow path. The flow control elements may also be configured to form segmented pressure drops across the flow path. The segmented pressure drops may include a first pressure drop segment and a second pressure drop segment that is different from the first pressure drop segment. The pressure drop segments may be generated by a passage, an orifice or a slot. In embodiments, the plurality of flow control elements may separate the fluid into at least two flow paths. The flow control elements may also be configured to cause an increase in a pressure drop in the flow path as a concentration of water increases in the fluid. | 11-29-2012 |
20130206397 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING AND ORIENTING A BOREHOLE TOOL - A downhole positioning apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation, the carrier including at least one measurement tool and an extendable member configured to be actuated between a first position in which the extendable member is disposed at the carrier and a second position in which the member is extended from an outer surface of the carrier; and a receiving element fixedly disposed at a borehole casing, the receiving element configured to receive the elongated member when the member is in the second position and guide the carrier to a selected orientation as the carrier is moved axially through the borehole. | 08-15-2013 |