| BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120130642 | Downhole Tool Damage Detection System and Method - A downhole tool damage detection method includes transmitting ultrasonic energy through a downhole tool, receiving ultrasonic energy transmitting through the downhole tool, monitoring the received ultrasonic energy for changes over time and alerting that at least partial unthreading of a threaded connection in the downhole tool may exist in response to finding the changes. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120128424 | METHODS FOR DISPOSING OF PRODUCED WATER RECOVERED DURING HYDROCARBON DRILLING, PRODUCTION OR RELATED OPERATIONS - In some embodiments, methods of disposing of produced water recovered during hydrocarbon drilling, production, transportation or storage operations include collecting produced water, mixing Type I Portland cement with produced water to form a cementitious slurry, introducing the cementitious slurry into an underground void and allowing the cementitious slurry to set and form cement. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125695 | EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING REPLACEABLE CUTTING STRUCTURES AND RELATED METHODS - Earth-boring tools comprise a body and one or more replaceable cutting structures attached to the body at a face region of the body. Each replaceable cutting structure comprises an attachment member and a cutting portion configured to engage an underlying earth formation. Methods of forming an earth-boring tool comprise attaching one or more cutting elements to a replaceable cutting structure; positioning the replaceable cutting structure proximate a region of a body of an earth-boring tool that is susceptible to at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage; and attaching the replaceable cutting structure to the body. Methods of repairing an earth-boring tool comprise bringing a replaceable cutting structure proximate at least one portion of a body of an earth-boring tool exhibiting at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage; and attaching the replaceable cutting structure to the earth-boring tool at the at least one portion. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125632 | Methods and Apparatus for Manipulating and Driving Casing - An apparatus and methods for manipulating and driving casing. The apparatus includes mechanically responsive elements for gripping an interior of a casing joint, and hydraulically responsive elements for gripping an interior of the casing joint responsive to pressure of drilling fluid flowing through the apparatus. One method comprises manipulating a casing joint by mechanically gripping an interior thereof, hydraulically gripping the interior of the casing joint responsive to drilling fluid pressure, and rotating the casing joint. Another method comprises driving casing by applying weight and torque thereto through engagement with an interior thereof. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125626 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STIMULATING PRODUCTION IN A WELLBORE - In an aspect, method for stimulating fluid flow in a wellbore is provided, the method including placing a fluid jetting valve in a tubular, conveying the tubular in a wellbore with the fluid jetting valve in a closed position and changing a pressure within the tubular to move the fluid jetting valve to an open position. In addition, the method includes directing a stimulation fluid through the open fluid jetting valve into a wall of the wellbore and moving the fluid jetting valve to a permanently closed position via a passive control device. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125596 | RUGGEDIZED FIBER OPTIC CABLE AND METHOD OF OPTICAL FIBER TRANSMISSION - A fiber optic cable includes: a first elongated body, the first elongated body having a longitudinal axis; an elongated sleeve disposed coaxially with the first elongated body, the elongated sleeve including a plurality of second elongated bodies wrapped around an exterior surface of the first elongated body; and at least one elongated fiber optic component disposed inside of and coaxially with at least one of the first elongated body and a second elongated body. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125087 | OPTICAL METHOD FOR DETERMINING FOULING OF CRUDE AND HEAVY FUELS - A method for detecting the formation of at least one phase in a mixture, particularly a hydrocarbon mixture. The method may include using a probe to expose a portion of the mixture to electromagnetic radiation to determine the value of a parameter of interest indicative of the formation of a phase. The method may also include using the value of the parameter of interest with a correlation between a known property of the mixture and the value of a parameter of interest to detect the formation of a phase. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120118647 | DOWNHOLE MUD MOTOR AND METHOD OF IMPROVING DURABILTY THEREOF - A downhole mud motor includes, a stator, a rotor in operable communication with the stator, and a plurality of nanoparticles embedded in at least a portion of the stator | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118642 | METHODS OF MAKING EARTH-BORING TOOLS AND METHODS OF DRILLING WITH EARTH-BORING TOOLS - Method of making an earth-boring tool comprise forming a body comprising a face including a plurality of radially extending blades thereon and a cone region, a nose region, and a shoulder region. A plurality of cutting elements may be disposed on the blades at least in the cone region, the nose region, and the shoulder region. Some of the cutting elements may be configured to form kerfing pairs comprising at least two cutting elements disposed on different blades of the plurality of radially extending blades at least substantially at the same radial position from a central axis of the body. At least one of the blades and orientations and exposures of the plurality of cutting elements may be configured so that a summation of a lateral drilling force generated by each cutting element of the plurality of cutting elements is directed toward a lateral side of the body. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118583 | PLUG AND METHOD OF UNPLUGGING A SEAT - A method of unplugging a seat, including dissolving at least a surface of a plug seated against the seat, and unseating the plug from the seat. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118582 | MAGNETICALLY COUPLED ACTUATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An actuator includes: a carrier including an axially elongated fluid conduit therein, the fluid conduit configured to received a ball therein; and an axially elongated ball receiving element, wherein one of the ball and the ball receiving element is configured to produce a magnetic field, and another of the ball and the ball receiving element includes an electrically conductive material, the ball and the ball receiving element configured so that the electrically conductive material is exposed to the magnetic field as the ball advances through the ball receiving element, and eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive material that cause a repulsive force between the ball receiving element and the ball to at least one of reduce a velocity of the ball and actuate the ball receiving element. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118580 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTAINING BOREHOLE FLUID - A device for containing fluid flow from a borehole includes: a containment assembly including a body having a cavity configured to receive a leaking portion of a borehole termination structure extending from the borehole and surround the leaking portion, the cavity configured to be adapted to at least partially conform to a shape of at least one of the leaking portion and the borehole termination structure; and a flow control assembly configured to connect a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the containment assembly and direct downhole fluid into the fluid conduit. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118579 | Multi-Position Valve for Fracturing and Sand Control and Associated Completion Methods - A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118563 | ISOLATING WET CONNECT COMPONENTS FOR DEPLOYED ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS - An electric motor of an electric submersible pump is electrically isolated from a power conduit for diagnostic testing of the power conduit and wet connection components in place within a wellbore. The electric motor is electrically connected to the power conduit through a wet connection assembly having motor leads in electrical connection with a transfer contact and a receptacle assembly disposed on a tubing string having a supply contact electrically connected to the power conduit. Electric power flows through the power conduit, through the supply contact, through the transfer contact, and through the motor leads to the motor. The supply contact and the transfer contact are separated by a sliding sleeve that hydraulically inserts between the contacts, insulating the transfer contact and grounding the supply contact for testing. The contacts may also be separated by a relative rotation of the assemblies that grounds the supply contact for testing. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118040 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND ANALYZING DOWNHOLE FORMATION FLUIDS - A device for sampling fluid from an earth formation is disclosed. The device includes: an inlet port disposable in fluid communication with the fluid in a borehole; an injector including an injection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, the injector configured to receive a portion of the fluid and direct the fluid toward an analysis unit for analyzing constituent materials in the fluid; and a high pressure valve configured to admit the portion of the fluid at a borehole pressure and release the portion of the fluid into the injector, the portion having a volume that is less than or equal to about one microliter. A system and method for analyzing constituents of fluid in a borehole in an earth formation is also disclosed. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117861 | Fuel Additives for Enhanced Lubricity and Anti-Corrosion Properties - The reaction product resulting from the chemical reaction of an alkyl phenol with an acid or an anhydride selected from the group consisting of a saturated dicarboxylic acid, an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, an anhydride of a saturated dicarboxylic acid, an anhydride of an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and combinations thereof, has been discovered to improve the properties of various fluids. In a non-limiting example, the reaction products may have an acid number from about 0 to about 50 that may improve the lubricity and/or corrosion of fuels and lubricants, such as hydrocarbon fuels and lubricants, when added thereto. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120111642 | POLYCRYSTALLINE COMPACTS INCLUDING NANOPARTICULATE INCLUSIONS, CUTTING ELEMENTS AND EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH COMPACTS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME - Polycrystalline compacts include non-catalytic, non-carbide-forming particles in interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline hard material. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts include forming a polycrystalline material including a hard material and a plurality of particles comprising a non-catalytic, non-carbide-forming material. Methods of forming cutting elements include infiltrating interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline material with a plurality of non-catalytic, non-carbide-forming particles. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111638 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING ROLLER CONE PROFILE ON HYBRID BIT - An earth boring drill bit designed for a specific performance, within a finished product tolerance, using components built to a looser manufacturing tolerance. The bit may be assembled by selecting a leg from a plurality of pre-manufactured legs; selecting a bit body from a plurality of pre-manufactured bit bodies, the bit body having a slot for receiving the leg; placing the leg within the slot; and fixing the leg within the slot within the finished product tolerance by placing one or more shims between the leg and the slot. The shims may be used to adjust an axial position, a radial position, and/or a circumferential position of the leg with respect to the slot. The leg and the bit body may be selected, or produced, to ensure the bit will not meet the specification, given the manufacturing tolerance, without the shims. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111633 | Sensor on a Drilling Apparatus - In an aspect, a drilling apparatus is provided, wherein the apparatus includes a drill string to be disposed in a borehole. The drill string includes a tubular, a borehole assembly coupled to the tubular and a drill bit disposed at an end of the borehole assembly. Further, the apparatus includes a strain gauge directly deposited on the drill string. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111579 | TOOLS FOR USE IN SUBTERRANEAN BOREHOLES HAVING EXPANDABLE MEMBERS AND RELATED METHODS - Expandable apparatus for use in subterranean boreholes include at least one member configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. A latching member disposed in the tubular body may selectively retain the at least one member in the retracted position. Methods of operating an expandable apparatus include securing at least one member of the expandable apparatus in a retracted position by engaging an inner wall of a tubular body with at least one latch member disposed in at least one aperture formed in a latch sleeve. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111575 | Subsurface Safety Valve Flapper - A flapper for use as a component of a safety valve designed for deployment in a well bore having well bore fluids. The flapper includes a flapper body forming a flapper valve bore therethrough. The flapper body forms a groove proximate to the flapper bore. The flapper also includes a plunger member sized and configured to be received in the flapper valve bore. The plunger member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. Additionally, the flapper includes a leaf spring including a primary end portion and a secondary end portion, the primary end portion of the leaf spring detachably attached to the second end portion of the plunger member and unattached to the flapper body and the secondary end portion of the leaf spring being sized and configured to be received and retained in the groove and to bias the plunger member into the flapper valve bore. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111556 | Casing Spears and Related Systems and Methods - A casing spear may comprise a mandrel, and a slip assembly comprising at least one slip. The at least one slip may comprise a generally wedge-shaped surface positioned and configured to cause the at least one slip to move radially outwards relative to the mandrel in response to a rotation of the mandrel and a torque acting on the slip assembly, the torque opposing the rotation of the mandrel. Additionally, a method of operating a casing spear may comprise inserting a casing spear into a casing, rotating a mandrel of the casing spear, applying a torque to a slip assembly of the casing spear with the casing, opposing the rotation of the mandrel, and applying a force in a radial direction to at least one slip of a slip assembly of the casing spear in response to the torque. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120109528 | RADON MIGRATION OF ACOUSTIC DATA - Disclosed is a method implemented by a processor for imaging a formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: obtaining acoustic data in a depth-time domain using an acoustic downhole tool disposed at a depth in the borehole, the acoustic downhole tool having an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver; transforming the acoustic data in the depth-time domain into a Radon domain using a Radon transform; filtering the acoustic data in the Radon domain to increase a signal of interest in the acoustic data in the Radon domain; determining a location of a point in the formation that reflected acoustic energy emitted from the acoustic source to the acoustic receiver, the location of the point being represented in the Radon domain; and inverting the location of the point represented in the Radon domain into a radius-depth domain to image the formation. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109527 | Apparatus and Methods for Drilling Wellbores by Ranging Existing Boreholes Using Induction Devices - In one aspect a method of drilling a borehole is disclosed, wherein the method includes generating a primary electromagnetic field with a transmitter in a second borehole spaced from the first borehole, the primary electromagnetic filed causing electrical current in the conductive material of the first borehole, measuring a secondary electromagnetic field at a receiver in the second borehole, the electromagnetic field being responsive to the electrical current flowing in the conductive material in the first borehole, and determining a location of the first borehole using the measured secondary electromagnetic field. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120109382 | DRILLING CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system includes a control unit including a model of the system that includes model parameters and operational conditions. The system also includes an assembly that includes one or more sensor modules and a second processor, the second processor including definitions of the model parameters and configured to determine the model parameters based on information received from the one or more sensors. The system also includes a communication medium communicatively coupling the control unit and the assembly. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120107114 | Reduced Profile Abrasion Resistant Pump Thrust Bearing - A centrifugal pump has a stationary diffuser with a bore. A thrust bearing is pressed into the diffuser bore and has a curved interior. A thrust runner having a curved exterior is correspondingly and closely received by the thrust bearing interior. The thrust runner is keyed to a shaft and transmits thrust from a rotating impeller to the diffuser via the thrust bearing. The curved surface of the thrust bearing allows for handling of both axial and radial thrust without the need for multiple thrust bearings. The increased surface area of the curved surface in the thrust bearing can also handle higher loads. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120106294 | Optimization Approach to Q-Factor Estimation From VSP Data - A zero-offset VSP survey is carried out with spaced apart receivers located in a vertical wellbore. Spectra of the signals at the receivers following wavefield separation are estimated. An absorption coefficient is estimated using differences in spectra between all pairs of receivers. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103698 | CUTTING ELEMENTS, EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCORPORATING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS - Cutting elements comprise a substrate, a polycrystalline table, and an asymmetric interface feature. The interface feature comprises a shape that is reflectively asymmetric about at least two planes defined by x, y, and z axes of a Cartesian coordinate system defined to align a z axis of the coordinate system with the central axis of the substrate and to locate a center of the coordinate system at a midpoint along an axial height of the asymmetric interface feature. Methods of forming a cutting element comprise: totaling an asymmetric interface feature at an end of a substrate; distributing a plurality of superhard particles on the substrate over the asymmetric interface feature in a mold; and bonding the superhard particles in the mold to form a polycrystalline table attached to the substrate. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103697 | INSERTS, POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND COMPACT CUTTING ELEMENTS, EARTH-BORING BITS COMPRISING SAME, AND METHODS OF FOMING SAME - An insert for an earth-boring tool includes a body and a coating disposed over at least a portion of the body. The coating comprises a ceramic comprising boron, aluminum, and magnesium. Polycrystalline diamond compact cutting elements may include a hard polycrystalline material, a supporting substrate, and a coating disposed over at least a portion of the hard polycrystalline material. An earth-boring drill bit may include a bit body and at least one polycrystalline diamond compact cutting element secured to the bit body. The polycrystalline diamond compact cutting element may have a coating comprising a ceramic of boron, aluminum, and magnesium, and may be disposed over at least a portion of a hard polycrystalline material. A method of forming an insert for an earth-boring tool may include forming a protective coating including a ceramic of boron, aluminum, and magnesium over a cutting element. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103696 | POLYCRYSTALLINE COMPACTS INCLUDING NANOPARTICULATE INCLUSIONS, CUTTING ELEMENTS AND EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH COMPACTS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME - A polycrystalline compact comprises a plurality of grains of hard material and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed in interstitial spaces between the plurality of grains of hard material. The plurality of nanoparticles has a thermal conductivity less than a thermal conductivity of the plurality of grains of hard material. An earth-boring tool comprises such a polycrystalline compact. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact comprises combining a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of nanoparticles to form a mixture and sintering the mixture to form a polycrystalline hard material comprising a plurality of interbonded grains of hard material. A method of forming a cutting element comprises infiltrating interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline material with a plurality of nanoparticles. The plurality of nanoparticles have a lower thermal conductivity than the interbonded grains of hard material. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103691 | METHODS OF COUPLING COMPONENTS OF DOWNHOLE TOOLS, DOWNHOLE TOOLS AND COMPONENTS OF DOWNHOLE TOOLS - Methods of coupling a bearing assembly to a downhole tool include forming at least a portion of a downhole component from a diamond-enhanced material, applying a metal material to a surface of the downhole component using an ultrasonic molten metal process, and coupling at least a portion of the surface of the downhole component to at least another component of the downhole tool. Downhole tools include at least one component of a bearing assembly that is configured to move relative to a portion of the downhole tool. The at least one bearing component comprises a diamond-enhanced material and is coupled to a portion of the downhole tool by an ultrasonic molten metal process. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103690 | Drill Bit with Electrical Power Generation Devices - A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes a first member including one of a magnet and a coil, and a second member that moves relative to the first member, the second member including the other of the magnet and the coil, wherein the relative motion causes the generation of an electrical charge in the coil. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103688 | Drill-Bit Seismic With Downhole Sensors - A drill-bit seismic method where the seismic receivers are located in the BHA. The data detected by these receivers is processed by a downhole processing unit in order to estimate the interval velocity of the seismic wave between the sensors and between the bit and a sensor. Additionally, the processed data might provide the distance to a seismic reflector close to the borehole and the average seismic velocity between the well and this reflector. The processed data can be transmitted to surface location by mud-pulse telemetry. The pilot signal can be also used to process seismic data recorded by receivers located at the earth surface (or close to it). | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120102843 | GRAPHENE-COATED DIAMOND PARTICLES, COMPOSITIONS AND INTERMEDIATE STRUCTURES COMPRISING SAME, AND METHODS OF FORMING GRAPHENE-COATED DIAMOND PARTICLES AND POLYCRYSTALLINE COMPACTS - Coated diamond particles have solid diamond cores and at least one graphene layer. Methods of forming coated diamond particles include coating diamond particles with a charged species and coating the diamond particles with a graphene layer. A composition includes a substance and a plurality of coated diamond particles dispersed within the substance. An intermediate structure includes a hard polycrystalline material comprising a first plurality of diamond particles and a second plurality of diamond particles. The first plurality of diamond particles and the second plurality of diamond particles are interspersed. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact includes catalyzing the fox of inter-granular bonds between adjacent particles of a plurality of diamond particles having at least one graphene layer. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101732 | Integrated Source-Free Method and Apparatus for Porosity Determination: NMR Calibrated Acoustic Porosity - NMR porosity measurements made in a gas free-formation are used to calibrate acoustic measurements. The calibration parameters are then used in conjunction with estimates of shale content to provide improved estimates of formation porosity in shaly intervals which may include a gas. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120101731 | Extending Data Retention of a Data Storage Device Downhole - A system and method for performing a wellbore operation is disclosed. A first memory device for storing data is provided at a downhole location, the first memory device having a first data retention time. A second memory device is provided at the downhole location, and controller is used to store data at the first memory device and to transfer the data to the second memory device at a selected time interval less than the first data retention time. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120100737 | APPARATUS AND METHODS OF SEALING AND FASTENING POTHEAD TO POWER CABLE - Apparatus of components and methods for connecting and sealing a pothead to an electrical cable used in an oil well environment, are provided. Electrical leads are anchored in insulating members retained within the pothead. The leads inserted into passages formed through the insulating members each having an elliptically shaped portion. Channels are formed along the surface of the passages and along the circumference of the elliptically shaped portions. Boot seals are provided in the elliptically shaped portions and circumscribe the electrical leads. A hydrocarbon-based liquid is applied to the boot seals to cause them to swell and occupy the space between the leads and the insulators, including the channels. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098358 | Tuned Bearing - A bearing assembly for a submersible pump motor has a bearing body, having a hub, an outer portion, and a plurality of wing portions. The wing portions are spaced apart to form a plurality of cavities in the bearing body. A mass damper is mounted to the hub. The mass damper has an upper portion, a lower portion and mass damper prongs connecting the upper and lower portion. The mass damper prongs are disposed in the cavities, and act to reduce the amplitude of the vibrating frequency of the motor shaft. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097456 | EARTH-BORING TOOLS AND COMPONENTS THEREOF INCLUDING MATERIAL HAVING PRECIPITATE PHASE - The present invention relates to compositions for forming at least a portion of an earth-boring rotary drill bit. The rotary drill bit may comprise a cemented transition metal carbide composition containing at least one precipitate transition metal carbide phase and at least one binder phase. The binder phase may comprise an alloy of at least one of cobalt, iron, and nickel having a melting point less than 1350° C. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097455 | EARTH-BORING TOOLS AND COMPONENTS THEREOF INCLUDING MATERIAL HAVING HARD PHASE IN A METALLIC BINDER, AND METALLIC BINDER COMPOSITIONS FOR USE IN FORMING SUCH TOOLS AND COMPONENTS - Binder compositions for use in forming a bit body of an earth-boring bit includes at least one of cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point-reducing constituent selected from at least one of a transition metal carbide up to 60 weight percent, a transition metal boride up to 60 weight percent, and a transition metal silicide up to 60 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. Earth-boring bit bodies include a cemented tungsten carbide material comprising tungsten carbide and a metallic binder, wherein the tungsten carbide comprises greater than 75 volume percent of the cemented tungsten carbide material. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097452 | Downhole Tool Deployment Measurement Method and Apparatus - In one aspect, an apparatus for conveying a tool while drilling a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a line coupled to the tool, a conveying assembly coupled to the line, the conveying assembly located at a surface and configured to release the line to convey the tool into the drill string and a sub including a passage for the line to pass therethrough. The apparatus also includes a measuring device configured to determine a position of the tool within the drill string by determining a length of the line that is conveyed along with the tool into the drill string. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097450 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF BOREHOLE BREAKOUTS FROM IMAGES AND THE AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF ALERTS - Disclosed is a method for detecting a pair of opposing breakouts in a borehole penetrating an earth formation. The method includes: conveying a downhole tool configured to perform measurements of a property of the earth formation; producing an image of the earth formation from the measurements, the image comprising a plurality of sectors; dividing the sectors into radial segments, each segment corresponding to an opposite segment; rotating the segments at least one sector at a time until a specified angle is achieved; calculating an average value for the measurements associated with each segment for each rotation of the segments; stacking the average values for opposing segments to produce stack values; determining a maximum or minimum stack value; determining if the maximum or minimum stack value exceeds a threshold value; and detecting the first breakout and the second breakout if the maximum or minimum stack value exceeds the threshold value. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097265 | RESTRICTION ENGAGING SYSTEM - A restriction engaging system includes, a restriction engager, one or more restrictions, and at least one counter configured to permit or prevent passage of a restriction engager through one of the one or more restrictions. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120095741 | Predicting Downhole Formation Volumetric Sand Production Using Grain-Scale Rock Models - A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for estimating sand production from an earth formation is disclosed. A grain-scale formation model of the earth formation is created, wherein a value obtained from the grain-scale formation model compares to a value of a measured property of the earth formation. A fluid parameter of the grain-scale formation model is determined and a movement of at least one grain of the grain-scale formation model is determined due to the determined fluid parameter. The sand production is estimated from the determined movement of the at least one grain. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120095688 | Radial Waves In A Borehole And Stoneley Waves For Measuring Formation Permeability And Electroacoustic Constant - A Stoneley wave is generated in a borehole in a saturated porous earth formation. Measurements are made of the velocity of motion of the formation and the fluid in the formation. The difference in the velocities is indicative of formation permeability. An additional measurement of the electric field at the borehole wall enables determination of the electroacoustic constant. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120095687 | METHOD OF PREDICTING SOURCE ROCK THERMAL MATURITY FROM LOG RESPONSES - A method for estimating a property of an earth formation, the method includes: conveying a carrier through a borehole penetrating the earth formation; performing a measurement of total organic carbon (TOC) within a region of investigation in the earth formation using a logging tool disposed at the carrier; and correlating the measured TOC to the property to estimate the property. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092016 | Antenna Apparatus and Method for Insulating - In one aspect, a method for insulating an antenna apparatus is provided, the method including coupling a transition piece to a bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead includes a first conductive path electrically coupled to a second conductive path in the transition piece and coupling an antenna cable to the transition piece, wherein the antenna cable includes a third conductive path electrically coupled to the second conductive path. The method further includes disposing an electrically insulating polymer on the bulkhead, transition piece, and antenna cable, wherein the insulating polymer is disposed by extrusion. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092015 | Apparatus And Method For Capacitive Measuring Of Sensor Standoff In Boreholes Filled With Oil Based Drilling Fluid - An apparatus and method for estimating the at least one resistivity parameter using at least one processor to estimate capacitance information, wherein the capacitance information is estimated using only one selected frequency electromagnetic signal. The apparatus may include at least one measure electrode. The apparatus may also include a transverse antenna. The method may include imparting an electric current at only one selected frequency into a formation using the at least one measure electrode. The method may also include using capacitance information to estimate a standoff between the at least one measure electrode and a borehole wall. In some embodiments, the estimated capacitance information may be used to reduce errors due to eccentricity. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092007 | NMR Flow Metering Using Velocity Selection and Remote Detection - A method and apparatus for estimating a flow rate of a phase of a multiphase fluid is disclosed. In the first method, nuclei in the fluid are polarized over two distances and a measured magnetization gives the relative fraction of two components of the fluid for a selected velocity. In the second method, nuclei in the fluid are polarized over a specified distance and measurements of the decay of spin echo signals is used to give the relative fraction of two components of the fluid for the selected velocity. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092006 | Multiphase Flow Measurement Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - A method and apparatus for estimating a flow rate of a phase of a multiphase fluid is disclosed. A first velocity distribution is obtained for a first set of nuclei in the fluid from a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal received for the fluid in response to a first NMR excitation signal. A second velocity distribution is obtained for a second set of nuclei in the fluid from an NMR signal received for the fluid in response to a second NMR excitation signal. A velocity of the phase is estimated from the first velocity distribution and the second velocity distribution. The flow rate of the phase is estimated using the estimated velocity of the phase and an estimated volume fraction of the phase. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120091329 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON SATURATION AND HYDRAULIC FRAC PLACEMENT - A method for estimating a property of an earth formation, the method includes: conveying a carrier through a borehole penetrating the earth formation; irradiating the formation with neutrons from a neutron source disposed at the carrier; detecting a first signal from the formation due to the irradiating using a first radiation detector, the first signal being related to a saturation of a fluid in the formation; detecting a second signal from an element in the formation due to the irradiating using a second radiation detector, the second signal being related to an element emitting the second signal in the formation; and estimating the property from the first signal and the second signal. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090857 | Swellable Member, Swell Controlling Arrangement and Method of Controlling Swelling of a Swellable Member - A swell controlling arrangement includes a swellable member configured to swell upon exposure to a swell inducing fluid, and an acidic material that is configured to form an acidic environment. The swell controlling arrangement is configured to preferentially expose the swellable member to the acidic environment when the swellable member and the acidic material are exposed to the swell inducing fluid. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090845 | Stabilizing Emulsified Acids for Carbonate Acidizing - Emulsified acids have been used to increase production rates of oil and gas in carbonate reservoirs through acid fracturing and matrix acidizing operations. An emulsifier is used to emulsify the aqueous acid with an oil, usually diesel. Very small particles, such as colloidal clay particles and/or nanoparticles increase the stability of the emulsified acids over an elevated temperature range. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090837 | Acoustic Transducers With Dynamic Frequency Range - In one aspect, an apparatus for use downhole is provided, which apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an acoustic transducer having a first member in pressure communication with a confined fluid, wherein a displacement of the first member causes a volume change in the confined fluid that amplifies displacement of a second member to generate a pressure wave in medium. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090836 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR SENDING AND/OR SEALING CEMENT AT A LINER HANGER - An apparatus for verifying cement arrival at a target location includes a liner. A sensory structure radially outwardly disposed of the liner at a target arrival location of cement from a cementing operation. The sensory structure configured to sense arrival of cement. A seal configuration automatically responsive to the sensed arrival of cement. Also included is a method for addressing micro annulus formation in a downhole cementing operation. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120090830 | Apparatus Including Metal Foam and Methods for Using Same Downhole - In one aspect, a device is provided that in one configuration includes a member including a metallic foam and a sealing material coupled to the metallic foam. The sealing material may be in, on or coated on the metallic foam member. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120089336 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING REMAINING USEFUL LIFE OF A DOWNHOLE TOOL - A system for determining the amount of life consumed for a tool includes at least one sensor associated with the tool for generating observation data, a memory in operable communication with the at least one sensor, the memory including a database for storing the observation data generated by the sensor, and a processor in operable communication with the memory. The processor includes a model generator that generates a current model for a current run of the tool. The current model includes parameters of a functional approximation of the observation data. The processor also includes a classifier that classifies the current model and a current run estimator that determine the amount of life consumed based on the classification of the current model and a time of use associated with the current run. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120089335 | FLUID PRESSURE-VISCOSITY ANALYZER FOR DOWNHOLE FLUID SAMPLING PRESSURE DROP RATE SETTING - Methods and apparatus for estimating a hydrocarbon fluid parameter using a hydrocarbon fluid testing module. The method may include estimating a hydrocarbon fluid parameter value where a precipitate begins to form in a hydrocarbon fluid sample. The method may also include extracting a hydrocarbon fluid sample under pre-precipitate conditions; changing at least one hydrocarbon fluid parameter, generating information indicative of precipitate formation; and communicating the estimated value of the hydrocarbon fluid parameter at the precipitate formation point. The method may also include producing hydrocarbon fluid sample from a formation using the estimated value and a bubble point. The disclosure also includes an apparatus for implementing the method. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120087729 | Temporary Containment of Oil Wells to Prevent Environmental Damage - A containment vessel is moved proximate to and preferably surrounding the wellhead, such that leaking oil enters an interior chamber of the vessel. A fluid pump of the containment system is actuated to flow leaking hydrocarbon fluid through a conduit toward a collection sump. A controller controls the speed or volume of a fluid pump to maintain suction force within the interior chamber, or the pressure at wellhead annulus site (PWAS) at a set point that is based on seabed pressure. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086460 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING MONITORING ELEMENTS AND SINGLE USE ELEMENTS WITH A COMMON CABLE - A system includes a common line configured to conduct electrical power and one or more monitoring devices coupled to the common line and configured to operate when a positive voltage is provided on the common line. The system also includes a single use device coupled to the common line and an activation circuit coupled between the single use device and the common line, the activation circuit only allowing current to flow through the single use device when a negative voltage is provided on the common line. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086456 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING VISCOSITY AND DENSITY DOWNHOLE USING A RELAXED VIBRATING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE ELEMENT - An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest in a downhole fluid using a fluid analyzer. The fluid analyzer may include: a electrically conductive element configured to vibrate in response to an energy source, a housing to enclose the electrically conductive element and receive a fluid, and a sensor configured to respond to shear waves induced in the fluid by the vibration of the electrically conductive element. The electrically conductive element may be relaxed during operation. Also disclosed is a method of use for the apparatus. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120086454 | SAMPLING SYSTEM BASED ON MICROCONDUIT LAB ON CHIP - An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest in a downhole fluid using fluid testing module. The fluid testing module may include: a substrate comprising at least one microconduit, and a sensor. The sensor may be disposed within the at least one microconduit or external. The apparatus may include a fluid mover for moving fluid within the microconduit. The method includes estimating a parameter of interest using the fluid testing module. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085585 | COMPOSITE MATERIALS INCLUDING NANOPARTICLES, EARTH-BORING TOOLS AND COMPONENTS INCLUDING SUCH COMPOSITE MATERIALS, POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS INCLUDING NANOPARTICLES, AND RELATED METHODS - A composite material comprising a plurality of hard particles surrounded by a matrix material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles. Earth boring tools including the composite material and methods of forming the composite material are also disclosed. A polycrystalline material having a catalyst material including nanoparticles in interstitial spaces between inter-bonded crystals of the polycrystalline material and methods of forming the polycrystalline material are also disclosed. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085549 | Pump Down Swage Expansion Method - The tubular string to be expanded is run in on a running string. The swage assembly has a seal from the running string to the existing tubular and the top of the tubular string to be expanded also has a similar seal against the exiting tubular. Annulus pressure around the running string drives the swage assembly to support the expanded tubular to the exiting tubular and to continue expansion to the end of the tubular. Cementing then takes place followed by reconfiguring the swage assembly to engage the liner hanger seal with the result being a monobore connection in a single trip including the cementing. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085542 | Barrier Valve Hydraulic Operator with Compound valve Opening Force Feature - A housing can be mounted adjacent an isolation valve and after a fixed number of on and off pressure cycles allow a spring to push an actuator to operate the valve to an open position. The actuator, in another embodiment, can be reset with a tool run into the module to move the actuator back against a power spring and hold that spring force until the pressure cycling begins again. The preferred application is for a formation isolation ball valve but other valves, such as sliding sleeves, or other types of downhole tools can be actuated with the module that permits a retrofit of a hydraulic operation to a heretofore purely mechanically actuated tool. The actuation force to initially open is boosted by a secondary potential energy source that is unlocked to give an initial boost force to the indexing spring that is part of a j-slot actuation mechanism. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120085161 | TORSIONALLY VIBRATING VISCOSITY AND DENSITY SENSOR FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS - An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest in a downhole fluid using a fluid analyzer. The fluid analyzer may include: a member configured to vibrate in response to an energy source, a housing to enclose the member and receive a fluid, and a sensor configured to respond to shear waves induced in the fluid by the vibration of the member. The member may be formed at least in part of a material responsive to a magnetic field or a piezoelectric material. Also disclosed is a method of use for the apparatus. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120084212 | Method and Apparatus for Efficient Implementation of Design Changes - The disclosed embodiments allow a user to request new product designs and design changes remotely. The requested design or change is then submitted to a network-based automated process. The process may be remotely accessed by the user through a network connection. In one embodiment, the user may meet directly with a customer, pull up the specifications for the product in question, select a design or change desired by the customer, and submit the design or change. The process works in the background to validate the requested design according to one or more validation rules and/or best practices, and completes many of the necessary tasks to allow the requested design to proceed to manufacturing. Once the process has successfully completed the requested change, a notification is sent to the user containing information about the new or changed product, such as the new part number, order number, and the like. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084065 | Wear-Out Detection Methods for Printed Circuit Board Assembly Components Used in Downhole Oilfield Environments - A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for determining a lifespan of an electronic component in a downhole environment is disclosed. A first wear-out model is created that is related to a selected electronic component. A physical condition of the selected electronic component is examined at a selected examination time. The physical condition is generally due to the downhole environment in which the electronic component is disposed. A second wear-out model for the selected electronic component is created from the first wear-out model and the examined physical condition of the selected electronic component. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084009 | REFINED LITHOLOGY CURVE - A method for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: conveying a natural radiation detector through the borehole and measuring natural radiation emitted from the earth formation to provide natural radiation data; conveying a neutron source through the borehole and irradiating the earth formation with neutrons; measuring neutron-interaction radiation emitted from the earth formation due to the irradiating with at least one neutron-interaction radiation detector to provide neutron-interaction data; conveying a borehole image logging tool through the borehole and measuring a resistivity of the earth formation by transmitting electrical current or electromagnetic energy into the earth formation and receiving an electrical signal associated with the resistivity due to the transmitting to provide resistivity data; and combining the natural radiation data, the neutron-interaction radiation data, and the resistivity data into one data set as a function of depth to estimate the property. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084008 | Real-Time Prognostic on Downhole Printed Circuit Board Assembly of Measurement-While-Drilling/Logging-While-Drilling - A method and apparatus for estimating a time to failure of an electronic component used in a downhole environment is disclosed. A stress is applied to the electronic component to cause failure of a plurality of prognostic sensors associated with the electronic component, wherein the stress level at which a prognostic sensor fails is indicative of a stress level at which the electronic component fails. Failure times are obtained due to the applied stress for the plurality of prognostic sensors. A trend is determined from the obtained failure times of the prognostic sensors. The time of failure of the electronic component is estimated from the determined trend. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081121 | MULTIPLE DEPTHS OF INVESTIGATION USING TWO PAIRS OF TOROID TRANSMITTERS - An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation, particularly relating to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating electrical resistivity properties at multiple depths of investigation. The apparatus may include two or more transmitters for introducing electrical current to the earth formation. The apparatus may include a controller configured to deliver an electrical signal to the two or more transmitters either simultaneously or sequentially. The controller may deliver an electrical signal to two or more transmitters at the same frequency for estimating depth of investigation. The apparatus may include one or more receivers responsive to electric signals from the earth formation at one or more frequencies to provide data from one or more depths of investigation. The method may include steps for using the apparatus to obtain data that may be used to estimate the parameter of interest. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080373 | ANISOTROPIC FILTRATION MEDIA AND METHOD OF MAKING - A method of making an anisotropic filtration media includes, foaming a media, straining the media in a selected direction, and relieving strain of the media in the selected direction | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080240 | DIAMOND IMPREGNATED CUTTING STRUCTURES, EARTH-BORING DRILL BITS AND OTHER TOOLS INCLUDING DIAMOND IMPREGNATED CUTTING STRUCTURES, AND RELATED METHODS - An earth-boring tool includes a bit body, a plurality of first cutting elements, and a plurality of second cutting elements. Each of the first cutting elements includes a discontinuous phase dispersed within a continuous matrix phase. The discontinuous phase includes a plurality of particles of superabrasive material. Each of the second cutting elements includes a polycrystalline diamond compact or tungsten carbide. A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes disposing a plurality of first cutting elements on a bit body and disposing a second plurality of second cutting elements on the bit body. Another method of foaming an earth-boring tool includes forming a body having a plurality of first cutting elements and a plurality of cutting element pockets and securing each of a plurality of second cutting elements within each of the cutting element pockets. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080239 | CUTTING ELEMENTS, EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCORPORATING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS - Cutting elements include a substrate, a thermally stable polycrystalline table comprising a superhard material secured to the substrate, and a layer of metal interposed between, and attaching the substrate and the thermally stable polycrystalline table. Methods of forming a cutting element include providing a thermally stable polycrystalline table in a mold, providing a layer of metal on the thermally stable polycrystalline table, distributing a mixture of particles comprising a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising a matrix material on the layer of metal, and heating the mold while applying pressure to the mixture of particles to cause the mixture of particles to coalesce and form a substrate and at least partially melt the layer of metal to flow and wet the thermally stable polycrystalline table and the substrate to form an attachment therebetween. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080231 | REMOTELY CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS AND RELATED METHODS - An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through the fluid passageway and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to a flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080230 | BEARINGS FOR DOWNHOLE TOOLS, DOWNHOLE TOOLS INCORPORATING SUCH BEARINGS, AND METHODS OF COOLING SUCH BEARINGS - Bearings for downhole tools including a first bearing member and a second bearing member, at least one of the first and second bearing members having a channel formed therein. Methods of cooling bearings of downhole tools comprise flowing a fluid within a channel formed in at least one bearing member. Heat is transferred from at least the at least one bearing member to the fluid. The fluid is flowed away from the at least one bearing member. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080229 | Formation Sensing and Evaluation Drill - The present disclosure relates methods and apparatuses for testing and sampling of underground formations or reservoirs. The apparatus may include at least one extendable element configured to penetrate a formation. The at least one extendable element may include at least one drill bit with a nozzle configured to receive formation fluids. The at least one extendable element may include at least one sensor disposed on the at least one extendable element. The at least one extendable element may also include a source of stimulus for stimulating the formation. The at least one extendable element may be configured to detach and/or attach from/to a bottom hole assembly (BHA). One method may include steps for performing testing on the formation for estimating a parameter of interest of the formation. Another method may include steps for performing testing to estimate a parameter of interest of the formation fluid. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080228 | STATUS INDICATORS FOR USE IN EARTH-BORING TOOLS HAVING EXPANDABLE MEMBERS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SUCH STATUS INDICATORS AND EARTH-BORING TOOLS - A status indicator for determining a position of an extendable member in an expandable apparatus. The status indicator is configured to decrease a cross-sectional area of a portion of a fluid path extending through an expandable causing a pressure of a fluid within the fluid path to increase when an extendable member of the expandable apparatus is in an extended position. By determining the pressure of the fluid within the fluid path, one can determine the position of the status indicator within the fluid path and thereby determine whether the extendable member of the expandable apparatus is in the extended or a retracted position. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080188 | Multi-position Valves for Fracturing and Sand Control and Associated Completion Methods - A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves one series of which can be put in the wide open position after run in for gravel packing and fracturing zones one at a time or in any desired order. These valves are then closed and another series of valves can be opened wide but with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage to selectively produce from one or more fractured zones. An annular path behind the gravel is provided by an offset screen to promote flow to the screened production port. The path can be a closed annulus that comes short of the production port or goes over it. For short runs an exterior screen or shroud is eliminated for a sliding sleeve with multiple screened ports that can be opened in tandem. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080183 | REMOTELY CONTROLLED APPARATUS FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS, COMPONENTS FOR SUCH APPARATUS, REMOTE STATUS INDICATION DEVICES FOR SUCH APPARATUS, AND RELATED METHODS - An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially downward within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through a drilling fluid flow path and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to the flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature. Additionally, the expandable apparatus may be configured to generate a signal indicating the extension of the at least one expandable feature. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078558 | Triaxial Induction Calibration Without Prior Knowledge of the Calibration Area's Ground Conductivity - Disclosed is a method for determining calibration factors of an induction tool that includes three receiver coils, each having a distinct orientation. The method includes: placing the induction logging tool in a first position at a first height above a surface of the earth; performing a first set of measurements of conductivity using the receiver coils with the induction logging tool in the first position at the first height; placing the induction logging tool in a second position at a second height above the surface of the earth; performing a second set of measurements of conductivity using the receiver coils with the induction logging tool in the second position at the second height; and determining the calibration factors that correct conductivity measurements performed by the induction logging tool in a borehole penetrating the earth using the first and second sets of measurements. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076448 | Keyless Bearing Sleeve for Subterranean Applications - A sleeve is retained to a shaft without the use of a keyway through at least one end connection that has a preferably flat face with one or more projections from the flat face. Rounded projections are preferred. The projections go into shape matching depressions on the sleeve. Alternatively the sleeve can have the projections and the end retainer can have the depressions. The end retainer is spring loaded for axial deflection in the event of an over-torque. If that happens there is planned for slippage until the condition is alleviated at which point the spring bias is able to again match a projection to a depression for continuing tandem driving of the shaft and the sleeve. The sleeve is preferably carbide and resides in a carbide bushing. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075953 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING A CEMENTED BOREHOLE CASING - A method of evaluating a cased borehole in an earth formation includes: emitting at least one acoustic signal into the borehole via an acoustic source and detecting a return acoustic signal via an acoustic sensor, the borehole including a casing and a casing support material disposed between the casing and a borehole wall; emitting a neutron flux via a neutron source into the borehole and detecting a radiation signal via a radiation detector, the radiation signal including induced gamma radiation resulting from neutron interactions; and identifying a casing support material characteristic based on the return acoustic signal and the radiation signal. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074946 | Active Standoff Compensation in Measurements with Oil-Based Mud Resistivity Imaging Devices - Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole having a substantially non-conducting liquid. The apparatus includes: a downhole tool having a transmitter electrode configured to convey an electric current into the earth formation. A measurement electrode is configured to receive the electric current from the earth formation, wherein the electric current bridges as least one of a first gap between the transmitter electrode and the formation and a second gap between the measurement electrode and the formation. A compensating circuit coupling the transmitter electrode to the measurement electrode is configured to reduce a reactive component of a total current received by the measurement electrode. A receiver coupled to the measurement electrode is configured to measure the total current to estimate the property. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073880 | Subterranean Cutting Tool Structure Tailored to Intended Use - A mill cutting structure is differently configured in three zones. Those zones are the center, the outer edge and in between. At the center has highly wear resistant material that has good temperature bond strength and high impact resistance. The outer periphery can have a material that is highly resistant to wear and impact. In between can be inserts such as used in the Metal Muncher® mills using sintered carbide shapes that resist tracking and create a chipping rather than a grinding action. The shapes should have high edge retention capability and shapes such as a double sided pyramid can be used. The wear patterns of prior designs are addressed to allow longer and faster milling of the fish. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073876 | Apparatus and Method for Drilling Wellbores - In an aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a tubular and a drilling assembly configured to carry a drill bit at an end thereof, wherein the drilling assembly is configured to be positioned within the tubular, wherein the tubular and drilling assembly are configured to be run in the wellbore together. The apparatus also includes an actuation device in the tubular configured to selectively extend the drilling assembly from and retract the drilling assembly into the tubular. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073804 | System For Monitoring Linearity of Down-Hole Pumping Systems During Deployment and Related Methods - Systems, program product, and methods for monitoring linearity of a down-hole pumping system assembly during deployment within a bore of a casing of a well positioned to extract hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir and selecting an optimal operational position for the down-hole pumping system assembly within the bore of the casing, are provided. Various embodiments of the systems allow an operator to ensure that a motor and pump of a down-hole pumping system assembly are installed in an optimal position in a well by ensuring alignment across the pump stages casing and motor casing. The alignment and linearity of the pump and motor can be crucial to run life of the pump and/or motor. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120069713 | Imaging of Formation Structure Ahead of the Drill-Bit - The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for downhole acoustic logging. The tool may be used for generating a guided borehole wave that propagates into the formation as a body wave, reflects from an interface, and is converted back into a a guided borehole wave. Guided borehole waves resulting from reflection of the body wave are used to image a reflector. Methods may include processing of acoustic logging signals including: wavefield separation, auto-correlation of wavefield components, filtering using a dip filter, and estimating a distance to the reflective interface. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069708 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING BROAD BANDWIDTH ACOUSTIC ENERGY - An acoustic transmitter includes: an acoustic diaphragm configured to transmit acoustic waves into a medium; a piezoelectric actuator assembly configured to deform in an axial direction in response to an applied electrical signal; and a highly incompressible elastic material disposed between the piezoelectric actuator and the acoustic diaphragm and configured to transmit pressure waves to the acoustic diaphragm in response to motion of the piezoelectric actuator. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120069705 | EMAT Acoustic Signal Measurement Using Modulated Gaussian Wavelet and Hilbert Demodulation - Casing signals generated by an EMAT in a borehole are processed using at least two orthogonal band-limited filters. The band-limited filters may include Gaussian or Cauchy Wavelet filters. By using the Hilbert transform, an envelope of the filtered signals is determined and amplitudes and arrival times of individual arrivals are estimated. These can be used to estimate casing and cement properties. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068713 | Resistivity Imaging Using Phase Sensitive Detection with a Floating Reference Signal - A device, method and system for measuring characteristics of a geologic formation using a floating reference signal having a mud chamber, an electrode disposed within the mud chamber, and an electrically conductive plate disposed within the mud chamber, the plate separated from the electrode. An alternating current source is provided on the electrode, whereby an electric field is be maintained between the electrode and the conductive plate. An opening in the mud chamber allows drilling fluids to pass there through. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068711 | PAD DEVICE FOR RESISTIVITY IMAGING IN THE WELLS WITH OIL BASED DRILLING FLUID - An apparatus and method for reducing coupling between at least one measure electrode and at least one return electrode in a logging tool in a borehole with non-conductive drilling fluid using a conductive shield disposed between the at least one measure electrode and the at least one return electrode. The apparatus may be configured to impart an electrical current into a formation and to receive a return current from the formation. The method may include using the apparatus. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068700 | Formation Evaluation Capability From Near-Wellbore Logging Using Relative Permeability Modifiers - Nano-particles that possess either selective fluid phase blocks or modify the relative permeability of an earth formation to different fluids are used to inhibit the invasion of borehole mud into the formation. This makes it possible to make formation evaluation measurements using sensors with a shallow depth of investigation. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068060 | METHOD FOR THROUGH-CASING 3-PHASE SATURATION DETERMINATION - A method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation having a fluid contained in pores of the earth formation, the method includes: conveying a carrier through a borehole penetrating the earth formation; irradiating the earth formation with neutrons from a neutron source disposed at the carrier; measuring radiation emitted from the earth formation resulting from the irradiating using at least one detector; calculating or determining a mathematical parameter from radiation measured by the at least one detector; predicting values of the mathematical parameter over a range of values of an earth formation property; and comparing the mathematical parameter to the predicted values to estimate the parameter of interest. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067967 | FLUID APPLICATOR AND METHOD - A fluid applicator includes, a tubular configured to transport a fluid therethrough, and a rotatable member in operable communication with the tubular such that fluid transported through the tubular is deposited at the rotatable member near a rotational center of the rotatable member. The rotatable member is configured to produce sufficient centrifugal forces on the fluid through rotation thereof to urge the fluid radially outwardly from the rotatable member to coat an inside of an earth formation borehole tool. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067587 | POLYMER FOAM CELL MORPHOLOGY CONTROL AND USE IN BOREHOLE FILTRATION DEVICES - A method of deploying a borehole filtration device is provided utilizing the steps of:
| 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067582 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FRACTURING PORTIONS OF AN EARTH FORMATION - A method of fracturing an earth formation is disclosed. The method includes: isolating a section of a borehole in the earth formation; introducing a fluid into the isolated section and pressurizing the isolated section from a first pressure to a second pressure; introducing a stress concentration to a borehole wall at least one location in the isolated section when the fluid is at the selected pressure or during the pressurization; and initiating a hydraulic fracture in the earth formation at the at least one location. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067564 | Packer Deployment with Electric Submersible Pump with Optional Retention of the Packer After Pump Removal - An electric submersible pump ESP is run in to a desired subterranean location with a packer attached. Once at the desired location the packer is set either using the ESP or some other source of force or pressure. After the ESP has completed the task and needs to be removed, the packer stays set and the ESP releases from it. Removal of the ESP assembly allows a valve in the packer mandrel to close to isolate the zone from which the ESP had been pumping. The ESP can be run in on coiled tubing or rigid tubing or wireline. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067426 | BALL-SEAT APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus for restricting fluid flow includes: a ball receiving element disposed in a fluid conduit and configured to receive a ball that has been advanced through the fluid conduit and at least partially restrict fluid flow; and at least one seating element at least partially disposed within the fluid conduit, the at least one seating element including at least one of: a shape that extends radially into the fluid conduit and is contoured axially to reduce a rate of deceleration of the ball upon contact with the ball receiving element, and a radially compliant element configured to reduce an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067372 | MINIMAL ENTRY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FLUID CONTAINERS - A system for cleaning a container may include: a fluid source; an arm that moves a nozzle in at least two directions; a fluid retrieval device; a separator; and a fluid mover. One method for cleaning includes securing an arm to a support positioned at least partially outside of the container; spraying a fluid onto an inner surface of the container using the nozzle; drawing the fluid and an entrained material out of the container using the fluid retrieval device; removing at least some of the entrained material from the fluid using the separator; and conveying the fluid from the separator to the nozzle using the fluid mover. The arm and/or the fluid retrieval device may be remotely installed. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120066964 | Additives for Reduction of Exhaust Emissions from Compression Ignition Engines - Exhaust emissions resulting from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in compression ignition engines may be reduced using a homopolymer that may be polyisobutylene, polypropylene, and/or hyperbranched polyalpha-olefins. The homopolymer may have a molecular weight of from about 1600 to about 275,000. Optionally, an alkyl nitrate such as 2-ethylhexylnitrate (2EHN), and/or a peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, may also be used together with the homopolymer. Both NOx and particulate matter emissions (PM) may be reduced using ppm quantities of the additive compositions; alternatively, NOx emissions may be lowered or reduced while PM emissions do not substantially increase. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120065888 | Method and Apparatus for Predicting Petrophysical Properties From NMR Data in Carbonate Rocks - An apparatus and method for determining a property of an earth formation using a radial basis function derived from a catalog of rock samples. Parameters of a Thomeer capillary pressure fitting curve are derived and used for analyzing rocks with unimodal or multimodal pore size distributions. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065311 | POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE - A polymer nanocomposite comprises a polymer; and a nanoparticle derivatized to include functional groups including carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups. The variability in tensile strength and percent elongation for the polymer nanocomposite is less than the variability of these properties obtained where an underivatized nanoparticle is included in place of the derivatized nanoparticle. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065309 | METHOD OF FORMING POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE - A method for making a polymer composite comprises mixing, a thermosetting polymer precursor, and 0.01 to 30 wt % of a derivatized nanoparticle based on the total weight of the polymer composite, the derivatized nanoparticle including functional groups comprising carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, functionalized polymeric or oligomeric groups, or a combination comprising at least one of the forgoing functional groups. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063934 | Electrical Submersible Pump System Having High Temperature Slot, End Bell and Phase-to-Phase Insulation - Electric submersible well pumping systems operable in well temperatures of above about 180° C. (356° F.) utilize high temperature electrical insulation. The electrical insulation includes E-base polyimide films or perfluoropolymer TE films on various components. The insulation films are employed around magnet wires that are threaded through slots in the stator. Slot insulation of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film surrounds the magnet wires in the stator slots. Sheets of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film extend around and between phase loops of the magnet wire at the lower end of the stator. The motor contains a PAO oil having additives to dissipate acid generated by epoxy used in the motor. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063933 | Electrical Submersible Pump System Having Improved Magnet Wire Leads - Electric submersible well pumping systems operable in well temperatures of above about 180° C. (356° F.) utilize high temperature electrical insulation. The electrical insulation includes E-base polyimide films or perfluoropolymer TE films on various components. The insulation films are employed around magnet wires that are threaded through slots in the stator. Slot insulation of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE surrounds the magnet wires in the stator slots. Sheets of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film extend around and between phase loops of the magnet wire at the lower end of the stator. The magnet wires in the stator have lead portions that extend The motor contains a PAO oil having additives to dissipate acid generated by epoxy used in the motor. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063932 | Electrical Submersible Pump System Having High Temperature Insulation Materials and Buffered Lubricant - Electric submersible well pumping systems operable in well temperatures of above about 180° C. (356° F.) utilize high temperature electrical insulation. The electrical insulation includes E-base polyimide films or perfluoropolymer TE films on various components. The insulation films are employed around magnet wires that are threaded through slots in the stator. Slot insulation of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film surrounds the magnet wires in the stator slots. Sheets of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film extend around and between phase loops of the magnet wire at the lower end of the stator. The motor contains a PAO oil having additives to dissipate acid generated by epoxy used in the motor. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063931 | Electrical Submersible Pump System Having High Temperature Insulation Materials - Electric submersible well pumping systems operable in well temperatures of above about 180° C. (356° F.) utilize high temperature electrical insulation. The electrical insulation includes E-base polyimide films or perfluoropolymer TE films on various components. The insulation films are employed around magnet wires that are threaded through slots in the stator. Slot insulation of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film surrounds the magnet wires in the stator slots. Sheets of E-base polyimide or perfluoropolymer TE film extend around and between phase loops of the magnet wire at the lower end of the stator. The motor contains a PAO oil having additives to dissipate acid generated by epoxy used in the motor. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063268 | Simultaneous Ultrasonic Cross-Correlation and Transit Time Measurements for Multiphase Flow Rate Analysis - Pairs of acoustic transducers positioned at different radial distances in a conduit are used to measure travel times of acoustic signals in opposite directions and inclined to the direction of a fluid flow in the borehole. These contrapropagation measurements are used to estimate fluid velocity and volumetric flow rates of the fluid components in the conduit. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061104 | DOWNHOLE TOOL SEAL ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD OF SEALING A DOWNHOLE TUBULAR - A downhole tool includes, a body having a recess, a first seal bore, a second seal bore, and a tool disposed at the body that is responsive to differential pressure across a piston. The downhole tool is configured to allow a differential pressure to form across the piston in response to a first plug sealing to and located at the first seal bore by the recess and preventive of forming a pressure differential across the piston in response to a second plug sealing to and located at the second seal bore by the recess. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061097 | Pump Down Liner Expansion Method - A string to be expanded is run in with a running string that supports a swage assembly. The running string is secured to the existing tubular and the top of the string to be expanded is sealed around the supported running string. The pressure applied to the annular space above the seal drives the liner over the swage. A cement shoe is affixed to the lower end of the string that is expanded after becoming detached from the running string assembly. When the expanded liner bottoms on a support, generally the hole bottom, the cement is delivered through the shoe and the expansion of the top of the string into a recess of the string above continues. The swage assembly with the seal and the anchor are then recovered as the running string is removed during the process of expanding the top of the expanded string into the lower end recess of the existing string already in the wellbore. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061094 | BALL-SEAT APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus for restricting fluid flow includes: a ball receiving element disposed in a fluid conduit and configured to receive a ball that has been advanced through the fluid conduit and at least partially restrict fluid flow, the fluid conduit having a longitudinal axis; and at least one feature disposed at the fluid conduit and configured to at least one of reduce a rate of deceleration of the ball due to actuation of the apparatus and reduce pressure waves generated by an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061093 | MULTIPLE IN-FLOW CONTROL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - An apparatus controls flow of a fluid between a wellbore tubular and a wellbore using a particulate control device configured to be disposed in the wellbore and at least two parallel and directionally opposing flow paths in fluid communication with the particulate control device. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061073 | Debris Chamber with Helical Flow Path for Enhanced Subterranean Debris Removal - A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. In some embodiments the solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe and in others the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120059616 | Image Enhancement for Resistivity Features in Oil-Based Mud Image - Resistivity images obtained by an imaging device in a borehole having oil-based mud may be of poor quality due to standoff variations, leakage currents and random noise. By processing the data using steps including median filtering, entropy equalization and bandpass filtering, the image quality can be considerably improved. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059589 | Water Saturation Determination Using an Oxygen Estimate and Formation Lithology - The present disclosure relates to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating formation properties using nuclear radiation, particularly an apparatus and method for estimating amounts of silicon and/or oxygen in the formation. The present disclosure includes estimating a formation property using an oxygen estimate and at least a formation lithology. The method may include using nuclear radiation information from at least one nuclear radiation detector generate the oxygen estimate. The apparatus may include at least one nuclear radiation detector. The apparatuses may include an information processing device to perform the methods. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059588 | Elemental Concentration Determination Using Neutron-Induced Activation Gamma Radiation - The present disclosure relates to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating formation properties using nuclear radiation, particularly an apparatus and method for estimating amounts of silicon and/or oxygen in the formation. The method may include using nuclear radiation information from at least one nuclear radiation detector to estimate at least one parameter of interest. The method may include separating a gross nuclear radiation count into separate nuclear radiation components. The method may also include reducing an error in the estimated formation properties due to speed variations of a nuclear radiation source that activates the silicon and oxygen in the formation. The apparatus may include at least one nuclear radiation detector. The apparatuses may include an information processing device to perform the methods. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059587 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING DOWNHOLE FLUID COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES - A method of estimating fluid composition in an earth formation includes: generating at least one pulsed neutron measurement by a pulsed neutron tool; estimating a pulsed neutron fluid saturation by analyzing the at least one pulsed neutron measurement via a pulsed neutron model of the earth formation, the pulsed neutron model including expected pulsed neutron measurements relative to selected fluid composition and properties; comparing the pulsed neutron fluid saturation to a reference fluid saturation estimated via a downhole tool; adjusting the pulsed neutron model to at least substantially eliminate a difference between the pulsed neutron fluid saturation and the reference fluid saturation by adjusting at least one of the selected fluid composition and the selected fluid properties; and estimating at least one of the fluid composition and the fluid properties based on the adjusted model. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059586 | DTEM With Short Spacing for Deep, Ahead of the Drill Bit Measurements - A transmitter on a bottomhole assembly (BHA) is used for generating a transient electromagnetic signal in an earth formation. A processor estimates the distance to a resistivity interface using a signal produced by a receiver on the BHA. The transmitter-receiver distance may be less than 1 m. The estimation of the distance is done in real time using a thin conductive sheet approximation. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059088 | Novel Copolymers for Use as Oilfield Demulsifiers - Lactone/alkylene oxide polymers are useful as demulsifiers to break emulsions, e.g. water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, particularly oilfield emulsions. These polymers are random or block polymer made from addition reactions of a hydroxyl- and/or amine-containing base compound with at least one lactone monomer and at least one alkylene oxide monomer. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120057970 | INTEGRATED OPEN IMPELLER AND DIFFUSER FOR USE WITH AN ELECTRICAL SUBMERSIBLE PUMP - An electrical submersible pump having a pump section with a stack diffusers and a stack of impellers mounted on a rotatable shaft. Flow paths extends through the pump section directed axially and radially within the impellers and diffusers. Vanes define the flow path through each impeller that provide fluid communication with an upstream side of each impeller and an outer circumference. An annular flow diverting hub is provided on a downstream side of each impeller. The hub has an outer surface that curves radially inward, and having a minimum radius proximate its middle portion. The diffusers are annular members coaxially mounted in a housing of the pump section. Passages define the flow path through each diffuser that extend axially along the pump section and radially between an outer and inner circumference of each diffuser. The outer surface of each hub makes up a portion of an associated passage. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120056083 | Elemental Concentration Determination Using Neutron-Induced Activation Gamma Radiation - The present disclosure relates to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating formation properties using nuclear radiation, particularly an apparatus and method for estimating amounts of silicon and/or oxygen in the formation using exposure time information. The method may include using nuclear radiation information from at least one nuclear radiation detector to estimate at least one parameter of interest. The method may also include reducing an error in the estimated formation properties due to speed variations of a nuclear radiation source that activates the silicon and oxygen in the formation. The apparatus may include at least one nuclear radiation detector. The apparatuses may include an information processing device to perform the methods. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120056022 | METHODS OF FORMING HARDFACING MATERIALS INCLUDING PCD PARTICLES, AND WELDING RODS INCLUDING SUCH PCD PARTICLES - Hardfacing materials include particles of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) material embedded within a matrix material. The PCD particles comprise a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains. Material compositions and structures used to apply a hardfacing material to an earth-boring tool (e.g., welding rods) include PCD particles. Earth-boring tools include a hardfacing material comprising PCD particles embedded within a matrix material on at least a portion of a surface of a body of the tools. Methods of forming a hardfacing material include subjecting diamond grains to elevated temperatures and pressures to diamond-to-diamond bonds between the diamond grains and form a PCD material. The PCD material is broken down to form PCD particles that include a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains. Methods of hardfacing tools include bonding PCD particles to surfaces of the tools using a metal matrix material. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055713 | Drill Bit with Adjustable Side Force - A drill bit according to one embodiment includes a center member configured to rotate at a first speed and an outer member disposed outside the center member, wherein the outer member is configured to rotate at a second speed. The drill bit also includes a first cutter disposed on the center member and a second cutter disposed on the outer member, wherein the first speed and second speeds are configured to control a resultant side force of the drill bit. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055676 | Fluid Loss Control in Viscoelastic Surfactant Fracturing Fluids Using Water Soluble Polymers - Water soluble uncrosslinked polysaccharides may be fluid loss control agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids used for stimulation (e.g. fracturing) or well completion in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The VES fluid may further include proppant or gravel, if it is intended for use as a fracturing fluid or a gravel packing fluid, although such uses do not require that the fluid contain proppant or gravel. The water soluble uncrosslinked polysaccharide fluid loss control agents may include, but not be limited to guar gum and derivatives thereof; cellulose and derivatives thereof; propylene glycol alginate; salts (e.g. sodium, potassium, and calcium salts) of iota, kappa, and lambda carrageenan; agar-agar; xanthan gum; and the like; and/or mixtures thereof. The fluid loss control agent may be added to the aqueous viscoelastic treating fluid prior to VES addition, and/or at the same time and/or after the VES is added. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055243 | Acoustic Transducers Using Quantum Tunneling Composite Active Elements - In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for use downhole that includes at least one acoustic sensor. In one aspect, the acoustic sensor includes a chamber and an active element comprised of a quantum tunneling composite in the chamber. In another aspect, the acoustic sensor may further include a pair of conductive layers on a pair of sides of the active element. The chamber is filled with an electrically non-conductive fluid. The active element may be placed in the chamber in a manner that causes the active element to be responsive to acoustic waves along a selected direction or in a manner that enables the active element to be non-directional. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120046865 | System and Method for Estimating Directional Characteristics Based on Bending Moment Measurements - A system for measuring directional characteristics of a downhole tool includes: at least one bending moment (BM) measurement device disposed at a downhole component, the at least one BM measurement device configured to generate bending moment data at at least one depth in the borehole, the bending moment data including a bending vector of the downhole tool, a bending moment representing an amplitude of the bending vector, and a bending tool face (BTF) angle representing an orientation of the bending vector; and a processor in operable communication with the BM measurement device and configured to receive bending moment data from the BM measurement device, calculate a dogleg severity (DLS) from the bending moment and a well tool face (WTF) angle from the BTF angle, and calculate at least one of a change in inclination and a change in azimuth based on the DLS and the WTF angle. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043459 | USING LWT SERVICE TO IDENTIFY LOSS CIRCULATION AREAS IN A WELLBORE - The present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for evaluating an earth formation though a drillstring during tripping of the drillstring, particularly locating an area of circulation loss in a wellbore. The apparatus may include a neutron source and at least one radiation detector, which may be disposed on a logging instrument, configured to be dropped or pumped into a drillstring at the end of drilling. The logging instrument may be configured to make measurements through a homogenous portion of the drillstring while the drillstring is being tripped. The apparatus may include a memory and processor for logging data for later retrieval. The method may include adding a radiation absorbing substance to drilling fluid in the wellbore; exposing the earth formation to neutron radiation; and making a plurality of measurement indicative of radiation measurements of sigma or distinct energy peaks along the wellbore. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043256 | Method of Injecting Solid Organic Acids Into Crude Oil - Solid organic acids may be introduced into hydrocarbon solvents to form dispersions; the dispersions in turn may be introduced into crude oil. A wash water may be added to the crude oil to create an emulsion. The organic acids may transfer metals and/or amines from a hydrocarbon phase into an aqueous phase in an electrostatic desalter which resolves the emulsion into the two phases. Suitable solid organic acids include, but are not necessarily limited to, C2-C4 alpha hydroxyacids, such as, but not necessarily limited to, glycolic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid and even sulfamic acid, chloroacetic acid, thiomalic acid, including esters of, polymers of, amine salts of, alkali metal salts of, and/or ammonium salts of all of these acids. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043073 | Twin Latch Wireline Retrieval Tool - The retrieving tool engages an equalizing sleeve on a jar down movement while the packer or bridge plug release sleeve is held fixed with a locking dog. The initial jarring down allows the tool to engage the equalizing sleeve and pull it up subsequent to the initial engagement by jarring down. Pulling or jarring up then opens the equalizing ports while still holding the release sleeve locked using a trapped collet. A subsequent jarring down allows engagement of a second sleeve so that a subsequent pulling or jarring up moves the second sleeve away from the collet that had otherwise held the set position of the packer or bridge plug. A pull or jar force up brings up the now released packer or bridge plug. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043072 | DOWNHOLE WATER-OIL SEPARATION ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD - Disclosed herein is a downhole water-oil separation arrangement which includes a body having one or more portions thereof configured to have an affinity to a selected fluid. The body further will include one or more portions thereof that are configured to have an affinity to another fluid. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120037431 | CUTTING ELEMENTS INCLUDING NANOPARTICLES IN AT LEAST ONE PORTION THEREOF, EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND RELATED METHODS - Cutting elements comprise a multi-portion polycrystalline material. At least one portion of the multi-portion polycrystalline material comprises a higher volume of nanoparticles than at least another portion. Earth-boring tools comprise a body and at least one cutting element attached to the body. The at least one cutting element comprises a hard polycrystalline material. The hard polycrystalline material comprises a first portion comprising a first volume of nanoparticles. A second portion of the hard polycrystalline material comprises a second volume of nanoparticles. The first volume of nanoparticles differs from the second volume of nanoparticles. Methods of forming cutting elements for earth-boring tools comprise forming a volume of superabrasive material, including forming a first portion of the superabrasive material comprising a first volume of nanoparticles. A second portion of the superabrasive material is formed comprising a second volume of nanoparticles, the second volume differing from the first volume. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120037423 | Low Frequency Formation Shear Slowness From Drilling Noise Derived Quadrupole Array Data - The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods measuring and processing a characteristic of subsurface earth formations penetrated by a borehole. More specifically this present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for measuring and processing an acoustic characteristic such as formation shear wave velocity of subsurface sonic waves after these waves traverse earth formations adjoining a borehole or passing through a portion of the subsurface. The apparatus may include: a bottomhole assembly, a drill bit configured to generate an acoustic signal, at least two acoustic detectors, and a processor. The acoustic signal may include a specific multipole signal that may propagate through an earth formation along the borehole. The method may include use of the apparatus, including steps for estimating a shear velocity of the acoustic signal using signals from the at least two acoustic detectors. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120037373 | DOWNHOLE FRACTURE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a housing having one or more radially directed ports therein. A valve disposed within the housing proximate the one or more ports. A seat member interactive with the valve to rapidly prevent or substantially retard fluid flow therethrough. A method for initiating a fracture in a subterranean formation is included. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120037362 | FLUID METERING TOOL WITH FEEDBACK ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD - A downhole tool with a feedback arrangement including a tool having one or more fluid outflow ports that exhaust fluid during normal operation of the tool. A feedback arrangement in operable communication with the fluid exhausted from the one or more fluid outflow ports during operation of the tool. The feedback arrangement interacting with exhausting fluid to produce a signal receivable at a remote location indicative of proper tool operation. A method for confirming operation of a downhole tool is included. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120037355 | Retractable Petal Collet Backup for a Subterranean Seal - A high expansion plug has multiple sealing elements and an extrusion barrier system that uses overlapping petals in a stack of rings. When setting the plug, the petals are elastically moved toward a surrounding tubular wall in an elastic deformation between a housing that surrounds the mandrel and a tapered ring on the mandrel. That sandwich controls the amount of deformation and allows a potential energy force to be stored in the petals that allows them to return toward their initial position when the set of the plug is released and the seals are allowed to relax and extend axially as they shrink radially. The plug can then be removed without milling. Expansions in the order of 25% of the initial seal dimension are contemplated. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120035851 | NMR-DNA FINGERPRINT - Pulse sequences are applied to a fluid in an earth formation in a static magnetic field and NMR spin echo signals are obtained. The signals are processed to give a distribution of relaxation time at each of the plurality of depths. A quasi-DNA is obtained by autoscaling and a nonlinear mapping of T | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035309 | METHOD TO DISPERSE NANOPARTICLES INTO ELASTOMER AND ARTICLES PRODUCED THEREFROM - Methods of making elastomeric nanocomposites with improved nanoparticle dispersion in the elastomer are described. The method includes the use of liquid form additives such as oils, plasticizers and/or solvents as dispersing agents to disperse nanoparticles into elastomers. Also described are articles such as downhole elements including the elastomeric nanocomposites made by the methods described herein. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034464 | DIAMOND PARTICLES HAVING ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ATTACHED THERETO, COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, AND RELATED METHODS - A substance includes diamond particles having a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 μm and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond particles. The organic compound may include a surfactant or a polymer. A method of forming a substance includes exposing diamond particles to an organic compound, and exposing the diamond particles in the presence of the organic compound to ultrasonic energy. The diamond particles may have a maximum linear dimension of less than about 1 μm. A composition includes a liquid, a plurality of diamond nanoparticles dispersed within the liquid, and an organic compound attached to surfaces of the diamond nanoparticles. A method includes mixing a plurality of diamond particles with a solution comprising a liquid solvent and an organic compound, and exposing the mixture including the plurality of diamond nanoparticles and the solution to ultrasonic energy. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120034313 | Microbiocide/Sulfide Control Blends - A chemical blend that simultaneously kills bacteria and suppresses the production of hydrogen sulfide (H | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120033528 | Pipelined Pulse-Echo Scheme for an Acoustic Image Tool for Use Downhole - The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for estimating borehole parameters using a plurality of reflections caused by a plurality of acoustic pulses. The reflections may overlap each other and/or the acoustic pulses. The methods may include estimating an envelope of the received acoustic signal at the at least one element of the array of transducers; and estimating at least one arrival time of at least one of the plurality of overlapping events from the envelope of the received acoustic signals, the arrival times being characteristic of the geometry of the borehole. The method may also include imaging the borehole wall. The apparatus may include an array of transducers on a rotatable transducer assembly with at least one element on the array configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pulses and receive reflections and a processor configured to perform the method. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032868 | Remotely Located Tuning Circuits for Multi-Frequency, Multi-Purpose Induction Antennae in Downhole Tools - An antenna system for a downhole tool has an antenna that is configured to operate at a plurality of frequencies. The tuning circuit is on the interior of the tool and shielded from borehole fluids. The tuning circuit is coupled to the antenna by a transformer circuit. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032560 | Apparatus and Method for Downhole Energy Conversion - An apparatus for generating electrical energy in downhole tool is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, such apparatus includes a tubular configured to flow a fluid within the tubular and an energy conversion device at a selected location inside the tubular, wherein the energy conversion device comprises an active material configured to convert received pressure pulses in the fluid into electrical energy. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032543 | OIL COMPOSITION COMPRISING FUNCTIONALIZED NANOPARTICLES - An improved oil composition is disclosed. The oil composition includes a base oil comprising a hydrocarbon, the base oil having a base thermal conductivity. The oil composition also includes a first additive comprising a plurality of derivatized first additive nanoparticles dispersed within the base oil to form a modified oil having a modified thermal conductivity, wherein the modified thermal conductivity is greater than the base thermal conductivity. Alternately, an improved oil composition includes a base oil comprising a hydrocarbon and a first additive comprising a plurality of derivatized first additive nanoparticles dispersed within the base oil to form a modified oil comprising a stabilized suspension of the derivatized first additive nanoparticles in the base oil. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031810 | Removing Amines From Hydrocarbon Streams - Corrosive amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as desalted crude oil streams can be prevented or avoided by adding certain amine scavenging chemicals to the streams to remove the amines therefrom. Suitable amine scavengers include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic anhydrides and copolymers of carboxylic anhydrides, aromatic anhydrides, isocyanates, polyisocyanates, and epoxides. The non-corrosive reaction products of the amines and/or ammonia with these scavengers are preferably oil-soluble, non-basic and thermally stable. The amine scavengers bind up and react with the amines and/or ammonia to keep them from reacting with materials such as acids (e.g. HCl) to form corrosive amine salts. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031677 | DIRECTIONAL WELLBORE CONTROL BY PILOT HOLE GUIDANCE - A directional drilling apparatus include a first cutter that substantially cuts a wellbore bottom along a first axis and a second cutter that cuts the wellbore bottom along a second axis different from the first axis. The second cutter may extend an adjustable amount out of the first cutter. In another embodiment, a pilot string may connect the second cutter to the first cutter. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031674 | SHAPED CUTTING ELEMENTS FOR EARTH-BORING TOOLS, EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND RELATED METHODS - A cutting element for an earth-boring tool. The cutting element comprises a substrate base, and a volume of polycrystalline diamond material on an end of the substrate base. The volume of polycrystalline diamond material comprises a generally conical surface, an apex centered about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the substrate base, a flat cutting surface extending from a first point at least substantially proximate the apex to a second point on the cutting element more proximate a lateral side surface of the substrate base. Another cutting element is disclosed, as are a method of manufacturing and a method of using such cutting elements. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031672 | Apparatus and Methods for Real Time Communication in Drill Strings - A drill pipe made according to one embodiment includes a number of serially connected tubulars with a communication device placed between the connecting ends of the tubulars, wherein the communication device provides a direct data communication link between the adjoining tubulars. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031670 | Apparatus and Methods for Real Time Communication Between Drill Bit and Drilling Assembly - An apparatus made according to one embodiment includes a drill bit that has a cavity at an end thereof and a communication device placed in the cavity, wherein the communication device includes a first section and a second section, wherein an outer dimension of the second section is greater than an outer dimension of the first section, and wherein the second section includes a conduit configured to allow passage of a conductor from the drill bit to a location outside the drill bit so as to provide a direct connection of the conductor from the drill bit to an element outside the drill bit. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031617 | FORMATION TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A formation treatment system includes an annulus spanning member having one or more openings therein. A tubular having one or more ports therein in fluid communication with the one or more openings. A sleeve capable of isolating or communicating the one or more ports with an ID of the tubular. A method for effecting precision formation treatment is included. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031611 | Erosion Migration Arrangement, Erodable Member and Method of Migrating a Slurry Flow Path - An erosion migration arrangement includes a tubular having a window therein. A body positioned within a portion of the window is configured to sacrificially erode in response to a slurry flowing through the window to thereby migrate a location of impact on a member positioned downstream of the window. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031244 | HANDS-FREE QUICK-CHANGE AIR TOOL CONFIGURATION - A hands-free quick-change air tool configuration for a machining apparatus includes a tool holder configured to receive a normally hand-held air operated tool. The air manifold is operably receptive of the tool holder. A plunger-type seal configuration is operably interconnected to an air supply and is in operable communication with the air manifold. A method for deburring a part in a machining apparatus is included. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120029826 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING VERTICAL STRESS FIELDS - A method of estimating stress in an earth formation is disclosed. The method includes: dividing a domain including at least a portion of an earth formation into a first region and a second region; estimating a first vertical stress in the first region and representing the first vertical stress as at least one point load; estimating a second vertical stress in the second region by a point load based method using the first vertical stress; and estimating at least one horizontal stress based on the second vertical stress. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120027630 | VIBRATION METHOD TO DETECT ONSET OF GAS LOCK - Vibration of an electric submersible pump assembly is monitored to produce a vibration spectrum. The vibration spectrum is compared to a known vibration signature for a pump condition that precedes gas lock. The pump condition is at least one of an impeller rotating stall condition, a diffuser stall condition, a pre-surge condition, and percentage of free gas within the wellbore fluid. Operation of the pump is then adjusted in response to the similarity of the vibration spectrum to the vibration signature for the pump condition to prevent impending gas lock. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024632 | DOWNHOLE SEAL AND METHOD OF LUBRICATING A DOWNHOLE TOOL - A downhole seal includes a body configured to dynamically seal to a portion of a downhole tool and a lubricant microencapsulated in a plurality of shells to form a plurality of micro particles dispersed within the body. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024609 | DRILLING APPARATUS WITH REDUCED EXPOSURE OF CUTTERS AND METHODS OF DRILLING - A rotary drilling apparatus and method for drilling subterranean formations, including a body being provided with at least one cutter thereon exhibiting reduced, or limited, exposure to the formation, so as to control the depth-of-cut of the at least one cutter, so as to control the volume of formation material cut per rotation of the drilling apparatus, as well as to control the amount of torque experienced by the drilling apparatus and an optionally associated bottomhole assembly regardless of the effective weight-on-bit are all disclosed. The exterior of the drilling apparatus may include a plurality of blade structures carrying at least one such cutter thereon and including a sufficient amount of bearing surface area to contact the formation so as to generally distribute an additional weight applied to the drilling apparatus against the bottom of the borehole without exceeding the compressive strength of the formation rock. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024539 | ROTARY COIL TUBING DRILLING AND COMPLETION TECHNOLOGY - An apparatus for performing a drilling operation or a non-drilling wellbore operation may include a string that has a rigid tubular, a connector coupled to the rigid tubular, a non-rigid tubular coupled to the connector; and at least one motor positioned along the string. The string may be disposed into a wellbore to perform one or more tasks. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024532 | Pressure Vortex Device to Allow Flapper Closure in High Velocity Fluid Applications - The problem of flappers that will not close due to high velocity gas rushing past and creating a vortex that has zones of high pressure pressing the flapper against the force of the torsion spring is reduced or overcome with modifications in the passage through a subsurface safety valve so as to reduce the intensity of the vortex to allow the torsion spring to pivot the flapper to closed position. Various shapes are inserted adjacent the flapper base to create turbulence to minimize or prevent the vortex and the associated pressure increases that would otherwise prevent flapper closure with the flow tube retracted. Inserts that create turbulence are placed in a recess that in part holds the flapper when it is rotated to the open position. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120018228 | Method and Apparatus for Transforming a Pressure Drop into a Continuous Fluid Flow - An apparatus energizes a consumer of a pressurized fluid using a high pressure source and a low pressure source. The apparatus may include a fluid circuit in fluid communication with the consumer. The fluid circuit may have a first and a second reservoir. In one arrangement, the fluid circuit may have a flow control device in pressure communication with the first pressure source and the second pressure source, the flow control device being configured to cycle a pressure applied to the first and the second reservoirs using the first pressure source and the second pressure source. In some arrangements, the fluid circuit may include a flow device configured to flow fluid from a second branch to a first branch of the reservoir, and a flow control device in fluid communication with the flow device, the flow control device being configured to cycle a pressure applied to the flow device. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018227 | COMPONENTS AND MOTORS FOR DOWNHOLE TOOLS AND METHODS OF APPLYING HARDFACING TO SURFACES THEREOF - A component for a downhole tool includes a rotor and a hardfacing precursor. The hardfacing precursor includes a polymeric material, hard particles, and a metal. A hydraulic drilling motor includes a stator, a rotor, and a sintered hardfacing material on an outer surface of the rotor or an inner surface of the stator. Methods of applying hardfacing to surfaces include forming a paste of hard particles, metal matrix particles, a polymeric material, and a solvent. The solvent is removed from the paste to form a sheet, which is applied to a surface and heated. A component for a downhole tool includes a first hardfacing material, a second hardfacing material over the first hardfacing material and defining a plurality of pores, and a metal disposed within at least some of the pores. The metal has a melting point lower than a melting point of the second hardfacing material. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018225 | TILTED BIT ROTARY STEERABLE DRILLING SYSTEM - A wellbore is formed by using an apparatus that may include a shaft having an end portion, a drill bit body tiltable about the end portion, and at least one actuator configured to apply a tilting force to the drill bit body. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018173 | WELLBORE TOOL WITH EXHANGABLE BLADES - A method for conducting a wellbore operation includes disconnecting a radially projecting member from a first sub without uncoupling a second sub from the first sub. The method may include also coupling the first sub to the second sub with a connector that includes an electrical connection. An associated apparatus may include a sub having at least one conductor connected to a connector; and at least one radially projecting member removably coupled to the sub. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120017674 | SMART SEALS AND OTHER ELASTOMER SYSTEMS FOR HEALTH AND PRESSURE MONITORING - Disclosed is an apparatus for monitoring a material configured to perform one or more functions or for actuating the material. One or more electrodes are coupled to the material. An electronic device is coupled to the one or more electrodes and is configured to detect an electrical characteristic of the material to monitor the material or to apply an electrical stimulus to actuate the material. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120015852 | Nanofluids and Methods of Use for Drilling and Completion Fluids - Nanomaterial compositions are useful for applications in drilling and completion fluids as enhancers of electrical and thermal conductivity, emulsion stabilizers, wellbore strength improvers, drag reduction agents, wettability changers, corrosion coating compositions and the like. These nanomaterials may be dispersed in the liquid phase in low volumetric fraction, particularly as compared to corresponding agents of larger size. Nanofluids (fluids containing nano-sized particles) may be used to drill at least part of the wellbore. Nanofluids for drilling and completion applications may be designed including nanoparticles such as carbon nanotubes. These fluids containing nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, meet the required rheological and filtration properties for application in challenging HPHT drilling and completions operations. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014822 | PRESSURE MITIGATING DIELECTRIC DEBRIS SEAL FOR A POTHEAD INTERFACE - A connector for connecting electrical power to a well pump motor has cable and motor connector portions that mate with each other in a connected position. The connector portions have insulating members, each of which has a number of passages and an end face. Electrical contact members are mounted in each of the passages. Contact members in the cable connector portion protrude past the end face of the insulating member. A debris seal insulates the electrical contact members in the cable connector and includes expansion slots so that when the material of the debris seal thermally expands, the expansion slots contract in response to the expansion without the debris seal impinging against either connector. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012792 | METHOD FOR INHIBITING FOULING IN VAPOR TRANSPORT SYSTEM - Elimination and/or mitigation of fouling in a vapor transport systems, such as vent lines and scrubber feed lines may be accomplished using an antifouling additive. The method for employing the antifouling additive includes introducing into the vapor transport system an additive including a polar solvent and corrosion inhibitor wherein: the vapor transport system is substantially water free; the vapor transport system is used to transport acidic materials; the additive is a liquid at vapor transport system operating conditions; and the additive is stable at the vapor transport system operating conditions. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012393 | Small Core Generation and Analysis At-Bit as LWD Tool - The present disclosure is related to an apparatus for taking a sample in a wellbore during drilling operations. The apparatus may include a drill bit configured to form a core and at least one retractable cutter internal to the drill bit for taking the sample from the core. The apparatus may also include equipment for analyzing the sample, extracting fluid from the sample, testing fluid from the sample, encapsulating the sample, and/or tagging the sample. The present disclosure is also related to a method for taking a core sample without interrupting drilling operations. The method includes taking a core sample using a drill bit configured to take a core sample using internal cutters. The method may also include analyzing the sample, extracting fluid from the sample, analyzing fluid from the sample, encapsulating the sample, and/or tagging the sample. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012392 | Small Core Generation and Analysis At-Bit as LWD Tool - The present disclosure is related to an apparatus for taking a sample in a wellbore during drilling operations. The apparatus may include a drill bit configured to form a core and at least one retractable cutter internal to the drill bit for taking the sample from the core. The apparatus may also include equipment for analyzing the sample, extracting fluid from the sample, testing fluid from the sample, encapsulating the sample, and/or tagging the sample. The present disclosure is also related to a method for taking a core sample without interrupting drilling operations. The method includes taking a core sample using a drill bit configured to take a core sample using internal cutters. The method may also include analyzing the sample, extracting fluid from the sample, analyzing fluid from the sample, encapsulating the sample, and/or tagging the sample. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012327 | Hydraulically Controlled Barrier Valve Equalizing System - A barrier valve has an equalizing feature for the ball or plug when in the closed position before it is opened. A hydraulic open and a close line are connected to a housing so that they can move a piston in opposed directions. The piston ends are sealed and the exterior of the piston is tapered to push one or more bypass valves open to connect tubing pressure across the ball when ramped off its seat. Pressure on the main hydraulic line to close the ball reverses the piston movement and allows a spring bias to close the bypass valve or valves. The equalizing system can be integrated into the barrier valve housing or can be separate as a retrofit. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012303 | Retrievable Tool with Ratchet Lock Feature - A releasable locking system for a subterranean tool uses a split housing for a body lock ring that in one mode is retained for its normal locking function by a setting sleeve. The setting sleeve holds the potential energy in the housing that would otherwise cause the housing to grow radially and away from a locking function. The locking is defeated as a surrounding setting sleeve with a recess is moved to juxtapose the recess with the segmented housing allowing the housing to spring into the recess and away from lock ring engagement that previously maintained the locked position. The tool can be released and removed to a surface location. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120010819 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PULSED NEUTRON MEASUREMENT - A method of estimating at least one property of an earth formation includes: constructing a matrix model of a formation; constructing a shale model of the formation, the shale model including an estimation of a concentration of at least one trace element; combining the first model and the second model to generate a formation model; and comparing measured pulsed neutron data with the mixed model to estimate the at least one property. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006566 | FIBER SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD - A fiber support arrangement for a downhole tool includes at least one tubular and at least one bracket positioning the at least one tubular spaced radially from a downhole tool and lacking contact therewith. At least two fibers are supported at the at least one tubular with at least two of the at least two fibers having a different helical angle from one another relative to an axis of the downhole tool. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006553 | Injection Valve with Indexing Mechanism - A flapper valve preferably used in injection application in deep subterranean locations has an actuating sleeve with a seat to accept an object. A j-slot connects the actuation sleeve movement to the housing so that with an object on the seat and an applied pressure cycle the sleeve moves the flapper to the open position. The plug is dissolved and the injection begins. The plug can have an opening so as to allow continuous injection flow as the flapper is operated. Closing the flapper involves a second object on the same seat and a pressure cycle so that a spring can push the sleeve away from the flapper to allow a torsion spring on the flapper to close it. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006533 | Wellbore Centralizer for Tubulars - A tubular centralizer is secured to the tubular for run in. The profile for run in is small so that damage to the centralizer is minimized during run in. When the string is in position the centralizer is actuated to change shape or volume to engage the surrounding borehole to centralize the tubular for subsequent operations such as cementing or in the case of screens for gravel packing. The centralizer can be a shape memory material that is initially compressed at above its transition temperature to hold the smaller shape. At the desired location after run in it is brought above the transition temperature and changes back to the original shape or volume to centralize the tubular string. The structure can be spaced ring segments or a cohesive ring structure with an undulating profile or radiating blades to create flow spaces in the annulus where it is deployed for flow of a sealing material or gravel, for example. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120005966 | METHODS OF FORMING INSERTS AND EARTH-BORING TOOLS - Methods of forming inserts for earth-boring tools include providing a material in a pattern adjacent a strip, arranging a plurality of superabrasive particles proximate the pattern, and securing at least some of the plurality of superabrasive particles to the strip. The material is configured to attract or secure the plurality of superabrasive particles. Some methods may include imparting like charges to each of a plurality of superabrasive particles, placing the plurality of superabrasive particles over a strip, and securing the superabrasive particles to the strip. In some methods, a first plurality of superabrasive particles may be placed in an array between a first strip and a second strip. A second plurality of superabrasive particles may be placed in an array between the second strip and a third strip. Methods of forming earth-boring rotary drill bits include forming an insert and securing the insert to a body of the bit. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120000673 | Installation System with Force Generating Tool - Devices and methods for applying axial force for such uses as running and releasing tools or other articles within a wellbore. An installation system is described that includes a force generator used to generate axial forces. The installation system also releasably secures an article and is capable of releasing the article once it has been emplaced or installed with the force generator. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000648 | Shape Memory Cement Annulus Gas Migration Prevention Apparatus - The annular space around a tubular string has a shape memory material that is in a low profile configuration for run in. After the desired position is obtained and the annulus has cement delivered to fill the annular space, the shape memory device is triggered to revert to an original shape that spans the annulus to seal the tubular and the wellbore sides of the annular space against gas migration through the cement. The structures can have varying run in shapes and can also have original shapes that when the material is triggered will act to displace cement to enhance its compaction on the tubular or the wellbore wall. Combinations of shape memory alloys and polymers are also contemplated to enhance the seal against gas migration. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110319520 | Polyolefin Drag Reducing Agents Produced by Multiple Non-Cryogenic Grinding Stages - Fine particulate polymer drag reducing agents (DRAs) in bi-modal or multi-modal particle size distributions may be produced simply and efficiently without cryogenic temperatures. The grinding or pulverizing of polymer, e.g. non-porous poly(alpha-olefin) suitable for reducing drag in hydrocarbons may be achieved by the use of at least one liquid grinding aid and at least two grinding processors in series. The blades of the stators of the grinders are of different configuration so that granulated polymer fed to the first processor having relatively larger gaps between blades is ground to an intermediate size which is fed to the second processor having relatively smaller gaps between blades which grinds the polymer to a second, smaller size. A non-limiting example of a suitable liquid grinding aid includes a blend of propylene glycol, water and hexanol. Particulate DRA may be produced at a size of 300 microns or less in only two passes. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315921 | Water-Based Formulation of H2S/Mercaptan Scavenger for Fluids in Oilfield and Refinery Applications - Hydrogen sulfide (H | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315456 | CUTTING ELEMENTS FOR EARTH-BORING TOOLS, EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND METHODS OF FORMING CUTTING ELEMENTS FOR EARTH-BORING TOOLS - Cutting elements for use with earth-boring tools include a cutting table having a base surface and a substrate having a support surface. An intermediate structure and an adhesion layer extend between the base surface of the cutting table and the support surface of the substrate. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements. Methods for fabricating cutting elements for use with earth-boring tools include forming an intermediate structure on and extending from a support surface of a substrate and adhering a cutting table comprising a superabrasive material to the support surface of the substrate. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315454 | Anti-Tracking Feature for Rock Bits - The harmful effects of tracking are reduced for a drill bit having roller cones with at least one of the outermost rows of active teeth containing one or more teeth having a height that does not extend to the height of at least one of the outermost rows on another roller cone on the bit. The crest on this tooth may have a length in a circumferential direction that is wider than an overall width of the tooth in the outer to inner direction. The invention may be used on any cutter row, not just the outermost row. The design may be used on a different roller cone or row, or more than one cutter row. The anti-tracking feature may be located between the leading and trailing edges of the tooth on one or more roller cones. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315452 | Drill Bits with Anti-Tracking Features - Drill bits with at least two roller cones of different diameters and/or utilizing different cutter pitches in order to reduce bit tracking during drilling operations are described. In particular, earth boring drill bits are provided, the bits having two or more roller cones, and optionally one or more cutter blades, the bits being arranged for reducing tracking by the roller cone teeth during operation by adjusting the teeth spacing, cone pitch angle, and/or the diameter of one or more of the cones. These configurations enable anti-tracking behavior and enhanced drilling efficiency during bit operation. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315444 | Apparatus and Methods for Corrosion Protection of Downhole Tools - In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes a drill bit having a bit body that is susceptible to corrosion when the drill bit is utilized in wellbore, an anode placed at a selected location on the bit body, a cathode associated with the bit body and a power source configured to provide electrical power to the anode to complete an electrical circuit between the anode and the bit body, wherein the supply of the electrical power to the anode arrests corrosion of the bit body when the drill bit is in the wellbore. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315400 | TUBULAR POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SELECTIVELY POSITIONING TUBULARS - A tubular positioning system includes a first tubular having a plurality of unique inner profiles disposed at an inner surface thereof and a plurality of second tubulars, each having a unique outer profile disposed at an outer surface thereof, that are runnable within the first tubular. The tubular positioning system is configured such that each of the plurality of second tubulars is prevented from passing one of the unique inner profiles when the unique outer profile thereon engages with one of the unique inner profiles. Each of the plurality of second tubulars is passable by each one of the unique inner profiles when the unique outer profile thereon is non-engagable with the one of the unique inner profiles. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315390 | Tool with Multi-Size Ball Seat Having Segmented Arcuate Ball Support Member - A tool for use in a wellbore which includes a housing having an axial flow bore and a piston sleeve moveably disposed within the flow bore. The tool is moveable between first and second operating positions by an actuation mechanism having a piston with a ball seat having a partially annular shape with an outer base and a plurality of retaining segments projecting radially inwardly therefrom. The tool can be moved between first and second operating positions with the use of actuating balls of different sizes that can be landed upon the ball seat. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315389 | Downhole Multiple Cycle Tool - A tool for use in a wellbore which includes a housing having an axial flow bore and a piston sleeve moveably disposed within the flow bore. The tool is moveable between first and second operating positions by an actuation mechanism having a piston with a ball seat. The tool can be moved between first and second operating positions with the use of actuating balls of different sizes that can be landed upon the ball seat. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315373 | Retention Mechanism for Subterranean Seals Experiencing Differential Pressure - A mandrel is formed with a projection, depression or a surface irregularity to retain the seal material sealing a passage in the mandrel or an annular space around it against differential pressure. The material can be a shape memory or swelling material. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315226 | Telescoping Conduits With Shape Memory Foam as a Plug and Sand Control Feature - A string with a plurality of telescoping members has the telescoping members initially sealed preferably with a shape memory foam so that the foam is initially impervious when run into a subterranean location. Then, after extension of the telescoping members, using pressure in the string, the foam gets above its transition temperature and grows axially in a passage of the telescoping members, to the point of becoming porous so that it can serve as a sand control or other debris exclusion device. Plates with openings can be deployed at opposed ends to maintain the assembly in position when subjected to differential pressure as flow goes through the foam. Alternative materials are envisioned. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110308861 | EXPANDABLE REAMERS FOR SUBTERRANEAN DRILLING AND RELATED METHODS - An expandable reamer apparatus and methods for reaming a borehole are disclosed, including at least one laterally movable blade carried by a tubular body selectively positioned at an inward position and an expanded position. The at least one laterally movable blade, held inwardly by at least one blade-biasing element, may be forced outwardly by drilling fluid selectively allowed to communicate therewith or by at least one intermediate piston element. For example, an actuation sleeve may allow communication of drilling fluid with the at least one laterally movable blade in response to an actuation device being deployed within the drilling fluid. Alternatively, a chamber in communication with an intermediate piston element in structural communication with the at least one laterally movable blade may be pressurized by way of a movable sleeve, a downhole turbine, or a pump. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308805 | LAUNCHING TOOL WITH INTERLOCK SYSTEM FOR DOWNHOLE CEMENT PLUG AND METHOD - A wiper plug launching tool and a method of wiping a tubular after cementing, the wiper plug launching tool including a wiper plug; a retainer in operable communication with the wiper plug; and an interlock system operatively arranged for releasing the retainer only upon release of the interlock system. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308803 | Fracturing Method to Reduce Tortuosity - A series of jet nozzles have a telescoping structure designed to impact the borehole wall and initiate a fracture. The nozzles can be extended through fluid pumped through them or with some mechanical force from within the bottom hole assembly. The leading ends of the telescoping assembly can be sharp and hardened to facilitate the initiation of a formation fracture in an open hole. The telescoping structures can be disposed in a single or multiple rows with the circumferential spacing being such that each telescoping structure is designed to cover a target circumferential distance of 45 degrees or less so that jetted fluid from at least one jet will be within 22.5 degrees of a location of maximum formation stresses to reduce the tortuosity of the created fractures from jetting through the nozzles with possible enhancement of the fracturing from added annulus pressure. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308791 | Apparatus for Use Downhole Including Devices Having Heat Carrier Channels - A method and apparatus for regulating a temperature of a device in a tool used in a wellbore is disclosed. The device generally includes a substrate and a heat source associated with the substrate that induces heat into the substrate. The substrate includes a fluid channel therein. A fluid system provides the fluid into the fluid channel and out of the fluid channel to control the temperature of the component. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110307191 | METHOD OF DETERMINING POSITION OF A VALVE - A method of determining the position of a valve includes, measuring pressure at a first location within a bore and measuring pressure at a second location within the bore wherein the first location and the second location are positioned on opposing longitudinal sides of the valve. The method further includes analyzing values from the measuring and attributing characteristics of the analyzing to specific valve positions. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304346 | METHOD FOR TREATING AND SEALING PIEZOELECTRIC TUNING FORKS - Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid. The apparatus includes: a piezoelectric resonator configured to be disposed in the fluid; an electrode embedded in the piezoelectric resonator and included in a resonator circuit configured to output an electrical signal related to the property; a discontinuity defined by a surface of the piezoelectric resonator, the discontinuity altering an impedance of the resonator circuit if a high-dielectric fluid or a conductive fluid is disposed in the discontinuity; and an insulating material disposed in the discontinuity. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303862 | Pressure Energized Spring Seal - A metallic seal for a 90° valve features a generally rectangular shape in section that defines a chamber open to internal pressure that can enlarge the chamber to enhance the sealing effect. Sealing occurs at discrete locations at portions of the seal that are preferably rounded in shape. Overlapping ends that define the entrance to the chamber also are positioned to minimize excessive deflection and resulting plastic deformation that could close off the entrance to the chamber. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303466 | SUPERABRASIVE CUTTING ELEMENTS WITH CUTTING EDGE GEOMETRY HAVING ENHANCED DURABILITY AND CUTTING EFFICIENCY AND DRILL BITS SO EQUIPPED - A superabrasive cutting element including a diamond or other superabrasive material table having a peripheral cutting edge defined by at least one chamfer between a cutting face and a side surface of the table, an arcuate surface extending between the cutting face and an innermost chamfer of the at least one chamfer and a sharp, angular transition between an outermost chamfer of the at least one chamfer and the side surface. Methods of producing such superabrasive cutting elements and drill bits equipped with such superabrasive cutting elements are also disclosed. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303422 | LOW IMPACT BALL-SEAT APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus for restricting fluid flow includes: a ball receiving element disposed in a first fluid conduit and configured to receive a ball that has been advanced through the first fluid conduit and at least partially restrict a fluid flow in the first fluid conduit; and at least one second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit at an upstream location relative to the ball receiving element, the at least one second fluid conduit configured to divert a portion of the fluid from the first fluid conduit and reduce an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303421 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING PORTIONS OF A WELLBORE - An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a borehole in an earth formation includes: a carrier configured to be deployed in the borehole; and a sealing device including at least one deformable element disposed at the carrier, the deformable element configured to have a first position and a second position, the first position forming a void in the sealing device configured to retain a flowable sealing material therein, the second position causing the void to be in flowable communication with leak paths formed in at least one of the sealing device and the borehole. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303418 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING IMPACT FORCE IN A BALL-SEAT ASSEMBLY - A method of restricting fluid flow includes: releasing a ball into a fluid conduit and receiving the ball in a ball receiving element disposed at the fluid conduit and at least partially restricting fluid flow; and at least partially reflecting one or more pressure waves resulting from an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element by a reflective boundary disposed in the fluid conduit. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303414 | Method for Improving the Clean-Up of Emulsified Acid Fluid Systems - Using a complex emulsion for treating a subterranean formation, such as to dissolve minerals therein (e.g. carbonates, scales, and/or filter cake) to improve permeability, substantially improves post treatment fluid clean-up for improved hydrocarbon production. The complex emulsion is made by mixing an acid aqueous phase with an oil external microemulsion to give an initial product, where the acid aqueous phase is an external phase and the microemulsion is an internal phase. Then the initial product is mixed with a second oil (e.g. xylene, diesel, toluene, kerosene, other aromatics, refined hydrocarbons and the like) containing an emulsifier to make a complex emulsion. | 12-15-2011 |
