Abstract:
A positive displacement pump for pumping fluids from a downhole formation to the earth's surface is provided. The pump (100) first comprises a plunger (130). The plunger is reciprocated axially within the wellbore by a linear actuator (300), such as a submersible electrical pump, in order to form an upstroke and a downstroke. A pump inlet (140) is disposed near the bottom end of the plunger, while a pump outlet (150) is disposed near the top end of the plunger. The pump is configured such that it is able to pump a first volume of fluid upward within the wellbore during the pump's upstroke, and a second volume of fluid upward within the wellbore during the pump's downstroke. Thus, the pump is "double-acting.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for an apparatus and methods to prevent an operator from inadvertently dropping a string (210) into a wellbore (180) during assembling and disassembling of tubulars. Additionally, the apparatus and methods can be used to for running in casing, running in wellbore components or for a drill string.
Abstract:
A media bed support grid (10) for use with a vessel (14) having an inner surface. The media bed support grid comprises a plurality of filter panels (12), each filter panel having a plurality of parallel and spaced-apart filter wires (18), the plurality of filter wires forming a filtering surface (22). The media bed support grid also comprises a plurality of channels (56) underlying and positioned substantially perpendicular to the filter wires. The media bed support grid further comprises a plurality of manifolds (20), each manifold being coupled to and in fluid communication with the channels.
Abstract:
In one aspect of the invention apparatus and methods are provided for completing a wellbore using expandable sand screen. An apparatus (200) including a section of expandable sand screen (220), and an expanding member (240) is disposed in the wellbore (205) on a tubular run-in string (225). Thereafter, the expandable sand screen is expanded in a producing area of the wellbore.
Abstract:
The present invention generally provides an apparatus and method for forming a pilot hole in a formation. The apparatus (100) comprises a starter mill (30) connected to a bearing mill (10) by a body joint (20). The apparatus may further comprise a lead bearing (50) connected to the starter mill by a lead joint (40). Preferably, an outer diameter of the bearing mill (10) is about the same as an inner diameter of a wellbore (4). As the lead bearing travels along the concave surface of a whipstock (8), the apparatus will bend between the bearing mill (10) and the lead bearing (50). The bend urges the starter mill (30) into contact with the wellbore wall. In another aspect of the present invention, a method for forming a pilot hole in a wellbore includes running a tool (100) into the wellbore, the tool comprising a starter mill (30) disposed between a first bearing (10) and a second bearing (50) . While running the tool along a concave of a whipstock, the tool bends between the first and second bearing and urges the starter mill to form the pilot hole.
Abstract:
An apparatus for non-intrusively sensing fluid flow within a pipe includes an array of sensors that include a plurality of optical fiber coils. The array of sensors senses the fluid flow inside the pipe. At least one optical reflective device is disposed between adjacent optical fiber coils. An isolation pad is disposed between each optical reflective device and the pipe.
Abstract:
A method of isolating a reservoir of production fluid in a formation comprises providing a pair of valves (14, 16) in a bore intersecting a production formation and in which the hydrostatic pressuer in the bore at the formation is normally lower than the formation pressure, and then ontrolling the valves (14, 16) from surface such that the valves (14, 16) will only move from a closed configuration to an open configuration on experiencing a predetermined differential pressure across the valves.
Abstract:
An apparatus for positioning a tong comprises a piston and cylinder assembly (101) and a mounting assembly (102) therefor. The mounting assembly (102) is mounted on a support beam in the drilling derrick and the piston and cylinder assembly (101) is pivotally mounted on the mounting assembly. The piston and cylinder assembly (101) can be pivoted between an operative position in which it can be extended and retracted to move a tong towards and away from a string of tubulars, and an inoperative position in which the piston and cylinder assembly (101) extends along an upwardly extending axis with part of the piston and cylinder assembly (101) disposed to either side of the mounting assembly (102).
Abstract:
An apparatus for cutting a tubular in a wellbore which apparatus comprises a mandrel (14), a cutting blade (24) and means (56) for moving said cutting blade radially outwardly from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to said mandrel (14), characterised in that said apparatus further comprises a stabilizer (22) and means (54) for moving said stabilizer radially outwardly from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to said mandrel (14).
Abstract:
A method for forming a window in a tubular comprises the steps of: placing an apparatus (10; 15) having a bore (8; 19) therethrough at a desired location in said tubular (5; 22); introducing a mill (11; 25) into said apparatus (10; 15) until said mill (11; 25) acts between said apparatus (10; 15) and said tubular (5; 22); and rotating said mill (11; 25) to form a window in said tubular (5; 22).