Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Simon L. Farrant

Kuo-chiang Chen

James S. Almaguer

James S Almaguer

Simon L Farrant

Kuo-Chiang Chen

Alice Sorbier

Jorge E Lopez De Cardenas

Thomas H Zimmerman

Jerry D Campbell

Bruce MacKay

Yngve B Johansen

An enhanced hydraulic fluid comprises a conventional hydraulic fluid in combination with a predetermined amount of benzene by volume relative to the conventional hydraulic fluid. The predetermined amount of benzene preferably comprises between about 1.0% to about 20.0% benzene by volume, more preferably between about 1.5% to about 10.0% benzene by volume, and most preferably between about 2.0% to about 5.0% benzene by volume. The conventional hydraulic fluid may comprise electronics coolant liquids and oils. Conventional hydraulic fluids that may be mixed with benzene in the volumes described above include, but are not limited to, FLUORINERTS&#x2122; that include FC-43 and FC-70, including any perfluorinated, partially fluorinated, or partially chlorinated alkane with between about 3 to about 18 carbon atoms; mineral oils that include CAPELLA&#x2122; brand mineral oil; esther oils (synthetic or natural) that include formidals, and MIDEL&#x2122; brand esther oils.

System and method for enhancing hydraulic fluids for down hole use

A logging tool for use in a wellbore having a sensor portion for making measurements. The tool has a sleeve enclosing the sensor portion and made of a material that is transparent to the measurements being made. One or more structural elements having physical characteristics different from the material comprising the sleeve are carried on the sleeve to enhance the mechanical properties of the sleeve.

Logging tool sonde sleeve

Methods of generating radial survey images of a borehole and methods of orienting downhole operational tools are disclosed. The disclosed techniques are used to generate a radial survey of the borehole in the form of one or more rose-plots and/or a radial image of the borehole and surrounding area that can be used to properly orient downhole operational tools in the desired direction. The tool string includes, from the top to bottom, a telemetry module, a non-rotating centralizer, a motor module, an imaging sonde used to survey the borehole, a rotating centralizer and a downhole operational tool. The motor module can be used to rotate the imaging sonde to generate the radial survey and then rotate the downhole operational tool to the desired direction based upon a review of the radial survey.

Borehole imaging and orientation of downhole tools

An apparatus that is usable with a subterranean well includes a magnetometer and a circuit. The magnetometer indicates a strength of a magnetic field that at least partially extends through a portion of a downhole pipe. The circuit is coupled to the magnetometer to indicate a feature present in the pipe based on the indication from the magnetometer.

Downhole magnetic-field based feature detector

An apparatus and method provides an anchoring apparatus for use in a wellbore that comprises a gripping assembly and an actuation assembly. In one arrangement, the actuation assembly includes a motor and a module having at least a compressible element (e.g., a hydraulic module) between the motor and the gripping assembly. Upon activation, the motor actuates the hydraulic module to cause activation of the gripping assembly. In one arrangement, the anchoring apparatus is designed to pass through a tubing or other restriction in the wellbore. When in the retracted state, the gripping assembly of the anchoring apparatus has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the tubing. When in the expanded state, the gripping assembly of the anchoring apparatus has an outer diameter than is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the liner to enable engagement of the gripping assembly against the liner.

Downhole anchoring tools conveyed by non-rigid carriers

The present invention relates to novel methods to stimulate a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; in particular, techniques are disclosed for shooting perforations aligned with the direction of probable fracture propagation; this is followed by fracturing using a low viscosity fluid, preferably a viscoelastic surfactant-based fluid; the combination yields surprising results with respect to optimized fracture efficiency (i.e., ideal height, and half-length more closely approaches the true fracture length due to superior clean up properties of the fluids).

Techniques for hydraulic fracturing combining oriented perforating and low viscosity fluids

An apparatus and method provides an anchor device for use in a wellbore that comprises an actuator assembly responsive to an actuating signal, an operator coupled to the actuator assembly, and an engagement member moveable to a set position by the operator when actuated by the actuator assembly to set the anchor device. The anchor device may be employed in various tool strings, such as a perforating tool string. In one arrangement, the anchor device provides an automated retraction mechanism that is activated after a predetermined delay. In another arrangement, a retract signal may be supplied to activate the retraction mechanism.

A method and apparatus of orienting a tool in a wellbore includes running an orientation string into the wellbore, the orienting string including a positioning device, a measurement device (e.g., a gyroscope), and the tool. The orientation string is positioned in a predetermined interval in the wellbore. The azimuthal orientation of the orientation string is measured with the measurement device. The orientation string is removed from the wellbore, and a tool string is run into the wellbore, the tool string including substantially similar components as the orientation string such that the tool string follows substantially the same path as the orientation string.

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Richmond, TX, United States of America

James S Almaguer