Otis Engineering Corporation

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Halliburton Company

Other

Mark A Schnatzmeyer

Clark E Robison

Craig William Godfrey

Henry P Arendt

Russell I Bayh, Iii

Pat M White

Joseph L Pearce

Charles R Williams

A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool ( ) adapted for placement within production tubing ( ). The tool ( ) has a control valve ( ) that controls the rate of injection of a lift fluid ( ) into the formation fluids ( ) being produced through the production tubing ( ). A sensor ( ) monitors the flow rate of the formation fluids ( ) through the production tubing ( ). The sensor ( ) generates a signal indicative the flow rate of the formation fluids ( ) which is sent to an electronics package ( ). The electronics package ( ) generates a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor ( ) that is received by an actuator ( ). The actuator ( ) adjusts the position of the control valve ( ) to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid ( ) therethrough in response to the control signal, thereby optimizing the flow rate of the formation fluids ( ).

Self-regulating lift fluid injection tool and method for use of same

A self-regulating lift fluid injection tool (,) adapted for placement within production tubing (,). The tool (,) has a control valve (,) that controls the rate of injection of a lift fluid (,) into the formation fluids (,) being produced through the production tubing (,). A sensor (,) monitors the flow rate of the formation fluids (,) through the production tubing (,). The sensor (,) generates a signal indicative the flow rate of the formation fluids (,) which is sent to an electronics package (,). The electronics package (,) generates a control signal in response to the signal received from the sensor (,) that is received by an actuator (,). The actuator (,) adjusts the position of the control valve (,) to regulate the flow rate of the lift fluid (,) therethrough in response to the control signal, thereby optimizing the flow rate of the formation fluids (,).

Electric power is generated downhole in a well using a thermoelectric device. A temperature gradient or differential .DELTA.T present in the well is applied to the thermoelectric device to produce a voltage potential across the output terminals of the device. The thermoelectric device includes a first thermocouple coupled to a heat source and a second thermocouple coupled to a heat sink source. The electric power generated by the thermoelectric device is used to recharge battery packs located downhole or to power electrical devices or systems.

Method and apparatus for generating electric power downhole

A flow control apparatus and associated methods of using provide enhanced longevity and reliability without requiring complex mechanisms. In a described embodiment, a choke for use within a subterranean well has multiple trim sets which may be selected by manipulation of an inner tubular cage. Additional features include provision of releasable latches to maintain the cage in a desired position, and utilization of biasing members to bias the cage toward a neutral position in which all of the trim sets are closed.

Flow control apparatus with specific latching means for use in a

A flow control apparatus and associated methods of using provide enhanced longevity and reliability without requiring complex mechanisms. In a described embodiment, a choke for use within a subterranean well has multiple trim sets which may be individually selected by manipulation of a sleeve relative to an inner tubular cage. In another described embodiment, a single trim set is provided. Additional features include provision of a separate valve to selectively permit or prevent fluid flow through the single or multiple trim sets.

Flow control apparatus

Flow control apparatus for use in a subterranean well and associated

A removable injection valve insert assembly is disclosed for deploying in production tubing of a well casing. The production tubing includes a landing nipple with an inlet and a sliding side-door which covers and seals the inlet when in a closed position and uncovers the inlet when in an open position. The insert assembly controls the flow of flushing fluid that is injected into the inlet from an annular source between the casing and the production tubing. The valve directs the controlled flushing fluid to an injection line, which in turn injects the flushing fluid into the production stream of the well. Preferably, the injected flushing fluid is injected below the casing perforations. The insert assembly comprises a body having upper and lower ends, a first passage formed in the body for receiving the fluid from the inlet and a second passage in communication with the first passage for housing a flow control valve. The body also includes a by-pass passageway which allows production flow across the insert. The second passage extends to the lower end of the body and receives the injection line. The injection line extends down the production tubing to the casing perforations to inject flushing fluid into the production flow to reduce concentrations of salt and other elements in the production flow and to dislodge deposits that may build up in the perforations.

Apparatus and method for use in injecting fluids in a well

A concentric wet connector system useful for connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting small diameter fluid lines (40, 42, 44) and electrical lines (46) downhole in oil and gas wells, the system comprising first and second slidably engageable well tubulars (32, 38) coaxially disposed around a longitudinal bore, each well tubular having a circumferentially extending wall section containing at least one auxiliary conduit leading to a connector port 64 paired and communicating with a connector port 66 of the other tubular. The connector ports in each well tubular are preferably spaced apart both circumferentially and longitudinally. The connector ports of each respective pair are preferably disposed at substantially the same well depth whenever the two well tubulars are fully engaged, and communication between the connector ports of each pair is preferably established by means of an annular flow channel 74 (for fluid lines) or an annular recess with an electrically conductive band 104 (for electrical control wires) to avoid the need for specific rotational alignment between the well tubulars. Use of the system for connecting fluid lines and/or electrical control wires to well tools and monitoring equipment suspended below a production packer and annular safety valve in a well bore is also disclosed. The tubulars are also locatable by shear collar (150) in a position short of full engagement (FIG. 8) in which ports (64, 140) on the inner tubular (32) are both open to annular channel (74) to permit flushing of these ports.

Concentric wet connector system

A remotely-adjustable valve employable in an enhanced-lift recovery system and a method of adjusting the same. The valve comprises: (1) an elongated valve body having a process fluid inlet and a process fluid outlet, (2) an elongated valve stem disposed within the valve body for axial displacement relative thereto to adjust a rate of process fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet as a function of a relative axial position of the valve stem with respect to the valve body and (3) a cam disposed within the valve body and coupling the valve body and the valve stem, the cam providing a plurality of axial displacement positions thereon to place the valve stem at a selected one of a plurality of relative axial positions with respect to the valve body, the valve body having a control fluid pressure port for allowing a control fluid pressure to be introduced into and released from the valve to reciprocate the valve stem axially with respect to the valve body between cocked and set positions, the cam moving from a first axial displacement position to a second axial displacement position as the valve stem is reciprocated, a difference between the first and second axial displacement positions thereby causing an adjustment of the rate of process fluid flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.

Remotely actuated adjustable choke valve and method for using same

A wet concern for latchingly connecting an electric cable between surface equipment and a previously installed electrically powered well tool at a remote, downhole location in a well for transmitting electrical energy or signals thereto or therefrom. One form of the wet connector is released electrically (reverse polarity being used), and another form of the connector is released by tensioning and slackening the electric cable a predetermined plurality of times. Systems using such wet connectors are disclosed, as are methods for their use. The wet connector can be used in conjunction with an electric cable for installing certain tools in a well, especially where it is desirable to deposit such tools gently with no jarring.

Wet connector

A wet connector for latchingly connecting an electric cable between surface equipment and a previously installed electrically powered well tool at a remote, downhole location in a well for transmitting electrical energy or signals thereto or therefrom. This wet connector comprises a male connector on the downhole well tool and a female connector on the electric cable. The female connector carries a non-conductive liquid which is expelled therefrom during mating with the male connector to wash and cleanse the electrical contacts of both the male and the female connectors. One form of the wet connector is released electrically (reverse polarity being used), and another form of the connector is released by tensioning and slackening the electric cable a predetermined plurality of times. Systems using such wet connectors are disclosed, as are methods for their use. The wet connector can be used in conjunction with an electric cable for installing certain tools in a well, especially where it is desirable to deposit such tools gently with no jarring.

A wet connector for latchingly connecting an electric cable between surface equipment and a previously installed electrically powered well tool at a remote, downhole location in a well for transmitting electrical energy or signals thereto or therefrom. One form of the wet connector is released electricaly (reverse polarity being used), and another form of the connector is released by tensioning and slackening the electric cable a predetermined plurality of times. Systems using such wet connectors are disclosed, as are methods for their use. The wet connector can be used in conjunction with an electric cable for installing certain tools in a well, especially where it is desirable to deposit such tools gently with no jarring.

Apparatus including a side pocket mandrel for inclusion in a well tubing string for removably receiving an instrument in its offset receptacle bore for monitoring at least one parameter such as pressure, temperature or the like, at a downhole location, there being an electrical conductor wire extending from equipment at the surface downward to the side pocket mandrel and a plug in the lower end of the receptacle for electrically connecting the instrument in the receptacle with the conductor wire extending from the surface so that electrical energy may be transmitted downhole to power the instrument, that the instrument may generate electrical signals representing data sensed in the well and transmit them to the surface for processing and immediate display, printout, or storage. Suitable kickover tools and running tools are also disclosed. In addition, method and means for running and installing a well device in a receptacle in a well are also disclosed wherein louvered friction members are utilized to releasably connect the well device to a running tool, by which it is lowered into the well, and also for retaining the well device in said receptacle.

Apparatus for monitoring a parameter in a well

Apparatus including a side pocket mandrel for inclusion in a well tubing string for removably receiving an instrument in its offset receptacle bore for monitoring at least one parameter such as pressure, temperature or the like, at a downhole location, there being an electrical conductor wire extending from equipment at the surface downward to the side pocket mandrel and a plug in the lower end of the receptacle for electrically connecting the instrument in the receptacle with the conductor wire extending from the surface so that electrical energy may be transmitted downhole to power the instrument, that the instrument may generate electrical signals representing data sensed in the well and transmit them to the surface for processing and immediate display, printout, or storage. Suitable kickover tools and runing tools are also disclosed. In addition, method and means for running and installing a well device in a receptacle in a well are also disclosed wherein louvered friction members are utilized to releasably connect the well device to a running tool, by which it is lowered into the well, and also for retaining the well device in said receptacle.

Growing community of inventors

Lewisville, TX, United States of America

Mark A Schnatzmeyer