Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Pietro Valsecchi

Robert D Kaminsky

Narasimha-Rao Venkata Bangaru

Jeffrey Roberts Bailey

Jon M Wallace

Chinar R Aphale

Fuping Zhou

Lillard Eugene Korn, Jr

Larry E Harrison

Ming Gong

Theodore W Pirog

A flow meter for measuring multi-phase flow and method of use comprising an impeller assembly having a one or more blades in an asymmetric blade configuration on a rotational shaft and one or more sensors to measure partial rotations of the blades. Sensors may obtain impeller rotational information associated with various portions of the flow stream. With this multi-phase fluid flow may be determined from the determined local velocity information, the operation of a fluid-flow system may be enhanced.

Multi-phase flow meter and methods for use thereof

Systems and methods to inhibit packoff events during downhole assembly motion within a wellbore comprise a downhole assembly that includes an energy-storing structure that defines a charged state and a discharged state and is configured to generate a motive force upon transitioning from the charged state to the discharged state. A fluidizing stream is generated with the motive force from the energy-storing structure which emits the fluidizing stream from the downhole assembly to fluidize a portion of a cuttings bed that may be within the wellbore and proximal to the downhole assembly.

Systems and methods to inhibit packoff events during downhole assembly motion within a wellbore

Systems and methods to inhibit packoff during drilling assembly removal from a wellbore, utilizing a drilling assembly that includes a transition region between a first section having a first cross-sectional area and a second section having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area. The transition region includes a fluidizing assembly configured to partially fluidize a portion of the cuttings bed that is proximal to the transition region, and/or be in fluid communication with a flow control assembly configured to control flow rate of a fluidizing stream from the fluidizing assembly and to the portion of cuttings bed.

Systems and methods to inhibit packoff formation during drilling assembly removal from a wellbore

The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for operating a gas well. Some embodiments include a plunger apparatus configured to fall through a continuous water phase (including water slugs) in a gas producing well by overcoming pressure and drag forces from the water by having a sufficient mass, hydrodynamic profile, and sufficiently large area for passage of the continuous water. In one embodiment, a plunger body and plug mechanism are provided, wherein the plug mechanism has open and closed positions, which may be automatically changed or controlled by a surface or other control system, and wherein the plunger body and plug may be a physically integrated one-piece system, or an interoperable two piece system.

Plunger lift systems and methods

Methods and mechanisms for fluid sealing are provided. The disclosed mechanisms include a tool having a cavity configured to form a toroidal vortex and a fluid sealing element to induce an azimuthal variation of the toroidal vortex (a 'dynamic seal'). The fluid sealing element may include a sharp change in the axial symmetry of the cavity to induce the azimuthal variation. Some exemplary shapes of the fluid sealing element may include a notch in a cavity, a step shaped cavity, or an angular cavity in the tool. Methods for manufacturing such a dynamic seal is also provided as well as methods for producing hydrocarbons with a plunger having the dynamic seals. The tool may be a plunger, a pig, an in-flow control device, or other cylindrical device traveling through a conduit or tubular member.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Pietro Valsecchi