A valve element selectively opens and closes a radial aperture and an axial hole in a drilling element for drilling mud circulation. The valve element includes a fixing portion allowing the valve element to sealingly fix to the drilling element at the radial aperture. A body has an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and a duct for putting the apertures in communication with each other, defining a path for the drilling mud. A plug selectively seals the inlet aperture. A first sealing element is positioned in a housing formed in the axial hole of the drilling element. A shutter pivoted to the body includes a second sealing element to selectively and sealingly close the outlet aperture. The shutter selectively and sealingly closes the axial hole by abutting against the first sealing element. The valve element is adapted to keep the outlet aperture of the body normally closed.

A downhole tool includes a tubular, an inner valve assembly positioned in the tubular, and a body positioned radially between the inner valve assembly and the tubular, the body at least partially made from a bonding agent configured to secure the inner valve assembly in the tubular.

There is disclosed in one implementation a method of or for use in or for detecting, measuring and/or determining at least one variable or characteristic in a space, such as a well, container or vessel. In one implementation the method comprises: transmitting a first electromagnetic signal from a first position to a feature within the space; receiving a second electromagnetic signal at a second position after reflection of the transmitted first electromagnetic signal from the feature; transmitting a third electromagnetic signal from a third position to a calibration feature within the space; receiving a fourth electromagnetic signal at a fourth position after reflection of the transmitted third electromagnetic signal from the calibration feature. The method further comprises: subsequently transmitting a further first electromagnetic signal from the first portion to the feature; receiving a further second electromagnetic signal at the second position after reflection of the transmitted further first electromagnetic signal from the feature; transmitting a further third electromagnetic signal from the third position to the calibration feature; receiving a further fourth electromagnetic signal at the fourth position after reflection of the transmitted further third electromagnetic signal from the calibration feature. In so doing one can determining (the) at least one variable or characteristics from a difference or variation in time between the transmission of the first electromagnetic signal and reception of the second electromagnetic signal and the transmission of the further first electromagnetic signal and receipt of the further second electromagnetic signal and a difference or variation in time between the transmission of the third electromagnetic signal and receipt of the fourth electromagnetic signal and the transmission of the further third electromagnetic signal and receipt of the further fourth electromagnetic signal.

There is disclosed in one implementation a method of or for use in or for detecting, measuring and/or determining at least one variable or characteristic in a space, such as a well, container or vessel. In one implementation the method comprises: transmitting a first electromagnetic signal from a first position to a feature within the space; receiving a second electromagnetic signal at a second position after reflection of the transmitted first electromagnetic signal from the feature; transmitting a third electromagnetic signal from a third position to a calibration feature within the space; receiving a fourth electromagnetic signal at a fourth position after reflection of the transmitted third electromagnetic signal from the calibration feature. The method further comprises: subsequently transmitting a further first electromagnetic signal from the first portion to the feature; receiving a further second electromagnetic signal at the second position after reflection of the transmitted further first electromagnetic signal from the feature; transmitting a further third electromagnetic signal from the third position to the calibration feature; receiving a further fourth electromagnetic signal at the fourth position after reflection of the transmitted further third electromagnetic signal from the calibration feature. In so doing one can determining (the) at least one variable or characteristics from a difference or variation in time between the transmission of the first electromagnetic signal and reception of the second electromagnetic signal and the transmission of the further first electromagnetic signal and receipt of the further second electromagnetic signal and a difference or variation in time between the transmission of the third electromagnetic signal and receipt of the fourth electromagnetic signal and the transmission of the further third electromagnetic signal and receipt of the further fourth electromagnetic signal.

An oscillating fluidic pressure pulse generator, includes: an outer tube, an upper connector, a lower connector and a vortex fluidic oscillator. A first central fluid channel and a second central fluid channel are respectively formed in the upper connector and the lower connector, two ends of the outer tube are respectively connected to the upper connector and the lower connector through a screw thread, and the vortex fluidic oscillator is provided in the outer tube and abuts against the upper connector and the lower connector; and the vortex fluidic oscillator is provided with an inlet and connected to a fluidic oscillating chamber, two flow guiding blocks are arranged below the fluidic oscillating chamber, a vortex chamber inlet is formed between the two flow guiding blocks, two control channels are respectively formed outside the two flow guiding blocks, a vortex chamber is provided below the vortex chamber inlet.

A downhole seal element (10) comprises a cup portion (11) formed of or including a resiliently deformable material. The cup portion (11) extends between on the one hand a nose part (12) comprising an annulus intended for sealingly mounting the seal element on a mandrel (22) and on the other hand a skirt (13), the seal element flaring in shape between the nose part (12) and the skirt (13). The skirt includes extending therefrom away from the nose part (12) a plurality of elongate, flexible limbs (18) that are spaced at intervals about the skirt (13).

A downhole seal element (10) comprises a cup portion (11) formed of or including a resiliently deformable material. The cup portion (11) extends between on the one hand a nose part (12) comprising an annulus intended for sealingly mounting the seal element on a mandrel (22) and on the other hand a skirt (13), the seal element flaring in shape between the nose part (12) and the skirt (13). The skirt includes extending therefrom away from the nose part (12) a plurality of elongate, flexible limbs (18) that are spaced at intervals about the skirt (13).

A method for treating a subterranean formation utilizing a slurry having a plurality of shrinkable material. The method of treatment may include a diversion treatment during a fracturing operation. The shrinkable material may be adapted to shrink in response to a temperature change. The slurry may be used to perform a plugging of a perforation or fracture in the formation.

The present invention provides a seal element made in an elastomeric composite, said material comprising an elastomeric polymer and a phase change material (PCM), wherein the PCM is able to provide thermal energy to the elastomeric polymer upon cooling to the phase transition point of the PCM.

The present invention provides a seal element made in an elastomeric composite, said material comprising an elastomeric polymer and a phase change material (PCM), wherein the PCM is able to provide thermal energy to the elastomeric polymer upon cooling to the phase transition point of the PCM.