A valve assembly having a valve body, a hardened insert, a sealing insert, and a carrier. The hardened insert is cylindrical and comprises a primary sealing surface. The sealing insert is cylindrical and comprises an initial sealing surface. The carrier has an inside surface. The hardened insert and the sealing insert are coupled to the carrier. In a closed configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body contacts the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly, and in an open configuration, the valve body is separated from the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to allow fluid flow through the valve assembly.

A technique for providing a fluid conduit between a main bore and a substantially non-producing region of a fracture at a horizontal section of the bore. The technique includes forming a micro-tunnel from a location of the bore adjacent the fracture. The micro-tunnel may be directed at the non-producing region with a angled deflector or in a steerable manner. Additionally, the well may be configured with micro-tunneling at the outset or retrofitted with micro-tunnels as a manner of restoring production.

A valve seal assembly that provides for external pressure to be introduced to an energized seal of a valve, and compress the seal against a gate with enough force to block any paths where sand and chemicals would otherwise travel into valve body cavity or void. The external pressure introduced through pressure fitting makes the parts move like piston forcing the parts to compress together eliminating the machined tolerances or gaps required for the gate to be opened or closed. The compression can be provided by hydraulic pressure devices through injection ports. A separate valve seal assembly can be provided for each face of the gate and both assemblies can be activated when the fluids are flowing (open position) and an upstream valve seal assembly activated when the gate is in a closed position.

An adjustable flow line may include an outer pipe body having a first flange, an inner pipe body partially disposed within the outer pipe body and axially translatable with respect to the outer pipe body, a metal seal positioned between an outer surface of inner pipe body and an inner surface of the outer pipe body, a sleeve positioned around the inner pipe body and outside of the outer pipe body, and a second flange positioned around the inner pipe body, wherein when connected to the first flange. The sleeve may be axially translatable with respect to the inner pipe body. The second flange may axially secure the sleeve with respect to the outer pipe body and cause the sleeve to energize the metal seal.

An adjustable flow line may include an outer pipe body having a first flange, an inner pipe body partially disposed within the outer pipe body and axially translatable with respect to the outer pipe body, a metal seal positioned between an outer surface of inner pipe body and an inner surface of the outer pipe body, a sleeve positioned around the inner pipe body and outside of the outer pipe body, and a second flange positioned around the inner pipe body, wherein when connected to the first flange. The sleeve may be axially translatable with respect to the inner pipe body. The second flange may axially secure the sleeve with respect to the outer pipe body and cause the sleeve to energize the metal seal.

An example method includes deploying an example system in a vicinity of the lost circulation zone. The example system includes a stop lost-circulation balloon (SLCB) tool. An example SLCB tool includes an inflatable balloon and a tubing string including a fluid conduit. The string is in fluid connection with the balloon. The method includes deploying, from the SLCB tool, the balloon and forcing slurry into the balloon to cause at least part of the balloon containing the slurry into the fracture. The method includes allowing the slurry to set for a period of time to produce a solid. The method includes drilling through the solid in the balloon in the wellbore, leaving the solid in the fracture.

An example method includes deploying an example system in a vicinity of the lost circulation zone. The example system includes a stop lost-circulation balloon (SLCB) tool. An example SLCB tool includes an inflatable balloon and a tubing string including a fluid conduit. The string is in fluid connection with the balloon. The method includes deploying, from the SLCB tool, the balloon and forcing slurry into the balloon to cause at least part of the balloon containing the slurry into the fracture. The method includes allowing the slurry to set for a period of time to produce a solid. The method includes drilling through the solid in the balloon in the wellbore, leaving the solid in the fracture.

A system for converting operation of a valve between an unbalanced operation mode and a balanced operation mode includes a housing adapted to couple to a valve body. The system also includes a lower stem, including lugs, the lugs having a lug diameter that is larger than an adjacent lower stem diameter. The system further includes a valve member nut coupled to a valve member, the valve member nut having an opening to receive the lower stem, and pins extending into the opening, the pins forming a reduced diameter portion of the opening. In the system, the lower stem couples to the valve member, via the valve member nut, when the lugs are axially aligned with the reduced diameter portion and the lower stem decouples from the valve member when the lugs are axially misaligned with the reduced diameter portion.

Systems and methods for producing controlled vibrations within a borehole. In one example, the system includes a movement mechanism and a controller. The movement mechanism is configured to enable translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to allow the first surface to impact the second surface to produce a plurality of beats. The frequency and amplitude of the beats may be selectively controlled by suppressing or dampening the beats. The controller is configured to selectively control an amplitude or frequency of the beats to encode information therein, where the amplitude of a beat may be selectively controlled by dampening or suppressing the impact of the first surface and the second surface.

Systems and methods for producing controlled vibrations within a borehole. In one example, the system includes a movement mechanism and a controller. The movement mechanism is configured to enable translational movement of a first surface relative to a second surface to allow the first surface to impact the second surface to produce a plurality of beats. The frequency and amplitude of the beats may be selectively controlled by suppressing or dampening the beats. The controller is configured to selectively control an amplitude or frequency of the beats to encode information therein, where the amplitude of a beat may be selectively controlled by dampening or suppressing the impact of the first surface and the second surface.