Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide desired levels of continuous fluid pressure in a portion of a wellbore during completion operations. In a described embodiment, a method permits continuous fluid communication between a tubular string extending to the earth's surface and a portion of a wellbore below a packer during testing of the packer. This fluid communication enables a desired fluid pressure to be continually applied to a filter cake lining the portion of the wellbore, to aid in preventing compromise of the filter cake and possible collapse of the wellbore portion. A packer test device included in the apparatus permits such fluid communication during testing of the packer.

Abstract: A control module system provides convenient and economical operation of downhole tools, which operation is controllable from a remote location. In a described embodiment, a control module system includes a control circuit configured to control selective opening of a plurality of valves interconnected between a plurality of accumulators and multiple tools, all positioned within the well. Additionally, the control circuit communicates with a terminal at the earth's surface for transmitting instructions from the terminal to the control circuit, and for transmitting data from the control circuit to the terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods provide convenient and reliable deposition of a radially deflectable blocking member relative to a downhole tool. In a described embodiment of the apparatus, a lock-out tool has mechanisms which effect latching of the tool to an internal profile of a safety valve, displacement of an opening prong of the safety valve to open the safety valve, and deposition of an expandable ring to prevent closure of the safety valve. The ring is accurately positioned by the tool and is constructed in a manner which enables it to resist relatively large axial loads, but which also enable it to be significantly radially compressed.

Abstract: A wellhead union and associated methods provide enhanced safety in operations involving access to, and/or fluid communication with, a wellhead. In a described embodiment, a wellhead union has a housing structure which includes a fluid conduit and a plug. A safety interlock prevents removal of the plug from the fluid conduit when fluid pressure is present within the wellhead. As a warning that such fluid pressure is present within the wellhead, the safety interlock additionally provides an externally visible indication when the fluid pressure is present.

Abstract: In a parent wellbore casing, full bore access to the portion of the casing beneath a lateral bore liner portion therein is provided using a specially designed tubular retrievable anchor assembly hydraulically set within the casing above the liner portion and having a depending mill guide portion. A milling pipe with a first rotary mill is extended through the anchor assembly, with the mill being laterally deflected by the guide to mill a partial opening through the bottom side wall of the liner portion. The milling pipe is then withdrawn from the casing, the first mill replaced with a second rotary mill, and a specially designed tubular retrieval collet coaxially secured to the milling pipe. The milling pipe is then extended downwardly through the anchor assembly, the second mill used to enlarge the initial liner opening, and the collet snapped into the anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is then retrieved by pulling up on the milling pipe to release the anchor assembly which is removed from the casing.

Abstract: A linear indexing tool is operably supportable on a tubing string in a subterranean wellbore and has a tubular housing structure within which a tubular mandrel is coaxially and slidably disposed. An indexing structure is operable by tubing pressure to sequentially drive the mandrel through a plurality of axial travel increments in response to a corresponding successive plurality of tubing pressure forces exerted on the indexing structure. Pressure diversion apparatus is operative to permit flow of pressurized fluid from within the housing structure to an external, pressure-actuatable device, such as a packer, only after the mandrel has been driven through at least two of its axial travel increments. Accordingly, the internal tubing pressure may be elevated to a test level thereof, thereby driving the mandrel through its first axial travel increment, without actuating the external device.

Abstract: In a parent wellbore casing, full bore access to the portion of the casing beneath a lateral bore liner portion therein is provided using a specially designed tubular retrievable anchor assembly hydraulically set within the casing above the liner portion and having a depending mill guide portion. A milling pipe with a first rotary mill is extended through the anchor assembly, with the mill being laterally deflected by the guide to mill a partial opening through the bottom side wall of the liner portion. The milling pipe is then withdrawn from the casing, the first mill replaced with a second rotary mill, and a specially designed tubular retrieval collet coaxially secured to the milling pipe. The milling pipe is then extended downwardly through the anchor assembly, the second mill used to enlarge the initial liner opening, and the collet snapped into the anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is then retrieved by pulling up on the milling pipe to release the anchor assembly which is removed from the casing.

Abstract: A tube reforming apparatus provides efficient mass production of reformed tube end portions. In a preferred embodiment, a tube reforming apparatus has a loading station, two heating stations, a forming station, and an unloading station. The loading station permits rapid loading of a series of laterally spaced apart tubes into clamping fixtures, and accurately meters a downwardly extending end portion of each tube. The heating stations permit accurate and evenly distributed heat to be applied to the end portions to make them pliable. The forming station reforms the end portions between a mating die pair, while compensating for any volume variation in the end portions. The unloading station automatically unloads the tubes from the clamping fixtures. Automation features of the apparatus permit these operations to be efficiently accomplished.

Abstract: In a subterranean well a one-trip production zone perforation and proppant fracturing operation is carried out using a workstring-supported perforation gun lowered into a casing nipple located in the production zone. Firing of the gun creates spaced apart aligned sets of perforations extending outwardly through a side wall portion of the workstring, the nipple, the surrounding cement, and into the production zone, after which the gun falls into and is retained in an underlying gun catcher portion of the workstring. While an overpull force is maintained on the workstring above the perforations, a proppant slurry is pumped down the workstring, out its sidewall perforations, and outwardly through the aligned perforation sets formed in the nipple, cement and production zone.

Abstract: A method of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus therefor provide efficient operation and convenience in completions where production of fluids from a lateral wellbore and a parent wellbore is desired. In one disclosed embodiment, the invention provides a method whereby a tubular member may be extended from a parent wellbore into a lateral wellbore, without the need of deflecting the tubular member off of a whipstock or other inclined surface. The tubular member may be previously deformed and initially constrained within a housing, so that as the tubular member extends outwardly from the housing, the tubular member is permitted to deflect laterally toward the lateral wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for performing operations within a subterranean well overcome many disadvantages associated with perforating and fracturing and/or gravel packing in a single trip of a work string into the well. In a preferred embodiment, a method of producing fluids from a formation intersected by the well includes the step of setting a packer having a relatively large seal bore formed therethrough in the well before running the work string into the well. After the formation is perforated, the work string is displaced to position a seal assembly on the work string in the seal bore, thereby displacing the perforating guns through the packer, positioning a screen opposite the perforated formation, and enabling performance of gravel packing operations thereafter.

Abstract: In a parent wellbore casing, full bore access to the portion of the casing beneath a lateral bore liner portion therein is provided using a specially designed tubular retrievable anchor assembly hydraulically set within the casing above the liner portion and having a depending mill guide portion. A milling pipe with a first rotary mill is extended through the anchor assembly, with the mill being laterally deflected by the guide to mill a partial opening through the bottom side wall of the liner portion. The milling pipe is then withdrawn from the casing, the first mill replaced with a second rotary mill, and a specially designed tubular retrieval collet coaxially secured to the milling pipe. The milling pipe is then extended downwardly through the anchor assembly, the second mill used to enlarge the initial liner opening, and the collet snapped into the anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is then retrieved by pulling up on the milling pipe to release the anchor assembly which is removed from the casing.

Abstract: A retrievable mill guide and anchor assembly is provided for use in forming a side wall window in a vertical subterranean well casing for subsequent connection to the casing of a lateral bore liner member extending through the casing window. The mill guide extends upwardly from the top end or the anchor. With the assembly in its run-in orientation, a milling pipe with a first mill bit on its lower end is releasably locked within the upper mill guide end, and pressurized fluid within the milling pipe is used to hydraulically set the anchor in the casing. After the anchor is set, the first mill bit is rotated, lowered and deflected by the mill guide to engage and form an initial opening in the casing side wall. The milling pipe is then removed from the casing, the first mill bit is replaced with a second mill bit, and a specially designed retrieval collet is installed on the milling pipe.

Abstract: Installed in the tubing string portion of an offshore well rig are a vertically spaced pair of tubular well line protective devices. The upper device extends vertically through the openings in the rig floor and the rotary table thereon, and the lower device is positioned between a pair of sealing rams within an open upper end portion of the riser through which the tubing downwardly extends. Each protective device has a main body portion which is radially enlarged relative to the balance of the tubing string, and a removable side insert portion. Well lines, such as control, chemical and balancing lines, are extended through axial openings combinatively defined by each body and associated insert, with the insert shielding the lines from damage at the protective device location. The removable insert is illustrated in an all metal construction, used in the upper device, and an all elastomeric material construction or an elastomer-faced metal construction used in the lower device.

Abstract: A formation testing system provides the ability to reliably and repeatedly perform tests, such as drawdown tests, on closely spaced apart formations intersected by subterranean wellbores without relying on absolute fluid pressure for actuation thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a formation testing system is alternately configured for normal drilling operations or for fluid sampling operations by applying preselected differential pressures to the system. In a representatively illustrated preferred embodiment, a formation testing system has opposing pistons which cooperate with uniquely configured ratchet mechanisms to change the system's configuration in response to changes in differential pressure applied thereto.

Abstract: A molded cross-linked polyethylene article is formed using cross-linked polyethylene scrap generated in a previous extrusion process. The scrap is used, either by itself or mixed with essentially virgin cross-linkable polyethylene and a master batch mixture, to define a partially cross-linked moldable plastic material having a gel percent higher than that of the essentially virgin polyethylene used in the extrusion process. The mold used to form the scrap-based polyethylene end product has, for the essentially virgin polyethylene, a maximum acceptable plastic inflow rate.

Abstract: A bidirectional disappearing plug member and plug assembly is capable of blocking pressurized fluid flow from opposing axial directions in a flowbore. In a preferred embodiment, the plug member, which blocks flow through the flowbore, may be readily and at least partially dissolved through the application of at least one pressurization and depressurization within a tubing string above the plug assembly. Construction of the plug assembly permits the plug member to be conveniently emplaced in a fluid-filled wellbore by permitting fluid flow around the plug member during the emplacement process. The plug member may then be secured within the plug assembly to block fluid flow from either axial direction.

Abstract: A retrievable screen apparatus provides increased filtration in a retrievable screen disposed within a receptacle, the receptacle being positioned in a subterranean well. The receptacle has a lower filtration screen attached thereto for filtering larger particles, such as gravel and proppant, from fluid flow within the well. Thus, the retrievable screen may be retrieved and replaced, leaving the receptacle operatively positioned in the well.

Abstract: A method of producing reformed crosslinked polymer articles provides reformed crosslinked articles free of visible and objectionable folds, seams, and interfaces on reformed surfaces thereof. In a preferred embodiment, a method includes the steps of extruding a silane-grafted polyethylene tube, heating an end of the tube, reforming the end of the tube to produce a radially enlarged sealing surface thereon, cooling the reformed tube, and curing the reformed tube to produce an increase in the degree of crosslinking of the polyethylene material.

Abstract: An adjustable flow rate screen assembly and associated methods of completing a subterranean well provide variable flow rates through downhole sand control screens without restricting access to the well and without requiring overly restrictive screens to be utilized in gravel packing operations. In a preferred embodiment, a screen assembly has a tubular restrictor housing with a flow passage formed thereon, a tubular ported housing having ports formed radially therethrough and providing fluid communication with the flow passage, and a tubular selector sleeve with an opening formed radially therethrough and permitting fluid communication with a selected one of the ports.