Abstract: An assembly for formation and completion of deviated wellbores is disclosed which includes a toolguide and a casing section which can be used together or separately. The toolguide includes a lower orienting section and a whipstock having a sloping face, commonly known as the directional portion of a whipstock. The toolguide is coated with a material such as epoxy or polyurethane to provide a repairable surface and one which can be removed to facilitate removal of the toolguide from the well bore. The lower orienting section has a latch which extends radially outwardly from the section and can be locked in the outwardly biased position.

Abstract: An assembly for formation and completion of deviated wellbores is disclosed which includes a toolguide and a casing section which can be used together or separately. The toolguide includes a lower orienting section and a whipstock having a sloping face, commonly known as the directional portion of a whipstock. The toolguide is coated with a material such as epoxy or polyurethane to provide a repairable surface and one which can be removed to facilitate removal of the toolguide from the well bore. The lower orienting section has a latch which extends radially outwardly from the section and can be locked in the outwardly biased position.

Abstract: A flow rate control device (18) placed at the bottom of an oil well in production comprises holes (24) formed in the production tubing (16), a closure sleeve (26) suitable for sliding over the holes (24) for controlling the flow rate, and a protective sleeve (34). The protective sleeve (34) is urged by a return spring (36) into a position in which it covers a sealing gasket (32). During closure of the device (18), the two sleeves come into edge-to-edge abutment and the closure sleeve (26) pushes the protective sleeve (34) back against the return spring (36). The sealing gasket (32) is never in direct contact with the fluid in the well. Preferably, the closure sleeve (26) is mounted on the outside of the production tubing (16).

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention may include a nipple, a deflector, and a conveying tool. The nipple may include an upper sealing surface and a lower sealing surface. The nipple may also include a discriminator/muleshoe having an alignment profile and an alignment slot. A protuberance/bump may be disposed in the alignment slot. The deflector may include an upper seal and a lower seal adapted for engagement with the upper and lower sealing surfaces, respectively, on the nipple. When the upper and lower seals are engaged with the upper and lower sealing surfaces, fluid circulation is substantially restricted thereby resulting in a increase in pressure that is detectable at the earth's surface. This pressure increase provides a signal that the deflector is properly positioned in the nipple. The conveying tool may include a flexible arm having a latching finger that is releasably engageable with a latching profile in the deflector. The latching profile may be on an inclined, concave surface of a whipstock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multilateral completion comprises providing a casing string having a casing, a branching sub connected to the casing, and a locating profile. An expanding tool positionable in the branching sub is adapted to mate with the locating profile to fix a position of the expanding tool, such as to rotationally orient the expanding tool, fix a radial position of the expanding tool, and/or fix an axial position of the expanding tool. The branching sub has a non-expanded state, and the expanding tool is adapted to expand the branching sub.

Abstract: An assembly for formation and completion of deviated wellbores is disclosed which includes a toolguide and a casing section which can be used together or separately. The toolguide includes a lower orienting section and a whipstock having a sloping face, commonly known as the directional portion of a whipstock. The toolguide is coated with a material such as epoxy or polyurethane to provide a repairable surface and one which can be removed to facilitate removal of the toolguide from the well bore. The lower orienting section has a latch which extends radially outwardly from the section and can be locked in the outwardly biased position.

Abstract: A flow rate control device (18) placed down an oil well in production comprises holes (24) formed in the production tubing (16), a closure sleeve (26) suitable for sliding facing the holes (24), an actuator (31) disposed eccentrically relative to the tubing (16), and an intermediate part (29). The intermediate part (29) is guided on the tubing (16) in a manner such as to withstand the tilting torque due to the eccentricity of the actuator (31). A coupling (46) that is flexible except in the direction in which the sleeve is moved connects the part (29) to the closure sleeve (26) symmetrically about the axis of the tubing (16). The resulting decoupling guarantees that the sleeve (26) is self-centering, which improves the life-span of the device (18) significantly.

Abstract: A system for pressure testing the seals and fittings associated with at least one communication line passing through a well tool mandrel, each communication line housed within a communication line conduit defined through the well tool and sealingly engaged to each end of its corresponding communication line conduit by way of a fitting and the fittings also sealingly engaged to the communication line conduit. The system generally comprises a testing conduit, a testing passageway system, and a testing plug. The testing conduit is defined in the well tool mandrel. The testing passageway system is defined in the well tool mandrel and provides fluid communication between the testing conduit and the fittings and seals associated with each of the communication line conduits. The testing plug provides fluid communication between a pressure testing source and the testing passageway system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predictable downhole milling of a casing window having predetermined location, orientation, dimension and contour geometry. An elongate substantially rigid milling shaft has at least one casing window milling element in fixed relation therewith and has a pilot mill in articulated and rotary driven connection with the milling shaft. The milling shaft is in articulated and rotary driven connection with a rotary drive mechanism. The articulated connection of the pilot mill and milling shaft may incorporate an articulation control system to permit the pilot mill to be maintained substantially coaxial with the milling shaft so that its trajectory at a predetermined stage of window milling can be controlled by the milling shaft when positive guiding by a deflecting tool can no longer be ensured.

Abstract: An injection fluid tubing assembly for handling a flow of fluid [is taught. The assembly] includes tube having a port formed through its wall, a sliding sleeve valve retained within the tube and moveable between a closed position in which it blocks the port and an open position for permitting the flow of fluid to pass through the port and a channel for diverting the flow through the port to prevent the flow from passing directly radially outwardly through the wall of the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predictable downhole milling of a casing window having predetermined location, orientation, dimension and contour geometry. An elongate substantially rigid milling shaft has at least one casing window milling element in fixed relation therewith and has a pilot mill in articulated and rotary driven connection with the milling shaft. The milling shaft is in articulated and rotary driven connection with a rotary drive mechanism. The articulated connection of the pilot mill and milling shaft may incorporate an articulation control system to permit the pilot mill to be maintained substantially coaxial with the milling shaft so that its trajectory at a predetermined stage of window milling can be controlled by the milling shaft when positive guiding by a deflecting tool can no longer be ensured.

Abstract: A cutter for cutting a detonating cord comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that are pivotable relative to each other. An anvil is mounted on the second jaw and has a first opening for receiving a cord and a second opening intersecting with the first opening. A blade is mounted on the second jaw and has a cutting edge that is arranged to slide into the second opening when the first and second jaws are pivoted toward each other.

Abstract: A fluid control system actuatable by a tool includes a valve and a valve operator coupled to operate the valve between an open and closed position. The valve operator is adapted to be responsive to signals generated by the tool such that a first combination is received when the tool is run in a first direction and a second combination is received when the tool is run in a second direction. The valve operator includes electronic circuitry adapted to actuate the valve open in response to the first combination and to actuate the valve closed in response to the second combination.

Abstract: A shifting tool for moving a movable member attached to a device in a downhole tool includes a body having a bore and a feed port connected to the bore. A diaphragm is mounted on the body for radial expansion to engage the movable member. The diaphragm is coupled to the feed port and is configured to radially expand to engage the movable member when fluid is communicated through the feed port at a predetermined inflate pressure. A position locator is used to locate the downhole device such that the body is positioned to permit the diaphragm to radially expand to engage the movable member.

Abstract: A shaped charge for use in perforating formation adjacent a wellbore includes a liner having a substantially non-conical shape (also referred to as bowl-shaped). The liner has first and second layers, with a first layer contacting the main explosive charge. The second layer (made of such materials as copper, silver, gold, and so forth) contributes primarily to formation of a perforating jet while the first layer contains a material that substantially disintegrates upon detonation such that formation of a slug is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a tool, such as a perforating gun, in a wellbore to orient the tool in a desired direction. An anchor having a first reference terminal is set in the wellbore, the first reference terminal pointing in a known direction. A second reference terminal is attached to the tool, the second reference terminal being coupled to the first reference terminal to orient the tool in the desired direction. A gyroscope measures the direction of the first reference terminal with respect to the magnetic north. The perforating gun includes charges arranged to perform perforating along a preferred fracture plane, such as 0.degree.- or 180.degree.-phased perforating.