Abstract: Construction of well screens utilizing pre-formed annular-shaped elements. A well screen includes a filter layer configured to filter fluid flowing through the well screen and a drainage layer which radially supports the filter layer, the drainage layer including multiple individual annular-shaped elements Another well screen includes a drainage layer configured to support the filter layer, with the drainage layer including at least one cavity molded therein. Another well screen includes a base pipe and a layer made up of multiple individual annular-shaped elements stacked coaxially on the base pipe. A cavity is formed in at least one of the elements.

Abstract: A position sensor for well tools. A position sensor includes an indicator portion including a carrier supporting a resistive element and at least one contact, and a support device for supporting the carrier. Another position sensor includes an indicator portion including a slider for displacing at least one contact relative to a resistive element, the slider being displaceable between first and second limits, and an end load mechanism including a biasing device which exerts a biasing force on the slider as the slider approaches at least the first limit. Another position sensor includes an indicator portion including a resistive element and at least one contact which contacts and displaces across the resistive element, a change in position of the contact relative to the resistive element being indicated by a resistance change as the contact displaces across the resistive element.

Abstract: Selective placement of conformance treatments in multi-zone well completions. A method includes injecting a relative permeability modifier into a zone and optimizing a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid produced from the zone, including adjusting at least one flow control device between fully open and fully closed configurations. Another method includes injecting a relative permeability modifier into multiple zones, one at a time, via respective flow control devices, and then producing fluid from each of the zones. Another method includes identifying which of the zones to treat by, for each of the zones: a) closing flow control devices corresponding to the other zones, and b) evaluating fluid produced from the zone; and injecting a conformance treatment into the zones identified as the zones to treat.

Abstract: A perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes a perforating gun and a swivel device connected to the perforating gun to permit rotation of the perforating gun within casing, and the perforating gun spaced apart from the casing by the swivel device. Another perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes the swivel device having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from a center of gravity of the perforating gun. Yet another perforating gun gravitational orientation system includes the swivel device having an axis of rotation which is spaced apart from a center axis of the perforating gun.

Abstract: An expanded non-bonded mesh well screen. A method of manufacturing a well screen includes the steps of: expanding at least a portion of a screen jacket; and then securing the screen jacket onto a base pipe. A well screen system includes a base pipe and an at least partially expanded screen jacket surrounding the base pipe. The screen jacket is expanded prior to being positioned on the base pipe.

Abstract: A method of actuating a well tool includes the steps of: increasing pressure in a fluid line of a fluid metering device; closing a pilot-operated valve in response to the pressure increasing step; and discharging a predetermined volume of fluid from the metering device in response to the pressure increasing and valve closing steps. A fluid metering device for a well tool includes a piston separating chambers; and a pilot-operated valve which selectively prevents fluid communication between the chambers in response to at least a predetermined pressure being applied to a fluid line of the metering device, and which permits fluid communication through the valve between the chambers in response to pressure in the fluid line being less than the predetermined pressure. A greater pressure may be applied to the fluid line to thereby bypass the metering device and allow fluid to discharge from the line.

Abstract: A well tool with combined actuation of multiple valves. A well tool includes at least two valves and an actuator which actuates each of the valves, one valve being positioned longitudinally between the other valve and the actuator, and the other valve being operable in response to displacement of an operating device by the actuator. Another well tool includes a valve with a closure which displaces when the valve is operated, a volume of a chamber which increases and a volume of another chamber which decreases when the closure displaces, and a pressure differential between the chambers being substantially zero when the closure displaces. Another well tool includes at least two valve closures which are the only displaceable components of the well tool exposed to a first internal flow passage portion when one closure prevents fluid communication between the first and a second internal flow passage portions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermal recovery of shallow bitumen using increased permeability inclusions. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes the steps of: propagating at least one generally planar inclusion outward from a wellbore into the formation; injecting a fluid into the inclusion, thereby heating the hydrocarbons; and during the injecting step, producing the hydrocarbons from the wellbore. A well system includes at least one generally planar inclusion extending outward from a wellbore into a formation; a fluid injected into the inclusion, hydrocarbons being heated as a result of the injected fluid; and a tubular string through which the hydrocarbons are produced, the tubular string extending to a location in the wellbore below the inclusion, and the hydrocarbons being received into the tubular string at that location.

Abstract: A packer-anchoring device between an annular packer and a body, wherein the annular packer is provided, at least at one of its end portions, with an expandable end ring.

Abstract: A formation evaluation system and method. A formation evaluation system includes an assembly interconnected as part of a tubular string and displaceable to multiple positions proximate each of multiple zones intersected by a wellbore. The assembly includes at least one formation evaluation instrument for determining a characteristic of formation fluid, and a pump which draws the fluid into the assembly. A method of evaluating multiple subterranean zones during a single trip into a wellbore includes the steps of: interconnecting a formation evaluation assembly in a coiled tubing string; for each of the multiple zones, displacing the formation evaluation assembly to a position proximate the respective zone, receiving formation fluid from the respective zone into the formation evaluation assembly, and determining at least one characteristic of the formation fluid; and performing the multiple displacing, receiving and determining steps during the single trip of the coiled tubing string into the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of sealing an annulus formed between a casing string and a surface in a well may include: positioning a seal element in the annulus with a swellable material of the seal element positioned between the casing string and the surface; and flowing cement through a channel formed between the swellable material and the casing string. A method of sealing in a well may include the steps of: positioning an annular seal element in the well, wherein the element may include a swellable material; and flowing cement into at least one channel formed longitudinally through the seal element. A method of sealing an annulus between two casing strings may include: providing multiple arcuate segments that may include a swellable material; and installing the segments in the annulus, wherein each of the segments may occupy a respective circumferential portion of the annulus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.

Abstract: A safety valve system includes a safety valve having an actuator and a line connected to the actuator. The safety valve is operable by opening the line in the well, with the line being free of any connection to a surface control system. Another safety valve system includes multiple safety valves. An actuator of each safety valve is connected to an actuator of another safety valve via a line. A biasing force in each of the actuators is operative to close the respective one of the safety valves in response to opening of the line. The biasing force is produced at least in part by hydrostatic pressure in a well.

Abstract: An actuator control system includes a housing assembly having at least one line therein for controlling operation of an actuator, and a modular controller attached externally to the housing assembly and interconnected to the line. A method of constructing an actuator control system includes the steps of: assembling a modular controller, the modular controller including a control valve therein for controlling operation of an actuator via a hydraulic line; testing the modular controller, including functionally testing the control valve; and then attaching the modular controller to a housing assembly having the line formed therein. Another actuator control system includes a housing assembly having at least one line therein for controlling operation of an actuator, and a modular controller attached separately to the housing assembly and interconnected to the line via a manifold of the modular controller, the manifold including a concave interface surface which receives the housing assembly therein.

Abstract: Well screen fabrication. A method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a filter portion having an inner dimension, and then increasing the inner dimension, the providing and increasing steps being performed prior to installing the well screen in a wellbore. Another method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a base pipe having an outer dimension, providing a filter portion having an inner dimension less than or equal to the outer dimension, then increasing the inner dimension to greater than or equal to the outer dimension, and then decreasing the inner dimension. Another method of fabricating a well screen includes the steps of: providing a base pipe having an outer dimension, providing a filter portion having an inner dimension, and then providing an interference fit between the inner and outer dimensions.

Abstract: A circulation control valve can include first and second valve devices and at least one opening which provides fluid communication between an interior longitudinal flow passage and an exterior of the valve. Fluid communication can be provided through each of the first and second valve devices in response to application of a respective one of first and second pressure differentials applied across the corresponding valve device via the interior longitudinal flow passage. Fluid communication in any direction through the opening may be permitted in response to application of the first pressure differential to the first valve device. Fluid communication through the opening may be prevented in response to application of the second pressure differential to the second valve device.

Abstract: Phase-controlled well flow control. A well system includes a flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid in the well system, the flow control device being responsive to both pressure and temperature in the well system to regulate flow of the fluid. A flow control device includes a flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid through the flow control device, and an actuator which is operative to actuate the flow regulator in response to a predetermined relationship between a phase of the fluid and both pressure and temperature exposed to the actuator. A method of controlling a phase change of a fluid in a well system includes the steps of: flowing the fluid through a flow control device in the well system; and adjusting the flow control device in response to both pressure and temperature in the well system.

Abstract: Casing or work string orientation indicating apparatus and methods. A system for indicating orientation of a structure in a wellbore includes an orientation indicating device responsive to fluid flow through the device, whereby fluid flow through the device at a selected flow rate produces a reduced pressure differential across the device when the device is at a preselected azimuthal orientation, compared to an increased pressure differential across the device produced by fluid flow through the device at the selected flow rate when the device is not at the azimuthal orientation. A method of detecting orientation of a structure in a wellbore includes the steps of: flowing fluid at a selected flow rate through an orientation indicating device interconnected to the structure; and observing a substantially constant pressure differential across the device during the flowing step, thereby indicating that the structure is at a predetermined azimuthal orientation.

Abstract: Purging of fiber optic conduits in subterranean wells. A downhole optical sensing system includes an optical line, at least two tubular conduits, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits, and a purging medium flowed in one direction through one conduit, and flowed in an opposite direction between the conduits. A method of purging a downhole optical sensing system includes the steps of: installing at least two conduits and an optical line in a well as part of the sensing system, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits; and flowing a purging medium through the conduits in the well, so that the purging medium flows in one direction through one conduit and in an opposite direction between the conduits.

Abstract: A method of actuating a well tool utilizing first and second pressure sources includes the steps of: placing an actuator chamber in communication with the first pressure source, thereby displacing a piston from a first position to a second position; and then placing another chamber in communication with the second pressure source, thereby displacing the piston to a third position. A multi-position actuator includes an operating member which displaces to operate a well tool, a first position of the operating member corresponding to a pressure source being in communication with a chamber and another pressure source being in communication with another chamber, a second position of the operating member corresponding to the same pressure source being in communication with both of the chambers, and a third position of the operating member corresponding to the pressure sources being connected to the chambers oppositely to that of the first position.