Abstract: A bottom hole assembly connected to coiled tubing to create an acid tunnel in a wellbore formation. High pressure acid is pumped down the coiled tubing and out a nozzle located at the end of the bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly includes a first knuckle joint and a second knuckle joint to properly position the nozzle against the wellbore. The two knuckle joints increases the radius of curvature of the bottom hole assembly while providing a sufficient attack angle for the nozzle against the wellbore. The two knuckle joints also may reduce the chance that the nozzle will cam lock within the acid tunnel. The two knuckle joints may be oriented such that they bend within the same plane. The nozzle may be connected onto the end of wand having a telescoping portion. The nozzle may be adapted to form an elliptical acid tunnel.

Abstract: A system and method for spooling coiled tubing is provided, the system including a second levelwind mechanism. The second levelwind is positioned adjacent ground level, thereby eliminating the need for personnel to work at heights associated with traditional spooling of coiled tubing from one reel to another. Coiled tubing is transferred from one reel to another reel on the low side of the spool so that personnel may work at ground level.

Abstract: Cement compositions containing low reactivity materials are disclosed. The compositions are useful in conditions involving high temperatures, high pressures, and tectonic forces such as oil and gas wells. The cement compositions display increased compressive strength, flexural strength, and tensile strength. Fractures appear to occur in a non-linear fashion between the Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ) of the particles, rather than in a straight line such as those observed in conventional cement materials.

Abstract: A system and method for using a pneumatic line to automate the launch a cement plug from a cement head. The pneumatic line is in communication with the valves and retaining devices normally found on a typical cement head. The system ensures that the proper sequence of opening and closing valves in combination with the removal of the retaining device is used to safely launch a cement plug from the cement head. The pressure in the single pneumatic line may be varied to launch multiple cement plugs from a cement head. The system may be used to remotely launch a cement plug from a cement head. A wireless remote may be used to regulate the pressure in the pneumatic line to launch cement plugs from the cement head as desired.

Abstract: A safety valve (100) replaces an existing safety valve (102) in order to isolate a production zone from a tubing string when closed. Preferably the safety valve (100) includes a flow interruption device (106) displaced by an operating conduit extending from a surface location to the safety valve (100) through the inside of the production tubing. A by-pass conduit (150) allows communication from a surface location to the production zone through the safety valve (100) without affecting the operation of the safety valve (100).

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively stimulating a plurality of producing zones of a wellbore in oil and gas wells, the system being cemented within the wellbore. The system includes a plurality of modules connected in a string wherein the modules can be selectively actuated to stimulate producing zones adjacent the modules. Each module includes a sleeve shiftable between a closed position and a treating position where a plurality of radial passageways are exposed to the central passageway of the assembly. The system includes a wiper plug that is adapted to pass through ball seats of various sizes in the plurality of modules and an acid solution pumped into the string to break down the cement at the producing zones. The system may include at least one natural rubber wiper ball to remove residual cement from the string.

Abstract: The application discloses a safety valve including a flapper valve and a packer assembly to be installed in a bore to isolate a first zone from a second zone. Preferably, the safety valve includes a hydraulic conduit bypassing the flapper valve to allow communication therethrough when the valve is closed. Furthermore, the safety valve preferably allows unobstructed passage of tools and fluids therethrough when the flapper valve is open. The application discloses a method to install a safety valve in an existing string of tubing by deploying a packer assembly having an integral safety valve.

Abstract: A valve (136, 136?, 136?, 200) adapted to replace an existing valve of a wellhead (114). Valve (136, 136?, 136?, 200) can have similar dimensions as the existing valve it replaces to utilize existing wellhead connections. In one embodiment, a replacement bypass master valve (136) incorporates a fluid bypass pathway (168) to enable communication and conveyance of a production enhancing fluid (132) from a location external to the well through small diameter tubing (126) to a specific downhole location independent the position of a flow control member in interior chamber (166). Replacement bypass master valve (136?) can include anchor seal assembly (122?) disposed in locking profile 180 of upstream inlet bore (162) to enable communication from fluid bypass pathway (168) to lower injection conduit (128). In another embodiment, replacement valve (200) includes a groove in gate (208) sealingly receiving capillary injection tubing (204) when in a closed position.

Abstract: A communication tool apparatus is described which is adapted to provide selective communication of control fluid through a downhole device such as a safety valve. The downhole safety valve is a tubing retrievable subsurface safety valve (“TRSSSV”). The communication tool may be run downhole and within the TRSSSV. Once within the TRSSSV, the communication tool apparatus activates a cutting device within the TRSSSV such that communication of control fluid through the TRSSSV is possible. A replacement safety valve run on a wireline may then be inserted into the TRSSSV and be operated via the control fluid line, as a new communication path created by the communication tool described herein. A method of using the communication tool apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A communication tool apparatus is described which is adapted to provide selective communication of control fluid through a downhole tool, such as a safety valve. The downhole safety valve is a tubing retrievable subsurface safety valve (“TRSSSV”). The communication tool may be run downhole and within the TRSSSV. Once within the TRSSSV, the communication tool apparatus activates a cutting device within the TRSSSV such that communication of control fluid through the TRSSSV is possible. A replacement safety valve run on a wireline may then be inserted into the TRSSSV and be operated via the control fluid line, as a new communication path created by the communication tool described herein. A method of using the communication tool apparatus is also described.

Abstract: An improved dual purpose blow out preventer (“BOP”) that provides both deployment and wellhead pressure containment functions. The dual purpose BOP may include four sets of rams including a set of seal/slip rams that provide bi-directional sealing being a first barrier to downhole pressure. The seal/slip rams may also grip a portion of a bottom hole assembly and create the bottom seal of an annular chamber. The BOP may include a set of seal rams that create the top seal of the annular chamber. The annular chamber may be pressurized through a port in the BOP, which may actuate a coiled tubing connector. The BOP may include a set of locate rams used to position a coiled tubing connector within the BOP stack. The BOP may also include a set of blind/shear rams that provide bi-directional sealing being a second barrier to wellhead pressure.

Abstract: A low drag flotation system for placing screens in horizontal wells is provided which includes a screen exterior to the washpipe to be placed for sand control, and hydraulically actuated valves for trapping air within the washpipe. The air in the washpipe creates a buoyancy force that decreases the drag force of the pipe string in the horizontal well, allowing it to move further down the well under its own weight. As a result, screens can be placed in longer lengths of horizontal wells to maximize oil and gas production.

Abstract: A system used to remove multiple isolation plugs from a wellbore. The system is efficient in fluidizing and circulating proppant located below an upper plug resting on top of proppant settled above a lower plug. The system uses a central port of the mill that is in communication with coiled tubing to fluidize and circulate the proppant around the perimeter of the upper plug. Once the proppant has been circulated from underneath the upper plug, the upper plug may mate and rotationally lock with a lower plug set within the wellbore. Upon locking, the system is able to rapidly mill out the upper plug and the lower plug until the lower plug is no longer set within the wellbore. The system provides for the rapid removal of multiple plugs positioned within a wellbore where an amount of proppant is present between the plugs.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly for an injection tubing string is provided which allows a master valve to be closed without damaging the injection tubing string while still allowing for the use of a back pressure valve to isolate the tree. Wellhead assemblies and related methods of the present invention include a flange adapted to be connected between a wellhead and a Christmas tree. The assembly also includes a mandrel adapted to being inserted into the longitudinal bore of the flange, the mandrel having a port for communicating with an injection port which extends radially through the flange. The assembly further includes a hanger adapted to connect to the upper end of the injection string, wherein the hanger is further adapted to land in the longitudinal bore of the mandrel. The hanger includes a communication passageway for facilitating fluid communication between the port of the mandrel and the injection tubing string.

Abstract: A downhole device used to divert fluid flow out of a work string. The downhole device may be located at any point along a work string at which it may be necessary to divert the fluid flow to the annulus. The downhole device may be activated and deactivated by inserting a single deformable dart into the work string. The device catches the dart blocking fluid flow through the work string. Increased fluid pressure activates the device, which diverts the fluid flow out of the work string into the annulus. A locating sleeve with a continuous j-track allows the device to be retained in activated position. The dart is adapted to deform under a predetermined amount of fluid pressure allowing the dart past the device and returning fluid flow through the work string. The downhole device may be activated multiple times without removing the downhole device from the wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods to inject chemical stimulants (284) to a production zone (102, 202) through a string of production tubing (110, 210) around a downhole obstruction are disclosed. The apparatuses and methods include deploying an anchor seal assembly (200) to a landing profile (120, 220) located within a string of production tubing (110, 210). The anchor seal assembly (200) is in communication with a surface station through an injection conduit (260, 264) and includes a bypass pathway (262) to inject various fluids to a zone below.

Abstract: A formulation containing a copolymer derived from a cationic monomer effectively inhibits and controls the formation of inorganic scales. Suitable copolymers include those comprising an acrylamide unit and a quaternary ammonium salt group, and optionally an acrylate and/or nitrogen heterocyclic monomer including those wherein the quaternary ammonium salt is a unit of the formula: wherein R is methyl or hydrogen; R4 is a C1 to C6 alkyl group, optionally substituted with halogen, hydroxyl and alkoxy groups, X is halogen; and R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and alkoxy groups. Suitable nitrogen heterocyclic compounds include N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylformamide, N-vinylacetamide, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinylimidazole and N-vinylpyridine.

Abstract: The application discloses a valve, which may include either a safety valve or a storm surge choke valve or the like, to isolate a zone below a valve from a string of production tubing. Preferably, the valve includes a flow interruption surface assembly, such as a flapper valve or a ball valve, displaced by an operating conduit extending from a surface location to the valve through the inside of the production tubing. The application also discloses a bypass-conduit inside the production tubing to allow communication from a surface location to the production zone when the valve is in either an open or a closed location.