Abstract: A method of deploying plugging devices in a well can include a spacing between the plugging devices by controlling a ratio flow rates through intersecting pipes. A deployment apparatus can include an actuator and a release structure that releases the plugging devices into a conduit connected to a tubular string in the well. Another method of deploying plugging devices in a well can include operating an actuator, thereby displacing a release structure, and the release structure releasing the plugging devices into the well in response to operating the actuator. Another deployment apparatus can include intersecting pipes and a valve that selectively permits and prevents displacement of the plugging devices through one of the pipes.

Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.

Abstract: A method can include conveying a dispensing tool through a wellbore, the dispensing tool including an enclosure containing plugging devices, and then opening the enclosure by cutting a material of the enclosure, thereby releasing the plugging devices from the enclosure into the wellbore at a downhole location. A dispensing tool can include a container having an enclosure therein, the enclosure including a flexible material that contains the plugging devices, and an end of the enclosure being secured to a member displaceable by an actuator. The enclosure material is cut in response to displacement of the member by the actuator. A plugging device can include at least one body configured to engage an opening in the well and block fluid flow through the opening, and multiple fibers including staple fibers or filaments formed into yarn.

Abstract: A method can include directing fluid flow longitudinally through a well tool connected in a tubular string downstream of a longitudinally compressed circulating valve assembly, thereby causing the well tool to operate, and longitudinally elongating the circulating valve assembly while the fluid flow is ceased, and then increasing the fluid flow, thereby causing the fluid flow after the elongating to pass outwardly through a housing of the circulating valve assembly to an external annulus. Another method can include directing a fluid flow through a well tool connected in a tubular string downstream of a circulating valve assembly, thereby causing the well tool to operate, and decreasing then increasing a flow rate of the fluid flow, thereby causing the fluid flow to pass outwardly through a housing assembly of the circulating valve assembly to an external annulus. Circulating valve assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the conduit, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the conduit, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the conduit, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the conduit.

Abstract: A plugging device, well system and method. In one example, a wrap, band or other type of binding is utilized to secure together multiple fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines of the plugging device. In another example, fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines are fused, adhered or bonded to an outer surface of a body of the plugging device. In other examples, a material of the plugging device may become more rigid or swell in a well. A plugging device may comprise a body loosely enclosed in a bag, wrapper or other enclosure.

Abstract: A jarring tool can include a longitudinally displaceable piston, a first fluid chamber having a volume that decreases in response to displacement of the piston, a flow controller that controls flow of fluid between the first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, and a plug seat secured to the piston. A method of applying a jarring force can include applying a pressure differential across a plug in a jarring tool, the plug restricting flow from a first flow passage section to a second flow passage section, then increasing a flow rate of fluid from the first flow passage section. Another jarring tool can include an outer housing with a longitudinal flow passage and seal surfaces at opposite ends of the outer housing, and a flow obstruction, fluid flow through the flow passage being increased in response to application of a pressure differential across the obstruction.

Abstract: A method of treating each of multiple formation zones in a subterranean well can include isolating two of the zones from each other in the wellbore with a plug assembly positioned in the wellbore; treating one of the zones by flowing a treatment fluid through openings that provide fluid communication between the wellbore and one of the zones; then blocking flow through the openings; increasing pressure in the wellbore in response to the blocking; and opening the plug assembly in response to the pressure increasing. A well treatment system for treating each of multiple zones intersected by a wellbore can include multiple plug assemblies in the wellbore, each of the plug assemblies isolating a respective adjacent pair of the zones from each other in the wellbore. Each of the plug assemblies opens in response to a respective predetermined pressure differential applied across the plug assembly.

Abstract: A frac valve can include an outer housing with at least one port which provides for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the outer housing, and a sleeve releasably secured against displacement between a closed position in which the sleeve blocks flow through the port and an open position in which flow through the port is permitted. The sleeve may be press-fit in the outer housing as a result of the displacement. A method of operating a frac valve can include connecting the frac valve in a tubular string, and displacing a sleeve of the frac valve between closed and open positions. The displacing step can include deforming the sleeve and/or an outer housing of the frac valve, thereby preventing relative rotation between the sleeve and the outer housing.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean well can include positioning a flow restrictor in a wellbore that penetrates an interval of an earth formation, displacing the flow restrictor along the wellbore away from a surface of the well, preventing longitudinal displacement of the flow restrictor in the wellbore, introducing flow into a first section of the interval from a section of the wellbore between the flow restrictor and the surface, blocking the flow from the wellbore section into the first interval section, permitting longitudinal displacement of the flow restrictor in the wellbore, and displacing the flow restrictor along the wellbore away from the surface of the well, thereby permitting unrestricted flow from the wellbore section into a second section of the interval. The second interval section is farther along the wellbore from the surface than the first interval section.

Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.

Abstract: A system can include an annular restrictor connected in a tubular string. The annular restrictor restricts flow through an annulus formed between the tubular string and a wellbore. Restriction to the flow through the annulus biases the tubular string into the wellbore, and fluid in the wellbore displaces into the tubular string and/or a formation penetrated by the wellbore. A method can include connecting an annular restrictor in a tubular string, and flowing a fluid through an annulus formed between the tubular string and a wellbore, thereby causing a differential pressure across the annular restrictor, the differential pressure biasing the tubular string into the wellbore. Another method can include connecting an annular restrictor in a tubular string, flowing a fluid through an annulus, thereby biasing the tubular string into a wellbore, and then causing the annular restrictor to no longer restrict flow through the annulus.

Abstract: A method can include positioning a flow restrictor in a wellbore that penetrates a formation interval, then displacing the flow restrictor along the wellbore away from the surface, thereby permitting flow into an interval section from a wellbore section between the flow restrictor and the surface, blocking the flow from the wellbore section into the interval section, and displacing the flow restrictor away from the surface, thereby permitting flow from the wellbore section into another interval section farther along the wellbore from the surface. A system can include a flow restrictor that restricts flow through an annulus surrounding the flow restrictor, and plugging devices disposed in a wellbore section positioned between the flow restrictor and a surface of the well. Flow from the wellbore section into a formation interval section is permitted prior to being blocked by the plugging devices.

Abstract: A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the vessel, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the vessel, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the vessel, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the vessel.

Abstract: A method of releasing plugging devices into a wellbore can include conveying a dispensing tool to a desired downhole location in the wellbore, the dispensing tool including a container, and then releasing the plugging devices from the container into the wellbore at the downhole location. A plugging device dispensing system for use with a subterranean well can include a dispensing tool having a container configured for containing multiple plugging devices, and an actuator operable to release the plugging devices from the container at a downhole location in the well.

Abstract: A well completion method can comprise, in a single trip into a wellbore, the following steps being performed for each of multiple zones penetrated by the wellbore: abrasively perforating the zone with a tubing deployed perforating assembly, fracturing the perforated zone with flow from surface via a well annulus, and then plugging the fractured zone with a removable plug substance, the perforating assembly displacing in the wellbore while the fractured zone is being plugged. Another well completion method can comprise, in a single trip into a wellbore, the following steps being performed for each of multiple zones penetrated by the wellbore: perforating the zone using an abrasive perforator, then displacing the perforator in the wellbore away from the earth's surface, then fracturing the zone, and plugging the fractured zone with a flowable plug substance.

Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.

Abstract: A method can include deploying a diverter plug into a well, the diverter plug comprising a group of particles that are prevented from dispersing, flowing fluid, thereby conveying the diverter plug into engagement with a fluid passageway, the particles conforming to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway, and the particles being prevented from dispersing while the diverter plug blocks the fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The diverter plug can include a group of particles disposed within an outer enclosure. The particles in the enclosure can conform to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway. In another method, the enclosure can sealingly engage the fluid passageway while the particles remain disposed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A method can include conveying a dispensing tool through a wellbore, the dispensing tool including an enclosure containing plugging devices, and then opening the enclosure by cutting a material of the enclosure, thereby releasing the plugging devices from the enclosure into the wellbore at a downhole location. A dispensing tool can include a container having an enclosure therein, the enclosure including a flexible material that contains the plugging devices, and an end of the enclosure being secured to a member displaceable by an actuator. The enclosure material is cut in response to displacement of the member by the actuator. A plugging device can include at least one body configured to engage an opening in the well and block fluid flow through the opening, and multiple fibers including staple fibers or filaments formed into yarn.

Abstract: A method can include deploying a plugging device into a well, the plugging device including a body, and an outer material enveloping the body and having a greater flexibility than a material of the body, and conveying the plugging device by fluid flow into engagement with the opening, the body preventing the plugging device from extruding through the opening, and the outer material blocking the fluid flow between the body and the opening. In another method, the plugging device can include at least two bodies, and a washer element connected between the bodies, the washer element being generally disk-shaped and comprising a hole, a line extending through the hole and connected to the bodies on respective opposite sides of the washer element, the washer element preventing the plugging device from being conveyed through the opening, and the washer element blocking the fluid flow through the opening.