Abstract: An interval can be divided into zones by inserting a series of plugs that register with specific profiles at predetermined intervals along a section of pipe. Each plug supports a releasable perforating gun that can release from the plug and perforate an interval for treatment such as fracturing or acidizing. A subsequent plug then isolates the just treated zone and the process is repeated working up toward the surface. When the full interval is treated the plugs can then be removed by making their cores disappear using a reaction or dissolving techniques. Mechanical alternative that push all the plugs to hole bottom or that retrieve them together or individually are possible alternative techniques for removal of the plugs from the treated interval before production is initiated.

Abstract: A dissolvable tool includes a body having at least a portion configured to dissolve in a fluid, and a barrier connected to the body. The barrier is configured to slidably fluidically seal to a structure that the body and the barrier are movable within to maintain a volume of the fluid between the barrier and the body while the barrier and the body are moved through the structure.

Abstract: A shifting sleeve has differential piston areas so that applied pressure displaces the sleeve against spring bias, which preferably is a series of Belleville washer stacks associated with modular mandrel components, to obtain the desired opposing force to the movement initiated with pressure applied to differential piston areas. An indexing feature is located between the sleeve and the mandrel passage wall and on a predetermined number of cycles disables the Belleville washer stacks from biasing the sleeve in an opposed direction as when pressure is applied. At this time the pressure in the mandrel acting on the differential piston area simply shifts the sleeve to open a lateral port so that fracturing through the cement that was earlier placed with the port closed can take place.

Abstract: The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A running string and setting tool that creates relative movement deliver the plug and pull on its lower end while holding the top stationary against a backing plate. The container is pulled into itself as the radial dimension grows for the set. There can be a mandrel that remains in position and can lock to the backing plate or alternatively there can be no mandrel or a removable mandrel. The porous container can be removed in a variety of ways to let the solid material escape to be removed with fluid circulating in the wellbore. Alternatively the mandrel can be undermined to let the solid material escape for recovery.

Abstract: The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A swage is moved through a passage in the container to enlarge the passage and move the container to a borehole wall. The passage is then closed such as with a flapper valve or by moving in a mandrel into the expanded passage and lodging the mandrel in the expanded passage. Various release techniques are described.

Abstract: Methods for preparing a wellbore casing for stimulation operations comprise the steps of cementing a wellbore casing in a wellbore, the wellbore casing having a downhole tool comprising a valve and an apparatus for restricting fluid flow through the valve, such as a ball seat, disposed above the valve. Actuation of the valve opens the valve to establish fluid communication between the wellbore casing and the formation. A plug element is disposed on a seat of the ball seat and a casing pressure test is performed. The plug element then dissolves or disintegrates over time increasing fluid communication between the wellbore casing and the formation, thereby preparing the wellbore casing for stimulation operations without additional wellbore intervention after the casing pressure test. In certain embodiments, during or after dissolution of the plug element, clean-out of the bore of the valve is performed by the plug element.

Abstract: An interval can be divided into zones by inserting a series of plugs that register with specific profiles at predetermined intervals along a section of pipe. Each plug supports a releasable perforating gun that can release from the plug and perforate an interval for treatment such as fracturing or acidizing. A subsequent plug then isolates the just treated zone and the process is repeated working up toward the surface. When the full interval is treated the plugs can then be removed by making their cores disappear using a reaction or dissolving techniques. Mechanical alternative that push all the plugs to hole bottom or that retrieve them together or individually are possible alternative techniques for removal of the plugs from the treated interval before production is initiated.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically prioritizing a plurality of customer requirements. A request for fulfilling a product-modifying customer requirement is received. Prioritization data associated with the customer requirement is obtained. The prioritization data includes revenue opportunity sizes, time constraints, the request's age, and indications of whether the product requires an operating system included in a predefined strategic operating system list and whether revenue associated with a business opportunity is lost if the request is rejected. Component scores for customer requirement-related variables are determined by evaluating formulas that include the variables. Evaluating the formulas includes applying weights to the variables and substituting the prioritization data for the variables. A priority score for prioritizing the customer requirement relative to other customer requirements is automatically determined by summing the component scores.

Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. The seat comprises an arcuate member comprising a plurality of slits defining a plurality of segment members having a gap there-between. Each of the gaps are variable such that movement of segment members inwardly causes the gaps to be narrowed or closed off completely when a plug element is disposed into the bore and landed on the arcuate member to move the arcuate member from the first position to the second position, causing restriction of fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit.

Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element support member has a retracted position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and an extended position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the plug element support member from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically prioritizing a plurality of customer requirements. A request for fulfilling a product-modifying customer requirement is received. Prioritization data associated with the customer requirement is obtained. The prioritization data includes revenue opportunity sizes, time constraints, the request's age, and indications of whether the product requires an operating system included in a predefined strategic operating system list and whether revenue associated with a business opportunity is lost if the request is rejected. Component scores for customer requirement-related variables are determined by evaluating formulas that include the variables. Evaluating the formulas includes applying weights to the variables and substituting the prioritization data for the variables. A priority score for prioritizing the customer requirement relative to other customer requirements is automatically determined by summing the component scores.

Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. The seat comprises an arcuate member comprising a plurality of slits defining a plurality of segment members having a gap there-between. Each of the gaps are variable such that movement of segment members inwardly causes the gaps to be narrowed or closed off completely when a plug element is disposed into the bore and landed on the arcuate member to move the arcuate member from the first position to the second position, causing restriction of fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit.

Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element support member has a retracted position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and an extended position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the plug element support member from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.

Abstract: A zero dead volume (ZDV) microbore high performance liquid chromatography (.mu.HPLC)/Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) interface flow cell includes an IR transparent crystal having a small diameter bore therein through which a sample liquid is passed. The interface flow cell further includes a metal holder in combination with a pair of inner, compressible seals for directly coupling the thus configured spectrometric flow cell to the outlet of a .mu.HPLC column end fitting to minimize the transfer volume of the effluents exiting the .mu.HPLC column which exhibit excellent flow characteristics due to the essentially unencumbered, open-flow design. The IR beam passes transverse to the sample flow through the circular bore within the IR transparent crystal, which is preferably comprised of potassium bromide (KBr) or calcium fluoride (CaF.sub.2), so as to minimize interference patterns and vignetting encountered in conventional parallel-plate IR cells.