Abstract: A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore. The method includes accessing a wellbore, with the wellbore having an annulus disposed between first and second strings of casing. The method also includes placing a column of cement around the second string of casing generally below the first string of casing. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture into the annulus, forming a fluid column. The fluid mixture comprises a carrier fluid, and a plurality of compressible particles dispersed in the carrier fluid. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to partially collapse in response to thermal expansion of the fluid mixture. The method also includes placing a wellhead over the wellbore, thereby forming a trapped annulus in the wellbore. The method additionally includes at least partially sealing the annular region along at least one depth above the column of cement to inhibit vertical migration of the compressible particles.

Abstract: Test systems and methods for evaluating erosion of a test sample. The test systems include a particulate distribution structure configured to receive a supplied particulate stream and to discharge a distributed particulate stream. The test systems also include a particulate acceleration structure configured to receive the distributed particulate stream and to generate an accelerated particulate stream. The test systems further include a test sample fixture configured to hold the test sample at a test sample location positioned such that the accelerated particulate stream is incident upon the test sample location. The methods include methods of operating the test systems.

Abstract: A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore. The method includes accessing a wellbore, with the wellbore having an annulus disposed between first and second strings of casing. The method also includes placing a column of cement around the second string of casing generally below the first string of casing. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture into the annulus, forming a fluid column. The fluid mixture comprises a carrier fluid, and a plurality of compressible particles dispersed in the carrier fluid. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to partially collapse in response to thermal expansion of the fluid mixture. The method also includes placing a wellhead over the wellbore, thereby forming a trapped annulus in the wellbore. The method additionally includes at least partially sealing the annular region along at least one depth above the column of cement to inhibit vertical migration of the compressible particles.

Abstract: A method of reducing erosional peak velocity includes arranging a sand control screen assembly in an open hole section of a wellbore, the sand control screen assembly including a base pipe defining a plurality of flow ports, a sand screen arranged about the base pipe, and a wellbore isolation device deployed within an annulus defined between the sand control screen assembly and an inner wall of the wellbore. A fluid from a surrounding subterranean formation is circulated within the annulus, and the fluid within the annulus is diverted through the sand screen and into the base pipe upon approaching the wellbore isolation device. A peak velocity of the fluid flowing through the sand screen is reduced with a peak flux reducing assembly arranged axially adjacent the wellbore isolation device.

Abstract: Test systems and methods for evaluating erosion of a test sample. The test systems include a particulate distribution structure configured to receive a supplied particulate stream and to discharge a distributed particulate stream. The test systems also include a particulate acceleration structure configured to receive the distributed particulate stream and to generate an accelerated particulate stream. The test systems further include a test sample fixture configured to hold the test sample at a test sample location positioned such that the accelerated particulate stream is incident upon the test sample location. The methods include methods of operating the test systems.

Abstract: A method of reducing erosional peak velocity includes arranging a sand control screen assembly in an open hole section of a wellbore, the sand control screen assembly including a base pipe defining a plurality of flow ports, a sand screen arranged about the base pipe, and a wellbore isolation device deployed within an annulus defined between the sand control screen assembly and an inner wall of the wellbore. A fluid from a surrounding subterranean formation is circulated within the annulus, and the fluid within the annulus is diverted through the sand screen and into the base pipe upon approaching the wellbore isolation device. A peak velocity of the fluid flowing through the sand screen is reduced with a peak flux reducing assembly arranged axially adjacent the wellbore isolation device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for secondary sealing of a perforation present within a wellbore casing associated with a primary sealing agent. The wellbore casing defines a casing conduit present within a wellbore that extends between a surface region and a subterranean formation. The systems and methods include a sealing apparatus that retains a charge of sealing material with a secondary sealing agent and is conveyed within the casing conduit to within a threshold distance of the perforation. The systems and methods further include selectively releasing the charge of sealing material from the sealing apparatus, such as by a release mechanism, to deliver the charge of sealing material to the perforation, to supplement the primary sealing agent (and/or a seal formed thereby), and/or to decrease a flow rate of a fluid from the casing conduit through the perforation.

Abstract: A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.

Abstract: A well screen system having enhanced resistance to erosion, including a tubular defined by a circumferential wall having an outer surface and a first plurality of apertures circumferentially disposed longitudinally along at least a portion thereof, the first plurality of apertures extending radially through the circumferential wall; a series of circumferential channels positioned about the outer surface of the circumferential wall; a plurality of longitudinal ribs positioned adjacent the series of circumferential channels and extending radially therefrom, the plurality of longitudinal ribs forming a series of longitudinal channels; and a wire helically disposed around the tubular, substantially enclosing the series of circumferential channels and the series of longitudinal channels, wherein the series of circumferential channels is structured and arranged to permit fluid communication with the series of longitudinal channels.

Abstract: Drag-enhancing structures for downhole operations are included in a downhole assembly that further includes a tool string, extends past a maximum transverse perimeter of the tool string, and increases resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly when the downhole assembly is pumped in a downhole direction within a wellbore conduit. The systems and methods include conveying the downhole assembly in the downhole direction within the wellbore conduit. The systems and methods further may include decreasing the resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly after the downhole assembly is located within a target region of the wellbore conduit and/or flowing a sealing material past the downhole assembly while the downhole assembly is located within the wellbore conduit.

Abstract: Drag-enhancing structures for downhole operations are included in a downhole assembly that further includes a tool string, extends past a maximum transverse perimeter of the tool string, and increases resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly when the downhole assembly is pumped in a downhole direction within a wellbore conduit. The systems and methods include conveying the downhole assembly in the downhole direction within the wellbore conduit. The systems and methods further may include decreasing the resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly after the downhole assembly is located within a target region of the wellbore conduit and/or flowing a sealing material past the downhole assembly while the downhole assembly is located within the wellbore conduit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for secondary sealing of a perforation present within a wellbore casing associated with a primary sealing agent. The wellbore casing defines a casing conduit present within a wellbore that extends between a surface region and a subterranean formation. The systems and methods include a sealing apparatus that retains a charge of sealing material with a secondary sealing agent and is conveyed within the casing conduit to within a threshold distance of the perforation. The systems and methods further include selectively releasing the charge of sealing material from the sealing apparatus, such as by a release mechanism, to deliver the charge of sealing material to the perforation, to supplement the primary sealing agent (and/or a seal formed thereby), and/or to decrease a flow rate of a fluid from the casing conduit through the perforation.

Abstract: A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.