Abstract: A method of isolating annular areas formed by multiple well casings can include providing fluid communication through a wall of one of the casings at a location where another one of the casings outwardly surrounds the first casing, then flowing a cement into an annulus formed radially between the first and second casings, then providing fluid communication through the wall of the first casing and a wall of the second casing, and then flowing another cement into another annulus external to the second casing. A method of abandoning a well can include perforating a casing at a location where another casing outwardly surrounds the first casing, flowing a cement into an annulus formed radially between the first and second casings, the cement including a tracer, perforating the first and second casings, and flowing another cement into another annulus external to the second casing, the second cement including a second tracer.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid loss from a wellbore comprises the steps of: installing a completion string including a well screen and a fluid loss control device in the wellbore; then installing a production string in the wellbore; then engaging the production string with the completion string; and then operating the fluid loss control device by varying pressure in a fluid passage. A well system comprises a completion string including a fluid loss control device, a packer and a well screen, the packer being positioned between the fluid loss control device and the screen; and a production string including another packer and engaged with the completion string, the fluid loss control device being positioned longitudinally between the packers, and the fluid loss control device being operable in response to variation of pressure in a fluid passage.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly useful in hydrocarbon well completion. The gun is assembled in a carrier made from straight walled tubing as a primary structural member with complementary male and female threads cut into opposite ends so that gun assemblies may be directly connected together. The male coupling includes a reinforcing sleeve threaded into an internal thread. An alignment pin is positioned in the carrier extending through the reinforcing ring and into the interior of the carrier. A charge assembly includes a charge holder tube with upper and lower alignment fixtures. The lower alignment fixture includes an alignment slot for mating with the alignment pin and a shoulder for supporting the charge assembly on the sleeve. The upper alignment fixture has an alignment pin for mating with an alignment slot in the carrier. A retainer ring may be threaded into the upper female threads to prevent removal of the charge assembly from the carrier.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly useful in hydrocarbon well completion. The gun is assembled in a carrier made from straight walled tubing as a primary structural member with complementary male and female threads cut into opposite ends so that gun assemblies may be directly connected together. The male coupling includes a reinforcing sleeve threaded into an internal thread. An alignment pin is positioned in the carrier extending through the reinforcing ring and into the interior of the carrier. A charge assembly includes a charge holder tube with upper and lower alignment fixtures. The lower alignment fixture includes an alignment slot for mating with the alignment pin and a shoulder for supporting the charge assembly on the sleeve. The upper alignment fixture has an alignment pin for mating with an alignment slot in the carrier. A retainer ring may be threaded into the upper female threads to prevent removal of the charge assembly from the carrier.

Abstract: The present disclosure suggests a method to remove well bore fluid from the path of a shaped-charge jet in order to reduce the effect it has on the jet tip. This most preferred embodiment uses a precursor liner and a primary liner both pressed in the same housing. In the most preferred embodiment, the primary liner is similar or equivalent to a standard big hole shaped charge liner. The precursor liner is pressed into the apex end of the primary liner and upon detonation is intended to form an initial very fast moving precursor jet to open a path through the fluid of the well bore annulus for the following primary jet. In the preferred embodiment the precursor liner is made from different material, preferably a less dense material and/or a material having a higher sound speed, than the material forming the primary liner.