Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore are provided. The improved methods basically comprise the steps of placing a sand screen (e.g., screens, screened pipes, perforated liners, prepacked screens, etc.) in the wellbore adjacent the zone to be completed, positioning an alternate flowpath comprised of a plurality of blank (non-perforated) tube segments which are open at both ends in the annulus between the sand screen and the wellbore, isolating the annulus between the screen and the wellbore in the zone, and injecting particulate material into the annulus between the sand screen and the wellbore and into the zone, whereby the particulate material is uniformly packed into the annulus between the sand screen and the zone. The multiple flow paths are provided via a series of blank tubes (without intermediate openings) with each tube extending only a portion of the length of the zone to be completed.

Abstract: A well tool assembly interconnection method is provided. In a described embodiment, a continuous tubing string has connectors positioned corresponding to desired locations for tool assemblies in a well. The tubing string is wrapped on a reel and transported to a well. As the tubing string is deployed from the reel into the well, the tool assemblies are interconnected between the connectors.

Abstract: A well screen is provided which includes a line extending therethrough. In a described embodiment, the line may be a hydraulic line, an electric line, a fiber optic line, or another type of line, and the line may be embedded in a sidewall material of the well screen. The well screen may be wrapped about a reel as a part of a coiled tubing string, and the well screen may be expandable when deployed in a wellbore. In another embodiment, the line may be positioned between a filter media and an outer shroud of the well screen.

Abstract: An adjustable flow rate screen assembly and associated methods of completing a subterranean well provide variable flow rates through downhole sand control screens without restricting access to the well and without requiring overly restrictive screens to be utilized in gravel packing operations. In a preferred embodiment, a screen assembly has a tubular restrictor housing with a flow passage formed thereon, a tubular ported housing having ports formed radially therethrough and providing fluid communication with the flow passage, and a tubular selector sleeve with an opening formed radially therethrough and permitting fluid communication with a selected one of the ports.

Abstract: A travel joint and latching assembly is connected below a gravel pack service tool to set an isolation assembly while performing backwashing and gravel pack operations, in a single trip. The travel joint is protected against inadvertent expansion by a positive mechanical lock assembly which isolates and decouples mechanical loading forces which may arise during the setting of the packer and during gravel pack operations. Inadvertent set of the hydraulic packer during backwashing operations is prevented by a hydraulic setting tool which includes a shear sleeve and an expandable C-ring drop ball seat.

Abstract: A sintered metal screen is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sintered metal screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sintered metal sand screen may be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sintered metal screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve may be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting formation fluid from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sintered metal screen is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen.

Abstract: A sand screen having a plurality of sintered, substantially spherical plastic members covering a perforated mandrel is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sand screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sand screen can be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sand screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve can be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting production from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sand screen having a plurality of sintered, substantially spherical plastic members covering a perforated mandrel is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen.

Abstract: The flow apertures of a perforated mandrel are temporarily sealed by plugs which are made of a sacrificial material, for example, zinc, aluminum and magnesium. The sacrificial plugs prevent dirty completion fluid from passing through and in and out of the screen as it is run into the hole, thereby protecting the screen from plugging. During the time the screen mandrel is temporarily sealed by the sacrificial plugs, cleaning fluid is circulated through a work string and is returned through the annulus between the screen and the open well bore for removing filter cake, drilling debris and lost circulation material. After the annulus has been cleaned, the annulus is filled with an acid solution or caustic solution, which dissolves the sacrificial plugs. In an alternative embodiment, each sealing plug has a body portion and a stub portion which project into the mandrel bore. The sealing plug body portion is intersected by a vent pocket which is sealed by the stub portion.

Abstract: An earth well completion apparatus and method wherein a work string equipped for jet washing downhole filtration devices, such as well screens and for back washing said downhole filtration devices and containing multiple ball catcher subs which utilize the same drop ball to prevent the inadvertent operation of hydraulically powered tools as well as to permanently valve closed a portion of said work string is concentrically disposed in a production string and run in said well simultaneously. Said ball catcher sub which prevents the inadvertent actuation of said hydraulically operated tools is contained within the main fluid bore of said work string and has an expellable inner collar with an outwardly biased catcher ring which, when expelled, shears hollow shearable means thereby actuating said tool.

Abstract: A sintered metal screen is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sintered metal screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sintered metal sand screen can be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sintered metal screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve can be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting production from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sintered metal screen is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen.

Abstract: A perforating gun is supported from the lower end of a side pocket mandrel. The perforating gun includes a mechanical detonator which is received within the side pocket receptacle bore. The mechanical detonator is actuated in response to striking engagement by a kickover tool. The side pocket mandrel includes a longitudinal production bore which is connected in alignment with a string of production tubing. The perforating gun assembly is run in with the production tubing during initial installation of isolation packers, and the shoot is carried out while the well bore is in an underbalanced pressure condition.

Abstract: A compact, retrievable packer has a unitary mandrel body which is intersected by one or more longitudinal production bores. The running length of the packer is reduced and premature set/release are prevented by a lock assembly which releasably locks the lower setting wedge to the packer mandrel. The lock assembly includes one or more locking dogs mounted within mandrel pockets for radial extension and retraction. The locking dogs are extended into an annular slot formed between a retainer collar and the packer mandrel. The lower setting wedge is secured by threaded engagement with the retainer collar. When the locking dogs are extended, the lower setting wedge is blocked against longitudinal displacement, thereby opposing setting forces applied to anchor slips. The locking dogs are held in the locked position by brace rods which are releasably blocked by a shifting sleeve mounted in one of the packer mandrel bores.

Abstract: A compact, retrievable packer has a unitary mandrel body which is intersected by one or more longitudinal bores. The effective running length of the packer is reduced by an improved arrangement of packer components which serve multiple functions. The hydraulic actuator includes a cylinder housing which also serves as an internal slip housing, a lower element retainer, a piston extension, and a part of the release apparatus. A release sleeve serves as a part of the release apparatus, as a mandrel for engaging a locking slip, and forms a fixed boundary of the hydraulic pressure chamber. The effective running length of the packer is further reduced by making the upper wedge for reacting the setting forces as an integral part of the packer mandrel body.

Abstract: A jarring apparatus for use with an electric line for upward jarring of a tool element stuck in an oil well including a tubular member having a tool element attached to its lower end. A hammer disposed in the tubular member is attached to a cylindrical rod for motion therewith by an electric line disposed through a longitudinal bore in the rod and is moved from a first configuration upwards to a second configuration by a quick, generally upward motion of the electric line toward an opposed anvil included with the tubular member, the quick generally upward motion of the cylindrical rod from its first configuration to its second configuration rapidly moving the hammer to strike against the anvil to provide a generally upward jarring action which is transmitted to jar the element in a generally upward direction. If the jarring does not loosen the stuck tool, disconnect means are provided for leaving the tubular member and tool element in the well but retrieving the electric line.

Abstract: A device for guiding the lower end of a pipe string, or the like, past an upwardly facing shoulder in a well in which rotation of the pipe string is prohibited. When the guiding device lodges on such shoulder, the pipe string is lifted and lowered a few times, this reciprocating action actuating an indexing mechanism in the guide tool and causing the lower end of the guide tool to rotate so that a slanted guide surface thereon is brought around to the point of lodging to dislodge the guide tool from the shoulder and guide the pipe string therepast.

Abstract: An apparatus or tool for applying tension to a tubing string. The tool comprises a housing and a sleeve within the housing. One end of the housing is attached to the tubing string and the opposite end of the sleeve is attached to the tubing string. Hydraulic fluid pressure acts upon a piston carried by the sleeve to contract the sleeve relative to the housing and apply tension to the tubing string. The hydraulic tubing tensioner can be used to apply tension to tubing between two packers or to apply tension to a tubing string extending from a downhole packer to the well surface.