Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus includes a base pipe having at least one opening in a sidewall portion thereof. A fluid filtration subassembly is positioned exteriorly of the base pipe and is in fluid communication with the at least one opening of the base pipe. The fluid filtration subassembly extends partially circumferentially around the base pipe and has at least two circumferential terminuses defining a circumferential gap therebetween. A slurry delivery subassembly is positioned exteriorly of the base pipe and at least partially within the circumferential gap.

Abstract: A method of securing connections in well screens can include engaging a resilient ring with recesses formed in respective well screen connectors, the ring including projections extending from respective opposite ends of the ring, and disengaging the resilient ring from one of the recesses by relative displacement between the projections. A well screen connection can include well screen connectors, and a resilient ring received in annular recesses formed in the respective well screen connectors, projections extend from opposite ends of the ring and are received in an opening formed through a wall of one of the connectors, and the projections received in the opening prevent rotation of the ring relative to that connector.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system includes a flow control assembly having a fluid flow path for a flowing fluid. First and second flow control components are disposed in parallel in the fluid flow path, the first having a positive flowrate response to decreasing fluid viscosity and the second having a negative flowrate response to decreasing fluid viscosity. A valve is disposed in the fluid flow path in downstream series with the first and second flow control components. The valve has first and second inlet paths for fluid from the first and second flow control components, respectively, such that decreasing the fluid viscosity of the flowing fluid increases a ratio of the flowrate through the first control component to the flowrate through the second flow control component and such that when the ratio reaches a predetermined level, the valve autonomously shifts from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: A shunt tube assembly comprises a shunt tube and a jumper tube comprising a first end. The shunt tube comprises a non-round cross section, and the first end of the jumper tube is coupled to the shunt tube at a coupling. The first end of the jumper tube comprises a substantially round cross section at the coupling.

Abstract: A method of gravel packing comprises passing a slurry through a first shunt tube, passing the slurry through a coupling, and disposing the slurry about a well screen assembly below the coupling. The first shunt tube comprises a first cross-sectional shape along its length, and the coupling comprises a coupling between the first shunt tube and a jumper tube. The jumper tube comprises a substantially round cross-section at the coupling.

Abstract: A shunt tube assembly comprises a plurality of shunt tubes, a jumper tube, and a coupling member configured to provide fluid communication between the jumper tube and the plurality of shunt tubes. The coupling member can comprise a first end and a second end. The coupling member may be configured to provide a sealing engagement between the coupling member and the jumper tube at the first end, and the coupling member may be configured to provide a sealing engagement between the coupling member and the plurality of jumper tubes at the second end.

Abstract: A method of securing connections in well screens can include engaging a resilient ring with recesses formed in respective well screen connectors, the ring including projections extending from respective opposite ends of the ring, and disengaging the resilient ring from one of the recesses by relative displacement between the projections. A well screen connection can include well screen connectors, and a resilient ring received in annular recesses formed in the respective well screen connectors, projections extend from opposite ends of the ring and are received in an opening formed through a wall of one of the connectors, and the projections received in the opening prevent rotation of the ring relative to that connector.

Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus has first and second joints each including a sand control screen assembly having a filter medium positioned exteriorly of a base pipe and a slurry delivery subassembly positioned exteriorly of the sand control screen assembly. Each slurry delivery subassembly includes a transport tube extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the sand control screen assembly. A jumper tube extends between and is sealably coupled to the transport tube of the first joint and the transport tube of the second joint. A first locking assembly is positioned between the jumper tube and the transport tube of the first joint and a second locking assembly is positioned between the jumper tube and the transport tube of the second joint.

Abstract: Check valve assemblies operable to inject treatment fluids during stimulation operations are described. One check valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inlet, one or more discharge ports, and a cylindrical passageway fluidly communicating the inlet with the one or more discharge ports, the valve body further defining a valve body seat within the passageway. A valve cap is configured to be coupled to the valve body and defines an opening therein that fluidly communicates with the cylindrical passageway, the valve cap further providing a valve cap seat. A spherical piston is disposed within the passageway and movable between a closed configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve body seat and an open configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve cap seat and allows fluid communication between the inlet and the one or more discharge ports.

Abstract: Check valve assemblies operable to inject treatment fluids during stimulation operations are described. One check valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inlet, one or more discharge ports, and a cylindrical passageway fluidly communicating the inlet with the one or more discharge ports, the valve body further defining a valve body seat within the passageway. A valve cap is configured to be coupled to the valve body and defines an opening therein that fluidly communicates with the cylindrical passageway, the valve cap further providing a valve cap seat. A spherical piston is disposed within the passageway and movable between a closed configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve body seat and an open configuration where the spherical piston engages the valve cap seat and allows fluid communication between the inlet and the one or more discharge ports.

Abstract: A shunt tube assembly comprises a shunt tube and a jumper tube comprising a first end. The shunt tube comprises a non-round cross section, and the first end of the jumper tube is coupled to the shunt tube at a coupling. The first end of the jumper tube comprises a substantially round cross section at the coupling.

Abstract: A shunt tube entry device comprises one or more inlet ports, a shroud disposed at least partially about a wellbore tubular, and a shunt tube in fluid communication with the chamber. The shroud defines a chamber between the shroud and the wellbore tubular, and the chamber is in fluid communication with the one or more entry ports.

Abstract: Disclosed are check valve assemblies operable to inject treatment fluids during stimulation operations. One check valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inlet, one or more discharge ports, and a cylindrical passageway that fluidly communicates the inlet with the one or more discharge ports, the valve body further providing a cylindrical section in which the one or more discharge ports are defined, a valve cap disposed about an exterior of the cylindrical section and defining an opening that fluidly communicates with the cylindrical passageway, and a spherical piston disposed within the passageway and movable between a closed configuration, where the spherical piston prevents fluid communication between the inlet and the one or more discharge ports, and an open configuration, where fluid communication is allowed between the inlet and the one or more discharge ports.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a flow path between the interior of a base pipe and a filter medium. A valve assembly, including a valve plug, a ball retainer, and a piston body with a collet assembly is disposed within the flow path in an opening of a housing disposed about the base pipe. The collet assembly is radially outwardly constrained by a radially reduced section of the opening in a first position preventing entry of the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained by the radially reduced section in a second position. Reverse flow is initially prevented as internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on a seat of the opening and causes the piston body to shift to the second position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, external differential pressure causes the valve plug to enter the piston body and contact the ball retainer, thereby allowing reverse flow.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for well stimulation operations. The check valve assembly includes a valve body having an axially extending passageway including an inlet and a valve body seat. The valve body has a discharge port extending laterally from the passageway. A valve cap slidably engages with the valve body and has an opening with a valve cap seat. A piston is disposed within the passageway. In a closed position, a first sealing surface of the piston engages the valve body seat to prevent fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. In an open position, a second sealing surface of the piston engages the valve cap seat allowing fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. A spring disposed within the passageway between the piston and the valve cap biases the piston toward the closed position.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a fluid flow path between the interior of a base pipe and a filter medium. A valve assembly, including a piston body, a valve plug and a ball retainer having an opening, is disposed within the fluid flow path. The piston body has an internal seat and a collet assembly that is radially outwardly constrained by the ball retainer in a first operating position to retain the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained by the ball retainer in a second operating position. Reverse flow is initially prevented as internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on the internal seat and causes the piston body to shift to the second operating position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, external differential pressure causes the valve plug to be expelled from the valve assembly through the opening of the ball retainer, thereby no longer preventing reverse flow.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a flow path between the interior of a base pipe and a filter medium. A valve assembly, including a valve plug, a ball retainer and a piston body with a collet assembly is disposed within the flow path in an opening of a housing disposed about the base pipe. The collet assembly is radially outwardly constrained by a radially reduced section of the opening in a first position preventing entry of the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained by the radially reduced section in a second position. Reverse flow is initially prevented as internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on a seat of the opening and causes the piston body to shift to the second position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, external differential pressure causes the valve plug to enter the piston body and contact the ball retainer, thereby allowing reverse flow.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for well stimulation operations. The check valve assembly includes a valve body having an axially extending passageway including an inlet and a valve body seat. The valve body has a discharge port extending laterally from the passageway. A valve cap slidably engages with the valve body and has an opening with a valve cap seat. A piston is disposed within the passageway. In a closed position, a first sealing surface of the piston engages the valve body seat to prevent fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. In an open position, a second sealing surface of the piston engages the valve cap seat allowing fluid communication between the inlet and the discharge port. A spring disposed within the passageway between the piston and the valve cap biases the piston toward the closed position.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a fluid flow path between the interior of a base pipe and a filter medium. A valve assembly, including a piston body, a valve plug and a ball retainer having an opening, is disposed within the fluid flow path. The piston body has an internal seat and a collet assembly that is radially outwardly constrained by the ball retainer in a first operating position to retain the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained by the ball retainer in a second operating position. Reverse flow is initially prevented as internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on the internal seat and causes the piston body to shift to the second operating position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, external differential pressure causes the valve plug to be expelled from the valve assembly through the opening of the ball retainer, thereby no longer preventing reverse flow.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a fluid flow path between a perforated section of a base pipe and a filter medium positioned around a blank pipe section of the base pipe. A valve assembly, including a piston body and a valve plug, is disposed within the fluid flow path. The piston body has an internal seat and a collet assembly that is radially outwardly constrained in a first operating position of the piston body to retain the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained in a second operating position of the piston body. Reverse flow is initially prevented as an internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on the internal seat and causes the piston body to shift to the second operating position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, an external differential pressure causes the valve plug to be expelled through the collet assembly, thereby no longer preventing reverse flow.