Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes a whipstock having a latch release mechanism and a milling tool having a plurality of blades and a lock mechanism. The BHA also includes a collar coupled to the whipstock and disposed about a portion of the milling tool, wherein the blades of the milling tool abut the collar. The milling tool is releasably coupled to the whipstock by the interaction of the latch release mechanism and the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for use in a subterranean well can include a whipstock, a mill releasably secured to the whipstock, an antenna, and a release mechanism configured to release the mill from the whipstock in response to a predetermined radio frequency signal received by the antenna. A method can include positioning a bottom hole assembly in a well, the bottom hole assembly including a mill and a whipstock releasably secured to the mill, and then releasing the mill from the whipstock by displacing a radio frequency identification tag into the bottom hole assembly. A well system can include a bottom hole assembly comprising an anchor, a whipstock and a mill, and a radio frequency identification tag displaceable with fluid flow into the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes a whipstock having a latch release mechanism and a milling tool having a plurality of blades and a lock mechanism. The BHA also includes a collar coupled to the whipstock and disposed about a portion of the milling tool, wherein the blades of the milling tool abut the collar. The milling tool is releasably coupled to the whipstock by the interaction of the latch release mechanism and the lock mechanism.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly can include a mill and a whipstock having an upper end and an opening. A retractable pin extends from the mill into the opening. A section of the whipstock is separable from the whipstock in response to a force applied to the mill. The section is positioned between the opening and the upper end. A method can include positioning a bottom hole assembly in a well, the bottom hole assembly including a whipstock releasably secured to a mill, and then releasing the mill from the whipstock by separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock. Another method can include conveying a bottom hole assembly into a well, setting an anchor, then applying pressure to a hydraulic release mechanism, and then applying a force to the mill, thereby separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for use in a subterranean well can include a whipstock, a mill releasably secured to the whipstock, an antenna, and a release mechanism configured to release the mill from the whipstock in response to a predetermined radio frequency signal received by the antenna. A method can include positioning a bottom hole assembly in a well, the bottom hole assembly including a mill and a whipstock releasably secured to the mill, and then releasing the mill from the whipstock by displacing a radio frequency identification tag into the bottom hole assembly. A well system can include a bottom hole assembly comprising an anchor, a whipstock and a mill, and a radio frequency identification tag displaceable with fluid flow into the bottom hole assembly.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly can include a mill and a whipstock having an upper end and an opening. A retractable pin extends from the mill into the opening. A section of the whipstock is separable from the whipstock in response to a force applied to the mill. The section is positioned between the opening and the upper end. A method can include positioning a bottom hole assembly in a well, the bottom hole assembly including a whipstock releasably secured to a mill, and then releasing the mill from the whipstock by separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock. Another method can include conveying a bottom hole assembly into a well, setting an anchor, then applying pressure to a hydraulic release mechanism, and then applying a force to the mill, thereby separating a section of the whipstock from a remainder of the whipstock.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes a whipstock having a latch release mechanism and a milling tool having a plurality of blades and a lock mechanism. The BHA also includes a collar coupled to the whipstock and disposed about a portion of the milling tool, wherein the blades of the milling tool abut the collar. The milling tool is releasably coupled to the whipstock by the interaction of the latch release mechanism and the lock mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for releasing a downhole tool of a BHA from a whipstock in a wellbore include a latch release mechanism disposed on a whipstock. The latch release mechanism has a latch actuator and a latch member. The latch actuator has a switch and an actuator piston disposed in housing having an inlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the actuator piston. The switch has first, intermediate, and second configurations. Fluid communication between the inlet and the actuator piston is blocked when the switch is in the first and intermediate configurations, and the fluid communication is unblocked when the switch is in the second configuration. The actuator piston is coupled to the latch member and configured to move the latch member out of engagement with a lock mechanism of the downhole tool in response to fluid communication from the inlet when the switch is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an anchor for use downhole. In one embodiment, the anchor includes an upper portion and a lower portion. In a run-in position, the anchor has a smaller outer diameter and in a set position, the anchor has a larger outer diameter. A slip assembly includes at least one slip, the slip having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for releasing a downhole tool of a BHA from a whipstock in a wellbore include a latch release mechanism disposed on a whipstock. The latch release mechanism has a latch actuator and a latch member. The latch actuator has a switch and an actuator piston disposed in housing having an inlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the actuator piston. The switch has first, intermediate, and second configurations. Fluid communication between the inlet and the actuator piston is blocked when the switch is in the first and intermediate configurations, and the fluid communication is unblocked when the switch is in the second configuration. The actuator piston is coupled to the latch member and configured to move the latch member out of engagement with a lock mechanism of the downhole tool in response to fluid communication from the inlet when the switch is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seal element can include depositing a seal element material from an instrument at a location of the seal element, and depositing another seal element material from the instrument at another location of the seal element, the seal element materials being different from each other. A sealing system can include a seal element, the seal element having at least one seal element material about at least one void in the seal element, the seal element material enclosing the void. Another sealing system can include a seal element, the seal element having multiple different seal element materials deposited at respective multiple different locations in the seal element. Properties or characteristics may gradually change or vary from one seal element material to another seal element material in the seal element. The seal element materials may each include the same basic matrix material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gripping element can include depositing a gripping element material, and thereby gradually building up the gripping element and forming a gripping surface thereon, the gripping surface being configured to grippingly engage a well surface. A gripping system can include at least one extendable gripping element configured to grip a well surface, and the gripping element including a gripping element material enclosing one or more voids in the gripping element. Another gripping system can include at least one extendable gripping element having a gripping surface configured to grip a well surface, and the gripping element including at least two gripping element materials deposited to form the gripping element. Properties or characteristics may gradually change or vary from one gripping element material to another gripping element material in the gripping element. The gripping element materials may each include the same basic matrix material.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a well includes a tubular mandrel configured to connect to a downhole assembly. An outer hub is configured to attach to a wellhead and has a bore therethrough. An inner housing is disposed on the tubular mandrel and configured to attach the outer hub to the wellhead. A clutch assembly is disposed within the bore of the outer hub and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the tubular mandrel is rotatable relative to the inner housing to operate the downhole assembly in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seal element can include depositing a seal element material from an instrument at a location of the seal element, and depositing another seal element material from the instrument at another location of the seal element, the seal element materials being different from each other. A sealing system can include a seal element, the seal element having at least one seal element material about at least one void in the seal element, the seal element material enclosing the void. Another sealing system can include a seal element, the seal element having multiple different seal element materials deposited at respective multiple different locations in the seal element. Properties or characteristics may gradually change or vary from one seal element material to another seal element material in the seal element. The seal element materials may each include the same basic matrix material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gripping element can include depositing a gripping element material, and thereby gradually building up the gripping element and forming a gripping surface thereon, the gripping surface being configured to grippingly engage a well surface. A gripping system can include at least one extendable gripping element configured to grip a well surface, and the gripping element including a gripping element material enclosing one or more voids in the gripping element. Another gripping system can include at least one extendable gripping element having a gripping surface configured to grip a well surface, and the gripping element including at least two gripping element materials deposited to form the gripping element. Properties or characteristics may gradually change or vary from one gripping element material to another gripping element material in the gripping element. The gripping element materials may each include the same basic matrix material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an anchor for use downhole. In one embodiment, the anchor includes an upper portion and a lower portion. In a run-in position, the anchor has a smaller outer diameter and in a set position, the anchor has a larger outer diameter. A slip assembly includes at least one slip, the slip having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anchor and rotatable relative to the anchor along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a well includes a tubular mandrel configured to connect to a downhole assembly. An outer hub is configured to attach to a wellhead and has a bore therethrough. An inner housing is disposed on the tubular mandrel and configured to attach the outer hub to the wellhead. A clutch assembly is disposed within the bore of the outer hub and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the tubular mandrel is rotatable relative to the inner housing to operate the downhole assembly in the unlocked position.