Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter couples a surgical instrument and an instrument carriage. The instrument sterile adapter includes an instrument plate that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument and a latch plate joined to the instrument plate. The latch plate includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate and an instrument latch arm joined to the carriage latch arm. The instrument latch arm extends through the instrument plate and away from the first surface of the instrument plate. A connecting member flexibly connects the carriage latch arm and the instrument latch arm to a remainder of the latch plate. The connecting member may be perpendicular to the latch arms. The latch arms may engage fixed locking surfaces in the instrument carriage and the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method for forming a gravel pack in a washed-out interval is provided where a borehole penetrates an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole. After perforating the boreholes's casing at a washed-out interval of the formation, sand is introduced into the interval. Afterwards, an aqueous silicate slug is injected into said interval. Next, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible hydrocarbonaceous liquid is introduced into the interval. Thereafter, a water-miscible organic solvent slug, containing an alkylpolysilicate and an inorganic or organic salt or a chelated calcium mixture, is injected into the interval. A permeability retaining silicate cement is formed in the interval thereby making a gravel pack.

Abstract: A method for gravel packing perforations in a wellbore where an acid is directed into the perforations so as to dissolve formation fines in channels contained in said perforations. The acid is of a strength sufficient to dissolve said fines. After the fines are dissolved, a sand consolidation agent is introduced into the perforations before the channels can be filled with formation fines. The consolidation agent remains in the perforations for a time sufficient to form a cement in situ which cement has permeability retentive characteristics. The cement forms pores of a size sufficient to exclude formation fines from the wellbore. Thereafter, a substantially fines free hydrocarbonaceous fluid is produced from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for gravel packing perforations in a wellbore where an acid is directed into the perforations so as to dissolve formation fines in channels contained in said perforations. The acid is of a strength sufficient to dissolve said fines. After the fines are dissolved, a three slug sand consolidating agent is introduced into the perforations before the channels can be filled with formation fines. The consolidating agent remains in the perforations for a time sufficient to form a silicate cement in situ which cement has permeability retentive characteristics. The cement forms pores of a size sufficient to exclude formation fines from the wellbore. Thereafter, the wellbore is packed with gravel to remove any escaping fines from hydrocarbonaceous fluids produced to the surface.

Abstract: A method for producing substantially sand or fines free hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a wellbore which is initially gravel packed. Thereafter, an acid is directed into the wellbore so as to dissolve formation fines in channels contained in perforations communicating with a productive interval of the formation. The acid is of a strength sufficient to dissolve said fines. After the fines are dissolved, a sand consolidation agent is introduced into the perforations before the channels can be filled with formation fines. The consolidation agent remains in the perforations for a time sufficient to form a cement in situ which cement has permeability retentive characteristics. The cement forms pores of a size sufficient to exclude formation fines from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for producing multiple fractures by a single operation from a single wellbore which penetrates a fracture interval which, in turn, includes a plurality of zones which break-down under different fracturing pressures. Fracturing fluid is delivered from a workstring directly to different levels within a section of the wellbore which lies adjacent the fracture interval through a plurality of alternate paths which, in turn, lie substantially adjacent to the zones to be fractured.

Abstract: A method for forming a gravel pack in a washed-out interval is provided where a borehole penetrates an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated oil or gas reservoir which is likely to introduce substantial amounts of sand into the borehole. After perforating the borehole's casing at a washed-out interval of the formation, sand is introduced into the interval. Afterwards, an aqueous solution of potassium silicate is injected into said interval. Thereafter, an alcoholic solution of hydrated calcium chloride is injected into the interval. A permeability retaining calcium silicate cement is formed in the interval thereby making a gravel pack. Injection of the potassium silicate and hydrated calcium chloride solutions is continued until the porosity of the interval has been reduced by the calcium silicate cement to an extent sufficient to exclude formation fines and sand.