Abstract: A method of gravel packing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The wellbore has a cased section and an uncased section and contains synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids containing drilled solids. To carry out the method, fresh synthetic or oil-based displacement fluid that is free of drilled solids is introduced into the wellbore to displace the synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids from the uncased section of the wellbore. A water-based displacement fluid is introduced into the wellbore to displace fluids within the cased section of the wellbore. A sand control screen assembly is run to a selected depth within the uncased section of the wellbore. A gravel pack slurry containing gravel and a water-based carrier fluid is then introduced into the wellbore.

Abstract: A technique facilitates detection of water incursion in a hydrocarbon well. Well equipment is positioned in a wellbore with one or more downhole components or regions comprising a tracer material. The tracer material is released in the presence of water to indicate incursion of water at a specific location along the wellbore. A sensor system is employed to detect the released tracer material.

Abstract: An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines.

Abstract: Apparatus for multi-zone wellbores that can by-pass upper hydrocarbon bearing zones and deliver fluid to lower hydrocarbon bearing zones. The apparatus can include at least one housing, and at least one port can be formed through the housing. An inner sleeve can be positioned within the housing. At least one cavity can be radially disposed on an outer diameter of the inner sleeve, and each cavity can be located within an annulus formed between the inner sleeve and the housing. A ball can be disposed within each cavity, and the ball can be adapted to selectively engage the port.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes running a screen assembly and a service tool as a unit into a well and using the service tool in connection with a sand control operation. The use of the service tool in connection with the sand control operation includes operating at least one valve of the screen assembly. The technique includes withdrawing the service tool from the well after the sand control operation and running a completion into the well to operate the valve(s) of the screen after the withdrawal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for connecting internal shunt tubes to tubular end components of a sand screen assembly by coupling each end of each shunt tube to ports formed in the tubular end components in an annular space between a base pipe and a filter media using a tubular coupler.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating personalization of a weather band radio that receives SAME messages broadcast by the NWR system. Alphanumeric indicators of locations are displayed upon a user display element. And, a listener of the radio enters, by way of a user input actuator, selection of selected geographical areas, identified by the alphanumeric indicators. The selected alphanumeric location is used to form a six-digit location code defined by the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). And, the code so-formed is used by the weather band radio, selectably to alert weather anomalies broadcast by the NWR system within the selected geographical area of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating distribution of revenue generated pursuant to distribution of content, such as recorded music files or other entertainment files, to content consumers. Identification is made by an identifier of includable distribution entities that are includable in distributions of revenue derived as a result of downloading content to content consumers. A revenue allocator allocates revenues to the includable distribution entities according to a selected formula. The selected formula is dynamically alterable, depending upon demand indications, as well as other criteria.