Abstract: Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.

Abstract: A safety valve with a flapper/flow tube friction reducer. A safety valve for use in a subterranean well includes a closure assembly, an operating member which engages the closure assembly, and at least one of the closure assembly and the operating member including a friction reducing device which provides rolling contact between the closure assembly and the operating member. Another safety valve includes a flapper which rotates about a pivot relative to a seat, a flow tube which engages the flapper to rotate the flapper, and a friction reducing device which with rolling contact biases the flow tube toward the pivot when the flow tube engages the flapper. Yet another safety valve is described in which at least one of the flapper, the seat and the flow tube has a friction reducing device attached thereto which provides rolling contact between the flapper and the flow tube, or between the flow tube and the seat.

Abstract: Initiation of injection planes in a well. A method of forming at least one generally planar inclusion in a subterranean formation includes the steps of: expanding a wellbore in the formation by injecting a material into an annulus positioned between the wellbore and a casing lining the wellbore; increasing compressive stress in the formation as a result of the expanding step; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, thereby forming the inclusion in a direction of the increased compressive stress. Another method includes the steps of: expanding a wellbore in the formation by injecting a material into an annulus positioned between the wellbore and a casing lining the wellbore; reducing stress in the formation in a tangential direction relative to the wellbore; and then injecting a fluid into the formation, thereby forming the inclusion in a direction normal to the reduced tangential stress.

Abstract: Flow control for increased permeability planes in unconsolidated formations. A well system includes a casing expansion device interconnected in a casing string for initiating an inclusion propagated into a formation surrounding the casing string. The device has at least one opening in a sidewall for fluid communication between the inclusion and an interior of the casing string. A flow control device is retrievably installed in the expansion device and controls flow between the formation and an interior of the casing string. A method of controlling flow of fluid between a formation and an interior of a casing string includes the steps of interconnecting a casing expansion device in the casing string; expanding the device to thereby initiate propagation of an inclusion into the formation; and installing a flow control device in the expansion device to thereby control flow between the inclusion and the casing string interior.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.

Abstract: Electrically operated well tools. A well system includes a well tool positioned in a wellbore. The well tool includes an actuator and an operating member displaceable to operate the well tool. The actuator includes a series of longitudinally distributed electromagnets, in which current is controllable in a predetermined pattern to thereby variably control longitudinal displacement of the operating member. In another well system, the operating member is displaceable between opposite maximum limits of displacement to operate the well tool, and an electromagnet is operative to displace the operating member to at least one position between the opposite maximum limits of displacement. In a method of operating a well tool, the well tool is operated by controlling current in a series of longitudinally distributed electromagnets of an actuator in a predetermined pattern, thereby causing corresponding longitudinal displacement of an operating member.

Abstract: A pressure communication assembly external to casing with various forms of connectivity to a pressure source. A well system includes a casing string positioned in the well, with a bore extending longitudinally through the casing string; a chamber attached to the casing string and positioned external to the casing string bore; and a device which provides fluid communication between an interior of the chamber and a pressure source external to the casing. A method of monitoring pressure in a well includes the steps of: installing a casing string in the well with a chamber positioned external to a through bore of the casing string, and the chamber being isolated from the well external to the casing string; and then actuating a device to thereby provide fluid communication between the chamber and the well external to the casing string.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for actuation of downhole tools. In one example, a deep set safety valve uses a magnetic coupling which permits a portion of the safety valve at control line pressure to be isolated from tubing string internal pressure, without requiring the use of a dynamic seal therebetween. A piston of the safety valve may be displaced in response to a differential between control line pressure and pressure in an annulus surrounding the tubing string, pressure in another control line, or pressure in the tubing string. Other types of well tools may benefit from actuation using principles of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating and isolating perforations in a wellbore. A perforating and isolating apparatus includes at least one packer having a swellable seal material, and a perforating assembly attached to the packer. A method of perforating and isolating perforations in a subterranean wellbore includes the steps of: positioning an apparatus in the wellbore, the apparatus including at least one packer having a swellable seal material, and a perforating assembly attached to the packer; isolating at least one existing perforation by swelling the seal material; and forming at least one new perforation by actuating the perforating assembly.

Abstract: A safety valve system includes a safety valve having an actuator and a line connected to the actuator. The safety valve is operable by opening the line in the well, with the line being free of any connection to a surface control system. Another safety valve system includes multiple safety valves. An actuator of each safety valve is connected to an actuator of another safety valve via a line. A biasing force in each of the actuators is operative to close the respective one of the safety valves in response to opening of the line. The biasing force is produced at least in part by hydrostatic pressure in a well.

Abstract: Fiber optic wet connector acceleration protection and tolerance compliance. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system for use in a subterranean well includes two assemblies, each having a fiber optic connector. A biasing device applies a biasing force which maintains the fiber optic connectors operatively connected to each other while the assemblies are secured to each other in the well.

Abstract: A safety valve with extension springs. In a described embodiment, a valve for use in a subterranean well includes a closure member having open and closed positions. A structure displaces to cause the closure member to displace between the open and closed positions. A biasing device has a length which decreases as the structure displaces to cause the closure member to displace toward the closed position.

Abstract: A shear coupled acoustic telemetry system. An acoustic telemetry system includes a tubular string having a pressure-bearing wall and an acoustic telemetry assembly positioned external to the wall and operative to communicate an acoustic signal between the assembly and the wall. The assembly may be shear coupled to the wall. The assembly may include a pressure-bearing housing positioned external to the wall.

Abstract: A fiber optic delivery system and side pocket mandrel removal system. In one example, a system for making optical connections in a well includes an optical connector positioned in the well, and another optical connector displaceable into operative connection with the first optical connector after the first optical connector is positioned in the well. In another example, a method of making optical connections in a well includes the steps of: positioning a tubular string in the well; then installing an assembly in the tubular string, the assembly including an optical connector; and then displacing the optical connector into operative engagement with another optical connector in the tubular string.

Abstract: A sealed branch wellbore transition joint. A method of completing a well having intersecting wellbores includes the steps of: positioning a diverter in a wellbore; diverting an assembly from the wellbore into another wellbore; and swelling a sealing material on the assembly, so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter. A completion system for a well having intersecting wellbores includes a diverter positioned in a wellbore, an assembly extending laterally across the wellbore, and a sealing material on the assembly. The sealing material is swollen so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter.

Abstract: Thermal expansion matching for an acoustic telemetry system. An acoustic telemetry system includes at least one electromagnetically active element and a biasing device which reduces a compressive force in the element in response to increased temperature. A method of utilizing an acoustic telemetry system in an elevated temperature environment includes the steps of: applying a compressive force to at least one electromagnetically active element of the telemetry system; and reducing the compressive force as the temperature of the environment increases.

Abstract: A downhole fiber optic wet connect and gravel pack completion. In a described embodiment, a system for making fiber optic connections in a subterranean well includes a first fiber optic connector positioned in the well and a second fiber optic connector operatively connected to the first fiber optic connector after the first fiber optic connector is positioned in the well. A method of monitoring a subterranean well includes the steps of: positioning a fiber optic line in the well, the fiber optic line extending in a formation intersected by the well; positioning another fiber optic line in the well, the fiber optic line extending to a remote location; operatively connecting the fiber optic lines while the fiber optic lines are in the well; and monitoring a well parameter using a sensor operatively coupled to the fiber optic line extending in the formation.

Abstract: A multicycle hydraulic control valve. A control and actuation system for a well tool includes a control valve having one or more metal-to-metal seals which open while differential pressure exists across the seals to thereby selectively connect pressure sources to an actuator to operate the well tool. Both seals may be closed while a connection between the actuator and the pressure sources is switched by the control valve. The control valve may include a member having areas formed thereon acted upon by various pressures to facilitate operation of the control valve.

Abstract: System and method for cementing through a safety valve. A system includes a flow passage, closure mechanism, opening prong repeatedly displaceable to thereby repeatedly operate the closure mechanism open and closed, and a latching device initially maintaining the opening prong positioned isolating the closure mechanism from the flow passage, and releasing the latching device permits the opening prong to open and close the closure mechanism while it is exposed to the flow passage. A method includes the steps of: latching an opening prong so that a closure mechanism is open and is isolated from a flow passage; releasing the opening prong so that the closure mechanism is closed and is exposed to the flow passage; and displacing the opening prong to a position in which the closure mechanism is open and is exposed to the flow passage.

Abstract: Multiple wellbores are interconnected utilizing a deflection device having a guide layer of lower hardness than the body of the deflection device, and a cutting tool having a guide portion and being operative to cut through the deflection device guide layer and a tubular structure lining a wellbore.