Abstract: A method of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus therefor provide efficient operation and convenience in completions where production of fluids from a lateral wellbore and a parent wellbore is desired. In one disclosed embodiment, the invention provides a method of completing a subterranean well wherein a device having multiple portals is positioned at a junction of multiple wellbore portions and engaged with other structures positioned in the well. Several alternate constructions of a device for use with the method are provided as well.

Abstract: A downhole choke and associated methods provide enhanced efficiency and accuracy in well sampling and testing operations due to its capability for substantially minimizing the amount of time needed to establish steady state flow conditions in a well, and the ability to sample fluids downhole at varying downhole flow restrictions. In a described embodiment, a downhole choke is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough by applying a predetermined fluid pressure to an annulus formed between the choke and the wellbore. The downhole choke has an axial flow passage formed therethrough, a portion of which has interchangeable flow areas. The flow areas are interchanged upon application of the predetermined fluid pressure, and again interchanged upon expiration of a time delay. One of the flow areas permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow therethrough, and another of the flow areas permits restricted flow therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for communicating information between downhole equipment (40) and surface equipment is disclosed. The electromagnetic signal repeater apparatus (34, 36) comprises a housing (102) that is securably mountable to the exterior of a pipe string (30) disposed in a wellbore (32). The housing (102) includes first and second housing subassemblies (104, 106). The first housing subassembly (104) is electrically isolated from the second housing subassembly (106) by a gap subassembly (108) having a length that is at least two times the diameter of the housing (102). The first housing subassembly (104) is electrically isolated from the pipe string (30) and is secured thereto with a nonconductive strap (120). The second housing subassembly (106) is electrically coupled with the pipe string (30) and is secured thereto with a conductive strap (122). An electronics package (127) and a battery (126) are disposed within the housing (102).

Abstract: In an oilfield wireline tool string, a self-contained downhole power unit is positioned at a designated working location and mechanical jars cut shear pins retaining an activating mandrel so as to displace a valve seat and open a mechanically actuated valve. This valve admits well pressure to a pressure-sensing switch in the downhole power unit to initiate its operation.

Abstract: A service tool for use in completion operations includes a fluid control apparatus therein. The apparatus permits variable regulation of fluid flow downhole, selective opening and closing of multiple fluid ports in the apparatus, protection against overpressurization and communication with the earth's surface. Each of these functions is accomplished by displacing a member of the apparatus with an electromechanical device. In particular, data transmission is performed by displacing the member relative to a fluid port to thereby produce pressure pulses in a fluid flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus and associated method of completing subterranean wells provides convenient and economical gravel packing operations, permitting a sand control screen to be run into the well attached to the apparatus which is, in turn, attached to production tubing, and further permitting the tubing to be detached from the screen. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel pack apparatus has interoperable valve and tubing release portions. The valve portion may be closed after the gravel packing operation is completed. Closure of the valve portion activates the release portion, permitting the apparatus to be separated.

Abstract: A formation fracturing and gravel packing tool and associated methods provide high flow rates and volumes of slurry delivery in a relatively small bore well. In a described embodiment, a formation fracturing tool has a telescoping travel joint and a washpipe within an assembly including a packer, a circulating sleeve and a screen. The packer is set in the well, the travel joint is extended, the travel joint is locked in its extended configuration, a slurry is flowed through the circulating sleeve, the extended travel joint is latched onto the washpipe, and the travel joint and washpipe are retrieved to the earth's surface.

Abstract: A reduced travel operating mechanism for downhole tools is provided. The reduced travel operating mechanism (57) includes a load ratio system (59) which may include compression ring (102) disposed within circumferential guide pocket (123) and a linkage system (61) disposed within mechanism pocket (125). The linkage system (61) may include first link (112), master link (114), and second link (116) coupled between compression ring (102) and connecting member (118). A loading system (63), which may include a hydraulic piston (100), acts on compression ring (102) to move compression ring (102) a first distance. Connecting member (118) moves a second distance in response to the movement of compression ring (102) a first distance. The linkage system (61) may operate such that the second distance is greater than the first distance or operate such that the first distance is greater than the second distance.

Abstract: Methods of completing wells utilizing wellbore equipment positioning apparatus provide repositioning of sand control screens and perforating guns without requiring movement of a packer in the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a well completion method includes the steps of lowering a packer, positioning device, sand control screen, and perforating gun into a well, perforating a zone intersected by the wellbore, expanding the positioning device, and positioning the sand control screen opposite the perforated zone.

Abstract: A pressure activated valve and associated methods of using same provide increased functionality and convenience in actuating a tool operatively positioned within a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a switch valve is utilized to control actuation of a downhole power unit. The switch valve is configured to cause actuation of a switch within the downhole power unit in response to a differential fluid pressure. The differential fluid pressure is created by applying pressure to the interior of a tubing string to which the valve is attached.

Abstract: A subsea test tree and associated methods of servicing a well provide enhanced safety in testing operations. In a described embodiment, a subsea test tree includes a latch head assembly, a valve assembly, and a ramlock assembly interconnected between the latch head assembly and the valve assembly. The valve assembly includes two safety valves, one of which is operable by displacing a piston within the latch head assembly. The other safety valve is operable by applying fluid pressure to a line connected to the latch head assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for communicating information between downhole equipment (40) and surface equipment is disclosed. The electromagnetic signal repeater apparatus (34, 36) comprises a housing (102) that is securably mountable to the exterior of a pipe string (30) disposed in a wellbore (32). The housing (102) includes first and second housing subassemblies (104, 106). The first housing subassembly (104) is electrically isolated from the second housing subassembly (106) by a gap subassembly (108) having a length that is at least two times the diameter of the housing (102). The first housing subassembly (104) is electrically isolated from the pipe string (30) and is secured thereto with a nonconductive strap (120). The second housing subassembly (106) is electrically coupled with the pipe string (30) and is secured thereto with a conductive strap (122). An electronics package (127) and a battery (126) are disposed within the housing (102).

Abstract: A subsea repeater apparatus (48) for communicating information between surface equipment (60) and downhole equipment (44) is disclosed. The apparatus (48) comprises an electromagnetic receiver (66, 68) that receives an electromagnetic signal (46) carrying information from downhole equipment (44) and an acoustic modem (54) that acoustically retransmits (56) the information to surface equipment (60) through the sea. The apparatus (48) may also comprise an acoustic modem (54) that receives an acoustic signal (64) carrying information from surface equipment (60) through the sea and an electromagnetic transmitter (50) that radiates electromagnetic waves (66) carrying the information into the earth.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method for perforating subterranean wells having a centralizer changeable from a running condition to a collapsed condition.

Abstract: A wye block apparatus provides selective physical access to multiple downhole tubing strings while permitting fluid communication with each of them. In a described embodiment, a wye block apparatus is resistant to malfunction due to debris therein, in substantial part by providing an elongated deflection member which is axially rotatable within an outer housing assembly. A J-slot device is utilized to rotate the deflection member in response to axial displacement of an operating sleeve. Rotation of the deflection member selectively aligns a guide surface formed on the deflection member with one of the tubing strings attached to the wye block apparatus.

Abstract: Well completion apparatus and associated methods of completing wells provides repositioning of sand control screens and perforating guns without requiring movement of a packer in the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a well completion apparatus has a packer, a release apparatus, a telescoping expansion joint, a ball catcher, a sand control screen, and a perforating gun. In another preferred embodiment, a well completion method includes the steps of lowering a packer, release apparatus, telescoping expansion joint, ball catcher, sand control screen, and perforating gun into a well, perforating the wellbore casing, dispensing a sealing ball into the release apparatus, applying pressure to release the release apparatus, and applying pressure to expand the telescoping joint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling downhole fluids comprising a tool (36) attached to a connector (34) that is locked into position within a pipe section (32) is disclosed. The pipe section (32) has a longitudinal slot (62) with first and second sides (78, 80). The pipe section (32) also includes a transverse slot (64) that extends perpendicularly from the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) and a hole (66) that extends perpendicularly from the second side (80) of the longitudinal slot (62). The connector (34) is inserted into the hole (66) such that the connector (34) may be rotated between an insertion position and an operating position. The connector head (100) of the connector (34) is closely received within the longitudinal slot (62) such that when the connector (34) is in the operating position, the connector head (100) contacts the first side (78) of the longitudinal slot (62) to lock the connector (34) within the pipe section (32).

Abstract: A burner apparatus for burning petroleum products during well testing. The apparatus comprises a plurality of burner nozzles for mixing air, oil or other flammable hydrocarbon, and in some cases steam, and discharges the mixture for burning. Each module may have a plurality of burner nozzles, and a plurality of such modules may be connected together. Each burner nozzle has a body with an air inlet and a fluid inlet, a nozzle insert disposed in the body and having an air port in communication with the air inlet and a fluid port in communication with the fluid inlet. Sealing is provided between the nozzle insert and the body. The body may also have a steam inlet, and the nozzle insert may also have a steam port in communication with the steam inlet, for directing steam into the apparatus to increase the mixing energy and temperature, thereby facilitating atomization.

Abstract: A downhole choke and associated methods provide enhanced efficiency and accuracy in well sampling and testing operations due to its capability for substantially minimizing the amount of time needed to establish steady state flow conditions in a well, and the ability to sample fluids downhole at varying downhole flow restrictions. In a described embodiment, a downhole choke is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough by applying a predetermined fluid pressure to an annulus formed between the choke and the wellbore. The downhole choke has an axial flow passage formed therethrough, a portion of which has interchangeable flow areas. The flow areas are interchanged upon application of the predetermined fluid pressure, and again interchanged upon expiration of a time delay. One of the flow areas permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow therethrough, and another of the flow areas permits restricted flow therethrough.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for deploying tools in multilateral wells are disclosed. Certain ones of the apparatus and methods include a downhole tool centralizer assembly for coupling to a downhole tool. The centralizer assembly has a tubular centralizer retainer with an external surface and an annular recess on the external surface. An annular spring member is disposed within the annular recess, and the annular spring member has an outer diameter greater than a predetermined inner diameter of a bushing disposed proximate a junction between a main wellbore and a lateral wellbore. Other ones of the apparatus and methods include a downhole tool having a substantially identical tubular centralizer retainer and annular spring member. As the centralizer assembly, or the downhole tool, enters the bushing, the annular spring member elastically deforms so that the outer diameter of the spring member becomes substantially equal to the predetermined inner diameter of the bushing.