Abstract: A well completion system and associated methods of completing wells provides enhanced convenience in well completions involving well treatment operations. In a described embodiment, a single trip perforating and fracturing/gravel packing method permits a well completion assembly including a well screen and a perforating gun to be installed in a well, the well to be perforated and treated, and the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well in a single trip. Retrieval of the perforating gun permits multiple zone completions in the well without the perforating guns remaining in the well thereafter.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling operation of a subsurface hydraulically operated well tool. In a described embodiment, a surface controlled subsurface safety valve is controlled utilizing two control lines. The control lines are hydraulically connected to respective ones of two pistons in the safety valve. Pressure applied to either of the two pistons is capable of independently operating the safety valve. In normal operation, pressure is applied to both of the pistons. However, when a failure occurs in one of the control lines, the other may still be used to operate the safety valve.

Abstract: A field development system and associated methods provide a main wellbore intersecting a formation and having fractures extending outwardly from the main wellbore into the formation. Multiple additional wellbores, spaced apart from the main wellbore and without associated additional production facilities, intersect the fractures and provide auxiliary drainage of the formation into the main wellbore via the fractures extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A fail safe valve actuator is disclosed that is powered by an electric motor which drives through a wrap spring clutch and a centrifugal brake configured to absorb a portion of the energy released when the power fails and the valve stem is moved rapidly to its fail safe position by an actuator spring. The valve member is held in operating position by a solenoid. When power fails, a spring moves the valve stem in the other direction to move the valve member to its fail safe position. A torque limiting device is mounted adjacent the output end of a gear train to protect the gear train and the electric motor from the high torque created when the valve stem abruptly stops moving when the valve member reaches its operating position.

Abstract: A multi-zone packing system having unique features that allow for remote operation, thereby eliminating the need to raise and lower a work string and crossover tool to various zones of interest during a frac pack, gravel pack or related completion procedure. The squeeze pack system has a crossover tool or port collocated with each zone of interest and remotely operated closing devices to allow for the setting of each packer and the packing job to be performed with minimal or no movement of the work string.

Abstract: A system of downhole communication and control is provided in methods and associated apparatus for data retrieval, monitoring and tool actuation. In a described embodiment, an item of equipment installed in a tubular string has a first communication device associated therewith. A tool conveyed into the tubular string has a second communication device therein. Communication is established between the first and second devices. Such communication may be utilized to control operation of the tool, retrieve status information regarding the item of equipment, supply power to the first device and/or identify the item of equipment to the tool.

Abstract: A method of regulating flow through a first tubular structure in a well provides flow control by use of an expandable second tubular structure inserted into the first tubular structure and deformed therein. In a described embodiment, a liner has sealing material externally disposed thereon. Expansion of the liner within a screen assembly may be used to sealingly engage the liner with one or more well screens of the screen assembly, and may be used to regulate a rate of fluid flow through one or more of the well screens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing and removing packer assemblies from a subterranean well. A packer assembly has a stop that prevents the seal assembly from relaxing. The stop is cut axially by use of a chemically reactive cutter device lowered into the well and activated by use of conventional wire line equipment. Once cut, the seal assembly on the packer is allowed to relax and can be removed intact from the well.

Abstract: A system for transmitting hydraulic control signals or hydraulic power to downhole well tools while significantly reducing the number of hydraulic lines required. Hydraulic control signals are furnished at relatively low pressures to actuate a selected well tool, and the hydraulic pressure is selectively increased over a threshold level to provide hydraulic power to the well tool. The hydraulic control actuation signals can be controlled by selectively pressurizing different hydraulic lines in a selected sequence and by selectively powering the fluid pressure within a selected hydraulic line. The combination of selective sequential actuation and selective fluid pressure provides multiple actuation combinations for selectively actuating downhole well tools. Additional combinations can be provided by changing the pressurization sequence, magnitude, absolute time, duration, and pressurization profile within a discrete time period.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided which enhance drilling and completion of wellbore intersections. In a described embodiment, a cutting tool diverter is used to drill a branch wellbore extending outwardly from a main wellbore. The diverter is provided with an outer easily millable portion which reduces the amount of time needed to retrieve the diverter. In another embodiment, a substance is injected into a formation surrounding the intersection of the main and branch wellbores, to thereby facilitate sealing of the intersection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.

Abstract: A wellbore junction isolation method and associated apparatus provide convenient isolation of a wellbore junction while permitting certain operations to be performed in a wellbore below the junction. In a described embodiment, a formation intersected by a main wellbore below a wellbore junction is stimulated by fracturing after installing an assembly at the wellbore junction to isolate it from pressures applied during the fracturing operation. In this embodiment, the assembly is installed in a single trip into the main wellbore.

Abstract: A latching system permits a firing head to be lowered into a wellbore and reliably coupled to a perforating gun previously lowered into the wellbore. In a disclosed embodiment thereof, the latching system includes a tubular collar associated with the firing head, and a stinger associated with the perforating gun. As the firing head approaches the previously lowered perforating gun, shearable studs projecting into the interior of the collar are received in external side surface J-slots formed on the stinger. The latching of the collar studs in the stinger J-slots permits the firing head/perforating gun connection to be verified simply by pulling up on and creating increased tension in the structure, such as a slick line, used to lower the firing head to the perforating gun. After the firing head is used to detonate the perforating gun, the spent firing head may be retrieved by pulling it uphole with sufficient force to shear its collar studs.

Abstract: The present inventions contemplate improved annular flow safety valve apparatus and methods in which the valve comprises a bi-directional self-contained electromechanically operated valve assembly including a moveable seal, power source, electric motor, and control system, capable of operating with or without power or control inputs from the surface.

Abstract: A method of casing multilateral wells and associated apparatus provide increased diameter in wellbores drilled below a casing splitter. In a described embodiment, a casing splitter is positioned in a subsea wellbore with a minimum restriction of 18.565″, with the casing splitter attached at a lower end of a 13⅜″ casing string. Two 8½″ bores extend through a lower end of the casing splitter, whereby only one standard casing size is skipped due to the wellbore junction formed by the casing splitter.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are provided for remotely actuating a plug apparatus in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a plug apparatus has a plug member blocking fluid flow through one of two flow passages of the plug apparatus. A predetermined fluid pressure applied to one of the flow passages permits the plug member to be expended from the plug apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus (30) and method for regulating fluid flow through a downhole tubing string (28) is disclosed. The apparatus (30) comprises a generally tubular outer housing (32) having a housing port (38) formed through a sidewall portion thereof. First and second seats (78, 68) are disposed within the housing (32), each having sealing surface (82, 76) that are sealingly engageable to one another to substantially prevent fluid flow therebetween. A sleeve (44) is slidably disposed within the first and second seats (68, 78). The sleeve (44) has a flow passage extending generally axially therethrough and is variably positionable relative to the first seat (78) to regulate fluid flow through a sleeve port (46). The sleeve (44) has first and second positions relative to the second seat (68). In the first position, a seal (66) is disposed between the sleeve (44) and the first seat (78), thereby preventing fluid flow through the sleeve port (46).

Abstract: A subsea subterranean well completion has a tubing string with a portion that extends through a region of the completion exposed to temperatures sufficiently low to potentially create wax and/or hydrate deposits within the tubing string during pre-production or shut-down periods. In order to inhibit or remove the formation of these deposits, the well completion is provided with a flow assurance system operative to create a flow of heating fluid which is recirculated through the space between the tubing string portion and the well casing/production riser structure in a manner causing the heating fluid to flow along the outer side of the tubing string portion without previously or subsequently traversing the interior of the tubing string. The heat absorbed by the tubing string inhibits or removes wax and/or hydrate formation in production fluid therein without the previous necessity of using a chemical injection system to inject plug-inhibiting chemicals into the interior of the tubing string.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for sand-control in a subterranean well. A radially expandable sand-control screen jacket apparatus and related methods are disclosed. The apparatus has a screen jacket assembly surrounding a base pipe and having at least one inner screen element contacting the base pipe and at least one outer screen element overlapping the adjacent inner screen element. The joints between the inner and outer screen elements comprise sand-controlling joints.