Abstract: A plug is provided which is specially adapted for statically setting a plug portion within an internal profile formed in a wellhead. In an illustrated preferred embodiment, the plug portion is set by application of fluid pressure to a running tool portion. When set in. the profile, the plug portion is secured statically relative to the profile, thereby permitting advantageous utilization of a metal-to-metal seal on the plug portion. The plug portion includes features which maintain its set configuration in the profile. The running tool portion includes multiple pistons which enhance operation of the running tool portion. A disclosed verification tool provides an indication that the plug portion has been properly set.

Abstract: A pressure responsive well tool is provided of the general type including a housing having a flow conducting passage therethrough, a pressure conducting channel formed in the housing, and a spring assembly in the housing for storing potential energy in response to an increase in fluid pressure within the pressure conducting channel and releasing the stored potential energy into the pressure conducting channel in response to a decrease in fluid pressure within the pressure conducting channel. A staged latching assembly is operatively connected to the spring assembly for providing at least one intermediate stage pressure position for the spring assembly. The staged latching assembly preferably includes interfering structures on a mandrel and a collet for providing the intermediate stage pressure position. The intermediate stage pressure position of the spring assembly can be used as a stage for selectively directing the spring assembly in either direction, thereby providing better control over the tool.

Abstract: Apparatus for completing a subterranean well and associated methods provide economical and efficient well completions. In one described embodiment, a well completion apparatus includes a packer which is settable by application of a compressive axial force thereto. The packer sealingly engages a wellbore of the well when set therein, but does not anchor to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes a screen and an attachment device. The attachment device permits the apparatus to be attached to another packer previously set and anchored within the wellbore.

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 an efficient method of protecting a junction of multiple wellbore portions by positioning a tubular drilling guide within the well extending through the junction. In one aspect of the present invention, the drilling guide is sealingly engaged with certain ones of the wellbore portions while drilling operations are being performed.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting well screens and associated methods of inspecting well screens provides accurate and convenient inspection of well screens. The methods and apparatus may also produce data useful in designing well completions. In a described embodiment, a method of inspecting a filtering portion of a well screen includes utilizing a light sensor to measure the intensity of light transmitted through the filtering portion. An array of fiber optic lines is arrayed about the filtering portion and interconnected to the sensor. A light source within the filtering portion and the array of fiber optic lines are displaced simultaneously along the filtering portion. The sensor is connected to an instrument, which indicates whether the measured light intensity is within an acceptable range. Furthermore, the measured light intensity may be related to a hydraulic resistance of the filtering portion.

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 flow control apparatus and associated methods of using provide enhanced longevity and reliability without requiring complex mechanisms. In a described embodiment, a choke for use within a subterranean well has multiple trim sets which may be individually selected by manipulation of a sleeve relative to an inner tubular cage. In another described embodiment, a single trim set is provided. Additional features include provision of a separate valve to selectively permit or prevent fluid flow through the single or multiple trim sets.

Abstract: A linear indexing tool is operably supportable on a tubing string in a subterranean wellbore and has a tubular housing structure within which a tubular mandrel is coaxially and slidably disposed. An indexing structure is operable by tubing pressure to sequentially drive the mandrel through a plurality of axial travel increments in response to a corresponding successive plurality of tubing pressure forces exerted on the indexing structure. Pressure diversion apparatus is operative to permit flow of pressurized fluid from within the housing structure to an external, pressure-actuatable device, such as a packer, only after the mandrel has been driven through at least two of its axial travel increments. Accordingly, the internal tubing pressure may be elevated to a test level thereof, thereby driving the mandrel through its first axial travel increment, without actuating the external device.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for treating multiple production zones includes a completion string having a plurality of sets of tools including a closing sleeve, indicator collar, and production screens with an isolation packer disposed between each adjacent set. An inner service tool is disposed within the outer completion string and includes an upper portion with a crossover tool and a lower portion with a closing sleeve shifter and a weight-down collet with the upper and lower portions being connected. The apparatus is assembled by assembling an initial length of the outer completion string which does not includes any of the closing sleeves or indicator collars. After the initial length is assembled, the lower portion of the service tool with the closing sleeve shifter and weight-down collet are assembled and inserted into the initial length of completion string. The remainder of the completion string is then assembled with all closing sleeves in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus therefor provide reduced trips into the well, efficient operation, reduced costs, and increased functionality in completions where production of fluids from a lateral wellbore and a parent wellbore is desired. In one disclosed embodiment, the invention permits simultaneous conveying into the well of multiple tubing strings, the tubing strings being automatically directed to their respective wellbores. A selective deflection member is capable of selecting an appropriate tubing string and deflecting it into a lateral wellbore, while permitting another tubing string to pass axially therethrough to a lower parent wellbore.

Abstract: A whipstock and whipstock anchor that allows for select orientation of the whipstock, retrievability of the whipstock, and also resetting of the whipstock in select orientation. The whipstock is for use in drilling a cased subterranean well with a drill bit. The whipstock includes a first device that directs the drill bit. The first device is supported at a desired location along the well casing by a second device. The first device and second device incorporate mechanisms that allow selective orientation of the first device with respect to the second device. The orientation of the second device in its location along the well casing can be accurately detected, and the mechanisms that allow selective orientation of the first device with the second device can be adjusted to provide an accurate, desired orientation for diverting a drill bit or other tool as it contacts the first device.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods of using provide access to a portion of a parent wellbore that has been separated from the remainder of the parent wellbore by a lateral wellbore liner. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus has a cutting device, which may be a torch, a housing containing the cutting device, and an anchoring structure to fix the axial, radial, and rotational position of the apparatus relative to the liner. A firing head may be utilized to activate the cutting device.

Abstract: 058457102 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 an efficient method of protecting a junction of multiple wellbore portions by positioning a tubular drilling guide within the well extending through the junction. In one aspect of the present invention, the drilling guide is sealingly engaged with certain ones of the wellbore portions while drilling operations are being performed.

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 whereby a tubular member may be extended from a parent wellbore into a lateral wellbore, without the need of deflecting the tubular member off of a whipstock or other inclined surface. The tubular member may be previously deformed and initially constrained within a housing, so that as the tubular member extends outwardly from the housing, the tubular member is permitted to deflect laterally toward the lateral wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a sand-control screen jacket to a base pipe comprising a base pipe connector securably engaged with the sand-control screen jacket, an internal slip member slidably disposed between the base pipe connector and the base pipe and a jam nut securably engaging the base pipe connector such that the internal slip member slides toward the base pipe connector increasing the friction between the internal slip member and the base pipe, thereby securing the sand-control screen jacket to the base pipe. The base pipe connector may further comprises a plurality of sealant ports through which sealant is injected affecting an additional seal between the base pipe connector and the base pipe. The sealant ports may accept a lock pin therein after sealant is injected.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods of using provide subterranean well completion wherein a lateral wellbore liner has divided a parent wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a sidewall cutting apparatus is positionable within the liner and has a cutting tool which is radially outwardly extendable to cut an opening through the liner, thereby regaining access to a portion of the parent wellbore. An illustrated embodiment utilizes a telemetry-controlled lateral displacement mechanism to extend and retract the cutting tool.

Abstract: A screen provides increased erosion resistance and collapse resistance without uneconomical overcompensation and without requiring an increase in the screen's outer diameter. In a preferred embodiment, a sand control screen has a support material radially between a tubular base pipe and a filtering portion. The support material radially outwardly supports the filtering portion to help prevent radially inward collapse of the filtering portion. In another preferred embodiment, a screen has a coating applied to a filtering portion's exterior surface. The coating may alternatively or combinatively provide erosion resistance, radially inwardly retain a support material, and selectively vary flow through the filtering portion.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus (34) including a housing (42) adapted to be connected in a pipe string (30), the housing (42) having a generally cylindrical bore (44) defined therein, an operating assembly (112) disposed within the cylindrical bore (44) of the housing (42) having open and closed positions and a mandrel (142) slidably received in the cylindrical bore (44) of the housing (42) and adapted to be selectively telescoped between first and second axial positions relative to the housing (42) to manipulate the operating assembly (112) and selectively rotated between first and second circumferential positions relative to the housing (42) to selectively lock the mandrel (142) in an axial position relative to the housing (42).

Abstract: A linear indexing apparatus and associated methods of using same provide convenient operation of tools in a subterranean wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a linear indexing apparatus has an outer tubular housing and a tubular mandrel axially slidably disposed within the housing. Two sets of slips are utilized to incrementally displace the mandrel relative to the housing. A piston associated with one of the sets of slips permits the mandrel to be incrementally indexed in response to a series of repeated applications of a predetermined differential pressure.

Abstract: A tool connector is provided for downhole use in oil and gas fields. The tool connector includes a stinger and a stinger receptacle. The stinger is adapted to be stabbed into the stinger receptacle. A loaded engaging member movable between a running position before the stinger is stabbed into the stinger receptacle and a latched position when the stinger is stabbed into the stinger receptacle to latch the stinger and the stinger receptacle together. A release member retains the loaded engaging member in the running position. When the stinger is stabbed into the stinger receptacle and a set force is applied to the stinger and stinger receptacle, the release member releases the loaded engaging member to move to the latched position and latch the stinger and the stinger receptacle together. According to a second aspect of the invention, the tool connector is releasable, further including a releasable stop member to stop the engaging member in the latched position.