Abstract: An adjustable flow rate screen assembly and associated methods of completing a subterranean well provide variable flow rates through downhole sand control screens without restricting access to the well and without requiring overly restrictive screens to be utilized in gravel packing operations. In a preferred embodiment, a screen assembly has a tubular restrictor housing with a flow passage formed thereon, a tubular ported housing having ports formed radially therethrough and providing fluid communication with the flow passage, and a tubular selector sleeve with an opening formed radially therethrough and permitting fluid communication with a selected one of the ports.

Abstract: Methods of completing a subterranean well provide access to a portion of a parent wellbore which has been closed off by a lateral wellbore liner. In a preferred embodiment, a method includes the steps of depositing cement in the lateral wellbore liner and then drilling through the cement and liner utilizing a bent motor housing conveyed on coiled tubing. The cement provides lateral support for a cutting tool while it is milling through the liner.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, the packer is purpose-designed as a cut-to-release packer. That is, this retrievable packer has no built-in release mechanism. An internal cinch slip is used to retain the packer in its set position and thereby prevent the accidental release of the packer. The only way it can be released is by severing the mandrel. The cut point is opportunely designed so that the mandrel is severed in a precise location such that not only is the packer released, but all the packer and tail pipe are then retrievable as a unit. The primary advantage of a cut-to-release packer is that it can withstand extreme tubing loads occurring during production and stimulation.

Abstract: A removable injection valve insert assembly is disclosed for deploying in production tubing of a well casing. The production tubing includes a landing nipple with an inlet and a sliding side-door which covers and seals the inlet when in a closed position and uncovers the inlet when in an open position. The insert assembly controls the flow of flushing fluid that is injected into the inlet from an annular source between the casing and the production tubing. The valve directs the controlled flushing fluid to an injection line, which in turn injects the flushing fluid into the production stream of the well. Preferably, the injected flushing fluid is injected below the casing perforations. The insert assembly comprises a body having upper and lower ends, a first passage formed in the body for receiving the fluid from the inlet and a second passage in communication with the first passage for housing a flow control valve. The body also includes a by-pass passageway which allows production flow across the insert.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method for performing downhole operations to a subterranean formation while isolating the formation from the remainder of the well bore. The invention utilizes a tool assembly which initially sets a packer above the formation while allowing a downhole tool to extend through a passageway in the packer to perform operations such as perforating the formation. The assembly permits retrieval of the tools through the passageway in the packer while sealing off the formation from the remainder of the well.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved retention of the packer in the wellbore is achieved by use of an inventive slip/wedge system, wherein the cones on the wedges are spaced a progressively slightly greater distance apart from their corresponding slip cones, from the centermost slip cone to the outermost slip cone. This forces the center of the slip to be loaded first. As greater forces are exerted on the wedges from end to end, the wedge will deform slightly and the next cone of the wedge will make contact with its matching portion of slip. Thereby, as the wedges are loaded higher and higher, more wedge cones come into bearing contact with the slip. Further, a barrel slip is used, to provide a uniform circumferential distribution of forces. This design effectively allows initial setting of the packer with very little slip tooth contact area. This permits the slip to quickly get a good grip into the casing wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing a well and obtaining a fluid sample therefrom. The apparatus comprises a housing connectable to a tubing string and having a packer at the lower end thereof. The packer is set, and fluid is flowed from a formation or zone of interest into the chamber and then into a sampler in a controlled manner such that the fluid in the housing or sampler does not flash. In one embodiment, a pump is used to flow formation fluid; plugs are used in the housing to first flow dirty fluid and then flow clean fluid into the housing. In another embodiment, a nitrogen cushion is bled slowly to flow fluid into the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing and substantially destroying a fluid-type plug which is substantially dissolvable in fluid. A means for selectively opening a fluid port to the plug member is described which causes dissolution of the plug to occur. The plug member is maintained within a plug housing which also contains the fluid port. The plug housing is received within an annular sleeve which serves to seal the plug housing port against fluid intrusion into the plug housing port. The sleeve also contains an aperture which will become generally aligned with the plug housing port as the plug housing is axially separated from the annular sleeve. Axial separation of the plug housing and sleeve is accomplished by selectively pressurizing and depressurizing the flowbore containing the plug assembly to remove support for the plug housing.

Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus and associated method of gravel packing a subterranean well prevents screen collapse without requiring sealing engagement of a washpipe with an external seal, without requiring reliance solely on differential pressure, and without utilizing a reciprocating valve. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel packing apparatus has a tubular mandrel, a tubular housing attached to the mandrel and defining an annular space between the mandrel and housing, a sleeve slidably disposed on the mandrel and extending into the annular space, first and second seals disposed on the sleeve, and a screen slidably disposed on the mandrel and attached to the sleeve for sliding displacement therewith.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal seal assembly which provides a dynamic seal between two moving members yet does not require constant compressive loading. A hollow seal ring is provided having a "C"-shaped cross section and containing a coiled spring. The seal ring is disposed between two telescoped members of an expansion joint, or polished bore receptacle, in an interference fit and is flanked by two bearing rings. The seal ring is located relative to the pressurized fluid so that the fluid pressure is equalized across the ring and remains constant between the two telescoped members despite relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A well tool apparatus (40) comprising a tubular housing (56) and operating mandrel (58) each having autofill ports (74, 76) and bypass ports (128, 130) therein. The well tool apparatus (40) also comprising a normally closed ball valve (96) rotatably disposed within the operating mandrel (58) preventing communication between the upper section (104) and the lower section (106) of the operating mandrel (58) such that internal pressure above the ball valve (96) greater than internal pressure below the ball valve (96) downwardly urges the operating mandrel (58) allowing pressure testing of the pipe string (32) above the ball valve (96) and such that internal pressure below the ball valve (96) greater than internal pressure above ball valve (96) upwardly urges the operating mandrel (58).

Abstract: In a well having a substantially annular completion structure therein, the completion structure having portions of lesser and greater inner diameter and an axially-shiftable element associated with the portion of greater inner diameter, the axially-shiftable element having an inner diameter greater than a diameter of the portion of lesser inner diameter, a shifting tool for, and method of, axially shifting the axially-shiftable element.

Abstract: An abrasive slurry delivery apparatus and associated method of using permit repeated and/or extended use of the apparatus in a subterranean wellbore and reduces abrasive wear of the casing during fracturing operations without requiring the disposal of expensive items of equipment after each fracturing operation. In a preferred embodiment, an abrasive slurry delivery apparatus has a tubular crossover member with an internal flow passage and side wall outlet openings, and a tubular protective member with outlet openings aligned with, but axially and circumferentially smaller than, the crossover outlet openings, coaxially disposed within the crossover.

Abstract: A lock assembly includes radially movable engagement or latch members configured to engage a profile within a subsurface nipple, and further includes one or more sealing assemblies. The sealing assemblies are radially expandable by enlarging the interior of diameter of the elements of the sealing assembly, such as by placing a mandrel of relatively enlarged diameter through an internal diameter of elements of the sealing assembly.

Abstract: A decentralizer for a diverter, a centralizing guide bushing and a downhole-deployable locating and orienting subsystem.

Abstract: A bi-directional explosive transfer apparatus for use in connecting and orienting perforating guns in a well. The apparatus includes a connector having first and second housing portions which are pivotally attached to one another. First and second explosive devices in the connector provide a bi-directional explosive path between perforating guns joined by the connector. At least one orienting fin is attached to the perforating guns to position the guns off-center so that they will orient themselves by gravity in a deviated well section. The swivel connection provided by the connector allows the guns to rotate individually as necessary and relative to the other guns. A method of perforating a well using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided for selectively perforating multiple zones in a well either simultaneously, or in series, having isolation barriers, or packers, located between the perforating multiple zones, without moving the system with respect to the well. The system includes a tubing string which carries at least a first and a second perforating gun. At least a first and a second pressure actuated firing head are associated with the first and second perforating guns, respectively. A first and second packer for isolating the perforating guns from each other. A source of actuating fluid pressure for the firing head is provided, which may be the bore of the tubing string. A first selective communication device is provided for isolating the second firing head from the source of actuating fluid pressure until after the first perforating gun has been fired, and for then communicating the second firing head with the source of actuating fluid pressure in response to firing of the first perforating gun.

Abstract: To determine the tensile breaking force of a selected rod/wrap member weld joint in a metal screen of a tubular sand screen assembly used in downhole oil and gas recovery operations a test specimen, including a single rod segment and arcuate segments of the wrap member welded thereto, is removed from the screen. The removed test specimen is supported between base and cover portions of a specially designed test fixture, and a compressive force is exerted on the fixture to forcibly move the base and cover portions thereof toward one another. Representatively, the fixture is operatively positioned in a conventional spring test machine that exerts such compressive force on the fixture. The base and cover portions of the test fixture are configured such that the compressive force is converted to a tensile force exerted on a selected single rod/wrap weld joints in the specimen, with the spring test machine recording the tensile force exerted on the weld joint at its breakage.

Abstract: An improved mechanical system selectively locks the tester valve of an annulus pressure responsive tester valve in position for an indeterminate number of well annulus pressure cycles. The tester valve also features a multi-range metering cartridge which is operable to meter fluid over a wide range of differential pressures. The metering cartridge provides an adjustable resistance flow path which permits fluid flow across the cartridge. The resistance of the flow path is adjustable by selectively diverting the fluid through a series of fluid flow resistors. Resistance may be increased either by adding a number of flow resistors serially or by adding a single flow resistor which itself provides a greater fluid flow resistance.

Abstract: An improved capsule-type charge for use in perforating high temperature production zones in oil or gas wells is disclosed. The improvement consists of using a secondary initiating compound as an initiator, such as 1,3,5-Trinitro-2,4,6-Tripicrylbenzene or 2,2',2",4,4',4",6,6',6",-Nonanitroterphenyl. These initiators work well with commercially available high temperature explosives, such as PYX.