Abstract: A seat forming apparatus for use in a downhole tool comprising a driving member and dog elements that are disposed and movable within an outer housing of the downhole tool. The dog elements align in grooves recessed in the outer housing of the downhole tool in a first position and disengage from the grooves in a second position. The driving member travels in a reverse direction and enable the dog elements to move from the first position to the second position and form a seat in the downhole tool. The seat formed has an inner diameter smaller than the restriction element to allow the restriction element to be seated.

Abstract: A multiple tool reverse flow system and method in a wellbore casing for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of catch-and-release tools and a catch-and-engage tool, wherein the catch-and-release tools allow a restriction element to pass through in a downstream direction and engage and then allow the restriction element to pass through in an upstream direction. The catch-and-engage tool allows the restriction element to pass through only in a downstream direction, engage and restrict travel of the restriction element in an upstream direction. The catch-and-engage tool forms a seat on an upstream end is positioned upstream of all of catch-and-release tools. The restriction element passes through all the tools in a downstream direction and moves back in an upstream direction and actuates each of the tools one at a time.

Abstract: A seat forming apparatus for use in a downhole tool comprising a driving member and a seating restriction is disclosed. The driving member and the seating restriction are mechanically disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool. When the driving member drives into the seating restriction, the seating restriction or the driving member bend or buckle inwards to form a seat in the downhole tool. The inner diameter of the seat is configured to allow a restriction element to be seated in the seat.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in a wellbore casing comprising an actuating member and a holding device. The actuating member disposed within an outer housing of the downhole tool and the holding device mechanically coupled to the arming member. When a ball deployed into the wellbore casing passes through the downhole tool in a downhole direction and moves back in an uphole direction due to reverse flow, the ball engages on the holding device and functions the actuating member such that a port in the downhole tool is exposed to uphole pressure and actuates the actuating member to travel in an uphole direction.

Abstract: A limited entry perforating phased gun system and method for accurate perforation in a deviated/horizontal wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with shaped charge clusters. The charges are spaced and angled such that, when perforated, they intersect at a preferred fracturing plane. Upon fracturing, the fractures initiate at least principal stress location in a preferred fracturing plane perpendicular to the wellbore from an upward and downward location of the wellbore. Thereafter, the fractures connect radially about the wellbore in the preferred fracturing plane. The fracture treatment in the preferred fracturing plane creates minimal tortuosity paths for longer extension of fractures that enables efficient oil and gas flow rates during production.

Abstract: A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.

Abstract: A restriction plug element and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The restriction plug element includes a partial hollow passage with an interior end. The partial passage enables the plug element to seat in a restriction sleeve member during treatment and subsequently degrade to form a complete hollow passage. The complete flow channel dissolves or degrades not only the outside but also the inside of the wall of the restriction plug element. Initially the flow is restricted by the closed end in the partial hollow passage and over time the flow channel opens up by degradation and allows fluid to pass through in either direction. During back flow in the well new fluid is circulated into the well and the restriction plug element continues to degrade.

Abstract: A select fire system and method for controlling operations in a gun string assembly comprising perforating guns and switch subs mechanically connected in the gun string assembly is disclosed. Each of the switch subs further comprises a switching element, input links and output links. The switch subs and perforating guns communicate with each other through the input and output links. The switching elements keeps track of the state of the sub and switches states based on trigger conditions such as environment conditions, perforating gun conditions, or input conditions from surface. A self-detecting method for detecting failures in a perforating gun and acting on the failure without the need for pulling the gun string assembly out of the wellbore is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wellbore select fire switch retaining member system and method with an integrated through wire and ground wire in a switch sub. The system/method includes a retaining member that has a form factor acceptable by a conventional switch sub. The retaining member incorporates an electrical connection to the center pin of a pressure switch. The system further includes a secondary piston aligned with a piston in the switch (switch piston) so that external pressure is fully acted upon the entire switch piston creating a reliable switch connection. Another system includes an integrated retaining member and switch module having a form factor compatible with existing switch subs. The integrated module inputs include a ground wire and a through wire and the outputs include a ground wire, through wire and an arming wire.

Abstract: A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.

Abstract: A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached, to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.

Abstract: A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.

Abstract: A wellbore perforating system and method with reliable and safer connections in a perforating gun assembly is disclosed. The system/method includes a gun string assembly (GSA) deployed in a wellbore with multiple perforating guns attached to plural switch subs. The perforating guns are pre-wired with a cable having multi conductors; the multi conductors are connected to electrical ring contacts on either end of the perforating guns. The switch subs are configured with electrical contacts that are attached to the electrical contacts of the perforating guns without the need for manual electrical connections and assembly in the field of operations. The system further includes detonating with a detonator that is positioned upstream of the perforating gun. The detonator is wired to a switch that is positioned downstream of the perforating gun.

Abstract: A perforating gun comprising an elongated shaped scallop that is cut circumferentially in an outside surface of the perforating gun such that said scallop has a constant thickness portion and a variable thickness portion. The variable thickness portion is cut on either end of the constant thickness portion and an arcuate length of the constant thickness portion subtends an angle at a center of said perforating gun. The elongated shaped scallop aligns to shaped charges that are oriented along a desired perforating orientation in the perforating gun. During perforating, the shaped charges perforate through the elongated shaped scallop such that a burr created by the plural shaped charges does not substantially protrude past an outside diameter of the perforating gun.

Abstract: A hydraulic time delay system and method in a wellbore tool is disclosed. The system/method includes an actuation mechanism which allows pressure to act on a functional piston in the wellbore tool. The movement of the piston is restrained by a partially or filled reservoir which is allowed to exhaust through a flow restriction element. The restriction element comprises standard metal tubing with a known inner diameter and is cut to an exact length as predicted by fluid dynamic modeling. A time delay and rate of piston movement desired for the downhole tool, between a trigger event such as pressure and a functional event, can be tuned with parameters that include the length and diameter of the tubing, reservoir fluid viscosity, porous material with permeability in the tube, and number of tubes in parallel.

Abstract: A wellbore select fire switch retaining member system and method with an integrated through wire and ground wire in a switch sub. The system/method includes a retaining member that has a form factor acceptable by a conventional switch sub. The retaining member incorporates an electrical connection to the center pin of a pressure switch. The system further includes a secondary piston aligned with a piston in the switch (switch piston) so that external pressure is fully acted upon the entire switch piston creating a reliable switch connection. Another system includes an integrated retaining member and switch module having a form factor compatible with existing switch subs. The integrated module inputs include a ground wire and a through wire and the outputs include a ground wire, through wire and an arming wire.

Abstract: A hydraulic time delay system and method in a wellbore tool is disclosed. The system/method includes an actuation mechanism which allows pressure to act on a functional piston in the wellbore tool. The movement of the piston is restrained by a partially or filled reservoir which is allowed to exhaust through a flow restriction element. The restriction element comprises standard metal tubing with a known inner diameter and is cut to an exact length as predicted by fluid dynamic modeling. A time delay and rate of piston movement desired for the downhole tool, between a trigger event such as pressure and a functional event, can be tuned with parameters that include the length and diameter of the tubing, reservoir fluid viscosity and number of tubes in parallel. In another embodiment, a secondary plugging element added to the reservoir controls the rate of piston movement and time delay.

Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM's. The RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.

Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The RPE includes a first composition and a second composition that changes phase or strength under wellbore conditions. After a stage is perforated, RPEs are deployed to isolate toe ward pressure communication. The second composition changes phase to create flow channels in the RPE during production. In an alternate system/method, the second composition changes phase or strength thereby deforming the RPE to reduce size and pass through the RSM's. The RPEs are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure.

Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.