Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling flow and access in multilateral completions provide for controlling rates of flow from intersecting wellbores. Flow from a branch wellbore and flow from a lower parent wellbore are controlled by respective remotely actuated flow control devices interconnected in a production tubing string in the parent wellbore. Access is provided to both of the wellbores below an intersection of the wellbores.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (112), which forms a first annulus with the wellbore, and an sand control screen (118) disposed within the outer tubular (112) forming a second annulus therebetween. Within the second annulus is an axially extending production pathway (146) and an axially extending slurry passageway (144), which is defined between a sheet member (140) positioned on the sand control screen (118) and a channel (132). The outer tubular (112) has outlets (116) that are substantially aligned with outlets (142) of the channel (132). When a fluid slurry containing gravel is injected through the slurry passageway (144), the fluid slurry exits through the outlets (116, 142) leaving gravel in the first annulus, thereby gravel packing the interval.

Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry technique that uses a number of bits per interval based on parameters of the pulse position modulation system in order to reduce data transfer time in a pulse position modulation system. More particularly, depending on parameters of the pulse position modulation such as the minimum-time and the bit-width, it may be possible to decrease overall transmission time by splitting values having a larger number of bits into multiple transmissions with each transmission having a smaller number of bits.

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: The present invention relates to subterranean cementing operations, and more particularly, to cement compositions comprising elastic particles and having improved mechanical properties, and methods of using such compositions in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention comprises the steps of: providing a cement composition comprising a base fluid, a hydraulic cement, and a portion of elastic particles; placing the cement composition in a well bore in a subterranean formation; permitting a portion of the cement composition to enter openings in a region of the subterranean formation in fluid communication with the well bore; and permitting the portion of the cement composition to seal the openings off from the well bore. Another example of a method of the present invention comprises the step of adding a portion of elastic particles to a cement composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, aqueous treating fluids and friction pressure reducers for the treating fluids. A treating fluid of the invention comprises water and a non-toxic environmentally acceptable friction pressure reducer comprising a mixture of a copolymer of acrylamide and dimethylaminoethyl acrylate quaternized with benzyl chloride and a stabilizing and dispersing homopolymer of ethanaminium,N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[(1,oxo-2-prbpenyl)oxy]-chloride.

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 device and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The device and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes interacting projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

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: Method and apparatus for providing real-time data indicative of the isotopic composition of formation fluids during drilling. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a reference fluid having a known isotopic composition in a reference cell; (b) capturing a sample of formation; (c) providing at least one laser beam; (e) passing a beam through the reference fluid, measuring the reference-measurement beam before and after it passes through the reference fluid; (f) and passing a beam through the sample, measuring the beam before and after it passes through the sample, and calculating a first isotope concentration from those measurements. The measurements can provide information relating to the carbon isotopic composition of individual compounds in hydrocarbon gas mixtures, with the individual compounds including methane, ethane, propane, iso- or normal butane, or iso- or normal pentane.

Abstract: A downhole telemetry system and method using discrete multi-tone modulation having repeated symbols. The system includes a surface receiver, a cable, and a downhole transmitter coupled to the surface receiver via the cable. The transmitter communicates a time-domain signal to the receiver. The time-domain signal has a cyclic prefix for a symbol at least as long as the length of the symbol. The system may alternatively include the time-domain signal having a symbol followed immediately by a copy of the symbol. The method includes receiving a time-domain signal carrying desired information at specific frequencies. The signal has at least one symbol. The method includes prepending a cyclic prefix having first length to the beginning of the symbol. The cyclic prefix has a second length no longer than the first length. The method may alternatively include appending a copy of the at least one symbol to the end of the at least one symbol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or treating a subterranean well formation to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons utilizing foam diversion in the well formation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic borehole telemetry system providing improved signal to noise ratio. Adaptive filters use noise channels as references to remove noise from the signal channel. Multiple noise channels are coupled to series connected adaptive filters for removing each noise source from the signal channel. The order of noise removal is selected to remove the most significant first.

Abstract: An electromagnetic borehole telemetry system providing improved signal to noise ratio. Adaptive filters use noise channels as references to remove noise from the signal channel. Improved sensors provide noise channels with reduced signal content. Motion sensors are used to detect noise and provide a noise channel free of signal content. The motion sensors are shielded from electromagnetic signals to prevent detection of the telemetry signal.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring pipe according to which a pipe joint is positioned in a pipe lift in a first position and moved to a second position before being transferred from the pipe lift to a pipe shuttle and moved to a third position.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for movably securing a radially expandable sand-control screen jacket assembly to a base pipe. The screen jacket assembly is connected to the base pipe with a longitudinally moveable, sand-controlling joint. In use, the joint slides maintain a sand-controlling seal after radial expansion of the sand-control screen jacket assembly.

Abstract: Methods of completing unconsolidated hydrocarbon producing zones penetrated by cased and cemented well bores are provided. The methods include the steps of forming spaced openings through the casing and cement and injecting a first hardenable resin composition through the openings into the unconsolidated producing zone adjacent to the well bore. Without waiting for the first hardenable resin composition to harden, a fracturing fluid containing proppant particles coated with a second hardenable resin composition is injected through the openings into the unconsolidated producing zone at a rate and pressure sufficient to fracture the producing zone. The proppant particles coated with the second hardenable resin composition are deposited in the fractures and the first and second hardenable resin compositions are allowed to harden by heat.

Abstract: Screen assemblies (40, 42) and a single trip method for selectively fracturing multiple formations (14, 16) traversed by a wellbore (32) are disclosed. Each formation (14, 16) has a screen assembly (40, 42) having a plurality of valves (60, 66) positioned adjacent thereto. During the treatment process, the formations (14, 16) are selectively treated with a treatment fluid that is pumped into the interior of the adjacent screen assembly (40, 42). The valves (60, 66) of the respective screen assemblies (40, 42) progressively allow the treatment fluid to exit from the interior to the exterior of the screen assemblies (40, 42) such that each formation (14, 16) is progressively fractured.

Abstract: Lightweight cement compositions and methods of cementing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore utilizing the compositions are provided. A lightweight cement composition of the invention is basically comprised of a coarse particulate hydraulic cement, an ultrafine particulate hydraulic cement mixture comprised of slag cement and a Portland or equivalent cement, fly ash, fumed silica, hollow glass spheres and water.