Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are provided for injecting carrier sleeves into a wellbore. The injection system is capable of individually indexing a selected sleeve from a sleeve magazine into an injector bore and axially aligning the sleeve with the bore with a retaining device. The retaining device prevents a subsequent sleeve from being indexed into the bore from the magazine. The selected sleeve can be restricted from free fall using a staging mechanism, which can subsequently be opened to permit the selected sleeve to fall into a staging bore. The staging bore is then fluidly isolated from the injector bore and the wellbore, pressure in the staging bore is equalized with the wellbore, and then opened to the wellbore for injecting the sleeve into the wellbore. The sleeve can be axially aligned and radially centered with the injector bore using a tapered portion in the bore or the staging mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are provided for injecting carrier sleeves into a wellbore. The injection system is capable of individually indexing a selected sleeve from a sleeve magazine into an injector bore and axially aligning the sleeve with the bore with a retaining device. The retaining device prevents a subsequent sleeve from being indexed into the bore from the magazine. The selected sleeve can be restricted from free fall using a staging mechanism, which can subsequently be opened to permit the selected sleeve to fall into a staging bore. The staging bore is then fluidly isolated from the injector bore and the wellbore, pressure in the staging bore is equalized with the wellbore, and then opened to the wellbore for injecting the sleeve into the wellbore. The sleeve can be axially aligned and radially centered with the injector bore using a tapered portion in the bore or the staging mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for confirming the launch of an actuator for delivery downhole into a wellbore for engagement with a downhole tool such as a packer, sliding sleeve and the like. A wellhead assembly has an axial wellbore in communication with the wellbore. An actuator launcher is located above the wellhead assembly for selectively releasing actuators into the axial wellbore. At least one waypoint is located in the axial bore. A detection device is mounted on the wellhead assembly capable of detecting receipt of a released actuator at the waypoint and generating a confirmation signal in response. A control system receives the confirmation signal, distinguishing between a successful launch and a non-successful launch of the actuator, and producing an output indicating whether introduction of the actuator was successful, the size and material of the actuator, and other pertinent information.

Abstract: A bonnet for a gate valve is provided or retrofitted for minimizing sand-packing and minimizing interruption of operations. An annular recess is formed about the stem, the resulting profile and dimensional modification effective to minimize packing effects when stroking the gate to the retracted position. In an embodiment, the annular recess is one or more of a cylindrical or conical recess. In another embodiment, wherein a retracted gate stops against the bonnet, one or both of the bonnet and gate interface is fit with beveled surfaces for receiving sand that accumulated on the stop.

Abstract: A ball catcher for recovering balls from wellbore fluids containing sand during flow back operations. The ball catcher has a receiving chamber for receiving the wellbore fluids containing sand, a first flow outlet for discharging a portion of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein, and a diverter for redirecting balls entrained within the wellbore fluids. The redirected balls and a balance of the wellbore fluids also containing sand are received in a ball-retaining chamber. A blocker fit to the ball-retaining chamber retains the recovered balls therein while the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein is discharged from a second flow outlet and directed to downstream equipment through an auxiliary flow line. The retaining chamber can be isolated allowing the balls to be removed from the ball catcher without disrupting the flow back operation.

Abstract: Fracturing headers and connected conduits are fit with one or more fluid screening and wear minimizing inserts. Tubular screen inserts are provided to screen a flow of fracturing fluid through manifolds prior to, or at, the fracturing header. Each tubular screen insert has a tubular wall having an insert bore, an endwall and an open inlet. A plurality of openings, about the tubular wall, provide fluid communication between the bore and an annular area outside the wall. Oriented in a flow conduit with the closed endwall upstream, the insert excludes and sheds debris therefrom. Oriented with the closed endwall downstream, the insert receives and stores debris. Pairs of inserts, retained in opposing inlet ports, serve to screen fluid and deflect erosive flow from tools such as coil tubing extending therethrough. A fracturing block fit with opposing inlet ports can also be fit with an outlet port for flowback operations.

Abstract: A method is provided for safely delivering actuators such as balls from a ball injector to a downhole tool in a wellbore. A structure or carrier medium, such as a slug of gel or foam, is introduced to a bore of injector and the ball is injected into the bore for support by the carrier medium. A displacement fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped into the wellbore to drive the carrier medium and ball. Each slug and ball can be retrieved at a ball catcher at the wellhead.

Abstract: A ball catcher for recovering balls from wellbore fluids containing sand during flow back operations. The ball catcher has a receiving chamber for receiving the wellbore fluids containing sand, a first flow outlet for discharging a portion of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein, and a diverter for redirecting balls entrained within the wellbore fluids. The redirected balls and a balance of the wellbore fluids also containing sand are received in a ball-retaining chamber. A blocker fit to the ball-retaining chamber retains the recovered balls therein while the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein is discharged from a second flow outlet and directed to downstream equipment through an auxiliary flow line. The retaining chamber can be isolated allowing the balls to be removed from the ball catcher without disrupting the flow back operation.

Abstract: A method for successively releasing balls into a wellbore during wellbore operations is disclosed. The method includes providing at least a first ball injector for storing at least a primary set of primary balls and at least a second set of redundant balls, releasing a ball from the at least primary set of primary balls and determining if the released ball properly seats and engages its intended corresponding downhole tool. If it is determined that the released ball did not properly engage and actuate its intended corresponding tool, a redundant ball from the second set of redundant balls can be released without interrupting wellbore operations. In an alternate embodiment, the first ball injector can be a primary ball injector for storing and releasing the at least primary set of primary balls, and a second ball injector for storing and releasing the at least second set of redundant balls, the first and second ball injectors arranged in parallel.

Abstract: Fracturing headers and connected conduits are fit with one or more fluid screening and wear minimizing inserts. Tubular screen inserts are provided to screen a flow of fracturing fluid through manifolds prior to, or at, the fracturing header. Each tubular screen insert has a tubular wall having an insert bore, an endwall and an open inlet. A plurality of openings, about the tubular wall, provide fluid communication between the bore and an annular area outside the wall. Oriented in a flow conduit with the closed endwall upstream, the insert excludes and sheds debris therefrom. Oriented with the closed endwall downstream, the insert receives and stores debris. Pairs of inserts, retained in opposing inlet ports, serve to screen fluid and deflect erosive flow from tools such as coil tubing extending therethrough. A fracturing block fit with opposing inlet ports can also be fit with an outlet port for flowback operations.

Abstract: A ball catcher for recovering balls from wellbore fluids containing sand during flow back operations. The ball catcher has a receiving chamber for receiving the wellbore fluids containing sand, a first flow outlet for discharging a portion of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein, and a diverter for redirecting balls entrained within the wellbore fluids. The redirected balls and a balance of the wellbore fluids also containing sand are received in a ball-retaining chamber. A blocker fit to the ball-retaining chamber retains the recovered balls therein while the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein is discharged from a second flow outlet and directed to downstream equipment through an auxiliary flow line. The retaining chamber can be isolated allowing the balls to be removed from the ball catcher without disrupting the flow back operation.

Abstract: A method is provided for safely delivering actuators such as balls from a ball injector to a downhole tool in a wellbore. A structure or carrier medium, such as a slug of gel or foam, is introduced to a bore of injector and the ball is injected into the bore for support by the carrier medium. A displacement fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped into the wellbore to drive the carrier medium and ball. Each slug and ball can be retrieved at a ball catcher at the wellhead.

Abstract: An apparatus for successively releasing balls into a wellbore during wellbore operations is disclosed. The apparatus has a radial housing having at least one radial ball array having two or more radial bores. Each radial bore houses a ball cartridge adapted to receive and release balls and an actuator for operably aligning or misaligning the ball cartridge with an axial bore in fluid communication with the wellbore. The ball cartridge is moveable along the radial bore and is operable between an aligned position, for releasing a ball and a misaligned position for storing the ball.

Abstract: A tapered sleeve and fracturing head system for introducing fracturing fluid to a wellbore, while protecting a conveyance string from the erosive effects of the fracturing fluid is disclosed. A tapered sleeve has a top portion and a tapered downhole portion. The sleeve is fit to a main bore of a fracturing head by an upset at the top portion of the sleeve that engages a shoulder of the fracturing head. The sleeve intercepts, deflects and redirects introduced fracturing fluids downhole, preventing direct impingement of the fracturing fluid against the conveyance string. The main bore of the fracturing head may also be tapered at an angle substantial parallel to and along the length of the taper of the sleeve, to further improve the fluid dynamics of the fracturing fluid and further reduce the erosive effects of the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A wear-resistant sealing system for introducing fracturing fluids to a wellhead comprising a tubular connector having a retaining shoulder and bridging a flange interface created between a frachead and a lower tubular structure. The tubular connector has upper and lower sealing elements above and below the flange interface and forms a contiguous bore for fluid communication of the fracturing fluids from the frachead to the lower tubular structure and wellhead.

Abstract: A manifold for distribution of well servicing fluids, such as fracturing fluids, to a plurality of wells. The manifold has a single bore through which the fluid flows and a plurality of outlets which are connected to the bore. Two or more of the outlets deliver the fluid to each wellhead. Valves are positioned in each of the outlets so that each of the wellheads can be independently isolated from the fluids for selecting which of the wells will be serviced at any given time. A total cross-sectional area of the outlets feeding each of the wells is greater than the cross-sectional area of the bore which results in a velocity reduction in the outlets which reduces erosion in the manifold and the downstream components Systems are described using prior art manifolds or manifolds according to embodiments of the invention for use specifically with fracturing fluids containing proppant. Proppant can be delivered to the fracturing fluid through the manifold, directly to the wellhead or both, to reduce erosion.

Abstract: An apparatus for successively releasing balls into a wellbore during wellbore operations is disclosed. The apparatus has a radial housing having at least one radial ball array having two or more radial bores. Each radial bore houses a ball cartridge adapted to receive and release balls and an actuator for operably aligning or misaligning the ball cartridge with an axial bore in fluid communication with the wellbore. The ball cartridge is moveable along the radial bore and is operable between an aligned position, for releasing a ball and a misaligned position for storing the ball.

Abstract: A ball catcher for recovering balls from wellbore fluids containing sand during flow back operations. The ball catcher has a receiving chamber for receiving the wellbore fluids containing sand, a first flow outlet for discharging a portion of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein, and a diverter for redirecting balls entrained within the wellbore fluids. The redirected balls and a balance of the wellbore fluids also containing sand are received in a ball-retaining chamber. A blocker fit to the ball-retaining chamber retains the recovered balls therein while the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein is discharged from a second flow outlet and directed to downstream equipment through an auxiliary flow line. The retaining chamber can be isolated allowing the balls to be removed from the ball catcher without disrupting the flow back operation.

Abstract: A ball catcher is adapted to be fluidly connected to a wellhead port to receive wellbore fluids and balls carried therewith. A diverter is fit to the catcher body and has a wellhead end positioned to intercept the fluid flow from the wellhead port so as to divert debris and balls carried therein into a ball recovery chamber. The diverter has a bore in fluid communication with the flow outlet and the wellhead end has flow passages formed therethrough to the bore for receiving the fluid flow free of debris and balls and discharging the fluid flow from the catcher body. The diverter and the ball recovery chamber can be connected to quick removal for replacement, repair or cleaning.

Abstract: A packoff nipple for sealing an annular space in a well pipe has a tubular body, a sealing assembly positioned around the tubular body capable of axial movement along the tubular body and a stop to restrain the sealing assembly from extruding into the annular space. The sealing assembly includes one or more elastomeric sealing rings having a circumferential groove formed in a downhole face. An axially moveable actuator, such as a packer cup, engages the sealing ring assembly to cause at least a portion of the sealing rings to expand radially outwardly to seal the annular space and cause the sealing ring assembly to contact the uphole stop. The sealing rings are axially compressed between the uphole stop and the actuator to further expand the sealing rings. The uphole stop may be concave to urge the sealing rings away from the well pipe to avoid extrusion or permanent deformation.