Abstract: A method for monitoring well operations comprises sensing oscillations occurring in the well during a well operation and generating a signal indicative of the oscillations. The signal is processed into sensed data indicative of the oscillations sensed in the well, and the sensed data is then compared with reference data associated with previously detected well operations, to identify the well operation that generated the sensed oscillations. The system that performs the well monitoring, comprises one or more transducers configured to sense the oscillations, and a processing system in communication with the transducer which identifies the well operation and the device that caused the oscillations, based on comparisons of data indicative of the oscillations, with reference data associated with previously detected well operations.

Abstract: A liner hanger system enables installation of a liner hanger by means of a full bore casing to surface and provides pressure integrity between the casing's inner and outer sides. The liner hanger system comprises a liner hanger, along with an associated liner, coupled to a tieback casing string. The liner hanger and liner are deployed downhole connected to a tieback casing string. Once the liner has been lowered to the position of interest, first the liner hanger is anchored and cemented in position, and then, a packer is set to seal the lower annulus of the liner. The liner hanger system enables operations that used to require a plurality of trips, to be performed in a single trip. It does so without introducing any unwanted limitation to the inner diameter at any point between the wellhead and the end of the liner, and while also allowing for potential decoupling and removal of the tieback casing string from the liner hanger if desired.

Abstract: A multi-zone, one trip completion system for a wellbore is described. A plurality of isolation packers is installed in borehole to isolate a plurality of zones of the annulus between a tubing string and a wellbore. Each tubing string section is positioned in a zone and comprises a selectively openable stimulation port to provide stimulation fluid to its zone and a selectively openable production port to receive fluid from its zone. The system also comprises a circulation system with a plurality of circulation tubes and circulation tube valves, being configurable in a plurality of configurations to selectively connect, via a circulation flow path, the central bore or the borehole annulus of a wellbore at each of the plurality of sections, to an upper circulation flow path open to an annulus above an uppermost of the plurality of isolation packers.

Abstract: A method for monitoring well operations comprises sensing oscillations occurring in the well during a well operation and generating a signal indicative of the oscillations. The signal is processed into sensed data indicative of the oscillations sensed in the well, and the sensed data is then compared with reference data associated with previously detected well operations, to identify the well operation that generated the sensed oscillations. The system that performs the well monitoring, comprises one or more transducers configured to sense the oscillations, and a processing system in communication with the transducer which identifies the well operation and the device that caused the oscillations, based on comparisons of data indicative of the oscillations, with reference data associated with previously detected well operations.

Abstract: A multi-zone, one trip completion system for a wellbore is described. A plurality of isolation packers is installed in borehole to isolate a plurality of zones of the annulus between a tubing string and a wellbore. Each tubing string section is positioned in a zone and comprises a selectively openable stimulation port to provide stimulation fluid to its zone and a selectively openable production port to receive fluid from its zone. The system also comprises a circulation system with a plurality of circulation tubes and circulation tube valves, being configurable in a plurality of configurations to selectively connect, via a circulation flow path, the central bore or the borehole annulus of a wellbore at each of the plurality of sections, to an upper circulation flow path open to an annulus above an uppermost of the plurality of isolation packers.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a formation includes positioning a fluid treatment string in the formation. The fluid treatment string includes a port configured to pass fracturing fluid from within the string's inner bore to outside the string, and a sliding sleeve located inside string and configured to move by fluid pressure within the inner bore of the fluid treatment string between (i) a first position in which the sliding sleeve covers the port and (ii) a second position in which the sliding sleeve exposes the port to the inner bore. The method also includes applying a fluid pressure within the inner bore such that the sliding sleeve moves from the first position to the second position without the sliding sleeve engaging a sealing device, and pumping fracturing fluid through the inner bore and through the port to fracture a portion of the formation.

Abstract: A method for opening a port through the wall of a ported sub including: providing a sub with a port through its tubular side wall; providing a hydraulically actuable valve to cover the port, the valve being actuable to move away from a position covering the port to thereby open the port; increasing pressure within the sub to create a pressure differential across the valve to move the valve toward the low pressure side, while the port remains closed by the valve; thereafter, reducing pressure within the sub to reduce the pressure differential; and driving the valve to move it away from a position covering the port.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes (a) a tubing string having (i) a wall defining an inner bore extending along a longitudinal axis, and (ii) a plurality of spaced apart ports in the wall; and (b) a plurality of axially spaced apart valves configured to permit fluid to flow therethrough. The valves are mounted along the tubing string. Each valve is (i) moveable in a downhole direction along the inner bore from a first position in which the one or more of the plurality of ports are closed, to a second position in which the one or more of the plurality of ports are open, and (ii) having a minimum inner diameter with respect to an innermost surface of the valve when the valve is in the first position. The minimum inner diameter of each valve is generally equal.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a formation includes positioning a fluid treatment string in the formation. The fluid treatment string includes a port configured to pass fracturing fluid from within the string's inner bore to outside the string, and a sliding sleeve located inside string and configured to move by fluid pressure within the inner bore of the fluid treatment string between (i) a first position in which the sliding sleeve covers the port and (ii) a second position in which the sliding sleeve exposes the port to the inner bore. The method also includes applying a fluid pressure within the inner bore such that the sliding sleeve moves from the first position to the second position without the sliding sleeve engaging a sealing device, and pumping fracturing fluid through the inner bore and through the port to fracture a portion of the formation.

Abstract: A downhole tool and method of operation thereof is provided. The downhole tool may be configured to permit fluid communication between a combined flowbore of the casing string and the downhole tool and the subterranean formation or wellbore, or both, after a pressure test has been completed, a second threshold pressure is reached or applied, and a third threshold pressure has been applied to the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a formation includes positioning a fluid treatment string in the formation. The fluid treatment string includes a port configured to pass fracturing fluid from within the string's inner bore to outside the string, and a sliding sleeve located inside string and configured to move by fluid pressure within the inner bore of the fluid treatment string between (i) a first position in which the sliding sleeve covers the port and (ii) a second position in which the sliding sleeve exposes the port to the inner bore. The method also includes applying a fluid pressure within the inner bore such that the sliding sleeve moves from the first position to the second position without the sliding sleeve engaging a sealing device, and pumping fracturing fluid through the inner bore and through the port to fracture a portion of the formation.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.

Abstract: A method for opening a port through the wall of a ported sub includes providing a sub with a port through its tubular side wall and providing a hydraulically actuable valve to cover the port. The valve can be actuable to move away from a position covering the port to thereby open the port. The method also includes increasing pressure within the sub to create a pressure differential across the valve to move the valve toward the low pressure side, while the port remains closed by the valve, and thereafter, reducing pressure within the sub to reduce the pressure differential to move valve away from a position covering the port.

Abstract: A fluid treatment method includes positioning a tubing string in a non-vertical borehole section, and applying a sliding-sleeve-actuating fluid pressure within the tubing string's inner bore such that a first sliding sleeve moves from a position in which a first port is covered to another position in which the first port is exposed to the inner bore. The method further includes pumping fluid through the first port. The method also includes conveying first and second fluid conveyed sealing devices through the inner bore such that the first and second fluid conveyed sealing device seal against the seats of second and third sliding sleeves, respectively, thereby moving the second and third sliding sleeves to open port positions exposing second and third ports, respectively. The method also includes pumping fluid through the second and third ports to treat first and second portions of the formation, respectively.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid treatment apparatus includes a tubing string including a first port with a first closure disposed thereover to close the first port to fluid flow and a second port spaced axially uphole from the first port and having a second closure disposed thereover to close the second port to fluid flow; and an actuator tool configured to move through the tubing string and (i) to set a seal in the tubing string downhole of the first port; (ii) to actuate the first closure to open the first port; and (iii) to actuate the second closure to open the second port. A method for treating a well may employ the tool.

Abstract: A wellbore tubing string assembly comprises: a string including an inner bore having an inner diameter and a plurality of tools installed along the string including a first tool and a second tool axially offset from the first tool along the string; the first tool includes: a first sleeve in the inner bore having an inner surface, the inner surface defining a first restriction diameter smaller than the inner diameter; a first sensor mechanism in communication with the first sleeve and responsive to an application of force against the first sleeve; the second tool includes; a second sleeve in the inner bore having an inner wall surface, the inner wall surface defining a second restriction diameter smaller than the inner diameter; a second sensor mechanism in communication with the second sleeve and responsive to an application of force against the second sleeve; and a sealing device having a diameter greater than the second restriction diameter and being deformable to be pushable through the second restriction

Abstract: An actuation dart for actuating a target tool in a tubing string, the actuation dart includes: a body conveyable through the tubing string to reach the target tool; a control module configured to respond to contact with at least one downhole tool in the tubing string to locate the target tool; and an actuation mechanism for actuating the target tool when it is located.

Abstract: A stage tool for wellbore annular cementing may be opened for cementing by hydraulic actuation of a sliding sleeve valve from over a fluid port. After sufficient cement has been introduced, the stage tool fluid port can be closed by compressing two telescopically arranged parts of its tubular body to further overlap each other and overlie the fluid port. This permits the stage tool to be closed without employing a plug.

Abstract: A system for placement of a liner in a lateral wellbore, access to which is provided through a window having a V-shaped downhole end. The system includes a running tool including an upper end through which the running tool is manipulated from surface, a lower end, a key positioned between the upper end and the lower end, the key protruding from the running tool for locating the V-shaped downhole end of the window and a liner-engaging portion on the downhole end for releasably securing the wellbore liner to the running tool, the liner-engaging portion configured to secure the liner adjacent the key with the key protruding above the liner and the liner extending from the lower end. The invention also provides methods for placing a wellbore liner in a lateral wellbore extending from a main wellbore.