Abstract: An apparatus for fluid treatment of a borehole, the apparatus allowing initial outflow injection of fluids into a wellbore in which it is installed and then is actuable to allow fluid inflow control.

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 system has been invented 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 down-hole 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 well-bore extending from a main wellbore.

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 tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wellbore control include a downhole facing ball stop and sealing area that can stop and seal with an actuator ball migrating toward surface with wellbore returns or production. The downhole facing ball stop operates with the returning actuator ball to create a seal against any returns or production migrating toward surface such that well control is provided until the ball is removed from the sealing area or a bypass is opened around the seal.

Abstract: A wellbore fluid treatment assembly includes: a tubing string, a fluid port extending through the tubing string wall, the fluid port positioned in a shift gap created by movement of a sliding sleeve valve when opening the fluid port; and a tool for locating the fluid port in the tubing string, the tool including: a body, a locking protrusion encircling a circumference of the body, at least a portion of the locking protrusion having a length measured along the tool's long axis selected to fit into the shift gap.

Abstract: A method for wellbore treatment includes running a liner into a wellbore, the liner including a wall, an inner bore defined by the wall, a first port through the wall, a second port though the wall spaced axially from the first port, a first removable closure for the first port and a second removable closure for the second port; positioning the liner in an open hole section of the wellbore to create an annulus between the liner and a portion of the wellbore wall and with the second port downhole of the first port; inserting a treatment string assembly into the liner, the treatment string assembly including a tubing string and an annular seal about the tubing string and being insertable into the inner bore of the liner; setting the annular seal to create a seal between the tubing string and the liner downhole of the second port; and while the first port is closed to fluid flow therethrough, pumping wellbore treatment fluid into an annular area between the tubing string and the liner such that the fluid passes

Abstract: A stage tool for wellbore annular cementing includes: a main body including a tubular wall with an outer surface and a longitudinal bore extending from a top end to a bottom end, the tubular wall including a first tubular and a second tubular telescopically secured relative to and axially slidable along the first tubular; a fluid port through the tubular wall and, when opened, providing fluidic access between the longitudinal bore and the outer surface, the fluid port being openable with the first tubular and the second tubular are a first overlapping position and being closed by axially sliding the first tubular and the second tubular into a further overlapping position relative to the first overlapping position; and a sliding sleeve valve positioned over the port and drivable by fluid pressure from a position sealing against fluid flow out of the tool from the fluid port and a position retracted from the fluid port to permit fluid flow out of the tool from the fluid port.

Abstract: A method for fluid treatment of a borehole including a main wellbore, a first wellbore leg extending from the main wellbore and a second wellbore leg extending from the main wellbore, the method includes: running a wellbore tubing string apparatus into the first wellbore leg; conveying a plug into the wellbore tubing string apparatus to actuate a plug-actuated sleeve in the wellbore tubing string apparatus to open a port through the wall of the wellbore tubing string apparatus covered by the sleeve; employing a plug retainer to retain the plug in the tubing string against passing outwardly from the tubing string apparatus; allowing fluids to flow toward surface outwardly from the tubing string apparatus; and performing operations in the second wellbore leg.

Abstract: A wellbore tubular port closure system includes a mechanism to delay the opening of the port after the port closure has been actuated to open. A method and apparatus incorporate the wellbore tubular port closure system with a port opening delay mechanism configured to act after actuation of the pressure responsive mechanism to delay full movement of the port-closure to the port-open position until after a selected time has lapsed.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluid treatment of a borehole includes: a tubing string having a long axis and an upper end, a first, second and third ports opened through the wall of the tubing string; packers operable to seal about the tubing string and mounted on the tubing string; a closure on each port and each being actuable between a closed port position and a position permitting fluid flow through the ports from the tubing string inner bore; and a closure actuating mechanism for actuating the first closure and the second closure together from their closed port positions to their positions permitting fluid flow, while the third closure remains in the closed port position.

Abstract: A ball catching device has been invented that catches an actuator ball used in a wellbore to actuate a downhole tool. The device catches the ball downhole as it begins to flow back with fluids toward surface. The device is configured such that when a ball flows back with wellbore fluids, the ball can flow through the device and if the ball reverses direction, as by falling back due to decreased or stopped production back flow, then the device will catch the ball and keep it from falling back past the device into the well.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run-m in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition A sliding sleeve in a tubular has a driver selected to be acted upon by an inner bore conveyed actuating device, the driver drives the generation of a ball stop on the sleeve.

Abstract: A cement diffuser and method for allowing a ported tubular to be cemented in place, while keeping an annulus about a port of the ported tubular generally free of set cement. The cement diffuser includes a collection of fibers secured over the port and extending out from an outer surface of the tubular.

Abstract: A tubular member for lining a wellbore, the tubular member comprising: an inner tubular member including a first end, an opposite end, an axial bore extending from the first end to the opposite end and an outer surface; an outer tubular including a base end and an outboard end, the outer tubular connected about the inner tubular adjacent its base end and a locating profile in the axial bore of the inner tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for fluid treatment of a borehole, the apparatus comprising: a tubing string having a long axis and an upper end, a first port opened through the wall of the tubing string, a second port opened through the wall of the tubing string, the second port axially offset from the first port and positioned between the first port and the upper end, a third port opened through the wall of the tubing string, the third port axially offset from the second port and positioned between the second port and the upper end, a first packer operable to seal about the tubing string and mounted on the tubing string to act in a position offset from the first port along the long axis of the tubing string, a second packer operable to seal about the tubing string and mounted on the tubing string to act in a position between the first port and the second port along the long axis of the tubing string; a third packer operable to seal about the tubing string and mounted on the tubing string to act in a position between the secon

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: A cementing sub for wellbore annulus cementing that allows certain regions of the wellbore annulus to be cemented while other regions are left open for perforating, activation or controllable ported access. The cementing sub may include a tubular body including a first end, an opposite end and a wall defined between an inner bore extending from the first end to the opposite end and an outer surface; a port through the wall of the tubular body providing communication between the inner bore and the outer surface, the port including an openable closure; a conduit along the wall of the tubular extending from an inlet adjacent the first end and an outlet adjacent the opposite end, the inlet and outlet opening to the outer surface and being isolated from communication with the inner bore; a first annular packer encircling the tubular body and positioned between the port and the inlet; and a second annular packer encircling the tubular body and positioned between the port and the outlet.