Abstract: An actuation member for use in fracking operations, which immediately prior to fracking locates a sand screen at a desired location along a tubing liner and eliminates having to trip out the frac string prior to commencing production. The actuation member comprises a cylindrical hollow collet sleeve, with one or more radially-outwardly biased protuberances forming a unique profile which further matingly engages a corresponding mating profile on one of a plurality of sliding sleeve members in the tubular liner. A longitudinally-extending sand screen is provided, longitudinally slidable on the actuation member. A spring member, adapted to be forcibly compressed by the sand screen member when pressurized fluid is applied, and decompressed upon removal of pressurized fluid, is further provided on the actuation member.

Abstract: A retrieving tool for retrieving an annular hollow baffle member in a wellbore. The baffle member has an interior bore and radially outwardly-biased collet finger protuberances on an exterior thereof matingly engaging a correspondingly-dimensioned annular recess within a landing sub of a well casing of the wellbore. The retrieving tool has a tubular body and a plurality of radially-outwardly-extendable dogs thereon. The tubular body and the dogs are sized that, when the dogs are retracted, the retrieving tool is movable through the interior bore of the baffle member to a position below a lowermost thereof, and when the dogs are extended after the retrieving tool moves to said position, the dogs radially engageable with the landing sub and axially engageable with the lowermost of baffle member for pulling the baffle member uphole and disengaging it from the landing sub for retrieving the entirety of the baffle member.

Abstract: A method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.

Abstract: An actuation member for use in fracking operations, which immediately prior to fracking locates a sand screen at a desired location along a tubing liner and eliminates having to trip out the frac string prior to commencing production. The actuation member comprises a cylindrical hollow collet sleeve, with one or more radially-outwardly biased protuberances forming a unique profile which further matingly engages a corresponding mating profile on one of a plurality of sliding sleeve members in the tubular liner. A longitudinally-extending sand screen is provided, longitudinally slidable on the actuation member. A spring member, adapted to be forcibly compressed by the sand screen member when pressurized fluid is applied, and decompressed upon removal of pressurized fluid, is further provided on the actuation member.

Abstract: A baffle system for use in well casing having a plurality of landed subs therein, for progressive injection of a fracking or treating fluid into a hydrocarbon formation via existing or created perforations in the well casing. The baffle members provide a plug seat, and are each frangibly affixed to a conveying tool and have collet finger protuberances thereon. The collet finger protuberances of each baffle are of a different width, and respectively engage only one annular recess of a corresponding width in a respective landing sub. Each annular recess and/or collet finger protuberance on an uphole edge thereof has a chamfer which allows disengagement of the collet finger protuberances and thus removal of the baffle member from the well casing upon upward force being applied to the baffle member. A method of using the baffle system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.

Abstract: A system for successively uncovering a plurality of contiguous ports in a tubing liner within a wellbore, or for successively uncovering individual groups of ports arranged at different but adjacent locations along the liner, to allow successive fracking of the wellbore at such locations. Sliding sleeves in the tubing liner are provided, having a circumferential groove therein, which are successively moved from a closed position covering a respective port to an open position uncovering such port by an actuation member placed in the bore of the tubing liner. Each actuation member comprises a dissolvable plug which in one embodiment is retained by shear pins at an uphole end of a collet sleeve, the latter having radially-outwardly biased protuberances (fingers) which matingly engage sliding sleeves having cylindrical grooves therein, based on the width of the protuberance.

Abstract: A sliding valve for opening one or more fluid ports in a piping string, having a valve body and a sliding sleeve in a longitudinal bore thereof. The valve body has one or more fluid ports in an uphole portion thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable in the valve body between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the ports. The sliding sleeve has a longitudinal bore for receiving a collet, and/or a stop ring and/or a protective sleeve. The stop ring forms a stop shoulder for preventing downhole movement of the collet relative to the sliding sleeve.

Abstract: A sliding valve has a valve body, a sliding sleeve received in a longitudinal bore of the valve body, and a collet receivable in a longitudinal bore of the sliding sleeve. The valve body has one or more fluid ports on an uphole portion of the sidewall thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the one or more fluid ports. The sliding sleeve has a sleeve-profile formed at least by one or more sleeve-grooves and one or more sleeve-ridges longitudinally distributed on an inner surface thereof. The collet has a flexible collet-profile formed by at least one or more collet-grooves and one or more collet-ridges respectively corresponding to the sleeve-grooves and sleeve-ridges. The length of each sleeve-ridge or collet-ridge is smaller than that of corresponding sleeve-groove or collet-groove.

Abstract: A sliding valve for opening one or more fluid ports in a piping string, having a valve body and a sliding sleeve in a longitudinal bore thereof. The valve body has one or more fluid ports in an uphole portion thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable in the valve body between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the ports. The sliding sleeve has a longitudinal bore for receiving a collet, and/or a stop ring and/or a protective sleeve. The stop ring forms a stop shoulder for preventing downhole movement of the collet relative to the sliding sleeve.

Abstract: A sliding valve has a valve body, a sliding sleeve received in a longitudinal bore of the valve body, and a collet receivable in a longitudinal bore of the sliding sleeve. The valve body has one or more fluid ports on an uphole portion of the sidewall thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the one or more fluid ports. The collet comprises a metal portion about an uphole end of the collet, and a ball seat having a ball-seat surface radially inwardly sloped from uphole to downhole at an acute slope angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the collet. The metal portion is radially outwardly expandable under a radially outward pressure to form a metal-to-metal seal at the interface between the collet and the sliding sleeve when the collet is received in the sliding sleeve.

Abstract: A system for successively uncovering a plurality of contiguous ports in a tubing liner within a wellbore, or for successively uncovering individual groups of ports arranged at different but adjacent locations along the liner, to allow successive fracking of the wellbore at such locations. Sliding sleeves in the tubing liner are provided, having a circumferential groove therein, which are successively moved from a closed position covering a respective port to an open position uncovering such port by an actuation member placed in the bore of the tubing liner. Each actuation member comprises a dissolvable plug which in one embodiment is retained by shear pins at an uphole end of a collet sleeve, the latter having radially-outwardly biased protuberances (fingers) which matingly engage sliding sleeves having cylindrical grooves therein, based on the width of the protuberance.

Abstract: A system and method for successively fracking a wellbore at spaced intervals along tubing having therein frac ports each openably closed by a sliding sleeve. The system has at least one actuation member and at least one cylindrical sand screen sub insertable into the tubing. Each actuation member has a collet sleeve with a radially-outwardly biased protuberance of a first profile configured to matingly engage an interior groove profile on at least one of the sliding sleeves and slide the sliding sleeve downhole to open the corresponding port. Each cylindrical sand screen sub has a dissolvable plug member or burst plate disposed on one end thereof allowing for the sand screen to be forced into the well by pressure acting against the plug or plate, and has a resiliently-outwardly biased protuberance configured for engaging a mating profile on the tubing and retaining the sand screen sub in a desired position.

Abstract: A sliding valve has a valve body, a sliding sleeve received in a longitudinal bore of the valve body, and a collet receivable in a longitudinal bore of the sliding sleeve. The valve body has one or more fluid ports on an uphole portion of the sidewall thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the one or more fluid ports. The sliding sleeve has a sleeve-profile formed at least by one or more sleeve-grooves and one or more sleeve-ridges longitudinally distributed on an inner surface thereof. The collet has a flexible collet-profile formed by at least one or more collet-grooves and one or more collet-ridges respectively corresponding to the sleeve-grooves and sleeve-ridges. The length of each sleeve-ridge or collet-ridge is smaller than that of corresponding sleeve-groove or collet-groove.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively actuating sliding sleeves in sub members which are placed downhole in a wellbore, to open ports in such sub members to allow fracking of the wellbore, or to detonate explosive charges thereon for perforating a wellbore, or both. A simplified dart and sleeve is used which reduces machining operations on each. The dart is preferably provided with coupling means to permit a retrieval tool to be coupled thereto, which upon the retrieval tool being so coupled allows a bypass valve to operate to assist in withdrawing the dart from within the valve subs. Upward movement of the retrieval tool allows a wedge-shaped member to disengage the dart member from a corresponding sleeve to allow the dart to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A sliding valve for opening one or more fluid ports in a piping string, having a valve body and a sliding sleeve in a longitudinal bore thereof. The valve body has one or more fluid ports in an uphole portion thereof. The sliding sleeve is movable in the valve body between an uphole closed position closing the one or more fluid ports and a downhole open position opening the ports. The sliding sleeve has a longitudinal bore for receiving a collet, and/or a stop ring and/or a protective sleeve. The stop ring forms a stop shoulder for preventing downhole movement of the collet relative to the sliding sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for selectively actuating sliding sleeves in sub members which are placed downhole in a wellbore, to open ports in such sub members to allow fracking of the wellbore, or to detonate explosive charges thereon for perforating a wellbore, or both. A simplified dart and sleeve is used which reduces machining operations on each. The dart is preferably provided with coupling means to permit a retrieval tool to be coupled thereto, which upon the retrieval tool being so coupled allows a bypass valve to operate to assist in withdrawing the dart from within the valve subs. Upward movement of the retrieval tool allows a wedge-shaped member to disengage the dart member from a corresponding sleeve to allow the dart to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A system and method for successively fracking a wellbore at spaced intervals along tubing having therein frac ports each openably closed by a sliding sleeve. The system has at least one actuation member and at least one cylindrical sand screen sub insertable into the tubing. Each actuation member has a collet sleeve with a radially-outwardly biased protuberance of a first profile configured to matingly engage an interior groove profile on at least one of the sliding sleeves and slide the sliding sleeve downhole to open the corresponding port. Each cylindrical sand screen sub has a dissolvable plug member or burst plate disposed on one end thereof allowing for the sand screen to be forced into the well by pressure acting against the plug or plate, and has a resiliently-outwardly biased protuberance configured for engaging a mating profile on the tubing and retaining the sand screen sub in a desired position.

Abstract: A system for successively uncovering a plurality of contiguous ports in a tubing liner within a wellbore, or for successively uncovering individual groups of ports arranged at different but adjacent locations along the liner, to allow successive fracking of the wellbore at such locations. Sliding sleeves in the tubing liner are provided, having a circumferential groove therein, which are successively moved from a closed position covering a respective port to an open position uncovering such port by an actuation member placed in the bore of the tubing liner. Each actuation member comprises a dissolvable plug which in one embodiment is retained by shear pins at an uphole end of a collet sleeve, the latter having radially-outwardly biased protuberances (fingers) which matingly engage sliding sleeves having cylindrical grooves therein, based on the width of the protuberance.

Abstract: A system for successively uncovering a plurality of contiguous ports in a tubing liner within a wellbore, or for successively uncovering individual groups of ports arranged at different but adjacent locations along the liner, to allow successive fracking of the wellbore at such locations. Sliding sleeves in the tubing liner are provided, having a circumferential groove therein, which are successively moved from a closed position covering a respective port to an open position uncovering such port by an actuation member placed in the bore of the tubing liner. Each actuation member comprises a dissolvable plug which in one embodiment is retained by shear pins at an uphole end of a collet sleeve, the latter having radially-outwardly biased protuberances (fingers) which matingly engage sliding sleeves having cylindrical grooves therein, based on the width of the protuberance.