Abstract: The present invention is to an internal sleeve slidably received within a tubular housing. The sleeve and outer housing have windows that selectively align. Movement of the sleeve within the housing is controlled by a ball passing through the interior of the sleeve to activate a ratchet that allows the sleeve to move a set amount under the influence of a spring. A split seat at a lower end of the housing traps after a set number of balls have passed through the housing. A number of similar tools can be used to provide openings at various points that include coordinated ratchet steps so that only one tool at a time opens for fracturing or other purposes. A reverse flow causes a ball to impinge upon the next higher ball seat and thereby opening the seat to provide a full bore flow passage through the tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses used in locking downhole tools such as locking packers, bridge plugs, and frac plugs are shown herein that decrease the loss of energy during pack-off.

Abstract: A non-damaging slip assembly includes slips having grit on a smooth surface, the slips preferably made from a ductile material, such that the slips do not cause damage to the wall of a tubular when the slips are set. The slips fail under tensile force during setting. The cone used to expand the slips may have slits that narrow during setting of the slips. The slip assembly may be used to anchor a variety or devices inside a tubular. A drillable, non-damaging bridge plug using the non-damaging slip assembly has a threaded mandrel holding the cone by threads inside the cone. When the slips are set, the slits in the cone narrow such that threads in the cone do not allow rotation of the slips as they are drilled. The bridge plug can be drilled by a PDC bit without damaging the tubular.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods used for actuating downhole tools in which a ball is dropped from a surface of a wellbore until it contacts a ball seat of a downhole tool. The ball seat moves axially downward within the downhole tool and an expandable ball seating surface of the ball seat radially expands to pass the ball. The ball seat then moves axially upward within the downhole tool.

Abstract: The present application is to a method of sequentially drilling a number of frac sleeves in a down hole well. The design enables the removal of fracture sleeve pistons from between treatment zones without requiring drilling or milling of the sleeve while allowing for full flow of fluids after treatment. A number of plugs or pistons having sequentially smaller central bores allows for balls to sequentially be inserted through the tool to selectively close off the pistons to isolate one zone from another. A release tool may inserted into the tool to engage and unthread the plugs to open up the inner diameter of the tool to allow greater production flow through the tool. The plugs may have mating tabs and holes so that as each plug is unthreaded it falls to the next plug and engages so that each plug may sequentially be unthreaded from the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a counter for tracking and communicating a number of plug drops through a longitudinal bore; a plug element adapted to be dropped into the longitudinal bore; and a valve defining a plug seat to be disposed within the longitudinal bore to catch the plug element when the plug element is dropped and when the number of plug drops as communicated by the counter exceeds a predetermined number. A method, includes: dropping a plurality of plugs down a longitudinal bore in which a plurality of plug seats are disposed; counting the number of plug drops from within the longitudinal bore; and catching one of the plugs at a preselected one of the plug seats when the number of plug drops exceeds a predetermined number.

Abstract: A system and method for a composite ball for use downhole in a hydrocarbon wellbore, the composite ball having: a core; a fiber structure arranged around the core, wherein the fiber structure has non-uniform oriented fiber; and a resin within and encasing the fiber structure arranged around the core. A system and method for fabricating a composite ball for use downhole in a hydrocarbon wellbore, including arranging at least one fiber m a plurality of non-uniform orientations around a core; infusing a resin onto the at least one fiber arranged around the core; and forming a resin skin on the composite ball.

Abstract: A valve includes: a housing; a mandrel disposed in the housing; a rupture disk disposed in a passageway of the mandrel; a sliding sleeve disposed between the housing and the mandrel; and a ball seat disposed in the mandrel. A method for actuating a valve includes: flowing a fluid through the valve; dropping a ball; seating the ball in the ball seat and blocking fluid flow through the mandrel; flowing fluid through the passageway to the sliding sleeve; moving the sliding sleeve axially within the valve; and exiting fluid through the openings of the housing and mandrel. A valve includes: a housing having an opening; a mandrel disposed in the housing; a sliding sleeve disposed between the housing and the mandrel; and a ball seat disposed in the mandrel blocking fluid communication between the mandrel and the passageway.

Abstract: A valve for use in fracing through cement casing in a well allows for flow of cement down the well during the cementing process and in the open position allows for fracing fluid to be directed through the cement casing for fracturing the formation adjacent the valve. The valve is constructed so as to reduce the likelihood of the valve to jam as a result of cement or other foreign material.

Abstract: A laminar flow tool is for channeling water, air or other fluids through a down drill pipe or tubing for pressurization of other tools or other purposes. The tool provides a flow divider having an 180 degree twist separating a driven fluid chamber from a buffer fluid pocket. Fluid in the tool is calmed as it travels and loses some of the spin (“turbulence”) inherent in the water or other fluid. A buffer pocket on one side absorbs shocks and stabilizes the driven side. Ports in the buffer side help equalize pressure.

Abstract: A valve for use in fracing through cement casing in a well allows for flow of cement down the well during the cementing process and in the open position allows for fracing fluid to be directed through the cement casing for fracturing the formation adjacent the valve. The valve is constructed so as to reduce the likelihood of the valve to jam as a result of cement or other foreign material.