Abstract: A valve for use in a tubular string in a subterranean well includes a sleeve having first and second opposite ends, the sleeve being displaceable between open and closed positions to thereby selectively permit and prevent flow through a sidewall of a housing assembly, and a first and second pistons at the respective first and second ends of the sleeve. Pressure differentials applied to the first and second pistons are operative to displace the sleeve between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: A metal to metal seal for downhole tools. A sealing device includes a metal seal. A nonmetal seal may be used to bias the metal seal in a radial direction in response to a pressure differential applied to the sealing device. A well tool includes a housing assembly, a closure member and the sealing device. Both of the metal and nonmetal seals contact a selected one of the housing assembly and closure member when the closure member blocks flow through the housing assembly. A method of sealing between the housing assembly and closure member includes the step of displacing the closure member to relieve the pressure differential, the metal seal continuing to seal against the pressure differential until the nonmetal seal no longer seals between the housing assembly and the closure member.

Abstract: Casing valves for selective well stimulation and control. A well system includes at least one valve interconnected in a casing string operable via at least one line external to the casing string to selectively control fluid flow between an exterior and interior of the casing string, and the casing string, valve and line being cemented in a wellbore. A method of selectively stimulating a subterranean formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore, the casing string including spaced apart valves operable via a line to selectively control fluid flow between an interior and exterior of the casing string; and for each of multiple intervals of the formation in sequence, stimulating the interval by opening a corresponding one of the valves, closing the remainder of the valves, and flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval.

Abstract: Casing valves for selective well stimulation and control. A well system includes at least one valve interconnected in a casing string operable via at least one line external to the casing string to selectively control fluid flow between an exterior and interior of the casing string, and the casing string, valve and line being cemented in a wellbore. A method of selectively stimulating a subterranean formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore, the casing string including spaced apart valves operable via a line to selectively control fluid flow between an interior and exterior of the casing string; and for each of multiple intervals of the formation in sequence, stimulating the interval by opening a corresponding one of the valves, closing the remainder of the valves, and flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval.

Abstract: A well system includes a valve interconnected in a casing string and selectively configurable between first and second configurations via a line external to the casing string, the valve in the first configuration being operable to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the casing string exterior and interior, and in the second configuration to selectively filter and prevent fluid flow between the casing string exterior and interior. A method of selectively stimulating a formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore intersecting the formation, the casing string including a valve operable via an external line to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the casing string interior and exterior; and stimulating an interval set of the formation by opening the valve, flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval set, and then configuring the valve to filter formation fluid which flows into the casing string.

Abstract: Casing valves for selective well stimulation and control. A well system includes at least one valve interconnected in a casing string operable via at least one line external to the casing string to selectively control fluid flow between an exterior and interior of the casing string, and the casing string, valve and line being cemented in a wellbore. A method of selectively stimulating a subterranean formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore, the casing string including spaced apart valves operable via a line to selectively control fluid flow between an interior and exterior of the casing string; and for each of multiple intervals of the formation in sequence, stimulating the interval by opening a corresponding one of the valves, closing the remainder of the valves, and flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval.

Abstract: A metal to metal seal for downhole tools. A sealing device includes a metal seal. A nonmetal seal may be used to bias the metal seal in a radial direction in response to a pressure differential applied to the sealing device. A well tool includes a housing assembly, a closure member and the sealing device. Both of the metal and nonmetal seals contact a selected one of the housing assembly and closure member when the closure member blocks flow through the housing assembly. A method of sealing between the housing assembly and closure member includes the step of displacing the closure member to relieve the pressure differential, the metal seal continuing to seal against the pressure differential until the nonmetal seal no longer seals between the housing assembly and the closure member.

Abstract: A well system includes a valve interconnected in a casing string and selectively configurable between first and second configurations via a line external to the casing string, the valve in the first configuration being operable to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the casing string exterior and interior, and in the second configuration to selectively filter and prevent fluid flow between the casing string exterior and interior. A method of selectively stimulating a formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore intersecting the formation, the casing string including a valve operable via an external line to selectively permit and prevent fluid flow between the casing string interior and exterior; and stimulating an interval set of the formation by opening the valve, flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval set, and then configuring the valve to filter formation fluid which flows into the casing string.

Abstract: Casing valves for selective well stimulation and control. A well system includes at least one valve interconnected in a casing string operable via at least one line external to the casing string to selectively control fluid flow between an exterior and interior of the casing string, and the casing string, valve and line being cemented in a wellbore. A method of selectively stimulating a subterranean formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore, the casing string including spaced apart valves operable via a line to selectively control fluid flow between an interior and exterior of the casing string; and for each of multiple intervals of the formation in sequence, stimulating the interval by opening a corresponding one of the valves, closing the remainder of the valves, and flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval.

Abstract: A metal to metal seal for downhole tools. A sealing device includes a metal seal. A nonmetal seal may be used to bias the metal seal in a radial direction in response to a pressure differential applied to the sealing device. A well tool includes a housing assembly, a closure member and the sealing device. Both of the metal and nonmetal seals contact a selected one of the housing assembly and closure member when the closure member blocks flow through the housing assembly. A method of sealing between the housing assembly and closure member includes the step of displacing the closure member to relieve the pressure differential, the metal seal continuing to seal against the pressure differential until the nonmetal seal no longer seals between the housing assembly and the closure member.

Abstract: A control system for use in controlling actuation of tools in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a control system includes a well tool, an actuator for the well tool and a control module interconnected between the actuator and first and second fluid lines. The control module is operative to meter a predetermined volume of fluid from the actuator to the second line in response to pressure applied to the first line.

Abstract: A slip release system is disclosed which undermines support for slips by virtue of selective weakening of a structural element supporting the slips in a set position.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of methods and devices are provided for solving important and serious problems posed by lateral (and especially multilateral) completion in a wellbore including methods and devices for sealing the junction between a vertical and lateral well. Several methods are disclosed which utilize a novel guide or mandrel which includes side pockets for directing liners into a lateral wellbore. Other methods include the use of extendable tubing and deflector devices which aid in the sealing process.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of methods and devices are provided for solving important and serious problems posed by lateral (and especially multilateral) completion in a wellbore including methods and devices for re-entering selected lateral wells to perform completions work, additional drilling, or remedial and stimulation work. Methods and devices are described for assisting in the location and re-entry of lateral wells using a guide or mandrel structure. Preferably, the re-entry methods of this invention permit the bore size of the lateral wells to be the same or substantially the same bore size as the vertical wells.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of methods and devices are provided for solving important and serious problems posed by lateral (and especially multilateral) completion in a wellbore including methods and devices for isolating a lateral well from other lateral branches in a multilateral well so as to prevent migration of fluids and to comply with regulations regarding the separate production of different production zones. Various methods and devices are provided for fluid isolation of a lateral well from other lateral wells and for separate production from a lateral well without commingling the production fluids. These methods include the use of a side pocket mandrel, whipstocks with sealable bores and valving techniques wherein valves are located at the surface or downhole at the junction of a particular lateral.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for completion of a horizontal section of a subterranean well. The apparatus comprises a first packer assembly which is settable in the well by longitudinal manipulation of a tubular workstring. A second packer is carried into the well on the workstring and is settable by application of hydraulic pressure through the workstring. A perforating gun is carried into the well on and in communication with the workstring, together with a gun retractor for telescopically retracting the perforating gun. A valve is also provided for selective communication between the exterior and the interior of the apparatus and is manipulatable to the open position to effect, for example, a fluid flow path from the production zone to the top of the well for transmission of production fluids in the well.

Abstract: A packer assembly is provided for use in a subterranean well and settable only by longitudinal manipulation of a tubular workstring. The assembly has an outer housing and a seal assembly with anchoring slips carried by the housing in retracted position and movable to expanded position along the wall of a casing or the like. A longitudinally extending central mandrel telescopes within the housing. Orienting and setting pins are provided for initial receipt within orienting and setting slots with the setting pins being moved to the orienting slot to permit setting of the packer. The seal assembly and anchoring slips are maintained in retracted position and are responsive to a variation in internal diameter between a first and second tubular conduit to thereafter permit the manipulating device to move the seal assembly and the anchoring slips to expanded position within only the second tubular conduit which has a diameter less than that of the first tubular conduit.

Abstract: A packer for a subterranean well conduit providing an electrical conduit bypass comprises a top sub having a first eccentric bore connectable between a tubing string and a mandrel and a second eccentric passage sealingly receiving an electrical conduit. A tubular body assembly is shearably connected to the top sub and mounts an annular packing element, an annular cylinder and piston unit and an annular slip and cone assemblage in axially stacked, abutting relationship. A support block secured to the lower end of the mandrel supports the electrical conduit and secures the lower cone against relative movement so that extension of said cylinder and piston effects setting of the packer. Upward movement of the top sub effects unsetting and retrieval of the packer.

Abstract: A compass card is provided for use in achieving the angular alignment of a whipstock relative to a whipstock anchor having a keyway therein for subsequent insertion in a packer apparatus for use in a subterranean well. The compass card comprises an annular card having polar coordinates in mirror image reverse relationship on one face thereof and may have a plurality of sheet-like magnetic elements secured to the other face adjacent a central opening therein.

Abstract: A method is provided for the angular orientation of a whipstock having an arcuate tool directing face and a whipstock anchor in a packer which is installed in a well, the packer and the anchor having longitudinally extending cooperable key elements engageable when the anchor is assembled in the packer. The angular disposition of the key element in the packer relative to polar coordinates is determined by a downhole survey. The whipstock is assembled on the whipstock anchor outside the well with the whipstock being angularly adjustable relative to the whipstock anchor about an axis that will be coincident with the conduit axis. The angular position of the whipstock in the whipstock anchor is adjusted to the desired angular displacement relative to the whipstock anchor key element.