Abstract: A method and system perform flow characteristic control. The system includes a tube inflow control device (ICD) including a tube input port. The tube ICD conveys fluid along an axial length of a tube of the tube ICD. The axial length of the tube controls a drop in pressure of the fluid between the tube input port and a corresponding tube output port. The system also includes a base pipe with an input port coupled to the tube output port of the tube of the tube ICD, wherein the base pipe is configured to convey the fluid to a surface.

Abstract: A slow response time tool including a biasing arrangement, a piston in operable communication with the biasing arrangement, a chamber receptive to the piston, a retardation arrangement defining a helical pathway in fluid communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A screen connection area assembly configured to mount between adjacent sand screens of a gravel pack string including a body attachable to a screen connection area between two adjacent sand screens of the gravel pack string, the body configured to displace fluid and present a radial dimension between about 75% and 100% of a radial dimension of the adjacent sand screens. A method for packing a gravel pack string including disposing an assembly as in any prior embodiment on a screen connection area between adjacent sand screens of the string, running the string into a borehole, supplying a slurry to the borehole proximate the sand screens, packing the sand screens and the screen connection area between adjacent sand screens without altering a flow regime of the slurry.

Abstract: A slow response time tool including a biasing arrangement, a piston in operable communication with the biasing arrangement, a chamber receptive to the piston, a retardation arrangement defining a helical pathway in fluid communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A method and system perform flow characteristic control. The system includes a tube inflow control device (ICD) including a tube input port. The tube ICD conveys fluid along an axial length of a tube of the tube ICD. The axial length of the tube controls a drop in pressure of the fluid between the tube input port and a corresponding tube output port. The system also includes a base pipe with an input port coupled to the tube output port of the tube of the tube ICD, wherein the base pipe is configured to convey the fluid to a surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid downhole comprises a removable fluid nozzle in fluid communication with a production tubular disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth. The removable fluid nozzle is configured for bi-directional flow, wherein a pressure drop of fluid flow in one direction is greater than the pressure drop of fluid flow in the other direction.

Abstract: A screen connection area assembly configured to mount between adjacent sand screens of a gravel pack string including a body attachable to a screen connection area between two adjacent sand screens of the gravel pack string, the body configured to displace fluid and present a radial dimension between about 75% and 100% of a radial dimension of the adjacent sand screens. A method for packing a gravel pack string including disposing an assembly as in any prior embodiment on a screen connection area between adjacent sand screens of the string, running the string into a borehole, supplying a slurry to the borehole proximate the sand screens, packing the sand screens and the screen connection area between adjacent sand screens without altering a flow regime of the slurry.

Abstract: A gravel pack system includes slurry transport hardware including a first slurry transport pathway, a coupling configured to couple the first slurry transport pathway to a radially interiorly arranged screen assembly, and a first exit port in the coupler. The first exit port is fluidically connected to the first slurry transport pathway, and the first exit port is arranged to re-direct at least a portion of slurry passing longitudinally through the first slurry transport pathway in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: Auxiliary conduits that run through a packer body or seal are equipped with thermally responsive valve members that with a time exposure close off the conduits to create zonal isolation across one or more packers after a gravel pack. The heat source can also be added to the well fluids to control the speed of the process either in the form of heaters or reactive chemicals that create an exothermic reaction. The valve material can be shape memory polymer.

Abstract: A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings including a tubing joint, and a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component being axial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint. A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon that require alignment including a threading adjacent joints of tubing together, the joints having components thereon, rotating the components to align with each other, and connecting the components operably to one another. A downhole system including a string, and a plurality of components that require alignment with one another, the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to the string.

Abstract: A gravel pack system includes slurry transport hardware including a first slurry transport pathway, a coupling configured to couple the first slurry transport pathway to a radially interiorly arranged screen assembly, and a first exit port in the coupler. The first exit port is fluidically connected to the first slurry transport pathway, and the first exit port is arranged to re-direct at least a portion of slurry passing longitudinally through the first slurry transport pathway in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid downhole comprises a removable fluid nozzle in fluid communication with a production tubular disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth. The removable fluid nozzle is configured for bi-directional flow, wherein a pressure drop of fluid flow in one direction is greater than the pressure drop of fluid flow in the other direction.

Abstract: A downhole secondary flow path member includes a tubular having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion having a flow passage extending therebetween. The tubular includes a first opening arranged adjacent the first end portion and a second opening arranged adjacent the second end portion. A valve assembly is provided on the tubular at the first opening. The valve assembly includes a valve member. A flow tube runs along at least a portion of the tubular. The flow tube has a dissolvable end section mechanically linked to the valve assembly. The dissolvable end segment selectively shields the valve member from exposure to downhole fluids. The valve member changes from an open position to a closed position following dissolution of the dissolvable end segment.

Abstract: An isolation method is described for gravel packed zones separated by at least one packer and having an auxiliary conduit passing through the packer into adjacent zones. The conduit includes at least one each of a shunt tube, flow housing, annular space, and isolation valve housing. The flow housing, the annular space, and the isolation valve housing are all annular and formed between two concentric pipes. The method includes running in an assembly of screens isolated by at least one packer with at least one auxiliary conduit extending into adjacent zones defined by the packer when the packer is subsequently set. The method also includes closing flow in said conduit to prevent flow into shunt tubes during production based on creating a flow barrier in the annular space, the flow housing, or the isolation valve housing, the shunt tubes supplying slurry through the auxiliary conduit prior to the production.

Abstract: An isolation method is described for gravel packed zones separated by at least one packer and having an auxiliary conduit passing through the packer into adjacent zones. The conduit includes at least one each of a shunt tube, flow housing, annular space, and isolation valve housing. The flow housing, the annular space, and the isolation valve housing are all annular and formed between two concentric pipes. The method includes running in an assembly of screens isolated by at least one packer with at least one auxiliary conduit extending into adjacent zones defined by the packer when the packer is subsequently set. The method also includes closing flow in said conduit to prevent flow into shunt tubes during production based on creating a flow barrier in the annular space, the flow housing, or the isolation valve housing, the shunt tubes supplying slurry through the auxiliary conduit prior to the production.

Abstract: Auxiliary conduits that run through a packer body or seal are equipped with thermally responsive valve members that with a time exposure close off the conduits to create zonal isolation across one or more packers after a gravel pack. The heat source can also be added to the well fluids to control the speed of the process either in the form of heaters or reactive chemicals that create an exothermic reaction. The valve material can be shape memory polymer.

Abstract: An assembly of screens made of connected joints with exterior bypasses that span the threaded connections among the joints features common fluid connections for the bypasses adjacent joint threaded ends that are connected with a coupling. A mandrel spans from one joint to the next inside the threaded coupling and is sealed to the respective bases pipes on opposed ends of the coupling. At each end of the mandrel the surrounding base pipe has openings from the common fluid connection where the bypasses terminate to define an annular flow path between pairs of common fluid connections. The bypasses can have slanted gravel outlet passages or no gravel openings at all. The bypasses can span over screen or blank pipe with an option to mount a shroud over the generally parallel bypasses.

Abstract: An assembly of screens made of connected joints with exterior shunts that span the threaded connections among the joints features manifolds for the shunts adjacent joint threaded ends that are connected with a coupling. A mandrel spans from one joint to the next inside the threaded coupling and is sealed to the respective bases pipes on opposed ends of the coupling. At each end of the mandrel the surrounding base pipe has openings from the manifold where the shunts terminate to define an annular flow path between pairs of manifolds. The shunts can have slanted gravel outlet passages or no gravel openings at all. The shunts can span over screen or blank pipe with an option to mount a shroud over the generally parallel shunts.