Abstract: A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well can include a body having fibers and a retainer material. The retainer material retains a shape of the body. A system for use with a well can include a fibrous plugging device conveyed by fluid flow in the well. The fibrous plugging device includes a body comprising multiple fibers. The fibrous plugging device engages an opening in the well, and thereby seals off the opening. A method for use with a well can include flowing a fluid through the well, thereby conveying at least one fibrous plugging device including a body having multiple fibers, and the fibrous plugging device sealingly engaging an opening in the well, thereby substantially preventing flow through the opening.

Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device having a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body. A well system can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body. A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a degradable body, and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.

Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device having a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body, the fibers being retained by a retainer. A well system can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body. A retainer can at least partially enclose the device. A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body, and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.

Abstract: A well completion method can comprise, in a single trip into a wellbore, the following steps being performed for each of multiple zones penetrated by the wellbore: abrasively perforating the zone with a tubing deployed perforating assembly, fracturing the perforated zone with flow from surface via a well annulus, and then plugging the fractured zone with a removable plug substance, the perforating assembly displacing in the wellbore while the fractured zone is being plugged. Another well completion method can comprise, in a single trip into a wellbore, the following steps being performed for each of multiple zones penetrated by the wellbore: perforating the zone using an abrasive perforator, then displacing the perforator in the wellbore away from the earth's surface, then fracturing the zone, and plugging the fractured zone with a flowable plug substance.

Abstract: A well tool can include an operator device with an operator profile and at least two routes, and an indexing device with a cam and a cam follower including a structure. The structure engages the routes in succession in response to relative displacement between the operator profile and cam. A method can include causing relative displacement between an operator device and an indexing device in one direction, thereby causing a structure to disengage from one route of the operator device and displace an initial distance between two routes in response to engagement between the cam follower and a cam, and causing relative displacement between the operator and indexing devices in an opposite direction, thereby causing the structure to displace a remaining distance between the routes in response to engagement between the cam follower and an operator profile of the operator device, and to displace along the second route.

Abstract: A well system can include a well tool with a retarder chemical. The retarder chemical is released from the well tool into an annulus and retards setting of cement therein. A method of retarding setting of cement at a location in an annulus can include releasing a retarder chemical from a well tool connected in a casing string, after the cement is placed in the annulus. A well tool can include a valve that controls fluid communication via a port between an exterior of the tool and a flow passage extending through the tool, an annular recess, and a dispersible annular exterior component received in the recess. Another well tool can include a valve that controls fluid communication between an exterior of the tool and a flow passage extending through the well tool, an internal chamber, and a retarder chemical in the chamber.

Abstract: Tools and methods for abrasively cutting downhole pipes and casing. The tools and methods are ideally suited for situations where the pipe to be cut or perforated is positioned partly or wholly inside another pipe and damage to the outer pipe must be avoided. The jet nozzles are positioned at a non-normal angle to the target surface to reduce the jets' effective cutting distance. While pumping the abrasive fluid, the jets are supported at a selected radial distance from the target surface so that within a predetermined operating time the jets will cut or perforate the inner pipe but leave the outer pipe substantially intact. The tool may be rotated with a motor to perform cutoff operations or held in a fixed position for perforating.

Abstract: A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger.

Abstract: A hydraulic jar for delivering impacts downhole. The jarring mechanism includes a cup-type piston that moves through a seal bore. The cup is deformable in response to fluid pressure so that it expands each time it moves through the seal bore to compensate for wear on the lip. Since only minimum interference is required between the piston and seal bore, less material may be used. This reduces the force required to reset the tool, which is particularly advantageous in horizontal wells. The seal bore may be slightly wider at the exit; the cup expands to this exit diameter, ensuring an interference fit as the cup travels back through the smaller diameter entry section. The entry end of the seal bore may include longitudinal grooves. This prevents the piston cup from rupturing by preventing a fluid seal around the lip until the most of cup is inside the seal bore.

Abstract: A hydraulic jar for delivering impacts downhole. The jarring mechanism includes a cup-type piston that moves through a seal bore. The cup is deformable in response to fluid pressure so that it expands each time it moves through the seal bore to compensate for wear on the lip. Since only minimum interference is required between the piston and seal bore, less material may be used. This reduces the force required to reset the tool, which is particularly advantageous in horizontal wells. The seal bore may be slightly wider at the exit; the cup expands to this exit diameter, ensuring an interference fit as the cup travels back through the smaller diameter entry section. The entry end of the seal bore may include longitudinal grooves. This prevents the piston cup from rupturing by preventing a fluid seal around the lip until the most of cup is inside the seal bore.

Abstract: A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger.

Abstract: A running tool includes subassemblies which release the running tool from the liner hanger in response to application of alternating tensile and compressive forces after application of left-hand torque. A running tool includes subassemblies which set the liner hanger in response to left-hand torque followed by increased pressure, and in response to increased pressure without prior left-hand torque being applied. A running tool includes threaded connections, without torque transmitted through the running tool being transmitted by the threaded connections. A method of setting a liner hanger includes applying a compressive force to the running tool; then applying left-hand torque to the running tool; and then applying a tensile force to the running tool. A method of releasing a liner hanger includes applying left-hand torque to the running tool; and then releasing the running tool from the liner hanger by applying a tensile force to the running tool.

Abstract: A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger.

Abstract: An expandable casing with enhanced collapse resistance and sealing capability. An expandable tubular for use in a subterranean well includes multiple recesses extending into a wall of the tubular, with the recesses being longitudinally spaced apart along the wall. A method of expanding tubulars in a subterranean well includes the steps of: expanding a tubular in the well, the tubular including multiple recesses extending into a wall of the tubular; and after the expanding step, allowing the wall of the tubular to retract radially inward more at each of the recesses than between the recesses.

Abstract: A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger.

Abstract: A tie back receptacle extension includes a stinger having a smooth bore latch assembly carried thereon which includes a wedge device and a ramp, and the ramp outwardly displaces the wedge device to secure the stinger within a substantially smooth bore. A smoothbore latch assembly includes a spiral wound spring received in a recess, and the recess and the spring extending circumferentially relative to a stinger. A ramp outwardly displaces the spring relative to the recess in response to displacement of the spring relative to the ramp. A method of securing a stinger within a substantially smooth bore includes: providing a latch assembly on the stinger; inserting the stinger into the bore; and engaging the latch assembly with the bore, thereby securing the stinger relative to the bore, without the latch assembly engaging any recess formed in the bore.

Abstract: An expandable casing with enhanced collapse resistance and sealing capability. An expandable tubular for use in a subterranean well includes multiple recesses extending into a wall of the tubular, with the recesses being longitudinally spaced apart along the wall. A method of expanding tubulars in a subterranean well includes the steps of: expanding a tubular in the well, the tubular including multiple recesses extending into a wall of the tubular; and after the expanding step, allowing the wall of the tubular to retract radially inward more at each of the recesses than between the recesses.

Abstract: A method of conveying an expandable liner hanger in a well includes: conveying the hanger into the well on a work string with a setting tool releasably secured to the hanger by an anchoring device; applying left-hand rotation to the work string; then lowering the work string, thereby releasing the anchoring device and permitting the setting tool to be retrieved from within the hanger. A method of setting a liner hanger includes: forcing an expansion cone through a hanger portion, thereby expanding the portion; and forcing another expansion cone into another hanger portion, thereby expanding that portion. A method of setting an expandable liner hanger includes: lowering a liner into the well; then connecting the hanger and a setting tool lower section to the liner; then lowering the hanger and the lower section into the well; and then connecting a setting tool upper section to the lower section.

Abstract: A tie back receptacle extension includes a stinger having a smooth bore latch assembly carried thereon which includes a wedge device and a ramp, and the ramp outwardly displaces the wedge device to secure the stinger within a substantially smooth bore. A smoothbore latch assembly includes a spiral wound spring received in a recess, and the recess and the spring extending circumferentially relative to a stinger. A ramp outwardly displaces the spring relative to the recess in response to displacement of the spring relative to the ramp. A method of securing a stinger within a substantially smooth bore includes: providing a latch assembly on the stinger; inserting the stinger into the bore; and engaging the latch assembly with the bore, thereby securing the stinger relative to the bore, without the latch assembly engaging any recess formed in the bore.

Abstract: A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger.