Abstract: A sand control screen assembly having a filter medium that provides a controlled offset between a shroud and the filter medium, and/or between a base pipe and the filter medium. The sand control screen assembly may also include a drainage layer positioned about the base pipe. The sand control screen assembly is utilized for preventing the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough and allowing the flow of production fluids therethrough.

Abstract: A method for controlling pressure in a wellbore during a perforating operation can include positioning a perforating tool within the wellbore, where the perforating tool comprises a gun and an energetic chamber. The method can also include igniting an energetic within the energetic chamber to generate a propellant. The method can further include igniting at least one charge within the gun, where the at least one charge is ignited toward a wall of the wellbore adjacent to the gun. The method can also include directing the propellant from the energetic chamber into the gun.

Abstract: An improved particle or sand filtering apparatus, method and system is disclosed. The apparatus may be adapted to filter particles or sand from a particle-laden hydrocarbon fluid by employing a stacked multi-layered screen in an X-Y plane and having at least one screen comprised of a plurality of first wires and a plurality of second wires that are woven. The stacked screen may be placed within a production tubing in a wellbore for the production of hydrocarbons from the wellbore. The apparatus is configured to facilitate passage of particle-laden fluid through the screen in a direction that is substantially parallel to an X-Y plane of the screen.

Abstract: A method for controlling pressure in a wellbore during a perforating operation is disclosed. The method can include positioning a perforating tool within the wellbore, where the perforating tool comprises a gun and an energetic chamber. The method can also include igniting an energetic within the energetic chamber to generate a propellant. The method can further include igniting at least one charge within the gun, where the at least one charge is ignited toward a wall of the wellbore adjacent to the gun. The method can also include directing the propellant from the energetic chamber into the gun.

Abstract: A separation string includes an outer pre-drilled liner and an inner assembly disposed within the outer pre-drilled liner. The inner assembly includes a shear-out member and a filter assembly for separating hydrocarbons from contaminants. A swivel slack joint is connected to an upper end of the inner assembly to facilitate mounting of a top sub to the inner assembly and to the outer pre-drilled liner without producing rotation of the inner assembly. The swivel slack joint includes an outer sleeve connected to the inner assembly, and a tube connected to the top sub. The tube is freely rotatable and vertically slidable relative to the sleeve. The shear-out member is designed to shear at a load less than a load which would cause other components of the inner assembly to shear, and to present, upon shearing, a portion configured to be grasped by a retrieval tool.