Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention generally include a filtration assembly having a louvered shroud circumferentially positioned around a perforated inner pipe, such that at least a substantial portion of the shroud's inner surface contacts and frictionally engages the outer surface of the inner pipe. Embodiments of a method of the present invention generally include spirally wrapping a substantially flat strip of louvered material around the inner pipe, wherein adjoining edges of the louvered material abut and are at least partially welded together, to provide the shrouded pipe. Other method embodiments generally include an inner pipe having a louvered shroud positioned there around being introduced to a device operable to, dynamically or statically, radially compress the shroud such that at least a substantial portion of the shroud's inner surface contacts and frictionally engages at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the inner pipe.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for gravel packing is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially tubular-shaped base pipe having a plurality of apertures disposed along part of its length and a dual-wall sand screen coaxially secured to the base pipe. The dual-wall screen is substantially permeable to fluids and impermeable to sand. The apparatus provides a plurality of fluid permeable channels formed within the sand screen, which are disposed along the entire length of the screen. Each channel has an associated plurality of ports spaced along discrete intervals of the screen, which communicate with an annulus formed between the apparatus and the wellbore. The method provides for injecting a sand and fluid slurry mixture through the screen and out of the ports. This design reduces the incidence of sand bridge formation, and packs gravel around any sand bridges, which may be formed.

Abstract: An isolation string having an upper packer and an isolation pipe in mechanical communication with the upper packer, the isolation pipe comprises an operable valve and an object activated valve. An object holding service tool is adapted to release an object to activate the object activated valve. A method of running-in an isolation string, comprising an operable valve and an object activated valve, with an object holding service tool having an object held therewith; setting the isolation string in the casing adjacent perforations; pressurizing the object to cause a release from the object holding service tool, whereby the object travels to the object activated valve; closing the object activated valve with the released object; and withdrawing the object holding service tool from the well.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for gravel packing is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially tubular-shaped base pipe having a plurality of apertures disposed along part of its length and a dual-wall sand screen coaxially secured to the base pipe. The dual-wall screen is substantially permeable to fluids and impermeable to sand. The apparatus provides a plurality of fluid permeable channels formed within the sand screen, which are disposed along the entire length of the screen. Each channel has an associated plurality of ports spaced along discrete intervals of the screen, which communicate with an annulus formed between the apparatus and the wellbore. The method provides for injecting a sand and fluid slurry mixture through the screen and out of the ports. This design reduces the incidence of sand bridge formation, and packs gravel around any sand bridges, which may be formed.

Abstract: An isolation string having: an upper packer; and an isolation pipe in mechanical communication with the upper packer, wherein the isolation pipe comprises a pressure activated valve and an object activated valve. A method having: running-in an isolation string on a service tool, wherein the isolation string comprises a pressure activated valve and a object activated valve; setting the isolation string in the casing adjacent perforations in the casing; releasing an object from the service tool, whereby the object travels to the object activated valve; closing the object activated valve with the released object; and withdrawing the service tool from the well.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for gravel packing is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially tubular-shaped base pipe having a plurality of apertures disposed along part of its length and a dual-wall sand screen coaxially secured to the base pipe. The dual-wall screen is substantially permeable to fluids and impermeable to sand. The apparatus provides a plurality of fluid permeable channels formed within the sand screen, which are disposed along the entire length of the screen. Each channel has an associated plurality of ports spaced along discrete intervals of the screen, which communicate with an annulus formed between the apparatus and the wellbore. The method provides for injecting a sand and fluid slurry mixture through the screen and out of the ports. This design reduces the incidence of sand bridge formation, and packs gravel around any sand bridges, which may be formed.

Abstract: The invention includes in one embodiment an isolation string having an upper packer and an isolation pipe in mechanical communication with the upper packer, the isolation pipe comprising an operable valve and an object activated valve, and the isolation string coupled to an object holding service tool adapted to release an object to engage the object activated valve. The present invention also includes in one embodiment a method of running-in an isolation string with an object holding service tool having an object held therewith into the well, the isolation string comprising an operable valve and an object activated valve; setting the isolation string in the casing adjacent perforations; pressurizing the object to cause a release from the object holding service tool, whereby the object travels to the object activated valve; closing the object activated valve with the released object; and withdrawing the object holding service tool from the well.

Abstract: An isolation string having: an upper packer; and an isolation pipe in mechanical communication with the upper packer, wherein the isolation pipe comprises a pressure activated valve and an object activated valve. A method having: running-in an isolation string on a service tool, wherein the isolation string comprises a pressure activated valve and a object activated valve; setting the isolation string in the casing adjacent perforations in the casing; releasing an object from the service tool, whereby the object travels to the object activated valve; closing the object activated valve with the released object; and withdrawing the service tool from the well.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for gravel packing is provided. The apparatus includes a substantially tubular-shaped base pipe having a plurality of apertures disposed along part of its length and a dual-wall sand screen coaxially secured to the base pipe. The dual-wall screen is substantially permeable to fluids and impermeable to sand. The apparatus provides a plurality of fluid permeable channels formed within the sand screen, which are disposed along the entire length of the screen. Each channel has an associated plurality of ports spaced along discrete intervals of the screen, which communicate with an annulus formed between the apparatus and the wellbore. The method provides for injecting a sand and fluid slurry mixture through the screen and out of the ports. This design reduces the incidence of sand bridge formation, and packs gravel around any sand bridges, which may be formed.

Abstract: An isolation system is disclosed which includes a production screen and an internal isolation pipe sealed with the production screen at proximal and distal ends, and an internal sleeve slidably coupled with the isolation pipe. The isolation pipe defines at least one port and the sleeve defines at least one aperture, and the sleeve is moveable between an open position in which the port and aperture are in communication to permit fluid flow therethrough, and a closed position in which the port and aperture are not in communication and fluid flow is prevented. The sleeve is manipulated by a service string and multi-action shifting tool between the opened and closed positions. Also disclosed is a gravel packer and method of operation incorporating the isolation system, as well as a service tool and service string assembly useful therewith.

Abstract: An isolation system is disclosed which includes a production screen and an internal isolation pipe sealed with the production screen at proximal and distal ends, and an internal sleeve slideably coupled with the isolation pipe. The isolation pipe defines at least one port and the sleeve defines at least one aperture, and the sleeve is moveable between an open position in which the port and aperture are in communication to permit fluid flow therethrough, and a closed position in which the port and aperture are not in communication and fluid flow is prevented. The sleeve is manipulated by a service string and multi-action shifting tool between the opened and closed positions. Also disclosed is a gravel packer and method of operation incorporating the isolation system, as well as a service tool and service string assembly useful therewith.

Abstract: A well completion system which includes a production packer assembly, production tubing sealed to the packer assembly, and an isolation assembly coupled with the packer assembly. The isolation assembly includes an isolation pipe received within a production screen and sealed at both ends therewith. The isolation pipe defines at least one port and carrying a moveable sleeve defining at least one aperture. The sleeve is moveable between an open position in which the port and aperture are in communication to permit fluid flow therethrough, and a closed position in which the port and aperture are not in communication and fluid flow is prevented. The isolation system is also coupled with a wash down shoe and a shearable ball seat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for logging the density of a gravel pack installation in a drill hole while the gravel pack installation tool is being withdrawn from the drill hole. After the apparatus is recovered at the earth's surface, the density log is recovered by means of a dedicated surface readout module. The logged data of the density of the gravel packed zone is examined for voids in the gravel pack. If any such void is indicated from the data, remedial action can be taken promptly while the gravel pack equipment is still at the drill hole site.