Abstract: A downhole completion method and an expandable filtration apparatus are disclosed. The filter assembly comprises a plurality of layers beginning with a coated perforated base pipe. The coating reduces the force required for expansion. A drainage layer overlays the base pipe with the filtration layer above it. The drainage layer improves flow through the filtration layer and protects it from burrs in the base pipe. A filtration enhancement layer fits over the filtration layer and an outer shroud protects the assembly during run in. The assembly can be used as made or expanded downhole in one or a series of expansions.

Abstract: Three embodiments of an expandable screen are described. In the preferred embodiment, the base layer, filtering layer, and outer layer are joined together in a sintering furnace in the form of a flat sheet which is in turn rolled up. The layered sheet is then formed into a tube by rolling it to make a longitudinal or spiral joint which is welded with connections placed on ends. In an alternative embodiment, the base layer and filtering layer are sintered together and formed into a tube which is in turn inserted into an outer protective tube. In a third embodiment, a base pipe is perforated and its exterior surface threaded. A wire runs through the threads with a protective jacket over the underlying assembly. Upon expansion, the opening sizes remain relatively constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing any given length of a completion filter assembly is described. An outer perforated jacket is assembled over the filter media, which is itself placed over a coarse support screen or drainage layer. In the preferred embodiment, the drainage layer and outer jacket have end rings such that when advanced through a die are pushed together with the filter media in between to effect a seal of the subassembly. The subassembly can then be placed on a support pipe which is perforated, and if metallic, the end rings are welded to the support pipe to complete the assembly. Optionally, many of the components can be made of materials which lend buoyancy to the assembly so that when it is advanced into a long lateral, it will float to assist in its proper positioning.

Abstract: A sand-filtering screen-making technique and screen are disclosed, which involves an initial assembly of the sand-filtering screen over an underlying coarse screen. The sand-filtering screen has a mechanical, longitudinal overlap-type joint. End caps are fitted over the filtering screen which has already been preassembled to the underlying coarse screen. The assembly is then mechanically forced through a die to compress the end caps onto the assembled filtering screen and underlying coarse screen. That subassembly is then assembled onto a base pipe and secured. An outer shroud can then be secured to the underlying base pipe, overlaying the filtering screen. The ends of the subassembly comprising the filtering screen and the underlying coarse screen are sealed against the support pipe by a packing gland arrangement at both ends.

Abstract: A gravel pack well tool comprised of a workstring having a gravel pack screen thereon wherein the workstring can be rotated without applying any substantial torque to the screen jacket which forms part of the gravel pack screen. This allows the workstring to be rotated in either direction during installation or removal of the gravel pack screen without damaging the screen jacket. The gravel pack screen is comprised of a fluid-permeable base pipe having a screen jacket rotatably mounted thereon.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for anchoring a tubing string to a hollow bore sump packer located at a position in a subterranean well. The locking mechanism is attachable to the end of a tubing string and incorporates radially shiftable locking members which are engagable with an internal, downwardly facing shoulder defined within the hollow bore of the sum packer. The radially shiftable locking elements are moved from a retracted to a locking position by reciprocating movements of a mandrel carried by the tubing string. A supporting surface on the mandrel controls the position of the radially shiftable locking elements. The position of the supporting surface relative to the radially shiftable locking elements is controlled by a J-pin secured to the sleeve carrying the radially shiftable locking elements and a cooperating J-slot carried by the mandrel.

Abstract: An improved packer is provided for sealingly engaging a well casing above a pressure responsive device within a petroleum recovery well. A sleeve-like packer body interior of the packer sealing elements is provided for structurally interconnecting lower and upper sections of a tubing string, and retains a large internal diameter for passing fluids or various downhole tools through the tubing string and to the bore of the packer. A plurality of tubular passageways are provided within the packer each positioned radially between the packer body and the packer sealing elements, and each extending axially from above to below the packer sealing elements. The passageways allow for communications of a fluid pressure signal from the annulus above the set packer to the firing head of a hydraulically actuatable device below the packer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the completion of non-vertical, including horizontally disposed, portions of a deviated well bore traversing a production formation. To facilitate the insertion of a gravel packing tool string through the curved portion of the well bore, stabilizer elements are maintained in a radially retracted position and then operated to engage the well bore after the tool string is run-in. An anti-rotation tool may be incorporated for connecting the work string to the left hand threads conventionally provided on a conventional packer in order to permit rotation of the entire tool string to facilitate passage through the curved portion of the well bore. Two gravel packing modifications are disclosed, the one employing a single packer and a cross-over tool located at the top end of a plurality of serially connected screens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use on a subterranean well gravel packing conduit. The apparatus incorporates a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior wall and an exterior wall. A fluid flow passageway is defined within the interior wall of the tubular member and fluid flow passage means extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and communicates with the fluid flow passageway. In a preferred embodiment, an outer fluid-porous means, or particulate restricting means is carried around the exterior wall of the tubular member having its interior facing the tubular member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the completion of non-vertical, including horizontally disposed, portions of a deviated well bore traversing a production formation. To facilitate the insertion of a gravel packing tool string through the curved portion of the well bore, stabilizer elements are maintained in a radially retracted position and then operated to engage the well bore after the tool string is run-in. An anti-rotation tool may be incorporated for connecting the work string to the left hand threads conventionally provided on a conventional packer in order to permit rotation of the entire tool string to facilitate passage through the curved portion of the well bore. Two gravel packing modifications are disclosed, the one employing a single packer and a cross-over tool located at the top end of a plurality of serially connected screens.

Abstract: A firing mechanism for a downhole perforating gun comprises two cooperating housing sections having closed end walls in abutment. The lower housing section contains a booster charge and the primer cord for firing the gun. The upper housing section contains a detonatable primer, a hammer, and a downwardly directed explosive charge positioned between the primer and the bottom end wall of the upper housing. The upper housing is secured to the lower housing by a collet latch which, if firing of the gun does not occur, can be released by the exertion of a substantial upward force on a fishing neck provided in the assemblage of the upper housing. The defective elements can then be repaired or replaced, the upper housing reinserted in the well by wireline, and latched into an operative position with respect to the lower housing to permit another attempt to fire the perforating gun.

Abstract: A compressed fluid pressure actuated firing mechanism for a well perforating gun comprises a hollow housing assembly defining a mounting for a primer, a hammer releasably secured above the primer for movement towards the primer, and a fluid pressure chamber associated with the hammer for effecting a compressed fluid pressure force on the latching mechanism for the hammer and on the hammer to move it into impact engagement with the primer. The fluid pressure applied to the hammer is produced by permitting a selected fluid pressure surrounding the fluid pressure chamber to be forced into the fluid pressure chamber through at least one unidirectional check valve, thus compressing the fluid pressure within the fluid pressure chamber. The upper portions of the hammer are in contact with this compressed fluid pressure and the lower portions of the hammer are in contact with the selected fluid pressure.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for effecting the fail-safe perforating of a well casing and gravel packing of the perforated areas of the well casing and the screen with one trip into the well of a combined perforating and gravel packing apparatus which includes packer means and a screen. The gravel packing apparatus provides, in its run-in position in the casing, a continuous annular passage along its entire length, thus permitting fluid pressure to be applied through the casing annulus to a crossover tool and then to the firing mechanism of a perforating gun. The firing mechanism for the perforating gun incorporates a hammer mechanism responsive to fluid pressure supplied from the casing annulus but which will not release until a predetermined level of fluid pressure is applied thereto.

Abstract: A well perforating gun assembly includes a perforating gun secured to the bottom of a tubular actuating housing containing a fluid pressure actuated hammer and a fixedly mounted primer against which the firing means is impacted. A latch normally maintains the firing means in an elevated position with respect to the primer but such latch may be released through the application of sufficient fluid pressure force to the firing means to drive it into engagement with the primer. If the primer fails to ignite, a second fluid pressure force is employed to move the firing means to its original latched position, ready for a second application of fluid pressure to release the firing means and again impact the primer.

Abstract: A conduit gripping tool such as a packer or hanger is provided for use in subterranean wells, together with a running tool and a method for installing the gripping tool in the well. Threaded means are mounted on the running tool for axial movement. The hand of such threads is in the opposite direction to the hand of the threaded connections of the work string supporting the running tool. The running tool additionally incorporates dogs which are engagable with slots provided in the gripping tool. A slip mechanism is retained against radial expansion during run-in. The dogs carried by the running tool are aligned with the slots in the hanger body for release so that torque in the same direction as the hand of the threaded connections of the work string is transmitted directly to the body of the hanger. Subsequently, an axially downward force applied by the work string will effect the setting of the slips and the concurrent disengagement of the dogs of the running tool from the body portion of the hanger.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for sealing between two concentric annular surfaces whereby the sealing engagement may be disrupted in response to an excess pressure differential acting on the sealing apparatus in one axial direction sense. Elastic means restore the apparatus to its sealing configuration upon reduction of the pressure differential. Apparatus and method disclosed are particularly applicable to cementing liners in wells.