Abstract: A downhole fluid separation apparatus can include multiple sections connected together with connectors, the connectors providing fluid communication between annuli in adjacent ones of the sections, and between inner conduits in adjacent ones of the sections. Each connector can include at least one flow passage providing communication between an inner conduit of each of the connected sections, and another flow passage providing communication between an annulus of each of the connected sections. A bypass valve can be included that opens in response to a predetermined differential pressure between an exterior of the apparatus and the inner conduits.

Abstract: A downhole fluid separation apparatus can include multiple sections connected together with connectors, the connectors providing fluid communication between annuli in adjacent ones of the sections, and between inner conduits in adjacent ones of the sections. Each connector can include at least one flow passage providing communication between an inner conduit of each of the connected sections, and another flow passage providing communication between an annulus of each of the connected sections. A bypass valve can be included that opens in response to a predetermined differential pressure between an exterior of the apparatus and the inner conduits.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features of the present invention are directed to an isolation assembly that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The isolation assembly can include one joint of a tubing section, at least two inflow control devices, and an isolation element. The joint of the tubing section can include at least two ports. Each inflow control device can be coupled to the tubing section at a respective port. The isolation element can be positioned between the inflow control devices. The isolation element can be configured to fluidly isolate the ports from each other.

Abstract: Remote operation of downhole tools in a subterranean wellbore is performed by inserting untethered, mobile devices sequentially into the wellbore. The mobile devices can include motive means, power supply, communication and data storage means, etc. In one embodiment, the method comprises maneuvering a first mobile device into proximity with a downhole tool, the device powering the tool. The first device is then removed, such as by flowing up or dissolving. The now-powered tool is used to perform a test or other operation. A second mobile device is maneuvered into proximity with the downhole tool and data is transferred. The second device is retrieved with the data or, using on-board logic devices, provides “if-then” commands to the downhole tool. Alternately, a third mobile device can be used to power and transfer commands to the tool. The method can be used for various tasks, such as opening bypass ports on ICD valves.

Abstract: Certain aspects and features of the present invention are directed to an isolation assembly that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The isolation assembly can include one joint of a tubing section, at least two inflow control devices, and an isolation element. The joint of the tubing section can include at least two ports. Each inflow control device can be coupled to the tubing section at a respective port. The isolation element can be positioned between the inflow control devices. The isolation element can be configured to fluidly isolate the ports from each other.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (170) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (170) includes a base pipe (172) having at least one opening (176) and an internal flow path (174). A swellable material layer (182) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (172). A fluid collection subassembly (184) and a sensor (192) are disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (182). The fluid collection subassembly (184) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (174). A filter medium (188) is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (170) and the internal flow path (174). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (182) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (184) and the sensor (192) to be displaced toward a surface of the wellbore (48).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (70) is operably positionable within a wellbore (84). The sand control screen assembly (70) includes a base pipe (72) having at least one opening and an internal flow path (74). A swellable material layer (76) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (72). A fluid collection subassembly (78) is disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (76). A drainage layer (82) is disposed exteriorly of the fluid collection subassembly (78) and the swellable material layer (76). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (76) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (78) and the drainage layer (82) to be displaced toward a surface of the wellbore (84).

Abstract: A flow control screen having a fluid flow path between a perforated section of a base pipe and a filter medium positioned around a blank pipe section of the base pipe. A valve assembly, including a piston body and a valve plug, is disposed within the fluid flow path. The piston body has an internal seat and a collet assembly that is radially outwardly constrained in a first operating position of the piston body to retain the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained in a second operating position of the piston body. Reverse flow is initially prevented as an internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on the internal seat and causes the piston body to shift to the second operating position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, an external differential pressure causes the valve plug to be expelled through the collet assembly, thereby no longer preventing reverse flow.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a fluid flow path between a perforated section of a base pipe and a filter medium positioned around a blank pipe section of the base pipe. A valve assembly, including a piston body and a valve plug, is disposed within the fluid flow path. The piston body has an internal seat and a collet assembly that is radially outwardly constrained in a first operating position of the piston body to retain the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained in a second operating position of the piston body. Reverse flow is initially prevented as an internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on the internal seat and causes the piston body to shift to the second operating position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, an external differential pressure causes the valve plug to be expelled through the collet assembly, thereby no longer preventing reverse flow.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (70) is operably positionable within a wellbore (84). The sand control screen assembly (70) includes a base pipe (72) having at least one opening and an internal flow path (74). A swellable material layer (76) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (72). A fluid collection subassembly (78) is disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (76). A drainage layer (82) is disposed exteriorly of the fluid collection subassembly (78) and the swellable material layer (76). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (76) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (78) and the drainage layer (82) to be displaced toward a surface of the wellbore (84).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (170) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (170) includes a base pipe (172) having at least one opening (176) and an internal flow path (174). A swellable material layer (182) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (172). A fluid collection subassembly (184) and a sensor (192) are disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (182). The fluid collection subassembly (184) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (174). A filter medium (188) is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (170) and the internal flow path (174). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (182) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (184) and the sensor (192) to be displaced toward a surface of the wellbore (48).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (50). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having a plurality of openings (46) in a sidewall portion thereof and an internal flow path (44). A plurality of radially extendable filter members (52) are each operably associated with at least one of the openings (46) of the base pipe (42). The radially extendable filter members (52) have a circumferential dimension that is less than a longitudinal dimension thereof. The radially extendable filter members (52) have a radially retracted running configuration and a radially extended operating configuration, in which, the radially extendable filter members (52) preferably contact the wellbore (50).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having at least one opening (60) and an internal flow path (44). A swellable material layer (46) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (42). A fluid collection subassembly (50) is disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (46). The fluid collection subassembly (50) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (44). A filter medium (62) is operably associated with the sand control screen assembly (40) and is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (40) and the internal flow path (44). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (46) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (50) to contact the wellbore (48).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (50). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having a plurality of openings (46) in a sidewall portion thereof and an internal flow path (44). A plurality of radially extendable filter members (52) are each operably associated with at least one of the openings (46) of the base pipe (42). The radially extendable filter members (52) have a circumferential dimension that is less than a longitudinal dimension thereof. The radially extendable filter members (52) have a radially retracted running configuration and a radially extended operating configuration, in which, the radially extendable filter members (52) preferably contact the wellbore (50).

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (48). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having at least one opening (60) and an internal flow path (44). A swellable material layer (46) is disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (42). A fluid collection subassembly (50) is disposed exteriorly of the swellable material layer (46). The fluid collection subassembly (50) is in fluid communication with the internal flow path (44). A filter medium (62) is operably associated with the sand control screen assembly (40) and is disposed in a fluid path between the exterior of the sand control screen assembly (40) and the internal flow path (44). In response to contact with an activating fluid, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (46) causes at least a portion of the fluid collection subassembly (50) to contact the wellbore (48).

Abstract: A sand control screen (40) includes a perforated base pipe (42) and a filter layer (50) that has micro-perforations (52) therein. The filter layer (50) is attached to the base pipe (42) along the entire length of the filter layer (50). Channels (46) are formed between the base pipe (42) and the filter layer (50) to allow fluid to flow therebetween. The sand control screen (40) is formed by micro-perforating a length of material, such as sheet metal, to form the filter layer (50), creating channels (46) that will allow fluids to flow between the base pipe (42) and filter layer (50), wrapping the filter layer (50) around the base pipe (42), attaching the filter layer (50) to the base pipe (42) along the length of the filter layer (50) and creating a seam between the two edges of the filter layer (50).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.