Abstract: A method can include deploying into a well a fluid sampler tool including a fluid sampler, a sampler valve, a controller and a sensor, and the controller operating the sampler valve in response to a sensed well parameter being within a predetermined well parameter range. A fluid sampler tool can include a fluid sampler, a sampler valve, a controller and a carrier configured to connect the fluid sampler tool in a tubular string, the controller being enclosed within a chamber that is externally accessible on the carrier.

Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.

Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.

Abstract: A well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup having radially inward and radially outward portions, and a biasing device that exerts a biasing force against the radially outward portion of the anti-extrusion backup. A method of operating a well barrier can include setting the well barrier by decreasing a longitudinal distance between abutments of the well barrier, thereby compressing a seal element between the abutments, and unsetting the well barrier by increasing the longitudinal distance between the abutments and radially inwardly retracting an anti-extrusion backup positioned longitudinally between the seal element and one of the abutments. Another well barrier can include an annular seal element, an anti-extrusion backup, an abutment displaceable relative to the seal element to compress the seal element, a sleeve reciprocable relative to the abutment, and a biasing device that biases the sleeve toward the anti-extrusion backup.

Abstract: A well tool can include an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism having radially retracted and radially expanded configurations, the annular seal being longitudinally displaceable relative to the radial expansion mechanism in the radially retracted configuration. A method of setting a well tool can include positioning the well tool in a well, the well tool including an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism, and then longitudinally displacing the annular seal to a radially outward position relative to the radial expansion mechanism. A well system can include a well tool including an annular seal, a radial expansion mechanism, an inner mandrel assembly and a setting sleeve, and a setting tool that produces a relative longitudinal displacement between the setting sleeve and the inner mandrel assembly, the annular seal radially outwardly overlying the radial expansion mechanism in response to the relative longitudinal displacement.

Abstract: A well tool can include an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism having radially retracted and radially expanded configurations, the annular seal being longitudinally displaceable relative to the radial expansion mechanism in the radially retracted configuration. A method of setting a well tool can include positioning the well tool in a well, the well tool including an annular seal and a radial expansion mechanism, and then longitudinally displacing the annular seal to a radially outward position relative to the radial expansion mechanism. A well system can include a well tool including an annular seal, a radial expansion mechanism, an inner mandrel assembly and a setting sleeve, and a setting tool that produces a relative longitudinal displacement between the setting sleeve and the inner mandrel assembly, the annular seal radially outwardly overlying the radial expansion mechanism in response to the relative longitudinal displacement.

Abstract: A system for fracturing a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a valve including a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and one or more flow ports formed through a wall thereof. One or more locator tags are embedded in the housing, and a sleeve is disposed in the housing and movable relative thereto between an open and a closed position. The system also includes a shifting tool comprising a shifter movable between an extended position and a retracted position and operable to engage the valve sleeve. The shifting tool includes a lock that keeps the shifter extended in the locked position and allows the shifter to retract in the unlocked position. The shifting tool also includes an antenna for detecting the locator tags, and an electronics package in communication with the antenna and the actuator for operating the actuator in response to detection of the locator tags.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a fracturing operation using a wellbore fracturing assembly. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string to conduct a fracturing operation adjacent an area of interest in a formation. The assembly may include an unloader for equalizing pressure between the assembly and the wellbore, a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting fracturing operations using a wellbore fracturing assembly are described. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string. The assembly may include a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. At least one of the packers includes a pressure balanced mandrel. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.

Abstract: A system for fracturing a hydrocarbon bearing formation includes a valve including a tubular housing having a bore therethrough and one or more flow ports formed through a wall thereof. One or more locator tags are embedded in the housing, and a sleeve is disposed in the housing and movable relative thereto between an open and a closed position. The system also includes a shifting tool comprising a shifter movable between an extended position and a retracted position and operable to engage the valve sleeve. The shifting tool includes a lock that keeps the shifter extended in the locked position and allows the shifter to retract in the unlocked position. The shifting tool also includes an antenna for detecting the locator tags, and an electronics package in communication with the antenna and the actuator for operating the actuator in response to detection of the locator tags.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting a packer assembly having an upper packer and a lower packer in a wellbore in a single trip into a wellbore is provided. The packer assembly is configured to be retrieved from the wellbore using a retrieval tool in a single trip into the wellbore. The retrieval tool is configured to be released from the packer assembly while in the wellbore during a retrieval process in the event that the packer assembly will not release from the wellbore or is otherwise prevented from removal from the wellbore.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for conducting fracturing operations using a wellbore fracturing assembly are described. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string. The assembly may include a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. At least one of the packers includes a pressure balanced mandrel. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a fracturing operation using a wellbore fracturing assembly. The assembly may be mechanically set and released from a wellbore using a coiled tubing string to conduct a fracturing operation adjacent an area of interest in a formation. The assembly may include an unloader for equalizing pressure between the assembly and the wellbore, a pair of spaced apart packers for straddling the area of interest, an injection port disposed between the packers for injecting fracturing fluid into the area of interest, and an anchor for securing the assembly in the wellbore. After conducting the fracturing operation, the assembly may be relocated to another area of interest to conduct another fracturing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting a packer assembly having an upper packer and a lower packer in a wellbore in a single trip into a wellbore is provided. The packer assembly is configured to be retrieved from the wellbore using a retrieval tool in a single trip into the wellbore. The retrieval tool is configured to be released from the packer assembly while in the wellbore during a retrieval process in the event that the packer assembly will not release from the wellbore or is otherwise prevented from removal from the wellbore.

Abstract: A collar for injecting fluid, such as a formation treating fluid, into a wellbore, and a method for using same. The collar is disposed between the upper and lower packing elements of a pack-off system during the treatment of an area of interest within a wellbore. The collar first comprises an inner mandrel running essentially the length of the collar. The inner bore of the collar is in fluid communication with the annular region between the collar and the surrounding perforated casing by a set of actuation ports. A second set of ports, known as frac ports, is disposed within the mandrel. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the collar further comprises a tubular case which substantially seals the frac ports in a first position, and slidably moves along the outer surface of the mandrel in order to expose the frac ports in a second position. In operation, the upper and lower packing elements are set at a first fluid pressure level.

Abstract: A releasing mechanism for releasing a hydraulically actuated setting tool from a downhole tool is provided. Preferably, the downhole tool to be released is a wellbore sealing tool such as a bridge plug, packer or inflatable packer. The releasing mechanism comprises an adapter having a body, a connector above the body connected to the setting tool, and a lower portion. The releasing mechanism further comprises a releasable connection which releasably connects the lower portion of the adapter to a mandrel within the bridge plug or other sealing tool. In one embodiment, the releasable connection defines a frangible body disposed within the plane of the circumferential bore of the bridge plug mandrel. In another arrangement, the releasable connection defines both a frangible body and threaded collet fingers which releasably engage matching threads on the outer surface of the mandrel of the bridge plug or other wellbore sealing tool.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for actuating a downhole tool by utilizing a pressure differential created by fluid flowing through a conduit. The conduit is in communication with a pressure sensing line that is selectively exposable to areas of the conduit having different pressures. By exposing the pressure sensing line to a portion of the conduit having a predetermined pressure therein, the pressure sensing line cause actuation of a hydraulic tool therebelow.

Abstract: A collar for injecting fluid, such as a formation treating fluid, into a wellbore, and a method for using same. The collar is disposed between the upper and lower packing elements of a pack-off system during the treatment of an area of interest within a wellbore. The collar first comprises an inner mandrel running essentially the length of the collar. The inner bore of the collar is in fluid communication with the annular region between the collar and the surrounding perforated casing by a set of actuation ports. A second set of ports, known as frac ports, is disposed within the mandrel. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the collar further comprises a tubular case which substantially seals the frac ports in a first position, and slidably moves along the outer surface of the mandrel in order to expose the frac ports in a second position. In operation, the upper and lower packing elements are set at a first fluid pressure level.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for actuating a downhole tool by utilizing a pressure differential created by fluid flowing through a conduit. The conduit is in communication with a pressure sensing line that is selectively exposable to areas of the conduit having different pressures. By exposing the pressure sensing line to a portion of the conduit having a predetermined pressure therein, the pressure sensing line causes actuation of a hydraulic tool therebelow.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for actuating a downhole tool by utilizing a pressure differential created by fluid flowing through a conduit. The conduit is in communication with a pressure sensing line that is selectively exposable to areas of the conduit having different pressures. By exposing the pressure sensing line to a portion of the conduit having a predetermined pressure therein, the pressure sensing line causes actuation of a hydraulic tool therebelow.