Abstract: An array of plugging devices are pumped sequentially from the surface through a liner that typically becomes horizontal in nature, where each plugging device is anchorable at a specific position along the length of the line. Perforations are generated above the plugging device. The plugging device may be a cup plug and when pump pressure is applied to the cup the cup moves through the liner. When anchored, the cup directs frac fluids through the perforations to treat the well formation. The plug may be of the type where a full bore is maintained through the liner and allows the cup plug to travel back to the surface due to flow from the well thus eliminating any need for milling obstructions from the well bore. The use of multiple plugging devices allows multizone stage fracing.

Abstract: A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. The operator can use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a preselected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. An optional “Stand-Down-Mode” can be integrated into the timing system so that if pumping stops the timers go into a sleep mode until the pumping resumes. The apparatus can consist of three major components: a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. The packer may be removed.

Abstract: A plug apparatus, also called the frac cup, includes an interior body with conical surface, a top wedge, a slip, and seal system that limits fluid movement around the interior body while fracking The seal system can be of the cup type, expandable pad type, labyrinth seal type, or other device that limits fluid flow. A method, where a plug is conveyed into the well on electric line and a Baker type power charge setting tool, where pump fluid acts on a cup thereby propelling the plug to a preselected position in a horizontal wellbore. The plug provides a barrier to applied frac slurries in order to force the frac slurries into a formation. After the frac, the plug allows flow past an internal ball seat from the bottom side or the plug can be milled out using coiled tubing methods.

Abstract: A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. This system allows the operator to use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a pre-selected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. The apparatus is present as a “Frac Module” that can consist of three major components, a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. A hydraulic packer may be removed or replaced with a swellable type packer.

Abstract: A subterranean well tool seals along a section of a wall of the well and is carried on a conduit into the well. A plurality of anchoring elements and seals are provided for respective anchoring and sealing engagement along the wall of the well in concert and substantially concurrently with one another when the tool is shifted to the set position. When the well tool moves to the set position, a portion of the mandrel separates and is retrieved from the well bore, allowing the well tool to be reduced in overall length. The anchoring elements are sandwiched in between first and second, or upper and lower, sets of seals.

Abstract: A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. The operator can use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a preselected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. An optional “Stand-Down-Mode” can be integrated into the timing system so that if pumping stops the timers go into a sleep mode until the pumping resumes. The apparatus can consist of three major components: a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. The packer may be removed.

Abstract: A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. This system allows the operator to use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a pre-selected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. The apparatus is present as a “Frac Module” that can consist of three major components, a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. A hydraulic packer may be removed or replaced with a swellable type packer.

Abstract: The apparatus consists of a tubular housing carried into the well on a workstring. A series of spaced isolation modules is provided for each zone and carried into the well on a tubular conduit. The first, or most downstream module includes first and second sealing mechanisms to isolate the first zone to be treated. A full bore valve is provided that is activated to closed position by an activating component in response to a source of a first level of pressure to isolate the first zone from other parts of the well bore. A port within the housing is initially blocked but selectively opened concurrently with the activation of the first sealing means to manipulate the second sealing mechanism to fully isolate the selected zone and the module. As the module is activated, a second full bore valve is activated to seal the interior of the housing upstream of the first module by manipulation of the tubular string.

Abstract: A packer device, with a commercial name called “Frac Disc” includes an interior packer mandrel and radially surrounding cone, slip and seal system that seals and engages the surrounding casing or other tubular member. The cones expand the slip system and the slips compress and expand the seal system, simultaneously. The slip system provides a means for supporting the seal system when pressure is applied from above or below the packer. The close proximity of the seal and slip system in combination with a separating packer body provides for a very short packer, or a “minimum material packer”, that offers lower cost, higher performance, and if required, faster mill-out.

Abstract: A subterranean well tool is provided for sealing along a section of a wall of the well and is carried on a conduit into the well. The tool is designed to be comparatively short in length to afford easier mill or drill out subsequent to the tool's useful need in the well. A plurality of anchoring elements and seal means are provided for respective anchoring and sealing engagement along the wall of the well in concert and substantially concurrently with one another when the tool is shifted to the set position. The anchoring means are sandwiched in between first and second, or upper and lower, sets of seal means.

Abstract: An operating tool uses programmed fluid logic provided by use of flow paths including pre-determined spaced ports and varying orifice sizes to provide discreet pressures and fluid flow rates upon pressure differential sensitive devices, such as a membrane or piston, in operative communication with an operative sleeve to manipulate one or more secondary tools, and/or to perform a service, such as, for example, acidzing or stimulation or injecting proppants within the well. The tool remains “immune” to internal well hydraulic or hydrostatic pressures, if desired, until the fluid logic is achieved. The fluid logic is adjustable for activation of tools sequentially by making changes in the port spacing and fluid relief profiles so that all tools can be actuated by a single geometry of fluid flow paths, or each tool can have its own unique fluid flow geometry so it becomes hydraulically coded.

Abstract: An improved well completion system for completing two or more separate production zones in a well bore during a single downhole trip is disclosed. The improved completion system comprises a completion assembly comprising two or more production zone assemblies and a completion tool assembly. Each production zone assembly may comprise an automatic system locating assembly and at least two inverted seal systems for sealing against the tool assembly.

Abstract: A well system comprising an improved cross-over tool is provided. The tool may comprise a debris shield for substantially preventing sand, proppant or other well debris from fouling a flow port closing sleeve located below the cross-over tool fracture ports; a return port cover adapted to close or open a return port upon contact with a designated downhole surface regardless of tubing movement caused by stretching or contracting under stress or other induced pipe movement from downhole conditions; or a collet-type circulation valve adapted to mechanically indicate the position or flow status of the cross-over tool.

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: The present invention provides a return port cover that can close and open a return port separate from tubing movement caused by stretching or contracting under stress or other induced pipe movement from downhole conditions. For example, the return port cover can assist in preventing pack “fluffing” by preventing unintended fluid communication through an associated downhole tool regardless of the position of a circulating valve means. The return port cover can be biased, so that in one position it closes the port and in another position opens the port based on relative tubing placement at different portions of the fracturing operation or other well treatment operations.

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 improved single trip perforating and gravel pack system is provided which includes a tubing conveyed perforating assembly, a gravel pack completion assembly, and a retrievable service assembly. The retrievable service assembly includes a hydraulic setting tool and a crossover tool assembly. The hydraulic setting tool is less sensitive to hydraulic pressures generated by the detonation of the perforating guns. The hydraulic setting tool includes an annulus release mechanism, a preset lock assembly and a rotational lock assembly, all of which are mechanically actuated. The retrievable service assembly also includes a concentric check valve which improves well control and allows for reversing out excess slurry in the service assembly following completion of a gravel packing or frac packing operation.

Abstract: A release mechanism for use with setting wellbore isolation tools, such as packers or bridge plugs. The release mechanism typically includes a release piston which selectively isolates equalization ports extending from the interior to the exterior of a setting tool body. The release piston may be activated to allow equalization of pressure across the sealing elements of a set isolation tool, typically by applying pressure to the annular space above the isolation tool. The release mechanism may be used to allow a tool body (such as a setting or retrieving tool) to be removed from a set isolation tool under conditions in which high pressure differential exists across the isolation tool.

Abstract: A swab-resistant packer is disclosed which prevents the packing element from expanding outwardly to cause swabbing during tripping of the apparatus in a subterranean well. Preferably, a metallic or other cable or cord is placed immediate and circumferentially around the exterior of the first and second ends of the packing element to prevent the packing element from moving outwardly away from the first, pre-set retracted position to thereby abate any tendency to swab.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for fracing and gravel packing a subterranean well. The apparatus includes a packer and a liner assembly with a setting tool and crossover assembly. Abrasive wear in the wall of the crossover assembly is abated by providing for conversion of turbulent fluid flow of the fracing or gravel packing fluid into laminar flow immediate the opening within the crossover tool between the interior of the crossover tool and the exterior thereof. An isolator is also provided within the crossover such that when it is opened, a valve head is completely shielded and carried within the device whereby further cutting of the crossover tool wall by fluid flow is greatly abated.