Abstract: Passive completion optimization with fluid loss control. A completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including a well screen assembly, at least one valve which controls fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the string, and two packer assemblies, each of the packer assemblies including at least one swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the valve and the screen assembly. Another completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including two packer assemblies, a well screen assembly, and the screen assembly including an inflow control device which restricts fluid flow through the screen assembly, each of the packer assemblies including a swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the screen assembly.

Abstract: Diameter based tracking for a window milling system. A window cutting system includes a cutting assembly with multiple cutting faces for cutting the window; and a diverter for guiding displacement of the cutting assembly relative to the window, the diverter including multiple separate guide paths for the respective multiple cutting faces. A method of cutting a window includes the steps of: positioning a diverter in a tubular string, the diverter including multiple separate guide paths for respective multiple cutting faces of a cutting assembly; and then contacting the guide paths with the cutting faces to thereby form the window. Another method of cutting a window includes the step of: positioning a diverter in the tubular string, the diverter including multiple separate guide paths for respective multiple cutting faces of a cutting assembly, with each of the guide paths providing a separate wear surface for the respective cutting face.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a downhole tubular string into two parts. The apparatus includes a receptacle operably associated with a first part of the downhole tubular string and a mandrel operably associated with a second part of the downhole tubular string. First and second sleeves each having a profile are slidably positioned between the receptacle and the mandrel and are operable to be securably coupled to the mandrel in first and second positions relative to the mandrel. First and second rings are respectively positioned between the profiles of the first and second sleeves and the profiled surface of the receptacle. The first and second rings are operable to initially limit longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel, to prevent tubular string recoil during operation and to allow longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel after operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a downhole tubular string into two parts. The apparatus includes a receptacle operably associated with a first part of the downhole tubular string and a mandrel operably associated with a second part of the downhole tubular string. First and second sleeves each having a profile are slidably positioned between the receptacle and the mandrel and are operable to be securably coupled to the mandrel in first and second positions relative to the mandrel. First and second rings are respectively positioned between the profiles of the first and second sleeves and the profiled surface of the receptacle. The first and second rings are operable to initially limit longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel, to prevent tubular string recoil during operation and to allow longitudinal movement of the receptacle relative to the mandrel after operation.

Abstract: A system for producing fluids from a subterranean zone comprises a tubing string disposed in a well bore, the tubing string adapted to communicate fluids from the subterranean zone to a ground surface. A downhole fluid lift system is operable to lift fluids towards the ground surface. A downhole fluid heater is disposed in the well bore and is operable to vaporize a liquid in the well bore. A seal between the downhole fluid lift system and the downhole fluid heater is operable to isolate a portion of the well bore containing the downhole fluid lift system from a portion of the well bore containing the downhole fluid heater. A method comprises: disposing a tubing string in a well bore; generating vapor in the well bore; and lifting fluids from the subterranean zone to a ground surface through the tubing string.

Abstract: A casing exit joint with an easily milled and low density barrier. A casing exit joint for use in drilling a lateral wellbore outwardly from a parent wellbore includes a generally tubular window structure having a window formed through a sidewall of the structure. An outer sleeve is disposed external to the window structure, so that the sleeve overlies the window. A hardenable substance supports the sleeve against deflection toward the window. A method of drilling a lateral wellbore extending outwardly from a parent wellbore includes the steps of: providing a casing exit joint including a hardenable substance positioned in a sidewall of the casing exit joint; then installing the casing exit joint in the parent wellbore; and then cutting through the hardenable substance in order to provide access for drilling the lateral wellbore.

Abstract: A casing exit joint with an easily milled and low density barrier. A casing exit joint for use in drilling a lateral wellbore outwardly from a parent wellbore includes a generally tubular window structure having a window formed through a sidewall of the structure. An outer sleeve is disposed external to the window structure, so that the sleeve overlies the window. A hardenable substance supports the sleeve against deflection toward the window. A method of drilling a lateral wellbore extending outwardly from a parent wellbore includes the steps of: providing a casing exit joint including a hardenable substance positioned in a sidewall of the casing exit joint; then installing the casing exit joint in the parent wellbore; and then cutting through the hardenable substance in order to provide access for drilling the lateral wellbore.

Abstract: Passive completion optimization with fluid loss control. A completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including a well screen assembly, at least one valve which controls fluid communication between an interior and exterior of the string, and two packer assemblies, each of the packer assemblies including at least one swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the valve and the screen assembly. Another completion string includes a set of well tools interconnected as a portion of the completion string, the well tools including two packer assemblies, a well screen assembly, and the screen assembly including an inflow control device which restricts fluid flow through the screen assembly, each of the packer assemblies including a swellable seal element, and the packer assemblies longitudinally straddling the screen assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating a wellbore using a loop system to heat oil in a subterranean formation contacted by the wellbore. The loop system comprises a loop that conveys a fluid (e.g., steam) down the wellbore via a injection conduit and returns fluid (e.g., condensate) from the wellbore via a return conduit. A portion of the fluid in the loop system may be injected into the subterranean formation using one or more valves disposed in the loop system. Alternatively, only heat and not fluid may be transferred from the loop system into the subterranean formation. The fluid returned from the wellbore may be re-heated and re-conveyed by the loop system into the wellbore. Heating the oil residing in the subterranean formation reduces the viscosity of the oil so that it may be recovered more easily.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: A system for producing fluids from a subterranean zone comprises a tubing string disposed in a well bore, the tubing string adapted to communicate fluids from the subterranean zone to a ground surface. A downhole fluid lift system is operable to lift fluids towards the ground surface. A downhole fluid heater is disposed in the well bore and is operable to vaporize a liquid in the well bore. A seal between the downhole fluid lift system and the downhole fluid heater is operable to isolate a portion of the well bore containing the downhole fluid lift system from a portion of the well bore containing the downhole fluid heater. A method comprises: disposing a tubing string in a well bore; generating vapor in the well bore; and lifting fluids from the subterranean zone to a ground surface through the tubing string.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.

Abstract: Diameter based tracking for a window milling system. A window cutting system includes a cutting assembly with multiple cutting faces for cutting the window; and a diverter for guiding displacement of the cutting assembly relative to the window, the diverter including multiple separate guide paths for the respective multiple cutting faces. A method of cutting a window includes the steps of: positioning a diverter in a tubular string, the diverter including multiple separate guide paths for respective multiple cutting faces of a cutting assembly; and then contacting the guide paths with the cutting faces to thereby form the window. Another method of cutting a window includes the step of: positioning a diverter in the tubular string, the diverter including multiple separate guide paths for respective multiple cutting faces of a cutting assembly, with each of the guide paths providing a separate wear surface for the respective cutting face.

Abstract: A system and method for assembly of downhole equipment in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of assembling an apparatus in a subterranean well includes the steps of: positioning an expandable shell in the well; expanding the shell in the well; and then interconnecting multiple portions of the apparatus to each other within the expanded shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.

Abstract: A multilateral completion system utilizing an alternate passage. In a described embodiment, a wellbore junction includes a first passage extending from a first opposite end to a second opposite end of the wellbore junction. A window is formed through a sidewall of the wellbore junction and provides fluid communication between the first passage and an exterior of the wellbore junction. A second passage is in communication with the first passage on a first side of the window, and in communication with the first passage on a second side of the window.