Abstract: A system and method for establishing hydraulic communication between relief and target wells, wherein a relief well is drilled to include a portion of the target wellbore that is axially offset from and substantially parallel to a portion of the relief wellbore. A perforating system is carried by a tubing string in a cased portion of the relief well. The perforating system includes a latch assembly, a non-rotational packer and perforating gun having charges radially oriented in a limited direction. Tubing string parameters are obtained during the run-in of the perforating system, and thereafter the tubing string parameters are utilized to engage the latch assembly with a latch coupling carried by the casing in the relief wellbore. Axial and rotational forces are applied to the tubing string to engage the latch assembly. Discharge of the perforating gun yields perforations only between the relief well and target well, establishing fluid communication.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing hydraulic communication between a relief well and a target well, wherein the relief well intersects with the target well at an intersection point and the relief well includes a distal portion of the relief well that is deviated and intersects the first wellbore from below the intersection point. A directional drilling system and a magnetic ranging system may be used to guide the relief well from a kick-off point to the intersection point. The deviation angle between the two intersecting wells is at least 45 degrees, but may be approximately 90 degrees or obtuse. A deviated portion of the relief well includes a J-shaped or U-shaped trajectory, thus allowing the wellhead of the relief well to be located at a site removed from the wellhead of the target well, but still intersect the target well at a shallow true vertical depth.

Abstract: A blowout rate correction system comprises a sensor and a processor in communication with the sensor. The sensor is to measure sound characteristics associated with an exit point of a borehole. The processor is to determine a blowout rate of hydrocarbons exiting the borehole based on the sound characteristics. In some embodiments, the processor activates a device when the blowout rate exceeds a selected threshold. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for establishing hydraulic communication between a relief well and a target well, wherein a relief well is drilled to include a portion of the target wellbore that is axially offset from and substantially parallel to a portion of the relief wellbore. Thereafter, a milling system is disposed in the relief well and utilized to mill a casing window that is facing the target well. The portion of the relief well is positioned so that fluid introduced into the relief well will flow through the formation to the target well. To enhance the flow, the formation and/or the casing of the target well may be perforated, milled or partially drilled. A latch coupling disposed in the relief well casing may be utilized to engage a latch on of the milling and or a perforating tool in order to ensure proper orientation relative to the target well.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing hydraulic communication between relief and target wells, wherein a relief well is drilled to include a portion of the target wellbore that is axially offset from and substantially parallel to a portion of the relief wellbore. A perforating system is carried by a tubing string in a cased portion of the relief well. The perforating system includes a latch assembly, a non-rotational packer and perforating gun having charges radially oriented in a limited direction. Tubing string parameters are obtained during the run-in of the perforating system, and thereafter the tubing string parameters are utilized to engage the latch assembly with a latch coupling carried by the casing in the relief wellbore. Axial and rotational forces are applied to the tubing string to engage the latch assembly. Discharge of the perforating gun yields perforations only between the relief well and target well, establishing fluid communication.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for evaluating tubulars installed in a wellbore, which permit detection of wellbore construction errors. Errors in the hardness or grade of the material installed, e.g., in critical wellbores, could potentially affect the integrity of the wellbore and lead to catastrophic effects with respect to well control, pipe connection failure while running casing down-hole, or pipe body failure due to buckling or axial/triaxial failure during stimulation and production. Once tubulars are installed, the devices and methods permit testing the hardness of the steel or other material forming the tubulars. Determining the hardness of the tubulars may provide assurances or indications that remedial action may be appropriate to secure the wellbore. The devices and methods can be implemented to deliver a down-hole Rockwell hardness test in connection with logging while drilling technologies, with wireline tools, or in connection with other deployment mechanisms.

Abstract: A well, well head, drilling and completion system, and method for relieving pressure buildup between concentric casing annuli. The well head includes casing hangers and a tubing hanger that may include annular pressure relief conduits formed therein, which selectively vent casing annuli to the interior of the production tubing. Annular pressure relief valves are located within the annular pressure relief conduits, which may open and/or shut based on pressure, temperature, or elapsed time.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing hydraulic communication between a relief well and a target well, wherein the relief well intersects with the target well at an intersection point and the relief well includes a distal portion of the relief well that is deviated and intersects the first wellbore from below the intersection point. A directional drilling system and a magnetic ranging system may be used to guide the relief well from a kick-off point to the intersection point. The deviation angle between the two intersecting wells is at least 45 degrees, but may be approximately 90 degrees or obtuse. A deviated portion of the relief well includes a J-shaped or U-shaped trajectory, thus allowing the wellhead of the relief well to be located at a site removed from the wellhead of the target well, but still intersect the target well at a shallow true vertical depth.

Abstract: In a subsea drilling operation, a riser isolation tool may be installed inside a marine riser between the subsea wellhead and the rig floor to provide a conduit having a higher pressure rating than the original riser itself. In some embodiments, the riser isolation tool includes a tubular body and, extending therefrom, a seal stinger sized to be slidably received in a receptacle seated in the wellhead. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A well, well head, drilling and completion system, and method for relieving pressure buildup between concentric casing annuli. The well head includes casing hangers and a tubing hanger that may include annular pressure relief conduits formed therein, which selectively vent casing annuli to the interior of the production tubing. Annular pressure relief valves are located within the annular pressure relief conduits, which may open and/or shut based on pressure, temperature, or elapsed time.

Abstract: An electromagnetic ranging source includes: a tubular body having a circumference; a ferromagnetic core conforming to the tubular body and extending at least halfway around the circumference to define a gap with circumferentially-spaced poles; one or more current-carrying windings around the core to induce a magnetic field between the poles; and a downhole power source that drives the one or more current-carrying windings. A related method includes: equipping a first drill string with such an electromagnetic ranging source; extending a first borehole with the first drill string; assembling a second drill string with sensors; and drilling a second borehole while using said sensors to guide the second drill string relative to the first borehole.

Abstract: A blowout rate correction system comprises a sensor and a processor in communication with the sensor. The sensor is to measure sound characteristics associated with an exit point of a borehole. The processor is to determine a blowout rate of hydrocarbons exiting the borehole based on the sound characteristics. In some embodiments, the processor activates a device when the blowout rate exceeds a selected threshold. Additional apparatus, methods, and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: In a subsea drilling operation, a riser isolation tool may be installed inside a marine riser between the subsea wellhead and the rig floor to provide a conduit having a higher pressure rating than the original riser itself. In some embodiments, the riser isolation tool includes a tubular body and, extending therefrom, a seal stinger sized to be slidably received in a receptacle seated in the wellhead. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for evaluating tubulars installed in a wellbore, which permit detection of wellbore construction errors. Errors in the hardness or grade of the material installed, e.g., in critical wellbores, could potentially affect the integrity of the wellbore and lead to catastrophic effects with respect to well control, pipe connection failure while running casing down-hole, or pipe body failure due to buckling or axial/triaxial failure during stimulation and production. Once tubulars are installed, the devices and methods permit testing the hardness of the steel or other material forming the tubulars. Determining the hardness of the tubulars may provide assurances or indications that remedial action may be appropriate to secure the wellbore. The devices and methods can be implemented to deliver a down-hole Rockwell hardness test in connection with logging while drilling technologies, with wireline tools, or in connection with other deployment mechanisms.

Abstract: An electromagnetic ranging source embodiment includes: a tubular body having a circumference; a ferromagnetic core conforming to the tubular body and extending at least halfway around the circumference to define a gap with circumferentially-spaced poles; one or more current-carrying windings around the core to induce a magnetic field between the poles; and a downhole power source that drives the one or more current-carrying windings. A method embodiment includes: equipping a first drill string with such an electromagnetic ranging source; extending a first borehole with the first drill string; assembling a second drill string with sensors; and drilling a second borehole while using said sensors to guide the second drill string relative to the first borehole.

Abstract: A system for establishing hydraulic communication between a relief well and a target well, wherein a relief well is drilled to include a portion of the target wellbore that is axially offset from and substantially parallel to a portion of the relief wellbore. Thereafter, a milling system is disposed in the relief well and utilized to mill a casing window that is facing the target well. The portion of the relief well is positioned so that fluid introduced into the relief well will flow through the formation to the target well. To enhance the flow, the formation and/or the casing of the target well may be perforated, milled or partially drilled. A latch coupling disposed in the relief well casing may be utilized to engage a latch on of the milling and or a perforating tool in order to ensure proper orientation relative to the target well.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.

Abstract: A borehole network including first and second end surface locations and at least one intermediate surface location interconnected by a subterranean path, and a method for connecting a subterranean path between a first borehole including a directional section and a second borehole including a directional section. A directional drilling component is drilled in at least one of the directional sections to obtain a required proximity between the first and second boreholes. An intersecting component is drilled, utilizing magnetic ranging techniques, from one directional section to provide a borehole intersection between the first and second boreholes, thereby connecting the subterranean path.