Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved retention of the packer in the wellbore is achieved by use of an inventive slip and wedge system, wherein the cones on the wedges are spaced a progressively slightly greater distance apart from their corresponding slip cones, from the centermost slip cone to the outermost slip cone. This forces the center of the slip to be loaded first. As greater forces are exerted on the wedges from end to end, the wedge will deform slightly and the next cone of the wedge will make contact with its matching portion of slip. Thereby, as the wedges are loaded higher and higher, more wedge cones come into bearing contact with the slip. Further, a barrel slip is used, to provide a uniform circumferential distribution of forces. This design effectively allows initial setting of the packer with very little slip tooth contact area. This permits the slip to quickly get a good grip into the casing wall.

Abstract: 058457102 A method of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus therefor provide efficient operation and convenience in completions where production of fluids from a lateral wellbore and a parent wellbore is desired. In one disclosed embodiment, the invention provides an efficient method of protecting a junction of multiple wellbore portions by positioning a tubular drilling guide within the well extending through the junction. In one aspect of the present invention, the drilling guide is sealingly engaged with certain ones of the wellbore portions while drilling operations are being performed.

Abstract: In a parent wellbore casing, full bore access to the portion of the casing beneath a lateral bore liner portion therein is provided using a specially designed tubular retrievable anchor assembly hydraulically set within the casing above the liner portion and having a depending mill guide portion. A milling pipe with a first rotary mill is extended through the anchor assembly, with the mill being laterally deflected by the guide to mill a partial opening through the bottom side wall of the liner portion. The milling pipe is then withdrawn from the casing, the first mill replaced with a second rotary mill, and a specially designed tubular retrieval collet coaxially secured to the milling pipe. The milling pipe is then extended downwardly through the anchor assembly, the second mill used to enlarge the initial liner opening, and the collet snapped into the anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is then retrieved by pulling up on the milling pipe to release the anchor assembly which is removed from the casing.

Abstract: A retrievable mill guide and anchor assembly is provided for use in forming a side wall window in a vertical subterranean well casing for subsequent connection to the casing of a lateral bore liner member extending through the casing window. The mill guide extends upwardly from the top end or the anchor. With the assembly in its run-in orientation, a milling pipe with a first mill bit on its lower end is releasably locked within the upper mill guide end, and pressurized fluid within the milling pipe is used to hydraulically set the anchor in the casing. After the anchor is set, the first mill bit is rotated, lowered and deflected by the mill guide to engage and form an initial opening in the casing side wall. The milling pipe is then removed from the casing, the first mill bit is replaced with a second mill bit, and a specially designed retrieval collet is installed on the milling pipe.

Abstract: A linear indexing apparatus and associated methods of using same provide convenient operation of tools in a subterranean wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a linear indexing apparatus has an outer tubular housing and a tubular mandrel axially slidably disposed within the housing. Two sets of slips are utilized to incrementally displace the mandrel relative to the housing. A piston associated with one of the sets of slips permits the mandrel to be incrementally indexed in response to a series of repeated applications of a predetermined differential pressure.

Abstract: A system for selective production from, and stimulation of, subterranean production zones while improving productivity and enhancing control of the well. Portions of a production tubing string and an internal stimulation/shifter string are assembled and run together as completion segments. Consecutive completion segments, with each segment including packers that surround sleeves and terminate at the upper end in a well control valve, are run into the cased wellbore so that the acid flow ports operated by sleeve valve assemblies are placed proximate the perforations of prospective production zones. The production zones are then stimulated as the stimulation/shifter string is moved progressively outward placing acid at each consecutive zone. The stimulation/shifter string is then removed from the production tubing string, mechanically closing the well control valve assembly by tubing manipulation.

Abstract: A bidirectional disappearing plug member and plug assembly is capable of blocking pressurized fluid flow from opposing axial directions in a flowbore. In a preferred embodiment, the plug member, which blocks flow through the flowbore, may be readily and at least partially dissolved through the application of at least one pressurization and depressurization within a tubing string above the plug assembly. Construction of the plug assembly permits the plug member to be conveniently emplaced in a fluid-filled wellbore by permitting fluid flow around the plug member during the emplacement process. The plug member may then be secured within the plug assembly to block fluid flow from either axial direction.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for creating a multilateral well and improved multilateral well structures.

Abstract: Methods of completing a subterranean well provide access to a portion of a parent wellbore which has been closed off by a lateral wellbore liner. In a preferred embodiment, a method includes the steps of depositing cement in the lateral wellbore liner and then drilling through the cement and liner utilizing a bent motor housing conveyed on coiled tubing. The cement provides lateral support for a cutting tool while it is milling through the liner.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, the packer is purpose-designed as a cut-to-release packer. That is, this retrievable packer has no built-in release mechanism. An internal cinch slip is used to retain the packer in its set position and thereby prevent the accidental release of the packer. The only way it can be released is by severing the mandrel. The cut point is opportunely designed so that the mandrel is severed in a precise location such that not only is the packer released, but all the packer and tail pipe are then retrievable as a unit. The primary advantage of a cut-to-release packer is that it can withstand extreme tubing loads occurring during production and stimulation.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved retention of the packer in the wellbore is achieved by use of an inventive slip/wedge system, wherein the cones on the wedges are spaced a progressively slightly greater distance apart from their corresponding slip cones, from the centermost slip cone to the outermost slip cone. This forces the center of the slip to be loaded first. As greater forces are exerted on the wedges from end to end, the wedge will deform slightly and the next cone of the wedge will make contact with its matching portion of slip. Thereby, as the wedges are loaded higher and higher, more wedge cones come into bearing contact with the slip. Further, a barrel slip is used, to provide a uniform circumferential distribution of forces. This design effectively allows initial setting of the packer with very little slip tooth contact area. This permits the slip to quickly get a good grip into the casing wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing and substantially destroying a fluid-type plug which is substantially dissolvable in fluid. A means for selectively opening a fluid port to the plug member is described which causes dissolution of the plug to occur. The plug member is maintained within a plug housing which also contains the fluid port. The plug housing is received within an annular sleeve which serves to seal the plug housing port against fluid intrusion into the plug housing port. The sleeve also contains an aperture which will become generally aligned with the plug housing port as the plug housing is axially separated from the annular sleeve. Axial separation of the plug housing and sleeve is accomplished by selectively pressurizing and depressurizing the flowbore containing the plug assembly to remove support for the plug housing.

Abstract: A decentralizer for a diverter, a centralizing guide bushing and a downhole-deployable locating and orienting subsystem.

Abstract: A decentralizer for a diverter, a centralizing guide bushing and a downhole-deployable locating and orienting subsystem.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for creating a multilateral well and improved multilateral well structures.

Abstract: A well control valve assembly prevents flow from or to completion segments further downhole from the well control valve assembly once the stimulation stimulation/shifter string has been removed from the production tubing string. The well control valve assembly features a shaped flapper plate which, when opened, conforms closely to the shape and size of the production tubing string's interior diameter. The flapper plate is biased toward a closed position by a compression spring arrangement that includes an arm which levers the plate upward toward a seating surface. The valve assembly's closure is mechanically induced and is not responsive to a sensed well condition.

Abstract: A well flow conductor and method of manufacture therefor. The well flow conductor includes: (1) a composite liner tube composed of a plurality of overlapping, resin-bonded composite plies and adapted to conduct a fluid flow therethrough and (2) a composite outer structure surrounding the composite liner tube and composed of a plurality of overlapping, resin-bonded composite plies arranged in a plurality of opposed helices about a centerline of the composite liner tube, the opposed helices intersecting at predetermined axial and radial locations on an outer surface of the composite liner tube to form nodes extending radially outwardly from the outer surface to form standoffs therefrom, the standoffs capable of centralizing the well flow conductor within an interior of a casing having a larger radius than that of the well flow conductor.

Abstract: A torque-resistant hydraulically settable packer is coaxially positionable within a subterranean well flow conductor and has a tubular body that carries a circumferentially spaced series of radially outwardly movable slip anchors having, on outer side surfaces thereof, gripping teeth with lengths that are sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular and to a plane perpendicular. Inner side surfaces of the slip anchors are engaged by circumferentially spaced flat outer side surface areas formed on the facing frustroconical ends of an opposed pair of annular setting wedge members coaxially carried by the tubular body and being axially drivable to radially outwardly shift the slip anchors to their setting positions.

Abstract: A diverter for a subterranean well, a diverter retrieving tool and methods of diverting objects traversing the well and retrieving the diverter. The diverter comprises: (1) a body having a lower portion adapted to be coupled to a diverter anchoring structure and an upper portion having a slanted diverting surface, the diverter adapted to be placed within a main borehole of the subterranean well at a predetermined location and orientation proximate a junction of a lateral borehole with the main borehole, the slanted diverting surface adapted to redirect an object having a particular diameter and coming into contact with the diverter into the lateral borehole and (2) a compliant spring member associated with the slanted diverter surface.

Abstract: A liner hanger and a method of hanging a liner.