Abstract: Example systems, apparatus, and methods are described for providing continuous backup rings that are swaged into closed gland seal grooves to reduce extrusion of elastomeric sealing elements in packers. In an example embodiment, the closed gland sealing system includes a mandrel body having a cylindrical outer surface. A seal mandrel portion of the mandrel body is defined by an annular recess in the mandrel body that extends radially around the substantially cylindrical outer surface to form a closed gland groove. A sealing element is positioned in the closed gland groove and extends radially around the seal mandrel portion. Further, a continuous backup ring is positioned in contact with the sealing element in the closed gland groove that also extends radially around the seal mandrel portion.

Abstract: A downhole assembly is disclosed. The downhole assembly includes a tube disposed in a wellbore, and a shroud coupled to and disposed around the circumference of the tube to form an annulus between an inner surface of the shroud and an outer surface of the tube. The downhole assembly further includes a flow control device disposed in the annulus, and a degradable plug disposed in the annulus and positioned to prevent fluid flow between the annulus and the tube.

Abstract: An erosive jet can propel degradable, abrasive grit conveyed in a carrier fluid to erode a downhole structure, such as a tubular (e.g., cutting through a tubular) or formation (e.g., perforation actions). The abrasive grit can be selected to degrade or dissolve in the wellbore fluid (e.g., in carrier fluid pumped into the wellbore or in fluid originating from the wellbore). The abrasive grit can provide increased cutting or erosion efficiency in the erosive jet during the cutting operation, then may degrade (e.g., dissolve) in the wellbore fluid to avoid certain complications, such as clogging or residue build-up in the wellbore formation or on downhole equipment. A degradation accelerator can be introduced (e.g., in carrier fluid) to accelerate degradation of the abrasive grit in the wellbore fluid. Degradation accelerators can be temperature-activated, pH-activated, or otherwise time-delayed so the abrasive grit remains sufficiently intact to perform the desired erosion operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method of assembling a degradable plug adapted to selectively permit fluid communication through a flow path of a downhole tubular. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes providing a housing defining an internal flow passage and one or more internal annular grooves adjoining the internal flow passage; positioning a generally cylindrical core within the internal flow passage; applying a first axially compressive force against the core so that respective exterior portions of the core expand or flow into the one or more internal annular grooves of the housing and the housing elastically deforms in a radially outward direction; and removing the first axially compressive force from the core so that the housing recoils in a radially inward direction, which is opposite the radially outward direction, thus placing a first stress on the core.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to magnetic rheological packer systems that seal an annulus in a downhole wellbore. In one embodiment, the seal is formed from a two-part epoxy and magnetorheological composition. The epoxy and magnetorheological compositions are allowed to be shaped by a magnetic field provided by one or more magnets exerting a magnetic field to place the packer seal.

Abstract: Wellbore isolation devices may be produced with wear bands and slips having modified surfaces to change the frictional properties between these components and the surrounding wellbore surface. A wellbore isolation device may include: a mandrel; slips disposed circumferentially about the mandrel and in a first position along the mandrel. The slips comprise particles coupled thereto forming a modified surface. The particles comprise at least some sharp protrusions. At least one packer element is disposed along the mandrel and in a second position along the mandrel.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device includes a wedge member that defines an outer surface and a barrel seal having a cylindrical body that provides an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The inner radial surface is engageable with the outer surface of the wedge member. The barrel seal further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves defined through the body in an alternating configuration at opposing ends of the body. A raised lip protrudes radially from the outer radial surface and circuitously extends about a circumference of the body. A plurality of slip buttons is positioned in a corresponding plurality of holes defined in the outer radial surface of the body. At least one of the wedge member and the barrel seal is made of a degradable material that degrades when exposed to a wellbore environment.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include an assembly comprising a base pipe having at least one flow port defined therein; a well screen arranged about the base pipe and in fluid communication with the at least one flow port, the well screen having an end disposed at or near the at least one flow port; a shroud arranged about the end of the well screen and extending axially along a length of the well screen; and an annular gap defined between the well screen and the shroud and configured to receive a flow of a fluid, wherein the shroud increases a flow resistance of the fluid by channeling the fluid across the annular gap to distribute a flow energy of the fluid over the length of the well screen.

Abstract: A downhole assembly is disclosed. The downhole assembly includes a tube disposed in a wellbore, and a shroud coupled to and disposed around the circumference of the tube to form an annulus between an inner surface of the shroud and an outer surface of the tube. The downhole assembly further includes a flow control device disposed in the annulus, and a degradable plug disposed in the annulus and positioned to prevent fluid flow between the annulus and the tube.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include an assembly comprising a base pipe having at least one flow port defined therein; a well screen arranged about the base pipe and in fluid communication with the at least one flow port, the well screen having an end disposed at or near the at least one flow port; a shroud arranged about the end of the well screen and extending axially along a length of the well screen; and an annular gap defined between the well screen and the shroud and configured to receive a flow of a fluid, wherein the shroud increases a flow resistance of the fluid by channeling the fluid across the annular gap to distribute a flow energy of the fluid over the length of the well screen.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method of assembling a degradable plug adapted to selectively permit fluid communication through a flow path of a downhole tubular. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes providing a housing defining an internal flow passage and one or more internal annular grooves adjoining the internal flow passage; positioning a generally cylindrical core within the internal flow passage; applying a first axially compressive force against the core so that respective exterior portions of the core expand or flow into the one or more internal annular grooves of the housing and the housing elastically deforms in a radially outward direction; and removing the first axially compressive force from the core so that the housing recoils in a radially inward direction, which is opposite the radially outward direction, thus placing a first stress on the core.

Abstract: An example wellbore isolation device includes a mandrel and one or more solid sealing elements disposed about the mandrel and plastically deformable to seal against an inner wall of a casing or an inner wall of a wellbore. A slip wedge is disposed about the mandrel on a first axial end of the one or more solid sealing elements, and a radial shoulder positioned on the mandrel at a second axial end of the one or more sealing elements. At least the slip wedge applies a compressive force on the one or more solid sealing elements and thereby plastically deforms the one or more solid sealing elements into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the casing or the wellbore.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include an assembly comprising a base pipe having at least one flow port defined therein; a well screen arranged about the base pipe and in fluid communication with the at least one flow port, the well screen having an end disposed at or near the at least one flow port; a shroud arranged about the end of the well screen and extending axially along a length of the well screen; and an annular gap defined between the well screen and the shroud and configured to receive a flow of a fluid, wherein the shroud increases a flow resistance of the fluid by channeling the fluid across the annular gap to distribute a flow energy of the fluid over the length of the well screen.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to magnetic rheological packer systems that seal an annulus in a downhole wellbore. In one embodiment, the seal is formed from a two-part epoxy and magnetorheological composition. The epoxy and magnetorheological compositions are allowed to be shaped by a magnetic field provided by one or more magnets exerting a magnetic field to place the packer seal.

Abstract: Wellbore isolation devices may be produced with wear bands and slips having modified surfaces to change the frictional properties between these components and the surrounding wellbore surface. For example, a wellbore isolation device may include: a mandrel; slips disposed circumferentially about the mandrel and in a first position along the mandrel, wherein the slips comprise particles coupled thereto forming a modified surface, and wherein the particles comprise at least some sharp protrusions; and at least one packer element disposed along the mandrel and in a second position along the mandrel.

Abstract: An erosive jet can propel degradable, abrasive grit conveyed in a carrier fluid to erode a downhole structure, such as a tubular (e.g., cutting through a tubular) or formation (e.g., perforation actions). The abrasive grit can be selected to degrade or dissolve in the wellbore fluid (e.g., in carrier fluid pumped into the wellbore or in fluid originating from the wellbore). The abrasive grit can provide increased cutting or erosion efficiency in the erosive jet during the cutting operation, then may degrade (e.g., dissolve) in the wellbore fluid to avoid certain complications, such as clogging or residue build-up in the wellbore formation or on downhole equipment. A degradation accelerator can be introduced (e.g., in carrier fluid) to accelerate degradation of the abrasive grit in the wellbore fluid. Degradation accelerators can be temperature-activated, pH-activated, or otherwise time-delayed so the abrasive grit remains sufficiently intact to perform the desired erosion operation.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatus, and methods are described for providing continuous backup rings that are swaged into closed gland seal grooves to reduce extrusion of elastomeric sealing elements in packers. In an example embodiment, the closed gland sealing system includes a mandrel body having a cylindrical outer surface. A seal mandrel portion of the mandrel body is defined by an annular recess in the mandrel body that extends radially around the substantially cylindrical outer surface to form a closed gland groove. A sealing element is positioned in the closed gland groove and extends radially around the seal mandrel portion. Further, a continuous backup ring is positioned in contact with the sealing element in the closed gland groove that also extends radially around the seal mandrel portion.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes an elongated base pipe and a expandable element disposed on the base pipe and radially expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration. The expandable element includes a first lattice structure that includes a first plurality of connecting members; a second plurality of connecting members movable relative to the first plurality of connecting members to allow the expandable element to radially expand from the first configuration to the second configuration; and a plurality of cells, each of the cells being defined between at least two connecting members. Each of the connecting members from the at least two connecting members is from the first plurality of connecting members or from the second plurality of connecting members. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first lattice structure is at least partially manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation device includes a wedge member that defines an outer surface and a barrel seal having a cylindrical body that provides an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The inner radial surface is engageable with the outer surface of the wedge member. The barrel seal further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves defined through the body in an alternating configuration at opposing ends of the body. A raised lip protrudes radially from the outer radial surface and circuitously extends about a circumference of the body. A plurality of slip buttons is positioned in a corresponding plurality of holes defined in the outer radial surface of the body. At least one of the wedge member and the barrel seal is made of a degradable material that degrades when exposed to a wellbore environment.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes an elongated base pipe and a expandable element disposed on the base pipe and radially expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration. The expandable element includes a first lattice structure that includes a first plurality of connecting members; a second plurality of connecting members movable relative to the first plurality of connecting members to allow the expandable element to radially expand from the first configuration to the second configuration; and a plurality of cells, each of the cells being defined between at least two connecting members. Each of the connecting members from the at least two connecting members is from the first plurality of connecting members or from the second plurality of connecting members. In one or more exemplary embodiments, the first lattice structure is at least partially manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.