Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming multiple wellbores from a single location. A relatively large diameter main wellbore is drilled to a known depth. A plurality of spaced apart wellbores are formed from the bottom of the main wellbore, wherein at least one such wellbore is a production wellbore for producing hydrocarbons from subsurface formations. Wellhead equipment for each production wellbore is installed at main wellbore bottom. Additional devices or equipment are also placed in the main wellbore, preferably near the bottom.

Abstract: An improved electrical submersible pump is disclosed in which a processor downhole is utilized to monitor one or more subsurface conditions, to record data, and to alter at least one operating condition of the electrical submersible pump. Novel uses are described for downhole gas compression, the delivery of particulate matter to wellbore sites, and for the disposal of waste.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-branched wellbore systems and methods for forming and utilizing such wellbores. An access wellbore is formed substantially in a non-producing formation. From the access wellbore are drilled one or more branch wellbore into producing formations and into non-producing formations. Additional branch wellbores may be formed from the access wellbore or the branch wellbores. Seals between the access wellbore and the production wellbores are formed outside the hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Flow control devices and other devices are installed outside the access wellbore, thereby utilizing the access wellbore primarily for transporting fluids during production of hydrocarbons. The distance between the access wellbore and any other desired formation, such as the producing formations, is determined during drilling of the access wellbore, preferably by utilizing acoustic sensors deployed in a drilling assembly.

Abstract: A system for producing a field is disclosed. The field includes a main access well with a first branch well extending therefrom. A separator for separating oil and water is placed in the first branch well. In an alternate embodiment, the separator may be contained within the main access well. A second branch well may also extend from the main access well and may contain a disposal assembly that is operatively associated with the separator. The first and second branch wells may intersect the same reservoir or different reservoirs.

Abstract: A method and assembly for completing a well is disclosed. Generally, the method comprises the steps of positioning a stationary string in the well at a first position. The stationary string will have connected thereto a completion device for completing the well to a reservoir and a detachment apparatus for detaching the completion device from the stationary string. The method further comprises the steps of positioning a secondary string in the well, with the secondary string having a cooperating detachment apparatus for detaching the completion member from the stationary string. Next, the completion member is detached from the stationary string and attached to the secondary string, and the completion member is positioned at a second position which corresponds to a hydrocarbon zone. In one embodiment, the stationary string is a production tubing string, and the production tubing is attached to an isolation safety valve member for isolating the well from pressure.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tool with at least one extending member which causes the fluids moving in the wellbore after perforation to increase in velocity. The velocity is further increased by an auxiliary flowpath which permits the addition of fluid from the surface or from elsewhere in the wellbore or formation to be pumped to mix with the other fluids being produced after perforation. The auxiliary fluid further increases velocity, thus improving the ability of the mixture of formation and auxiliary fluid to entrain debris and remove it from the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a subterranean well conduit. The apparatus comprises a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior and exterior walls. A fluid flow passageway is provided within the interior wall and a fluid flow passage extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and in communication with the fluid flow passageway. Retention mesh means are disposed around the exterior of the tubular member and pass across the fluid flow passage means having a fluid flow openings therethrough, the retention mesh means preventing particulate solids in a fluid permeable bed of the apparatus from passing into the fluid flow passage and into the fluid flow passageway through the subterranean conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a subterranean well conduit. The apparatus comprises a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior and exterior walls. A fluid flow passageway is provided within the interior wall and a fluid flow passage extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and in communication with the fluid flow passageway. Retention means are disposed around the exterior of the tubular member and pass across the fluid flow passage means having a fluid flow openings therethrough, the retention means preventing particulate solids in a fluid permeable bed of the apparatus from passing into the fluid flow passage and into the fluid flow passageway through the subterranean conduit.

Abstract: A method and device are shown for monitoring the level of particulate matter in a stream of hydrocarbons produced from a well bore. A downstream filter is installed within a surface conduit which communicates with the production conduit for trapping particulate matter in the stream of hydrocarbons passing within the surface conduit. The contents of the downstream filter are sampled over predetermined intervals to determine information regarding the type and amount of particulate matter trapped. The production rate of produced hydrocarbons is adjusted based upon the information gathered.

Abstract: The invention features a perforating gun, with an external auger, which can be mounted to a tubing string. The auger facilitates removal of the gun after the sand is placed in the perforations. The perforating gun with external auger promotes the clean-up of the debris from the perforations after the gun is shot and facilitates the movement of the gun out of the sand. The sand can be spotted near the perforations without exposure to the formation of any kill fluids. The perforating gun with external auger need not be moved prior to admission of sand into the perforations. The assembly can be used so that preferred fluids, such as stimulating fluids, can be used to circulate the sand until the sand has been spotted adjacent the formation, whereupon the stimulating fluid is squeezed into the formation, leaving the sand in the perforations. The amount of fluid displaced into the formation is minimized and the selection of fluid helps to stimulate the subsequent flow during production.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a subterranean well conduit. The apparatus comprises a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior and exterior walls. A fluid flow passageway is provided within the interior wall and a fluid flow passage extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and in communication with the fluid flow passageway. Retention means are disposed around the exterior of the tubular member and pass across the fluid flow passage means having a fluid flow openings therethrough, the retention means preventing particulate solids in a fluid permeable bed of the apparatus from passing into the fluid flow passage and into the fluid flow passageway through the subterranean conduit.

Abstract: An insulation jacket and method are provided for a tubing carried perforating gun for a subterranean well. A tubular housing is secured at one end to a tubular conduit with a firing head disposed interiorly within the housing. A perforating gun is activated by the firing head and carried by the housing. A tubular heat shield is concentrically disposed around the exterior of the housing and is sealingly secured relative to an end of the housing. An annular area is defined between the interior of the heat shield and the exterior of the housing with a fluid passageway extending from the interior of the housing through the annular area and communicating with the exterior of the heat shield. The heat shield configuration may also be utilized to provide an annular wash area for washing particulate matter away from the perforating gun as it is being introduced into the well.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use on a subterranean well conduit. The apparatus comprises a cylindrically shaped inner tubular member having an interior and exterior walls. A fluid flow passageway is provided within the interior wall and a fluid flow passage extends from the interior of the tubular member through the exterior wall and in communication with the fluid flow passageway. Retention mesh means are disposed around the exterior of the tubular member and pass across the fluid flow passage means having a fluid flow openings therethrough, the retention mesh means preventing particulate solids in a fluid permeable bed of the apparatus from passing into the fluid flow passage and into the fluid flow passageway through the subterranean conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the completion of non-vertical, including horizontally disposed, portions of a deviated well bore traversing a production formation. To facilitate the insertion of a gravel packing tool string through the curved portion of the well bore, stabilizer elements are maintained in a radially retracted position and then operated to engage the well bore after the tool string is run-in. An anti-rotation tool may be incorporated for connecting the work string to the left hand threads conventionally provided on a conventional packer in order to permit rotation of the entire tool string to facilitate passage through the curved portion of the well bore. Two gravel packing modifications are disclosed, the one employing a single packer and a cross-over tool located at the top end of a plurality of serially connected screens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the completion of non-vertical, including horizontally disposed, portions of a deviated well bore traversing a production formation. To facilitate the insertion of a gravel packing tool string through the curved portion of the well bore, stabilizer elements are maintained in a radially retracted position and then operated to engage the well bore after the tool string is run-in. An anti-rotation tool may be incorporated for connecting the work string to the left hand threads conventionally provided on a conventional packer in order to permit rotation of the entire tool string to facilitate passage through the curved portion of the well bore. Two gravel packing modifications are disclosed, the one employing a single packer and a cross-over tool located at the top end of a plurality of serially connected screens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the assembly and arming a multisection perforating gun for a subterranean well. Each of the gun sections has a plurality of vertically and angularly spaced shaped charge containers disposed with the primer ends located in concentric fashion about the vertical axis of the gun, thus defining an axial passage communicating with the bores of hollow nipples which respectively effect securement of one gun section to the next adjacent gun section. In one modification, a continuous primer cord is stored on a reel below the lowermost gun section and is then pulled successively upwardly through each of the additional gun sections as they are assembled. In another modification, each of the gun sections is provided with a length of fusible guide tubing interposed between the inner primer ends of all of such shaped charges and the continuous length of primer cord is fed downwardly through the axial passage defined by such guide tubing.

Abstract: A fluid pressure activated firing head for a perforating gun disposed in a subterranean well by a packer is provided with a column of clean fluid overlying and filling the bore of the firing head but communicating with the casing annulus above the set packer. An annular fluid passage extends from the top of the clean fluid column through the set packer and ending in an inverted U-shaped annular passage. A pressure transmitting seal is mounted in the downwardly extending leg of the annular fluid passage to permit the entire fluid passage to be filled with clean fluid of a lighter density than the casing annulus fluids, thus insuring that casing annulus fluid can never enter the interior of the pressure activated firing head.

Abstract: A fluid pressure activated firing head for a perforating gun disposed in a subterranean well by a packer is provided with a column of clean fluid overlying and filling the bore of the firing head but communicating with the casing annulus above the set packer. A fluid passage is provided at the top of the conduit extending the clean fluid column through the packer, and the downwardly facing leg of the annular fluid passage is provided with a pressure transmitting seal to permit the entire fluid passage to be filled with clean fluid of a lighter density than the casing annulus fluids, thus insuring that casing annulus fluid can never enter the interior of the pressure activated firing head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the assembly and arming a multisection perforating gun for a subterranean well. Each of the gun sections has a plurality of vertically and angularly spaced shaped charge containers disposed with the primer ends located in concentric fashion about the vertical axis of the gun, thus defining an axial passage communicating with the bores of hollow nipples which respectively effect securement of one gun section to the next adjacent gun section. In one modification, a continuous primer cord is stored on a reel below the lowermost gun section and is then pulled successively upwardly through each of the additional gun sections as they are assembled. In another modification, each of the gun sections is provided with a length of fusible guide tubing interposed between the inner primer ends of all of such shaped charges and the continuous length of primer cord is fed downwardly through the axial passage defined by such guide tubing.

Abstract: The invention features a perforating gun, with an external auger, which can be mounted to a tubing string. The auger facilitates removal of the gun after the sand is placed in the perforations. The perforating gun with external auger promotes the clean-up of the debris from the perforations after the gun is shot and facilitates the movement of the gun out of the sand. The sand can be spotted near the perforations without exposure to the formation of any kill fluids. The perforating gun with external auger need not be moved prior to admission of sand into the perforations. The assembly can be used so that preferred fluids, such as stimulating fluids, can be used to circulate the sand until the sand has been spotted adjacent the formation, whereupon the stimulating fluid is squeezed into the formation, leaving the sand in the perforations. The amount of fluid displaced into the formation is minimized and the selection of fluid helps to stimulate the subsequent flow during production.