Abstract: An inverted seal including a disintegrable body, one or more inside dimension seals disposed in the body. A method for removing an inverted seal from a downhole environment including exposing the body of the inverted seal to a condition to which it is responsive, disintegrating a portion of the body. A method for deploying a conventional seal after an inverted seal in a borehole including positioning an inverted seal in a downhole location, utilizing the inverted seal for its intended purpose, removing at least a portion of a body of the inverted seal, running a conventional seal further downhole of the location of the inverted seal.

Abstract: An alignment device for a sliding sleeve in a housing in a tubular string features a patterned alignment ring that remains stationary. The sliding sleeve in one of its end positions has a mating profile such that profile misalignment results in profile alignment as the sliding sleeve is axially advanced toward the alignment ring. In a choke application the fully closed position of the choke brings the profiles together to induce relative rotation into an aligned configuration of the ports on the sliding sleeve with the ports on the surrounding housing. Misalignment can occur when tools are run through the sliding sleeve for other downhole operations and the design parameters for the choke prevent the use of alignment lugs in axial slots. The mating profiles do not reduce the drift dimension through the sliding sleeve and allow higher housing pressure ratings for deep set applications with large operating differential pressures.

Abstract: An inverted seal including a disintegrable body, one or more inside dimension seals disposed in the body. A method for removing an inverted seal from a downhole environment including exposing the body of the inverted seal to a condition to which it is responsive, disintegrating a portion of the body. A method for deploying a conventional seal after an inverted seal in a borehole including positioning an inverted seal in a downhole location, utilizing the inverted seal for its intended purpose, removing at least a portion of a body of the inverted seal, running a conventional seal further downhole of the location of the inverted seal.

Abstract: An alignment device for a sliding sleeve in a housing in a tubular string features a patterned alignment ring that remains stationary. The sliding sleeve in one of its end positions has a mating profile such that profile misalignment results in profile alignment as the sliding sleeve is axially advanced toward the alignment ring. In a choke application the fully closed position of the choke brings the profiles together to induce relative rotation into an aligned configuration of the ports on the sliding sleeve with the ports on the surrounding housing. Misalignment can occur when tools are run through the sliding sleeve for other downhole operations and the design parameters for the choke prevent the use of alignment lugs in axial slots. The mating profiles do not reduce the drift dimension through the sliding sleeve and allow higher housing pressure ratings for deep set applications with large operating differential pressures.

Abstract: An inverted seal includes a disintegrable body; one or more inside dimension seals disposed in the body. A method for deploying a conventional seal after an inverted seal in a borehole.