Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a frangible disk positioned therein. A flow barrier is connected in the casing string and spaced downwardly from the frangible disk. The frangible disk and the flow barrier define a buoyancy chamber. The sliding sleeve will impact and shatter the frangible disk into a plurality of pieces that will pass downwardly in the casing after the casing has been lowered to a desired depth.

Abstract: A buoyancy assist tool has an outer case and a rupture disk connected in the outer case. A sleeve is disposed in the outer case and movable from first to second position in the outer case. A rupture disk membrane of a rupture disk prevents the sleeve from moving to the second position prior to the rupture disk membrane rupturing. The outer case is configured to be connected in a well casing.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a fluid barrier connected in the casing string. A degradable plug is positioned in the casing string above the fluid barrier. The degradable plug and fluid barrier define upper and lower ends of a buoyancy chamber in the casing string. The degradable plug may be degraded to leave an open bore through the casing string after the casing string is lowered into a wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.

Abstract: A packer assembly and valve assembly without special or custom threads are used to provide a threadless float assembly. A packer assembly with inserts disposed in slip wedges is set by applying compressive forces using a setting tool. A valve assembly may be positioned during setting of the packer assembly between a holder and a setting tool insert end or may be positioned abutting a spacer after setting of the packer assembly. A setting tool and a plunger along with a pump are used to apply compressive forces on the packer assembly to set the packer assembly without requiring that the packer assembly or the valve assembly have special threading as the inserts, holder and spacer maintain the components in a stationary position.

Abstract: A downhole tool includes a casing string with a fluid barrier connected therein defining a lower end of a buoyancy chamber. A plug assembly connected in the casing string defines an upper end of the buoyancy chamber. The plug assembly has an outer case with a rupture disc positioned therein configured to block flow and to burst at a predetermined pressure. The rupture disk is removable from a flow path through the outer case upon the flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus has a casing string and a degradable plug positioned in the casing string to block flow therethrough. An upper membrane covers an upper end of the degradable plug. The upper membrane is made up of a plurality of separable membranes. A lower membrane covers a lower end of the degradable plug and is comprised of a plurality of separable membranes.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier define a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug has a plurality of fragments interspersed in a stretchable material and includes a frangible disc.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a fluid barrier connected in the casing string. A degradable plug is positioned in the casing string above the fluid barrier. The degradable plug and fluid barrier define upper and lower ends of a buoyancy chamber in the casing string. The degradable plug may be degraded to leave an open bore through the casing string after the casing string is lowered into a wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus includes an outer case connectable at upper and lower ends thereof in a casing string. A degradable plug is fixed in an interior of the outer case. A rupture disc is mounted in a port in the wall of the outer case. The port is positioned to communicate a degrading fluid to an axial flow passage defined in a wall of the outer case and the axial flow passage is configured to communicate the degrading fluid back into the interior of the outer case and into the degradable plug.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug includes a frangible disk. A stretchable connecting ring is connected to the frangible disk and to the casing.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus includes a casing string with a fluid barrier connected therein defining a lower end of a buoyancy chamber. A rupture disk is spaced from the fluid barrier and defines an upper end of the buoyancy chamber. A degradable plug is connected in the casing string above the rupture disk. The degradable plug defines a flow path to permit flow therethrough to the rupture disk, and is movable from a first to a second position in the casing string.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug includes a frangible disk. A stretchable connecting ring is connected to the frangible disk and to the casing.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus has a casing string and a degradable plug positioned in the casing string to block flow therethrough. An upper membrane covers an upper end of the degradable plug. The upper membrane is made up of a plurality of separable membranes. A lower membrane covers a lower end of the degradable plug and is comprised of a plurality of separable membranes.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a removable plug therein to block flow therethrough. A flow barrier is positioned in the casing below the removable plug and the removable plug and the flow barrier defining a buoyancy chamber therebetween. A debris barrier positioned above the removable plug comprises a rigid annular ring with a flexible diaphragm covering the center opening defined by the annular ring.

Abstract: A buoyancy assist tool and a fluid barrier in a casing string define a buoyancy chamber therebetween. The buoyancy assist tool has a housing connected in the casing string with a retaining sleeve detachably connected in the housing. The retaining sleeve is movable from a first to a second position in the housing. A flapper disk is positioned in the housing and covers an upper end of the retaining sleeve in the first position of the retaining sleeve. In the second position of the retaining sleeve the flapper disk is in a retracted position out of the flow path through the housing.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a fluid barrier connected in the casing string. A degradable plug is positioned in the casing string above the fluid barrier. The degradable plug and fluid barrier define upper and lower ends of a buoyancy chamber in the casing string. The degradable plug may be degraded to leave an open bore through the casing string after the casing string is lowered into a wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing particles from flowing into a base pipe are provided. A base pipe can have a plurality of perforations formed radially therethrough. A filtering strip can be wrapped helically around an outer surface of the base pipe to cover at least a portion of the perforations. The filtering strip can include a drainage layer, a filter layer, and a shroud layer. The drainage layer can include a plurality of ribs in contact with the outer surface of the base pipe. The filter layer can be coupled to the drainage layer and include at least one mesh screen. The shroud layer can be coupled to the filter layer and include a perforated metal sheet.