Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. The solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe or the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris.

Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. In some embodiments the solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe and in others the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris.

Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. The solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe and in others the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a carrier including an axially elongated fluid conduit therein, the fluid conduit configured to received a ball therein; and an axially elongated ball receiving element, wherein one of the ball and the ball receiving element is configured to produce a magnetic field, and another of the ball and the ball receiving element includes an electrically conductive material, the ball and the ball receiving element configured so that the electrically conductive material is exposed to the magnetic field as the ball advances through the ball receiving element, and eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive material that cause a repulsive force between the ball receiving element and the ball to at least one of reduce a velocity of the ball and actuate the ball receiving element.

Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. In some embodiments the solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe and in others the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris.

Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. The solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe or the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a carrier including an axially elongated fluid conduit therein, the fluid conduit configured to received a ball therein; and an axially elongated ball receiving element, wherein one of the ball and the ball receiving element is configured to produce a magnetic field, and another of the ball and the ball receiving element includes an electrically conductive material, the ball and the ball receiving element configured so that the electrically conductive material is exposed to the magnetic field as the ball advances through the ball receiving element, and eddy currents are generated in the electrically conductive material that cause a repulsive force between the ball receiving element and the ball to at least one of reduce a velocity of the ball and actuate the ball receiving element.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting fluid flow includes: a ball receiving element disposed in a fluid conduit and configured to receive a ball that has been advanced through the fluid conduit and at least partially restrict fluid flow; and at least one seating element at least partially disposed within the fluid conduit, the at least one seating element including at least one of: a shape that extends radially into the fluid conduit and is contoured axially to reduce a rate of deceleration of the ball upon contact with the ball receiving element, and a radially compliant element configured to reduce an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element.

Abstract: A subterranean debris catcher swirls the incoming debris laden stream by putting grooves or spiral projections on the inside of the inlet pipe. In some embodiments the solids come out of openings in the side of the inlet pipe and in others the solids can exit near the top either directly into the enclosed solids holding volume as the liquid exits straight out or the solids can be discharged out the end of the inlet pipe into the bigger open space defined by the housing. In the latter case the inside housing wall can have a screen or vanes that slow down the solid particles as the fluid continues to a housing exit and eventually to an exit screen before being discharged to either go to the surface or recirculate back along the outside of the tool to the inlet pipe while picking up additional debris.

Abstract: A spacing device is located on a lower end of a debris removal tool. Circulation through the tool extends telescoping members to the top of the debris zone against a bias that retracts the members when there is no flow through the tool. The lowest telescoping member has peripheral slots through which the circulation for the tool takes place. The landing of the tool on top of the debris can be detected by the weight indicator at the surface. The device prevents embedding the lower end of the tool into the debris. Instruments can also determine the scope of the telescoping extension and transmit that value to the surface so that the cleanup tool can be continuously spaced from the moving top of the debris pile by maintaining a target distance for extension of the telescoping assembly.

Abstract: A method of restricting fluid flow includes: releasing a ball into a fluid conduit and receiving the ball in a ball receiving element disposed at the fluid conduit and at least partially restricting fluid flow; and at least partially reflecting one or more pressure waves resulting from an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element by a reflective boundary disposed in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting fluid flow includes: a ball receiving element disposed in a fluid conduit and configured to receive a ball that has been advanced through the fluid conduit and at least partially restrict fluid flow; and at least one feature disposed on at least one of the fluid conduit and the ball seat configured to reflect pressure waves generated by an impact between the ball and the ball seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting fluid flow includes: a ball receiving element disposed in a first fluid conduit and configured to receive a ball that has been advanced through the first fluid conduit and at least partially restrict a fluid flow in the first fluid conduit; and at least one second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit at an upstream location relative to the ball receiving element, the at least one second fluid conduit configured to divert a portion of the fluid from the first fluid conduit and reduce an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element.

Abstract: An assembly for milling a window in a tubular features a layout that keeps a restorative force normal to the whipstock slope acting on the window mill to help it track the whipstock ramp long enough for making an exit at the desired location. A string mill assembly is made long enough to allow such a restorative force to be created on the window mill as it advances down the ramp. The bearing or cutting structures on the string mill are positioned with respect to the window mill so that either the top of the string mill or at least the first bearing structure above the window mill presents at the top of the window as the window mill arrives at the position where it is desired that it make an exit. The lower bearing structure of the string mill also preferably has a rounded profile to facilitate its entrance on to the whipstock ramp without getting in a bind on the tubular wall adjacent the top of the window.

Abstract: Casing window milling assemblies include a conically-shaped section disposed along the tubular of the assembly. This conically-shaped section is a non-cutting portion that is preferably tapered toward the mill head. The conically-shaped section may be part of a flex-joint section of the assembly. Alternatively, the conically-shaped section may be its own sub-assembly secured above the flex-joint. In still another embodiment, the conically-shaped tapered section may be part of the upper mill section of the casing window milling assembly. In one embodiment, the conically-shaped section is disposed along the upper mill section below one or more secondary mills such as a reaming mill and a honing mill.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly used for making a window in a tubular is modified to reduce tool joint stress in a connection above the topmost watermelon mill. A protrusion is located between the topmost watermelon mill and the next threaded joint uphole. Preferably, the protrusion height is not greater than the outside dimension of the largest watermelon mill. Preferably, the protrusion is located below the upset area in the tubular where the threaded joint is made up and about ? the distance downhole from the threads to the next adjacent watermelon mill.

Abstract: Casing window milling assemblies include a conically-shaped section disposed along the tubular of the assembly. This conically-shaped section is a non-cutting portion that is preferably tapered toward the mill head. The conically-shaped section may be part of a flex-joint section of the assembly. Alternatively, the conically-shaped section may be its own sub-assembly secured above the flex-joint. In still another embodiment, the conically-shaped tapered section may be part of the upper mill section of the casing window milling assembly. In one embodiment, the conically-shaped section is disposed along the upper mill section below one or more secondary mills such as a reaming mill and a honing mill.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly used for making a window in a tubular is modified to reduce tool joint stress in a connection above the topmost watermelon mill. A protrusion is located between the topmost watermelon mill and the next threaded joint uphole. Preferably, the protrusion height is not greater than the outside dimension of the largest watermelon mill. Preferably, the protrusion is located below the upset area in the tubular where the threaded joint is made up and about ? the distance downhole from the threads to the next adjacent watermelon mill.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a force to a stuck object in a wellbore that includes a work string extending in the wellbore is provided. A vibrating string has a vibrator engaged with the stuck object. The vibrator drives the vibrating string to impart the force to the stuck object. An isolator associated with the work string and the vibrating string decouples a portion of a motion of the vibrating string from the work string. A method of applying a force to a stuck object in a wellbore is provided that includes comprises extending a work string in the wellbore from a surface location. A vibrating string is engaged with the stuck object. The vibrating string is driven at a frequency to apply the force to the stuck object. The work string is isolated from the vibrating string such that a portion of the motion of the vibrating string is decoupled from the work string.

Abstract: A short radius exit from a window milled in casing is possible using a whipstock with a sloping surface in excess of 3.5° and a window mill whose diameter is reduced to a percentage generally below about 95% of the casing inside diameter in a mono-bore or non-through tubing application. The system provides a greater flexibility in choosing the window location and eliminates having to penetrate adjacent formations as compared to previous techniques using a longer exit radius. The decrease in mill diameter, as compared to previous techniques, limits stresses on the milling equipment to minimize equipment failures during window milling and subsequent drilling of the lateral.