Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.

Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system and associated methods provides selective control of operation of multiple well tool assemblies. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic control system includes a control module which has a member that is displaceable to multiple predetermined positions to thereby select from among multiple well tool assemblies for operation thereof. When the member is in a selected position, an actuator of a corresponding one of the well tool assemblies is placed in fluid communication with a flowpath connected to the control module. When the member is in another selected position, the flowpath is placed in fluid communication with an actuator of another one of the well tool assemblies.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system and associated methods provides selective control of operation of multiple well tool assemblies. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic control system includes a control module which has a member that is displaceable to multiple predetermined positions to thereby select from among multiple well tool assemblies for operation thereof. When the member is in a selected position, an actuator of a corresponding one of the well tool assemblies is placed in fluid communication with a flowpath connected to the control module. When the member is in another selected position, the flowpath is placed in fluid communication with an actuator of another one of the well tool assemblies.

Abstract: A locator device (50) that is selectively lockable within a nipple profile (40) disposed within a wellbore (32). The locator device (50) comprises a locator key (106) disposed between a housing (104) and a mandrel (102) that is radially extendable through a window (108) of the housing (104). The locator key (106) has an engageable position and a retracted position with respect to nipple profile (40). A support ring (110) is disposed between the housing (104) and the mandrel (102) that maintains the locator key (106) in the engageable position until the support ring (110) is axially displaced relative to the mandrel (102).

Abstract: A linear indexing apparatus and associated methods of using same provide convenient operation of tools in a subterranean wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a linear indexing apparatus has an outer tubular housing and a tubular mandrel axially slidably disposed within the housing. Two sets of slips are utilized to incrementally displace the mandrel relative to the housing. A piston associated with one of the sets of slips permits the mandrel to be incrementally indexed in response to a series of repeated applications of a predetermined differential pressure.

Abstract: In a subterranean well a one-trip production zone perforation and proppant fracturing operation is carried out using a workstring-supported perforation gun lowered into a casing nipple located in the production zone. Firing of the gun creates spaced apart aligned sets of perforations extending outwardly through a side wall portion of the workstring, the nipple, the surrounding cement, and into the production zone, after which the gun falls into and is retained in an underlying gun catcher portion of the workstring. While an axial tension or compression force is imposed on the workstring above the aligned perforations to maintain their alignment, a proppant slurry is pumped down the workstring, out its sidewall perforations, and outwardly through the aligned perforation sets formed in the nipple, cement and production zone.

Abstract: A bidirectional disappearing plug member and plug assembly is capable of blocking pressurized fluid flow from opposing axial directions in a flowbore. In a preferred embodiment, the plug member, which blocks flow through the flowbore, may be readily and at least partially dissolved through the application of at least one pressurization and depressurization within a tubing string above the plug assembly. Construction of the plug assembly permits the plug member to be conveniently emplaced in a fluid-filled wellbore by permitting fluid flow around the plug member during the emplacement process. The plug member may then be secured within the plug assembly to block fluid flow from either axial direction.

Abstract: A linear indexing tool is operably supportable on a tubing string in a subterranean wellbore and has a tubular housing structure within which a tubular mandrel is coaxially and slidably disposed. An indexing structure is operable by tubing pressure to sequentially drive the mandrel through a plurality of axial travel increments in response to a corresponding successive plurality of tubing pressure forces exerted on the indexing structure. Pressure diversion apparatus is operative to permit flow of pressurized fluid from within the housing structure to an external, pressure-actuatable device, such as a packer, only after the mandrel has been driven through at least two of its axial travel increments. Accordingly, the internal tubing pressure may be elevated to a test level thereof, thereby driving the mandrel through its first axial travel increment, without actuating the external device.

Abstract: In a subterranean well a one-trip production zone perforation and proppant fracturing operation is carried out using a workstring-supported perforation gun lowered into a casing nipple located in the production zone. Firing of the gun creates spaced apart aligned sets of perforations extending outwardly through a side wall portion of the workstring, the nipple, the surrounding cement, and into the production zone, after which the gun falls into and is retained in an underlying gun catcher portion of the workstring. While an overpull force is maintained on the workstring above the perforations, a proppant slurry is pumped down the workstring, out its sidewall perforations, and outwardly through the aligned perforation sets formed in the nipple, cement and production zone.

Abstract: A linear indexing apparatus and associated methods of using same provide convenient operation of tools in a subterranean wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a linear indexing apparatus has an outer tubular housing and a tubular mandrel axially slidably disposed within the housing. Two sets of slips are utilized to incrementally displace the mandrel relative to the housing. A piston associated with one of the sets of slips permits the mandrel to be incrementally indexed in response to a series of repeated applications of a predetermined differential pressure.

Abstract: A bidirectional disappearing plug member and plug assembly is capable of blocking pressurized fluid flow from opposing axial directions in a flowbore. In a preferred embodiment, the plug member, which blocks flow through the flowbore, may be readily and at least partially dissolved through the application of at least one pressurization and depressurization within a tubing string above the plug assembly. Construction of the plug assembly permits the plug member to be conveniently emplaced in a fluid-filled wellbore by permitting fluid flow around the plug member during the emplacement process. The plug member may then be secured within the plug assembly to block fluid flow from either axial direction.

Abstract: A sleeve valve assembly featuring a cylindrical housing within which a sleeve valve is axially slidable within a radially expanded section of the housing. The radially expanded section of the housing presents an inwardly extending stop shoulder at one point along its length and an annular expansion notch at another point. The sleeve valve includes a radially projecting chamfered boss about its circumference. A portion of the sleeve valve is longitudinally slotted so as to form collets. An outwardly biased C-ring is disposed about the sleeve valve within the radially expanded section. The C-ring is initially disposed to be free to travel axially along the radially expanded section between the boss and the stop shoulder. As the sleeve valve is moved toward an open position, the boss, C-ring and stop shoulder engage each other such that the sleeve valve is releasably snagged against further axial movement toward the open position. A significant axial force upon the sleeve valve is required to effect unsnagging.

Abstract: A longitudinally spaced series of tubular nipple structures are installed in a well flow conductor operatively extended through a subterranean well bore. Each nipple structure has a thinned-wall, increased interior diameter longitudinal section through which a plurality of fluid flow openings laterally extend, and an interior side surface annular tool locator recess, with each such recess having a profile different than those of all of the other tool locator recesses. The thinned-wall longitudinal sections of the nipples facilitate the formation of the flow openings therein. To seal off the flow openings in any selected one of these longitudinal nipple sections, a radially expandable tubular metal patch is supported on a setting tool which is lowered into the well flow conductor. A locator member complementarily and lockably receivable by the locator recess of the selected nipple is also supported on the tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus which can be installed for opening and closing fluid flow production from a formation penetrated by a cased well borehole and connected therewith through perforations. The production tubing string is installed with a moveable sleeve having a closed and open position. The moveable sleeve defines a controllable pathway into the production tubing string. In conjunction with that, there is an internal receptacle formed in the production tubing string to enable landing of a sonde there at. The sonde connects firmly at the receptacle. Similarly, the moveable sleeve in the production tubing string has a receptacle it in which enables unique landing of a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism extending along the axis of the production tubing string at the urging of a motor in said sonde. The motor operates an elongate extendible member to move the sleeve from the closed to the open position and back.

Abstract: A production nipple is suspended within an uncased bore hole in a slimhole/monobore completion. A deposit of cement is conveyed through the nipple and is spotted in the annulus across the face of the uncased well bore, with the nipple and cement deposit thereafter being perforated by a small diameter perforating gun. The production nipple has a thin walled section which is characterized by reduced resistance to perforation by a shaped explosive charge. The perforating gun is accurately positioned in registration with the dedicated nipple section by an annular locator slot formed on a coupling sub, which is engagable by a resilient latch arm carried by the perforating gun.

Abstract: A subsurface well flow control system includes a series of movable sleeve type flow control devices installed in a well flow conductor at various fluid-containing fracture zones, and a shifter tool movable through the conductor and operable to selectively shift any selected number of the sleeve portions of the flow control devices, in either direction between their open and closed positions, without removing the tool from the conductor. Radially retractable anchor and shifter key sets are carried in side wall openings of the tool body, and are respectively configured to be lockingly engaged with interior side surface groove sets on the body and movable sleeve portions of any of the flow control devices. The key sets are spring-biased radially outwardly toward extended positions, and an electromechanical drive system disposed within the tool body is operative to radially retract the key sets, and to axially drive the shifter key set toward or away from the anchor key set.

Abstract: A subsurface well flow control system includes a series of movable sleeve type flow control devices installed in a well flow conductor at various fluid-containing fracture zones, and a shifter tool movable through the conductor and operable to selectively shift any selected number of the sleeve portions of the flow control devices, in either direction between their open and closed positions, without removing the tool from the conductor. Radially retractable anchor and shifter key sets are carried in side wall openings of the tool body, and are respectively configured to be lockingly engaged with interior side surface groove sets on the body and movable sleeve portions of any of the flow control devices. The key sets are spring-biased radially outwardly toward extended positions, and an electromechanical drive system disposed within the tool body is operative to radially retract the key sets, and to axially drive the shifter key set toward or away from the anchor key set.