Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus and associated method of completing subterranean wells provides convenient and economical gravel packing operations, permitting a sand control screen to be run into the well attached to the apparatus which is, in turn, attached to production tubing, and further permitting the tubing to be detached from the screen. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel pack apparatus has interoperable valve and tubing release portions. The valve portion may be closed after the gravel packing operation is completed. Closure of the valve portion activates the release portion, permitting the apparatus to be separated.

Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus and associated method of completing subterranean wells provides convenient and economical gravel packing operations, permitting a sand control screen to be run into the well attached to the apparatus which is, in turn, attached to production tubing, and further permitting the tubing to be detached from the screen. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel pack apparatus has interoperable valve and tubing release portions. The valve portion may be closed after the gravel packing operation is completed. Closure of the valve portion activates the release portion, permitting the apparatus to be separated.

Abstract: Well completion apparatus and associated methods of completing wells provides repositioning of sand control screens and perforating guns without requiring movement of a packer in the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a well completion apparatus has a packer, a release apparatus, a telescoping expansion joint, a ball catcher, a sand control screen, and a perforating gun. In another preferred embodiment, a well completion method includes the steps of lowering a packer, release apparatus, telescoping expansion joint, ball catcher, sand control screen, and perforating gun into a well, perforating the wellbore casing, dispensing a sealing ball into the release apparatus, applying pressure to release the release apparatus, and applying pressure to expand the telescoping joint.

Abstract: Apparatus for completing a subterranean well and associated methods provide economical and efficient well completions. In one described embodiment, a well completion apparatus includes a packer which is settable by application of a compressive axial force thereto. The packer sealingly engages a wellbore of the well when set therein, but does not anchor to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes a screen and an attachment device. The attachment device permits the apparatus to be attached to another packer previously set and anchored within the wellbore.

Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus and associated method of completing subterranean wells provides convenient and economical gravel packing operations, permitting a sand control screen to be run into the well attached to the apparatus which is, in turn, attached to production tubing, and further permitting the tubing to be detached from the screen. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel pack apparatus has interoperable valve and tubing release portions. The valve portion may be closed after the gravel packing operation is completed. Closure of the valve portion activates the release portion, permitting the apparatus to be separated.

Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus and associated method of completing subterranean wells provides convenient and economical gravel packing operations, permitting a sand control screen to be run into the well attached to the apparatus which is, in turn, attached to production tubing, and further permitting the tubing to be detached from the screen. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel pack apparatus has interoperable valve and tubing release portions. The valve portion may be closed after the gravel packing operation is completed. Closure of the valve portion activates the release portion, permitting the apparatus to be separated.

Abstract: A progressive gap sand control screen comprising a plurality of parallel ribs spaced around an axis and a screen wire wrapped around the plurality of ribs having turns which extend along the length of the plurality of ribs such that adjacent turns have gaps therebetween, the gaps forming a gap profile in which the gaps near the upper end of the sand control screen are narrower than the gaps near the lower end of the sand control screen, the width of the gaps near the upper end of the sand control screen being less than the diameter of the particles which cause erosion, the gap profile includes a variable gap section near the upper end of the sand control screen and a constant gap section below the variable gap section, the variable gap section having a linear profile, a step type profile, or a nonlinear profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a sand-control screen jacket to a base pipe comprising a base pipe connector securably engaged with the sand-control screen jacket. The base pipe connector having a plurality of protrusions for mechanically securing the base pipe connector to the base pipe thereby securing the sand-control screen jacket to the base pipe. The base pipe connector may further comprises a plurality of sealant ports through which sealant is injected affecting an additional seal between the base pipe connector and the base pipe. The sealant ports may accept a lock pin therein after sealant is injected.

Abstract: A packer for use in subterranean wellbores provides efficient utilization of its cross-sectional area with mechanisms therein for anchoring, sealing, and torquing through the packer. In a preferred embodiment, a retrievable packer has a tubular mandrel, rubbers disposed on the mandrel, upper and lower compression members axially straddling the rubbers, a barrel-type casing slip, upper and lower wedges axially straddling the casing slip, a release mechanism, and a series of threaded load-distributing components which help to prevent collapse of the mandrel.

Abstract: A retrievable screen apparatus provides increased filtration in a retrievable screen disposed within a receptacle, the receptacle being positioned in a subterranean well. The receptacle has a lower filtration screen attached thereto for filtering larger particles, such as gravel and proppant, from fluid flow within the well. Thus, the retrievable screen may be retrieved and replaced, leaving the receptacle operatively positioned in the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a sand-control screen jacket to a base pipe comprising a base pipe connector securably engaged with the sand-control screen jacket, an internal slip member slidably disposed between the base pipe connector and the base pipe and a jam nut securably engaging the base pipe connector such that the internal slip member slides toward the base pipe connector increasing the friction between the internal slip member and the base pipe, thereby securing the sand-control screen jacket to the base pipe. The base pipe connector may further comprises a plurality of sealant ports through which sealant is injected affecting an additional seal between the base pipe connector and the base pipe. The sealant ports may accept a lock pin therein after sealant is injected.

Abstract: A gravel pack apparatus and associated method of completing subterranean wells provides convenient and economical gravel packing operations, permitting a sand control screen to be run into the well attached to the apparatus which is, in turn, attached to production tubing, and further permitting the tubing to be detached from the screen. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel pack apparatus has interoperable valve and tubing release portions. The valve portion may be closed after the gravel packing operation is completed. Closure of the valve portion activates the release portion, permitting the apparatus to be separated.

Abstract: A drainage pipe section for a horizontal subterranean well has a base pipe coaxially circumscribed by a tubular structure having a longitudinally intermediate portion defined by a sand screen assembly. An annular flow passage is formed between the base pipe and the tubular structure and communicates with the interior of the base pipe via base pipe sidewall openings positioned inwardly adjacent opposite end portions of the tubular structure. Annular adjustable flow control members having variable length labyrinth passages recessed into their outer sides are coaxially interposed in the annular flow passage between the opposite ends of the sand screen assembly and the base pipe sidewall openings. The flow control members are sealed within the annular flow passage by means of a rubber coating adhered to their outer side surfaces, and an adhesive type sealant material injected into annular spaces between the flow control members and facing portions of the base pipe.

Abstract: A proppant containment apparatus and associated method of using the apparatus permit continued delivery of a proppant slurry to a subterranean wellbore after failure of a crossover portion of the apparatus during a fracturing operation, eliminating the need to stop the fracturing operation and remove and replace expensive items of equipment after such crossover failure. In a preferred embodiment, the proppant containment apparatus has a tubular crossover member with an internal flow passage, circulation port, and side wall outlet openings, first and second coaxial tubular structures, the first tubular structure being perforated, a tubular screen positioned between the first and second tubular structures, a ball, and a ball seat having a spaced series of grooves formed thereon.

Abstract: A retrievable screen apparatus provides increased filtration in a retrievable screen disposed within a receptacle, the receptacle being positioned in a subterranean well. The receptacle has a lower filtration screen attached thereto for filtering larger particles, such as gravel and proppant, from fluid flow within the well. Thus, the retrievable screen may be retrieved and replaced, leaving the receptacle operatively positioned in the well.

Abstract: Using a specially designed push-on coupling structure the facing end portions of two tubular well completion structures, such as a length of coil tubing and a tubular coupling member, are fixedly and sealing connected to one another simply by pushing one of the end portions into the other end portions. The coupling structure includes an O-ring seal member carried by one of the end portions for creating a fluid tight seal between the telescoped end portions; a radial projection carried by one of the end portions and receivable in a side wall slot in the other end portion for preventing appreciable relative rotation between the telescoped end portions; and an axially split locking ring member coaxially threaded onto one of the end portions and having a gripping thread section disposed thereon and operative to engage the other end portion in a manner permitting the two end portions to be initially telescoped with one another but precluding their subsequent axial separation.

Abstract: A travel joint and latching assembly is connected below a gravel pack service tool to set an isolation assembly while performing backwashing and gravel pack operations, in a single trip. The travel joint is protected against inadvertent expansion by a positive mechanical lock assembly which isolates and decouples mechanical loading forces which may arise during the setting of the packer and during gravel pack operations. Inadvertent set of the hydraulic packer during backwashing operations is prevented by a hydraulic setting tool which includes a shear sleeve and an expandable C-ring drop ball seat.

Abstract: A well tool assembly and a method of operating same including a clutch which provides a rotary-driving connection between a running tool and well tool mandrel when the running tool is rotated in a first direction (e.g. clockwise) and has cammed surfaces which ride up on complementary cammed surfaces on the mandrel to disengage the clutch when the running tool is rotated in a second (e.g. counterclockwise) or opposite direction. Once the clutch is disengaged, the running tool can be disconnected from the mandrel by rotating the running tool in said first direction. The clutch can be disengaged either hydraulically at the same time a well tool (e.g. a packer) is being hydraulically set or by rotation of the running tool in the second direction in the event the well tool assembly becomes stuck before the assembly reaches its destination.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting apparatus has an isolation sleeve which covers setting ports and prevents entry of hydraulic setting fluid into a pressure settable tool such as an inflatable packer or a hydraulic packer. The mandrel of the setting tool is mechanically coupled to the mandrel of the pressure settable completion tool by a guide tube which provides an enlarged counterbore chamber. The guide tube is intersected by radial setting ports which permit entry of the pressurized fluid for pressurizing a hydraulic pressure chamber in the completion tool. A shiftable isolation sleeve opens and closes the setting ports. A radially outwardly biased split C-ring is engaged against the bore of the isolation sleeve. Longitudinal travel of the split C-ring is limited by a shear collar which is releasably pinned to the isolation sleeve.

Abstract: A two-way retrievable packer plug is installed in the production bore of a flow conductor by straight insertion, and is retrieved by a one trip straight pull operation. The plug assembly includes a core mandrel which is enclosed within a tubular latch mandrel on which an annular seal assembly is mounted for sealing engagement against the production bore of a flow conductor. A latch key is yieldably biased by a coil spring for interlocking engagement with a latch retainer lug carried on a landing receptacle attached to the flow conductor. The latch key is moveable from a radially extended position in which it is engageable against the latch retainer lug so that the latch key is blocked against axial displacement relative to the landing receptacle as the plug mandrel is inserted into or withdrawn out of the flow conductor.