Abstract: A tubular string is run into a wellbore with a remotely actuated valve near a lower end adjacent a cementing shoe. The valve is triggered to operate without intervention such as by mud pulses generated at the surface and recognized by a sensor linked to a processor adjacent the valve to trigger the valve to close. Alternative actuation systems are envisioned for the valve that is located near the cementing shoe.

Abstract: An assembly for use to cement an uncased wellbore and create a sidetrack of a wellbore with a single trip into the wellbore. The assembly includes a mill selectively connected to a whipstock. A snorkel tube is positioned within a bore of the mill and within a bore of the whipstock. The assembly is connected to drill string and positioned within an openhole portion of the wellbore. After the assembly has been anchored, cement may be pumped down the drill string and through the snorkel tube. The mill may be removed from the whipstock by shearing a shearable device connecting the mill to the whipstock. The mill is used engage a diverting surface on the whipstock and create a sidetrack. The mill may also mill a portion of the snorkel tube or the snorkel tube may be removed from wellbore up the drill string prior to milling the sidetrack.

Abstract: A method for providing a location of equipment external to a downhole pipe within a wellbore by detecting or generating magnetic or electromagnetic fields within the downhole pipe and measuring the magnetic/electromagnetic field disturbances caused from one or more magnetic generating entities. The magnetic generating entities are detected from the magnetic/electromagnetic field disturbances and the location of the pipe external equipment is determined based upon the magnetic/electromagnetic field disturbances caused from the magnetic generating entities. In another embodiment, an apparatus that comprises at least one pipe external equipment coupled to a downhole pipe within the wellbore, and at least one magnetic field generating entities coupled relatively close or at a known geometric distance to the at least one pipe external equipment. The magnetic field generating entities are coupled to at least one pipe external equipment using a fastening component or installed in the downhole pipe or pipe mandrel.

Abstract: A tubular string is run into a wellbore with a remotely actuated valve near a lower end adjacent a cementing shoe. The valve is triggered to operate without intervention such as by mud pulses generated at the surface and recognized by a sensor linked to a processor adjacent the valve to trigger the valve to close. Alternative actuation systems are envisioned for the valve that is located near the cementing shoe.

Abstract: A tubular string is run into a wellbore with a remotely actuated valve near a lower end adjacent a cementing shoe. The valve is triggered to operate without intervention such as by mud pulses generated at the surface and recognized by a sensor linked to a processor adjacent the valve to trigger the valve to close. Alternative actuation systems are envisioned for the valve that is located near the cementing shoe.

Abstract: An assembly for use to cement an uncased wellbore and create a sidetrack of a wellbore with a single trip into the wellbore. The assembly includes a mill selectively connected to a whipstock. A snorkel tube is positioned within a bore of the mill and within a bore of the whipstock. The assembly is connected to drill string and positioned within an openhole portion of the wellbore. After the assembly has been anchored, cement may be pumped down the drill string and through the snorkel tube. The mill may be removed from the whipstock by shearing a shearable device connecting the mill to the whipstock. The mill is used engage a diverting surface on the whipstock and create a sidetrack. The mill may also mill a portion of the snorkel tube or the snorkel tube may be removed from wellbore up the drill string prior to milling the sidetrack.

Abstract: A tubular string is run into a wellbore with a remotely actuated valve near a lower end adjacent a cementing shoe. The valve is triggered to operate without intervention such as by mud pulses generated at the surface and recognized by a sensor linked to a processor adjacent the valve to trigger the valve to close. Alternative actuation systems are envisioned for the valve that is located near the cementing shoe.

Abstract: In an underbalanced or overbalanced completion, the packer that isolates a portion of the wellbore is preferably a composite mechanically set bridge plug. The composite materials are selected to expedite mill out the plug. A coring mill envelopes the plug as it cuts away the grip of the slips. Internal uphole oriented wickers inside the coring mill grab hold of it before the slip grip is lost to capture the plug in the coring mill. The liner string is rotated to operate the mill or alternatively a downhole motor can be used to run the coring mill. After the bridge plug is milled to a release and capture position, the liner string that can be slotted liner or screen or other tubular is advanced into position further down the usually deviated wellbore.

Abstract: A method and associated equipment are disclosed which allow drilling at least a portion of a well and subsequently cementing casing in a single trip. The method is particularly suited for deep-water offshore operations where the drill string can be run through a section of casing leaving a bit and an under-reamer extending out below. The casing is equipped with ports through which cement can be pumped as well as an external casing packer to prevent the uncured cement in the annulus from U-tubing. Several casing sections can be run in during drilling and cemented succession using the one trip method.

Abstract: A packer element has a biasing member incorporated with it. The element is either fabricated with the biasing element in a relaxed condition and then the element is stretched prior to insertion downhole or the element is created around the stressed biasing member and is held in that position until allowed to relax downhole. In either event the release of the element increases its diameter while shortening its length. Preferably, an advancing swage triggers the release to allow the element to expand as much as it can go or to the maximum relaxed diameter, whichever is larger. The swage then, preferably, drives the relaxed element toward the borehole wall or the casing.

Abstract: A packer element has a biasing member incorporated with it. The element is either fabricated with the biasing element in a relaxed condition and then the element is stretched prior to insertion downhole or the element is created around the stressed biasing member and is held in that position until allowed to relax downhole. In either event the release of the element increases its diameter while shortening its length. Preferably, an advancing swage triggers the release to allow the element to expand as much as it can go or to the maximum relaxed diameter, whichever is larger. The swage then, preferably, drives the relaxed element toward the borehole wall or the casing.

Abstract: A completion technique to replace cementing casing, perforating, fracturing, and gravel packing with an open hole completion is disclosed. Each zone to be isolated by the completion assembly features a pair of isolators, which are preferably tubular with a sleeve of a sealing material such as an elastomer on the outer surface. The screen is preferably made of a weave in one or more layers with a protective outer, and optionally an inner, jacket with openings. The completion assembly can be lowered on rigid or coiled tubing which, internally to the completion assembly, includes the expansion assembly. The expansion assembly is preferably an inflatable design with features that provide limits to the delivered expansion force and/or diameter. A plurality of zones can be isolated in a single trip.

Abstract: A method and associated equipment are disclosed which allow drilling at least a portion of a well and subsequently cementing casing in a single trip. The method is particularly suited for deep-water offshore operations where the drill string can be run through a section of casing leaving a bit and an under-reamer extending out below. The casing is equipped with ports through which cement can be pumped as well as an external casing packer to prevent the uncured cement in the annulus from U-tubing. Several casing sections can be run in during drilling and cemented succession using the one trip method.

Abstract: An annulus collar around a well production tube is cast in cement by a procedure that axially delineates the collar between two expandable well packers in the production tube string. Between the packers are a pair of cementing valves. An ingress valve is most proximate to the lower packer whereas an egress valve is most proximate to the upper packer. Additionally, the egress valve is modified to enclose the egress valve with a screen having mesh or slot openings that correspond with a screen plugging material that is mixed with the cement.

Abstract: An annulus collar around a well production tube is cast in cement by a procedure that axially delineates the collar between two expandable well packers in the production tube string. Between the packers are a pair of cementing valves. An ingress valve is most proximate to the lower packer whereas an egress valve is most proximate to the upper packer. Additionally, the egress valve is modified to enclose the egress valve with a screen having mesh or slot openings that correspond with a screen plugging material that is mixed with the cement.

Abstract: A completion technique to replace cementing casing, perforating, fracturing, and gravel packing with an open hole completion is disclosed. Each zone to be isolated by the completion assembly features a pair of isolators, which are preferably tubular with a sleeve of a sealing material such as an elastomer on the outer surface. The screen is preferably made of a weave in one or more layers with a protective outer, and optionally an inner, jacket with openings. The completion assembly can be lowered on rigid or coiled tubing which, internally to the completion assembly, includes the expansion assembly. The expansion assembly is preferably an inflatable design with features that provide limits to the delivered expansion force and/or diameter. A plurality of zones can be isolated in a single trip.