Abstract: A well completion system, including a packer and a lower signal line connector carried on tubing below the packer. An upper signal line connector is carried on an upper tubing section. The upper tubing is adapted for lowering through the packer into sealing contact with the lower tubing and for operatively connecting the upper signal line connector to the lower signal line connector. A lug on the upper tubing and a profile in the lower tubing interact to rotate the upper connector into alignment with the lower connector. An upper signal line extends from a surface location down the upper tubing to the upper connector. A lower signal line extends from the lower connector down the lower tubing to downhole sensors and/or actuators.

Abstract: A safety valve lock out system and method. In a described embodiment, a method of locking out a safety valve in a subterranean well includes the steps of: flowing a hardenable fluid into the safety valve; and preventing a closure device of the safety valve from closing with the hardenable fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus (110) and method for treating an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (112) disposed within the wellbore. A sand control screen (118) is disposed within the outer tubular (112). A treatment fluid passageway (144) is formed between the sand control screen (118) and outer tubular (112). In addition, a production pathway (130) is formed between the sand control screen (118) and outer tubular (112). When the apparatus (110) is in an operable position, the region between the outer tubular (112) and the wellbore serves as a primary path for delivery of a treatment fluid, the production pathway (130) serves as a secondary path for delivery of the treatment fluid if the primary path becomes blocked and the treatment fluid passageway (144) serves as a tertiary path for delivery of the treatment fluid if the primary and secondary paths become blocked.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) and method for treating an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (62) disposed within the wellbore. A sand control screen (92) is disposed within the outer tubular (62). A slurry passageway (88) is formed between the sand control screen (92) and outer tubular (62). In addition, a production pathway (90) is formed between the sand control screen (92) and outer tubular (62). When the apparatus (60) is in an operable position, the region between the outer tubular (62) and the wellbore serves as a primary path for delivery of a fluid slurry, the production pathway (90) serves as a secondary path for delivery of the fluid slurry if the primary path becomes blocked and the slurry passageway (88) serves as a tertiary path for delivery of the fluid slurry if the primary and secondary paths become blocked.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) and method for treating an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (62) disposed within the wellbore. A sand control screen (92) is disposed within the outer tubular (62). A slurry passageway (88) is formed between the sand control screen (92) and outer tubular (62). In addition, a production pathway (90) is formed between the sand control screen (92) and outer tubular (62). When the apparatus (60) is in an operable position, the region between the outer tubular (62) and the wellbore serves as a primary path for delivery of a fluid slurry, the production pathway (90) serves as a secondary path for delivery of the fluid slurry if the primary path becomes blocked and the slurry passageway (88) serves as a tertiary path for delivery of the fluid slurry if the primary and secondary paths become blocked.

Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus comprises multiple joints each having substantially the same construction and each having a perforated outer tubular (150, 152) positioned around a sand control screen (154, 156) including a slurry passageway (190, 194) and a production pathway (188, 192) therebetween. First and second transition members (210, 204) are disposed at opposite ends of each joint. When two such joints are connected together, the second transition member (204) of one joint is proximate the first transition member (210) of the next joint such that a fluid traveling from the slurry passageway (190) of one joint to the slurry passageway (194) of the next joint travels from the exterior to the interior of the second transition member (204) of the one joint and from the interior to the exterior of the first transition member (210) of the next joint.

Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus comprises multiple joints each having substantially the same construction and each having a perforated outer tubular (150, 152) positioned around a sand control screen (154, 156) including a slurry passageway (190, 194) and a production pathway (188, 192) therebetween. First and second transition members (210, 204) are disposed at opposite ends of each joint. When two such joints are connected together, the second transition member (204) of one joint is proximate the first transition member (210) of the next joint such that a fluid traveling from the slurry passageway (190) of one joint to the slurry passageway (194) of the next joint travels from the exterior to the interior of the second transition member (204) of the one joint and from the interior to the exterior of the first transition member (210) of the next joint.

Abstract: A seal structure is provided for a downhole tool. In a described embodiment, a seal structure includes a seal support ring having at least one annular groove formed thereon and a longitudinal axis. At least one seal is included in the seal structure. The seal is disposed at least partially in the groove, and the seal is bonded to the ring. An annular recess is positioned longitudinally between opposing side walls of the groove. The recess may be formed in a body of the seal.

Abstract: A seal structure is provided for a downhole tool. In a described embodiment, a seal structure includes a seal support ring having at least one annular groove formed thereon and a longitudinal axis. At least one seal is included in the seal structure. The seal is disposed at least partially in the groove, and the seal is bonded to the ring. An annular recess is positioned longitudinally between opposing side walls of the groove. The recess may be formed in a body of the seal.

Abstract: A system for selective production from, and stimulation of, subterranean production zones while improving productivity and enhancing control of the well. Portions of a production tubing string and an internal stimulation/shifter string are assembled and run together as completion segments. Consecutive completion segments, with each segment including packers that surround sleeves and terminate at the upper end in a well control valve, are run into the cased wellbore so that the acid flow ports operated by sleeve valve assemblies are placed proximate the perforations of prospective production zones. The production zones are then stimulated as the stimulation/shifter string is moved progressively outward placing acid at each consecutive zone. The stimulation/shifter string is then removed from the production tubing string, mechanically closing the well control valve assembly by tubing manipulation.

Abstract: A well control valve assembly prevents flow from or to completion segments further downhole from the well control valve assembly once the stimulation stimulation/shifter string has been removed from the production tubing string. The well control valve assembly features a shaped flapper plate which, when opened, conforms closely to the shape and size of the production tubing string's interior diameter. The flapper plate is biased toward a closed position by a compression spring arrangement that includes an arm which levers the plate upward toward a seating surface. The valve assembly's closure is mechanically induced and is not responsive to a sensed well condition.

Abstract: A packer set safety valve assembly for controlling annular and tubing flows within a subterranean wellbore is disclosed. The packer set safety valve assembly controls the annular and tubing flows through dual flow paths. The assembly includes a means, that is remotely actuatable, to secure the assembly within the wellbore, a means, also remotely actuatable, the allows selective control of fluid flow in the dual flow paths, and a means, remotely actuatable as well, to unsecure the assembly from within the wellbore. The packer set safety valve assembly is a "fail closed" design which prevents flows through the dual flow paths when the fluid flow control means is not actuated to allow flow.

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 combination packer/safety valve assembly is connectable to the bottom end of a tubing string and lowerable therewith into the casing string portion of a gas storage well to control the upward flow through the casing string of pressurized gas stored in a subterranean cavern below the casing string. In response to the delivery through the tubing string to the interior of the assembly of control fluid at a first predetermined pressure a normally closed, axially extending interior passage of the assembly is opened to permit upward flow therethrough of pressurized gas for delivery to the well surface through the casing string.

Abstract: A programmable system for controlling the operation of a plunger completion oil or gas production well to optimize production from the well. The controller operates one or more motor valves controlling the well in accordance with programmable values of off-time, on-time and exhaust-time. The controller monitors whether or not a plunger arrival signal is received on each cycle of intermitting the well and changes either the off-time or the exhaust-time for the next cycle in response thereto. In oil well mode, the off-time is decreased slightly for each cycle following a cycle in which plunger arrival occurred and increased slightly for each cycle following one in which it did not. In gas well mode, the exhaust-time is increased slightly for each cycle following a cycle in which plunger arrival occurred before on-time expired and decreased slightly for each cycle following one in which it did not.

Abstract: A protective flap for a batting helmet. The protective flap attaches to a batting helmet or is fabricated with the helmet, and extends alongside the cheek and jaw of the batter. The protective flap can attach to the ear cover of the batting helmet, and extends forwardly to an outer end approximately aligned with the front of the batter's chin or nose. The upper edge of the protective flap is spaced below the visor of the helmet to allow substantially unobstructed vision but this spacing is less than the diameter of the ball in play, to prevent the ball from striking the batter's cheek or eye.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for installing a well tool device in the offset receptacle of a side pocket mandrel in predetermined oriented relation therein.

Abstract: A well controlled by two hydraulically operated subsurface safety valves made up in the tubing string. A first valve is mechanically locked in open position and the second valve is utilized to control flow through the string. Upon malfunction of the second valve it is locked in open position and the first valve is released from its locked open position and is utilized to control flow through the string.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve having a ball type valve closure. The ball member and its associated components are protected from damage by preventing excessive control fluid pressure from applying force to the ball member. Also, rotation of the ball member is prevented until any difference in pressure across the ball member and its seating surface has decreased below a preselected safe value.