Abstract: A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.

Abstract: A method can include deploying a diverter plug into a well, the diverter plug comprising a group of particles that are prevented from dispersing, flowing fluid, thereby conveying the diverter plug into engagement with a fluid passageway, the particles conforming to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway, and the particles being prevented from dispersing while the diverter plug blocks the fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The diverter plug can include a group of particles disposed within an outer enclosure. The particles in the enclosure can conform to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway. In another method, the enclosure can sealingly engage the fluid passageway while the particles remain disposed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A vortex-controlled variable flow resistance device ideal for use in a backpressure tool for advancing drill string in extended reach downhole operations. The characteristics of the pressure waves generated by the device are controlled by the growth and decay of vortices in the vortex chamber(s) of a flow path. The flow path is designed to produce alternating primary and secondary vortices—one clockwise and one counter-clockwise—where the primary vortex is stronger and produces higher backpressure than the secondary vortex. This in turn generates alternating weak and strong pressure pulses in the drill string. The weak pulses may be barely perceptible so that the effective frequency of the pulses is determined by the stronger primary vortices.

Abstract: A plugging device, well system and method. In one example, a wrap, band or other type of binding is utilized to secure together multiple fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines of the plugging device. In another example, fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines are fused, adhered or bonded to an outer surface of a body of the plugging device. In other examples, a material of the plugging device may become more rigid or swell in a well. A plugging device may comprise a body loosely enclosed in a bag, wrapper or other enclosure.

Abstract: A method of dislodging a tubular string or well equipment connected to the tubular string can include connecting a dislodging tool in the tubular string, so that a flow passage of the dislodging tool extends through the tubular string, deploying a plug into the dislodging tool, applying a pressure differential across the plug, thereby displacing the plug through a seat of the dislodging tool, and dislodging the tubular string or the component in response to the displacing. A dislodging system can include a dislodging tool connected as part of a tubular string, the dislodging tool including a flow passage and a seat configured to sealingly engage a plug deployed into the tubular string, and at least one of a jarring force, load, impact, shock wave, elastic strain release and pressure pulse being generated in the tubular string in response to displacement of the plug through the seat.

Abstract: A well treatment method can include pumping a treatment fluid through a tubular in a well, deploying plugging devices into the tubular, and blocking flow of the treatment fluid through perforations formed through the tubular. At least one characteristic of the treatment fluid or the plugging devices is varied, thereby in the blocking flow step selectively blocking the flow of the treatment fluid through the perforations in a predetermined sequence. Another well treatment method can include varying at least one characteristic of perforations along an interval, thereby selectively blocking flow of a treatment fluid through the perforations in a predetermined sequence. Another well treatment method can include varying a CS ratio along an interval, thereby selectively blocking flow of a treatment fluid through perforations in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A casing string is augmented with one or more variable flow resistance devices or “vibrating tools” to facilitate advancement of the casing and distribution of the cement in the annulus once the casing is properly positioned. Vibrating tools in the form of plugs can be pumped down and landed inside the casing string. The method includes vibrating the casing string while advancing the casing down the wellbore or while the cement is pumped into the annulus, or both. After the cementing operation is completed, the devices may be drilled out or retrieved with fishing tools to reopen the casing string for further operations. One or more wipers may be provided on the plugs, but the section housing the flow path may be free of wipers to allow the size and flow capacity of the flow path to be optimized.

Abstract: A downhole disconnect tool can include outer housing sections connected to each other with threads, and an inner sleeve received in at least one of the outer housing sections, whereby the inner sleeve limits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a connect position, and permits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a disconnect position. A method of disconnecting portions of a tubular string can include connecting a downhole disconnect tool between the tubular string portions, deploying a plug into the tubular string, thereby engaging the plug with an inner sleeve in the downhole disconnect tool, applying a differential pressure across the plug, thereby displacing the inner sleeve relative to outer housing sections of the downhole disconnect tool, and then unthreading the outer housing sections from each other in the well.

Abstract: A system can include a disconnect tool connected as part of a tubular string, the disconnect tool including an outer housing, and an inner mandrel in the outer housing, in which an abrasive slurry is directed to flow through the tubular string and from the inner mandrel to an annulus between the inner mandrel and the outer housing, and the abrasive slurry erodes through the outer housing. A method can include installing a tubular string in a well, then deploying a disconnect assembly into the tubular string, and flowing an abrasive slurry through the disconnect assembly, thereby parting the tubular string. A disconnect tool can include a rotational flow structure configured to induce rotational flow, and an inner diameter decrease downstream of the rotational flow structure.

Abstract: A plugging device, well system and method. In one example, a wrap, band or other type of binding is utilized to secure together multiple fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines of the plugging device. In another example, fibers, tubes, filaments, films, fabrics or lines are fused, adhered or bonded to an outer surface of a body of the plugging device. In other examples, a material of the plugging device may become more rigid or swell in a well. A plugging device may comprise a body loosely enclosed in a bag, wrapper or other enclosure.

Abstract: A method for use with a subterranean well can include releasing flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, each of the plugging devices including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of lines and fibers, and the plugging devices blocking flow through respective openings in the well. Another method can include perforating a zone, releasing a set of flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, each of the plugging devices including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of lines and fibers, the set of plugging devices blocking flow through respective perforations in the zone, perforating another zone, releasing another set of the flow conveyed plugging devices into the well, and the second set of plugging devices blocking flow through respective perforations in the second zone.

Abstract: A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well can include a body having fibers and a retainer material. The retainer material retains a shape of the body. A system for use with a well can include a fibrous plugging device conveyed by fluid flow in the well. The fibrous plugging device includes a body comprising multiple fibers. The fibrous plugging device engages an opening in the well, and thereby seals off the opening. A method for use with a well can include flowing a fluid through the well, thereby conveying at least one fibrous plugging device including a body having multiple fibers, and the fibrous plugging device sealingly engaging an opening in the well, thereby substantially preventing flow through the opening.

Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. The material may degrade in the well. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well can include a body and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as a film, tube or filament.

Abstract: A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines including fibers. A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device including a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body. Each of the lines may include fibers. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body including at least one knot.

Abstract: A method can include deploying a diverter plug into a well, the diverter plug comprising a group of particles that are prevented from dispersing, flowing fluid, thereby conveying the diverter plug into engagement with a fluid passageway, the particles conforming to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway, and the particles being prevented from dispersing while the diverter plug blocks the fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The diverter plug can include a group of particles disposed within an outer enclosure. The particles in the enclosure can conform to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway. In another method, the enclosure can sealingly engage the fluid passageway while the particles remain disposed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A downhole tool is disclosed herein that has an inlet for receiving fluid into a housing of the downhole tool. The downhole tool further includes a vibratory apparatus at least partially disposed within the housing of the downhole tool, the vibratory apparatus having an operational flow path disposed therein to operate the vibratory apparatus when fluid flowing through the operational flow path is above a predetermined pressure. Furthermore, the downhole tool has a bypass passageway disposed in the housing for providing an additional flow path for fluid through the downhole tool to prevent fluid from reaching the predetermined pressure in the operational flow path of the vibratory apparatus, the bypass passageway selectively blockable such that fluid in the operational flow path is increased above the predetermined pressure to activate the vibratory apparatus when the bypass passageway is blocked. A method of using the downhole tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming multiple inclusions into a subterranean formation can include initiating the inclusions into the formation, the inclusions extending outwardly in respective multiple azimuthal orientations from a casing section, and flowing fluid into each of the inclusions individually, thereby extending the inclusions into the formation one at a time. A system for initiating inclusions outwardly into a subterranean formation from a wellbore can include a casing section having multiple flow channels therein, each of the flow channels being in communication with a respective one of multiple openings formed between adjacent pairs of circumferentially extendable longitudinally extending portions of the casing section. Another system can include a casing section, and an injection tool which engages the casing section and selectively directs fluid into each of the inclusions individually, whereby the inclusions are extended into the formation one at a time.

Abstract: A downhole tool is disclosed herein that has an inlet for receiving fluid into a housing of the downhole tool. The downhole tool further includes a vibratory apparatus at least partially disposed within the housing of the downhole tool, the vibratory apparatus having an operational flow path disposed therein to operate the vibratory apparatus when fluid flowing through the operational flow path is above a predetermined pressure. Furthermore, the downhole tool has a bypass passageway disposed in the housing for providing an additional flow path for fluid through the downhole tool to prevent fluid from reaching the predetermined pressure in the operational flow path of the vibratory apparatus, the bypass passageway selectively blockable such that fluid in the operational flow path is increased above the predetermined pressure to activate the vibratory apparatus when the bypass passageway is blocked. A method of using the downhole tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: An abrasive perforator tool with a bypass flow channel. Two valve sleeves are slidingly mounted inside a tool housing for sequential deployment. The valve sleeves may be arranged end-to-end and may be sealed to the inside diameter of the housing. Each of the valve sleeves may be telescopically mounted in a retainer sleeve and releasably secured in the undeployed position. When the valve sleeves are ball-actuated, the ball seat in the first valve sleeve may be at the lower end of the sleeve. Initially, with both sleeves in the undeployed position, fluid flows straight through the main bore and out the outlet end. When the first valve sleeve is deployed, fluid is redirected to the nozzles for perforating, and subsequent deployment of the second valve sleeve blocks the nozzles and opens the bypass channel to reestablish flow out through the bottom of the tool.

Abstract: A system for use with a well can include a perforating assembly with at least one perforator, the perforating assembly conveyed through a wellbore with fluid flow through the wellbore, and plugging devices spaced apart from the perforating assembly in the wellbore, the plugging devices conveyed through the wellbore with the fluid flow. A method of deploying plugging devices in a wellbore can include conveying a perforating assembly including a dispensing tool through the wellbore, the dispensing tool including a container, and then releasing the plugging devices from the container into the wellbore at a downhole location. Another method of deploying plugging devices in a wellbore can include conveying the plugging devices through the wellbore with fluid flow through the wellbore, and conveying a perforating assembly through the wellbore while the plugging devices are being conveyed through the wellbore.