Abstract: Downhole gas separators, artificial lift systems including the downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. The downhole gas separators include an elongate outer housing that defines an enclosed volume, a fluid inlet port, and a gas outlet port. The downhole gas separators further include an elongate dip tube that extends within the enclosed volume, and the gas outlet port is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the enclosed volume and an external region.

Abstract: In a well related to the production of hydrocarbons, an injection apparatus including: a base pipe including a radial port; an in-flow control device including a flow restriction device and a housing, with the housing being external and concentric of the base pipe. The housing includes a closed end portion and an open, opposite end portion and a housing channel communicating the opposite end portion. The flow restriction device is disposed at an intermediate location along the housing channel and adapted to control a rate of flow along the housing channel. A fluid transmissive screen is concentric of the base pipe and extends from the open, opposite end portion of the housing. A check valve assembly is interposed between the opposite end portion of the housing and a screened space.

Abstract: Downhole gas separators, artificial lift systems including the downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. The downhole gas separators include an elongate outer housing that defines an enclosed volume, a fluid inlet port, and a gas outlet port. The downhole gas separators further include an elongate dip tube that extends within the enclosed volume, and the gas outlet port is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the enclosed volume and an external region.

Abstract: Downhole gas separators, artificial lift systems including the downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. The downhole gas separators include an elongate outer housing that defines an enclosed volume, a fluid inlet port, and a gas outlet port. The downhole gas separators further include an elongate dip tube that extends within the enclosed volume, and the gas outlet port is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the enclosed volume and an external region.

Abstract: Provided are methodologies and systems employing an array of independently operated flow control valves at an uphole location in each of a plurality of legs of a multilateral well to facilitate resolution and effective execution of efficient production plan and to improve performance. Along each leg of the multilateral well, a flow-control valve may be located downhole of a confluence between the respective leg and another leg and uphole of the well completion portion (production and/or injection component) of the respective leg. Each valve is operable independently of each other and of any valving in the completion component. Data regarding the nature and rate of production from each leg may be acquired from downhole sensors located at or about each flow control valve. The acquired data may be processed through a reservoir-well computerized model to resolve optimal valve settings across the valve array.

Abstract: Artificial lift apparatus, systems, and methods for use in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, including a downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. Included is a downhole gas separator positioned in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, further including a flow-regulating device configured to restrict fluid flow through the gas outlet during at least a portion of each intake stroke of a reciprocating pump and to permit the fluid flow during at least a portion of each exhaust stroke of the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing a spatial frequency of interface regions within a subterranean formation. A first method may include drilling a wellbore with a drilling assembly and measuring a downhole parameter during the drilling. The downhole parameter may be indicative of a lithology of a portion of the subterranean formation that is proximal to the drilling assembly. The first method also may include calculating an information entropy of the downhole parameter and characterizing the spatial frequency of the interface regions based upon the information entropy. A second method may include calculating the information entropy as a function of distance within a first wellbore and characterizing the spatial frequency of the interface regions. The second method also may include drilling a second wellbore within the subterranean formation and regulating the drilling based upon the spatial frequency of the interface regions. The systems include systems that perform the methods.

Abstract: In a well related to the production of hydrocarbons, an injection apparatus including: a base pipe including a radial port; an in-flow control device including a flow restriction device and a housing, with the housing being external and concentric of the base pipe. The housing includes a closed end portion and an open, opposite end portion and a housing channel communicating the opposite end portion. The flow restriction device is disposed at an intermediate location along the housing channel and adapted to control a rate of flow along the housing channel. A fluid transmissive screen is concentric of the base pipe and extends from the open, opposite end portion of the housing. A check valve assembly is interposed between the opposite end portion of the housing and a screened space.

Abstract: Provided are methodologies and systems employing an array of independently operated flow control valves at an uphole location in each of a plurality of legs of a multilateral well to facilitate resolution and effective execution of efficient production plan and to improve performance. Along each leg of the multilateral well, a flow-control valve may be located downhole of a confluence between the respective leg and another leg and uphole of the well completion portion (production and/or injection component) of the respective leg. Each valve is operable independently of each other and of any valving in the completion component. Data regarding the nature and rate of production from each leg may be acquired from downhole sensors located at or about each flow control valve. The acquired data may be processed through a reservoir-well computerized model to resolve optimal valve settings across the valve array.

Abstract: Downhole gas separators, artificial lift systems including the downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. The downhole gas separators include an elongate outer housing that defines an enclosed volume, a fluid inlet port, and a gas outlet port. The downhole gas separators further include an elongate dip tube that extends within the enclosed volume, and the gas outlet port is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the enclosed volume and an external region.

Abstract: Artificial lift apparatus, systems, and methods for use in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, including a downhole gas separators, hydrocarbon wells including the artificial lift systems, and methods of separating a gas from a liquid hydrocarbon within a hydrocarbon well. Included is a downhole gas separator positioned in a deviated or horizontal wellbore, further including a flow-regulating device configured to restrict fluid flow through the gas outlet during at least a portion of each intake stroke of a reciprocating pump and to permit the fluid flow during at least a portion of each exhaust stroke of the reciprocating pump.

Abstract: Wellbore assembly for injecting fluid into a subsurface formation having multiple intervals comprising a plurality of packers having bypass channels at desired locations between the respective intervals. The assembly allows fluid to be injected down a tubing string, back up an annular region, and through the series of packers to impart incremental pressure drops along the intervals. The assembly enhances pressure support by allowing the operator to optimize wellbore injection along intervals having different formation characteristics.

Abstract: A hybrid sand control system is provided herein. The sand control system is designed to reside and operate within a wellbore, preferably a wellbore that has been completed horizontally. The system utilizes compliant and non-compliant sand control assemblies placed in the wellbore across one or more zones of interest. The system has particular utility in connection with the control of sand migration across these zones within a surrounding open-hole portion of a wellbore. A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation using the hybrid sand control system is also provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing a spatial frequency of interface regions within a subterranean formation. A first method may include drilling a wellbore with a drilling assembly and measuring a downhole parameter during the drilling. The downhole parameter may be indicative of a lithology of a portion of the subterranean formation that is proximal to the drilling assembly. The first method also may include calculating an information entropy of the downhole parameter and characterizing the spatial frequency of the interface regions based upon the information entropy. A second method may include calculating the information entropy as a function of distance within a first wellbore and characterizing the spatial frequency of the interface regions. The second method also may include drilling a second wellbore within the subterranean formation and regulating the drilling based upon the spatial frequency of the interface regions. The systems include systems that perform the methods.

Abstract: Wellbore assembly for injecting fluid into a subsurface formation having multiple intervals comprising a plurality of packers having bypass channels at desired locations between the respective intervals. The assembly allows fluid to be injected down a tubing string, back up an annular region, and through the series of packers to impart incremental pressure drops along the intervals. The assembly enhances pressure support by allowing the operator to optimize wellbore injection along intervals having different formation characteristics.