Abstract: Apparatus for transport in a wellbore, including a body comprising degradable material; a compartment within the body; and a permeable closure between an interior of the compartment and an exterior of the body. A method for transport in a wellbore including deploying a carrier device into a borehole of the wellbore, wherein the carrier device contains items; and releasing the items into the borehole by allowing degradation of at least a portion of the carrier device. A wellbore system including a borehole having an inner diameter; a carrier device having an outer diameter, wherein the inner diameter of the borehole is greater than the outer diameter of the carrier device, the carrier device comprising: a body comprising degradable material; a compartment within the body; and a permeable closure between an interior of the compartment and an exterior of the body.

Abstract: A bridge plug arrangement includes a plug having an upper end and a bottom end. The bridge plug arrangement also optionally includes a cylindrical seat. The bridge plug arrangement further includes a tubular member. The tubular member may be part of a casing string. The tubular member is configured to receive the plug and, when used, the seat. The plug and/or the seat may be fabricated from a frangible material. Also disclosed is a method for diverting fluids in a wellbore using the bridge plug arrangement. The method may include landing the plug onto the seat within the wellbore below a subsurface zone of interest. Treatment fluids are then injected into the wellbore, where they are diverted through perforations and into a formation. The plug and/or seat is then optionally broken into a plurality of pieces through use of a downward mechanical force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, the method describes connecting multiple wells to a stimulation fluid pumping system via a pumping system manifold. The pumping system manifold is adjusted to provide a first well flow path from the stimulation fluid pumping system to a first well. Then, a first stimulation treatment is pumped into the first well. Concurrently with the pumping of the first stimulation treatment, a second well is prepared for a second stimulation treatment.

Abstract: A bridge plug arrangement includes a plug having an upper end and a bottom end. The bridge plug arrangement also optionally includes a cylindrical seat. The bridge plug arrangement further includes a tubular member. The tubular member may be part of a casing string. The tubular member is configured to receive the plug and, when used, the seat. The plug and/or the seat may be fabricated from a frangible material. A method for diverting fluids in a wellbore using the bridge plug arrangement is also provided. The method may include landing the plug onto the seat within the wellbore below a subsurface zone of interest. Treatment fluids are then injected into the wellbore, where they are diverted through perforations and into a formation. The plug and/or seat is then optionally broken into a plurality of pieces through use of a downward mechanical force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, the method describes connecting multiple wells to a stimulation fluid pumping system via a pumping system manifold. The pumping system manifold is adjusted to provide a first well flow path from the stimulation fluid pumping system to a first well. Then, a first stimulation treatment is pumped into the first well. Concurrently with the pumping of the first stimulation treatment, a second well is prepared for a second stimulation treatment.

Abstract: A system of valves in which the valves operate over a designated pressure interval and are arranged to actuate performance of a sequenced set of events by downhole tools with the application of pressure to said valves.

Abstract: An improved inflatable packer is provided. In one embodiment, the improved packer has a tubular mandrel with an outer diameter essentially equal to the deflated inner diameter of an inflatable element surrounding the mandrel and has fluid flow passages that are adapted to cause at least a portion of pressurized fluid for inflating the element to be introduced into the annular space between the packer and the mandrel in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular mandrel.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying within said wellbore a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and a sealing mechanism, wherein pressure communication is established between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. The BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the interval to be treated. A treating fluid is pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval. The sealing mechanism is released, and the steps are repeated for as many intervals as desired, without having to remove the BHA from said wellbore.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying within said wellbore a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and a sealing mechanisms, wherein pressure communication is established between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. The BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the interval to be treated. A treating fluid is pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval. The sealing mechanism is released, and the steps are repeated for as many intervals as desired, without having to remove the BHA from said wellbore.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying within said wellbore a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and a sealing mechanism, wherein pressure communication is established between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. The BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the interval to be treated. A treating fluid is pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval. The sealing mechanism is released, and the steps are repeated for as many intervals as desired, without having to remove the BHA from said wellbore.

Abstract: A slip assembly apparatus is adapted (i) to be deployed into a wellbore (ii) to prevent axial movement of a downhole tool assembly in the wellbore when the slip assembly apparatus is actuated and external forces are imposed on the downhole tool assembly; (iii) to allow fluid flow past the slip assembly apparatus within the wellbore when the slip assembly apparatus is actuated or non-actuated; and (iv) to allow release of the slip assembly apparatus by use of a release load that is less than the axial capacity of the deployment mechanism. Different embodiments of the invention contain features such as claddings and treatments for surface hardness and wear resistance, and grooves or flutes for enhancing fluid flow between the outer diameter of the slip assembly and the inner diameter of the well casings.

Abstract: A system of valves is disclosed wherein said valves operate over a designated pressure interval and are arranged to actuate performance of a sequenced set of events by downhole tools with the application of pressure to said valves.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for use in perforating multiple intervals of at least one subterranean formation intersected by a cased wellbore and in treating the multiple intervals using a diversion agent, such as ball sealers. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a perforating assembly having a plurality of select-fire perforating devices interconnected by connector subs, with each of the perforating devices having multiple perforating charges. The apparatus also includes at least one decentralizer, attached to at least one of the perforating devices, which is adapted to eccentrically position the perforating assembly within the cased wellbore so as to create sufficient ball sealer clearance between the perforating assembly and the inner wall of the cased wellbore to permit passage of at least one ball sealer.

Abstract: A slip assembly apparatus is adapted (i) to be deployed into a wellbore via deployment means; (ii) to prevent axial movement of a downhole tool assembly in the wellbore when the slip assembly apparatus is actuated and external forces are imposed on the downhole tool assembly; (ii) to allow fluid flow past the slip assembly apparatus within the wellbore when the slip assembly apparatus is actuated or non-actuated; and (iii) to allow release of the slip assembly apparatus by use of a release load that is less than the axial capacity of the deployment means.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating multiple intervals in a wellbore by perforating at least one interval then treating and isolating the perforated interval(s) without removing the perforating device from the wellbore during the treatment or isolation. The invention can be applied to hydraulic fracturing with or without proppant materials as well as to chemical stimulation treatments.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying within said wellbore a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device, a sealing mechanism and at least one pressure equalization means that establishes pressure communication between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. The BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the interval to be treated. A treating fluid is pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval. The sealing mechanism is released, and the steps are repeated for as many intervals as desired, without having to remove the BHA from said wellbore.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and a sealing mechanism within said wellbore. In one embodiment, the perforating device has no washing fluid flow passage provided therethrough. In another embodiment, an erosive jet device is used to perforate at least one interval of said one or more subterranean formations. In yet another embodiment, the BHA has at least one pressure equalization means that establishes pressure communication between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. In another embodiment, the BHA comprises a perforating device and a sealing mechanism, wherein the perforating device is positioned below the sealing mechanism.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly for use in perforating multiple intervals of at least one subterranean formation intersected by a cased wellbore and in treating the multiple intervals using a diversion agent, such as ball sealers. In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a perforating assembly having a plurality of select-fire perforating devices interconnected by connector subs, with each of the perforating devices having multiple perforating charges. The apparatus also includes at least one decentralizer, attached to at least one of the perforating devices, which is adapted to eccentrically position the perforating assembly within the cased wellbore so as to create sufficient ball sealer clearance between the perforating assembly and the inner wall of the cased wellbore to permit passage of at least one ball sealer.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and a sealing mechanism within said wellbore. In one embodiment, the perforating device has no washing fluid flow passage provided therethrough. In another embodiment, an erosive jet device is used to perforate at least one interval of said one or more subterranean formations. In yet another embodiment, the BHA has at least one pressure equalization means that establishes pressure communication between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. In another embodiment, the BHA comprises a perforating device and a sealing mechanism, wherein the perforating device is positioned below the sealing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and at least one sealing mechanism within said wellbore. The BHA may be deployed in the wellbore using a tubing string or cable; or alternatively, the BHA may be deployed using a tractor system attached directly to the BHA. The perforating device is used to perforate the first interval to be treated. Then the BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the first interval to be treated. A treating fluid is then pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval.