Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for accommodating thermal expansion in a tool string are disclosed. Exemplary systems include one or more sacrificial members placed between or adjacent elements of the tool string that are expected to expand when subjected to high temperatures. The sacrificial members are configured to destruct upon exposure to a control signal or a critical temperature or load. Destruction of the sacrificial members provides additional clearance for adjacent elements to expand.

Abstract: A piston has a hydraulic line going through it and is held in position with one or more shear pins or similar breakable retainers. The piston blocks the flow to the window mill circulation ports until a pressure level is reached that breaks the breakable members to allow the piston to move. The piston moves into a larger bore to allow bypass flow through lateral openings. The piston is captured in the larger diameter chamber after passing the lateral openings. Piston movement pushes out some of the high pressure tubing through the window mill where initial rotation of the window mill along the whipstock face causes the extending tubing to be ground off. A rupture disc and high pressure hoses are no longer needed for a significant cost savings from prior designs.

Abstract: A wellbore isolation system includes a junction positioned at an intersection of a first wellbore and a second wellbore, and a deflector disposed in the junction such that a path into the first leg of the junction is obstructed and engaged with the first leg of the junction to form a fluid and pressure tight seal. The junction includes a first leg extending downhole into the first wellbore, and a second leg extending downhole into the second wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drilling lateral wells or sidetrack wells from a primary wellbore to enhance the efficiency and productivity of oil and gas wells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a time delay in injection of pressured fluid into a geologic formation. In one aspect the invention is a toe valve activated by fluid pressure that opens ports after a predetermined time interval to allow fluid to pass from a well casing to a formation. The controlled time delay enables casing integrity testing before fluid is passed through the ports. This time delay also allows multiple valves to be used in the same well casing and provide a focused jetting action to better penetrate a concrete casing lining.

Abstract: A system for establishing hydraulic communication between a relief well and a target well, wherein a relief well is drilled to include a portion of the target wellbore that is axially offset from and substantially parallel to a portion of the relief wellbore. Thereafter, a milling system is disposed in the relief well and utilized to mill a casing window that is facing the target well. The portion of the relief well is positioned so that fluid introduced into the relief well will flow through the formation to the target well. To enhance the flow, the formation and/or the casing of the target well may be perforated, milled or partially drilled. A latch coupling disposed in the relief well casing may be utilized to engage a latch on of the milling and or a perforating tool in order to ensure proper orientation relative to the target well.

Abstract: A main bore is drilled and a treatment assembly is located. A packer is located to support a whipstock for drilling the lateral. This packer serves as a lower seal on a main bore diverter. The whipstock is installed on the packer and a mill drills a window and the lateral. The mill is pulled and the whipstock removed with a fixed lug tool. A bottom hole assembly is run into the lateral which includes a diverter that is landed by the window. If cementing is called for it is done at this time. A top string is installed that isolates the upper casing. The lateral is treated with the main bore isolated. The diverter is retrieved through the top string. The main bore diverter is run in through top string and landed in the junction with the window and lateral isolated. The main bore diverter is removed through the top string. The treatment bottom hole assembly has a series of sliding sleeves operated by a single size ball.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, an intercept well for penetrating an existing tubular is drilled. A casing entry tool is provided in the intercept well and operated to form at least one aperture in the wall of the existing casing. The casing entry tool may be oriented toward the target tubular. In some embodiments, a generally concave notch may be positioned on the casing entry tool and adapted to engage with the convex outer surface of the target tubular. In some embodiments, a locking mechanism may retain the orientation of the casing entry tool within the intercept well.

Abstract: A running tool for a subterranean tool releases hydraulically. When used with a whipstock and anchor, the running tool can be dovetailed to the whipstock ramp to allow transmission of torque and downward force on the whipstock when positioning. An upward force can be transmitted to the whipstock from collet that is supported by a ball seat. The anchor is set and a passage opened through the anchor before cementing. The running tool is then released and a passage is opened for cementing. Release of the running tool results from shifting the ball seat that supports the collet. Cement can then bypass the seated ball and back through the ports in the ball seat. Removal of the running tool is assured by applying an upward force without needing rotation or other string manipulation that can be difficult in a deviated borehole.

Abstract: A method includes conveying a whipstock and a latch anchor into a parent wellbore, the latch anchor being attached to the whipstock at a releasable connection and the parent wellbore being lined with casing that includes a latch coupling. The latch anchor is secured to the latch coupling and the whipstock is then separated from the latch anchor at the releasable connection and thereby exposing a portion of the releasable connection. The whipstock is then removed from the parent wellbore and a completion deflector is subsequently conveyed into the parent wellbore in combination with lateral tubing (with or without a multilateral junction positioned thereabove), and the completion deflector is attached to the latch coupling at the releasable connection. The lateral tubing (with or without multilateral junction positioned thereabove) is then installed to correct depth.

Abstract: A mill for use in milling a section in a wellbore is disclosed that includes a first concave curved section followed by a substantially flat section and a second concave curved section following the substantially flat section and a number of blades attached to the first concave curved section, substantially flat section and the second concave curved section, wherein each such blade includes a first convex curved portion that corresponds to the first concave curved section and a second convex curved portion that corresponds to the second concave curved section.

Abstract: An example whipstock assembly includes a whipstock providing a ramped surface and a longitudinal groove defined in the ramped surface. A lead mill is coupled to the whipstock with a shear bolt and providing one or more blades, and a bearing support is arranged within the longitudinal groove and provides opposing sidewalls that define a slot configured to receive one of the one or more blades and thereby prevent the lead mill from rotating with respect to the whipstock.

Abstract: A valve for subterranean whipstock service has a side port and a through passage with a biased movable sleeve to shift between circulation mode into the annulus and flow through mode for setting an anchor and then feeding window mill nozzles. The valve is run in when in circulation mode to allow operation of a measurement while drilling device. When the whipstock is properly oriented the pressure is increased to break a shear pin to allow a spring to bias the sleeve to the flow through position. The shifting of the sleeve opens a bypass passage around the restriction orifice that was first used to build pressure to break the shear pins that let the sleeve move under spring bias. As a result the spring can hold the sleeve in position despite high flow rates needed to remove cuttings from the mill as the window is opened.

Abstract: A downhole depth, load and torque reference system. The system includes a well feature disposed within a wellbore tubular having a depth reference element, a load reference element and a torque reference element. A mating assembly is operable to be run downhole within the wellbore tubular on a conveyance. The mating assembly is operable to contact the depth reference element of the well feature to identify the depth of the well feature, operable to engage the torque reference element of the well feature such that rotation of the conveyance at the surface transmits sufficient torque to break the torque reference element to identify torque efficiency at the depth and operable to engage the load reference element of the well feature such that applying weight at the surface to the conveyance transmits sufficient load to break the load reference element to identify load efficiency at the depth.

Abstract: A method of controlling a downhole operation includes: deploying a work string into a wellbore, the work string comprising a deployment string and a bottomhole assembly (BHA); digitally marking a depth of the BHA; and using the digital mark to perform the downhole operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods usable to operate on a plurality of wells through a single main bore are disclosed herein. One or more chamber junctions are provided in fluid communication with one or more conduits within the single main bore. Each chamber junction includes a first orifice communicating with the surface through the main bore, and one or more additional orifices in fluid communication with individual wells of the plurality of wells. Through the chamber junctions, each of the wells can be individually or simultaneously accessed. A bore selection tool having an upper opening and at least one lower opening can be inserted into the chamber junction such that the one or more lower openings align with orifices in the chamber junction, enabling selected individual or multiple wells to be accessed through the bore selection tool while other wells are isolated from the chamber junction.

Abstract: The downhole electromagnetic pump includes a pumping chamber that is provided with a throughbore through which fluid may be pumped. An electrode arrangement is provided in order to produce an electro-hydro-dynamic force on fluids within the pump such that fluid may be pumped through the pump in a desired direction. A method of utilizing the downhole electromagnetic pump in order to pump fluids in a downhole environment is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect an apparatus for performing a downhole operation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include a downhole tool that contains a hydraulically-operated motor and a flow control device that in one position allows a fluid to pass through the motor while preventing the fluid to flow to the motor and in another position allows the fluid to flow to the motor to operate the motor.

Abstract: The cutting structure on the lower mill is arrayed in rows that are preferably parallel. The cutting structure in each row is made sharper and more durable than prior designs with the objective of cutting the window higher than where the window mill started the window. The use of the rows increases the contact stress of the inserts on the casing inside wall because at any given time fewer and sharper inserts are cutting the casing wall to lengthen the window. As a row wears down the next row takes over to continue the cutting where the previous row was active and to further penetrate the casing wall. The cutout angle can also increase as this occurs. As a result a decreased insert density results in more effective casing wall cutting to extend the window to allow larger tools to exit into the window off the whipstock.

Abstract: A production system for use in a wellbore having a main bore with an axis, a lower lateral bore, and an upper lateral bore, includes a hollow whipstock with a central bore. The hollow whipstock is secured to the main bore between the lower lateral bore and the upper lateral bore. A sleeve assembly has a moveable inner sleeve with an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the central bore of the hollow whipstock, and a moveable outer sleeve with an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the central bore of the hollow whipstock. A flow control valve is located in the main bore above the upper lateral bore. The flow control valve has an inner tubing member in selective fluid communication with the lower lateral bore and an annular conduit in selective fluid communication with the upper lateral bore.

Abstract: An integrated sidetrack drilling tool comprising a milling cone, a whipstock iron and a setting anchor; a liquid guiding pipe communicating the milling cone and the setting anchor is provided inside the whipstock iron; the milling cone presses against an inclined surface of the whipstock iron; an annular groove is provided on a circumference of the milling cone; a portion of the annular groove is an arc shaped clamping slot whose inner side is wider than outer side; other portions of the annular groove constitute a trapezoidal slot whose inner side is narrower than outer side; a portion of the whipstock iron is fixedly provided with a positioning block; an arc shaped clamping edge is provided on the positioning block; the positioning block is held in the arc shaped clamping slot via the arc shaped clamping edge; a positioning screw is provided between the whipstock iron and the milling cone.

Abstract: A fluid pulse generator for use in a drill string comprises an elongate obstruction member mounted in a fluid passage for driven pivoting about a pivot axis transverse to the fluid passage, obstruction of the fluid passage by the obstruction member being variable in relation to pivotal position of the obstruction member. Telemetry signals can be transmitted along the drill string by driven pivoting of the obstruction member, to generate data pulses in drilling fluid in the drill string. Pressure-locking of the obstruction member in a maximally obstructive position can be counteracted by provision of a bypass arrangement to allow bypass flow at a leading end of the obstruction member.

Abstract: A multilateral junction system includes a multilateral junction device including a first bore leg; a second bore leg; a joint section having a first opening connected to the first bore leg and a second opening connected to the second bore leg. A main body extending from the joint section and including a third opening; and, a tube connected to the third opening. The tube configured to enable an upper completion to be run into a borehole together with the multilateral junction device. Also included is a method of improving multilateral operations in a borehole.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes an assembly, which includes a whipstock and a lateral deflector that are adapted to be run downhole into a first wellbore of the well as a unit. The whipstock is adapted to guide at least a drilling string to form a second wellbore, and the lateral deflector is adapted to guide a liner during installation of the liner into the second wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-lateral wellbore construction and stimulation from cased parent wellbores. Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the creation of casing exit openings in the casing of parent wellbores. Methods and systems are provided for azimuthally and longitudinally aligning drilling assemblies through openings in a parent wellbore casing are provided to allow for drilling multiple lateral wellbores extending outwardly from a parent wellbore. A method of stimulating one or more subterranean zones intersected by multiple lateral wellbores extending outwardly from one or more parent wellbores includes the steps of: simultaneously injecting a stimulation fluid into the lateral wellbores; and stimulating the zones intersected by the lateral wellbores in response to the stimulation fluid injecting step.

Abstract: Casing bits include a bit crown having a substantially hollow interior. The bit crown has blades over a face portion thereof, the blades including a plurality of cutting elements attached thereto. The bit crown further includes a composite inlay positioned at least within the substantially hollow interior. The casing bits also include case hardened outer surfaces radially outside a drill-out region. The casing bits further include short-substrate cutting elements. Methods of forming a casing bit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method facilitate drilling of lateral wellbores by optionally eliminating one or more trips downhole. The system and method provide for drilling a lateral wellbore by enabling the milling of a casing window and the drilling of the desired lateral wellbore to a target depth during a single trip down hole. The system and method also facilitate better downhole dynamics control and improved overall bottom hole assembly functionality during drilling.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate the drilling of one or more lateral wellbores while eliminating one or more trips downhole. The system utilizes a drilling assembly comprising an impregnated drill bit or other suitable drill bit. The impregnated drill bit is coupled to a whipstock by a connector for deployment downhole in a single trip. The connector comprises a separation device which facilitates disconnection of the impregnated drill bit from the whipstock once the whipstock is anchored at a desired downhole location.

Abstract: A method for forming lateral boreholes from an existing parent wellbore is provided. The wellbore has been completed with a string of production casing. The method generally comprises providing a downhole tool assembly having a whipstock. The method also includes running the assembly down into the parent wellbore. A force is applied to the assembly to cause the whipstock to rotate within the wellbore into an operating position. In this position, a curved face of the whipstock forms a bend-radius substantially across the inner diameter of the casing. A jetting hose is run into the wellbore. Upon contact with the curved face of the whipstock, the jetting hose is re-directed through a window in the production casing. Hydraulic fluid is injected under pressure through the hose to provide hydraulic jetting. The hose is directed through the window and into the formation to create a lateral borehole extending many feet outwardly into a subsurface formation.

Abstract: A pump down tool includes a resilient cup on the tool exterior to minimize leakage of pumped fluid around the outside of the tool when the tool is pumped into a well. The resilient cup is concave toward an upper end of the tool so it expands upon application of pressure to pump the tool into the well. The resilient cup is capable of expanding to a diameter sealing against the inside of the casing string. A fluid bypass around the resilient cup allows a fraction of the pumped fluid to stir up any proppant lying in the path of the tool thereby allowing the tool to move through a horizontal well without having to plow through the proppant.

Abstract: A slip for a tangentially loaded retrievable slip system. The slip includes a frame including an interior having first and second sides; and, a key having a first portion within the interior of the frame. The first portion having first and second sides. The first portion of the key movable within the interior of the frame; wherein the key is movable from a set condition with at least a contact point of the first and second sides of the first portion of the key pushing against at least a portion of the first and second sides of the interior of the frame in the set condition. Respectively, to an unset condition with the first and second sides of the first portion of the key releasing pressure from the first and second sides of the interior of the frame. Also included is a method of managing a tangential load imparted by a tangential slip system.

Abstract: A hydraulic wellbore anchoring system for use with whipstocks or other tools in either cased or open hole wellbores. The anchoring system includes an upper slip system and a lower slip system. The anchor system may be set using hydraulic pressure and withdrawn by a predetermined upward force. While the slips of the upper and lower slip systems may be set substantially simultaneously, the anchoring system enables sequential disengagement of the slips to reduce the force required for withdrawal.

Abstract: A method and system for intersecting a first, cased well bore, includes forming a second well bore that extends to a region of the first, cased well bore to be intersected. A mill guiding device is positioned in the second well bore and a milling assembly is inserted into the second well bore. The milling assembly is guided along the mill guiding device and contacts an upper external shoulder of a casing coupling of a casing in the first, cased well bore. The mill preferentially removes material from a convex portion of the casing above and adjacent to the upper external shoulder the casing coupling; and removes material from the casing coupling and the adjacent casing until the first, cased well bore and the second well bore are fluidly connected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for setting an anchor in a borehole and milling a window in a side surface of the borehole in a single trip. The apparatus includes a mechanically-settable anchor initially forming part of the drill string, a plug member position below the anchor, and a milling assembly. When the drill string reaches a desired depth in the wellbore, the plug member may be activated from the surface, thus setting the plug member in position with respect to the wellbore. The anchor has an activation element which, when contacted in a predetermined manner, sets the anchor. The plug member has an operation element adapted so that, when the anchor and plug member come into contact with one another in a predetermined orientation, the activation element is operated by the operation element, thus setting the anchor.

Abstract: A sidetracking tool includes a setting tool having an expandable anchor, a whipstock connected to an upper end of the setting tool, the whipstock having a ramp face along an axial length thereof, and a drilling assembly including a drill bit disposed on an end thereof, wherein the drill bit is configured to interface with the ramp face of the whipstock.

Abstract: A wedge deflecting device useful in drilling and workover operations on oil and gas wells. The device includes a cutting tool connected to the upper portion of the wedge by means of the shear element provided with an external circular groove, located below the wedge deflecting surface, and with a transverse slot in its upper part, the cutting tool having a longitudinal cylinder and a downwards spring-biased piston, inserted into the cylinder; above lower seal elements and below the spring the piston has a wedge nose which corresponds to a transverse slot of the shear element. Below the piston, the cylinder communicates with the drill string and the supply tube, and above-the-piston space communicates with the borehole interior. The cutting tool is provided with a radial inward spring-biased locking element, arranged to be able to fix the piston in its top position, where the piston is located above the shear element.

Abstract: A technique facilitates sidetracking by eliminating one or more trips downhole. The technique comprises delivering a sidetracking system downhole into a wellbore, and utilizing a component of the sidetracking system to grip a wall of the wellbore. The sidetracking system may comprise a whipstock assembly and a running/stinger assembly in which the stinger assembly is designed for disconnection from the whipstock assembly after delivery downhole. After disconnecting the stinger assembly, the sidetracking system enables delivery of cement slurry down through the stinger assembly to form a cement plug at a desired location.

Abstract: Disclosed are downhole subassembly systems and method of use thereof. One downhole subassembly system is an orientable whipstock subassembly that includes a whipstock apparatus including a deflector surface operable to direct a cutting tool into a casing sidewall to create a casing exit, and an orienting sub comprising an upper coupling operatively coupled to the whipstock apparatus and a lower coupling at least partially engaged with the upper coupling and rotationally movable with respect thereto while in an un-collapsed configuration and rotationally fixed with respect thereto while in a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a seat assembly into a tubing string; releasing the seat assembly at a downhole location inside the tubing string; pumping the seat assembly to a restriction in the tubing string at a second downhole location; and using an untethered object received in a seat assembly to form an obstruction in the tubing string.

Abstract: An apparatus and system that permits radial passages and lateral passages to be jetted into surrounding subsurface formation from existing or new wells. The system employs a casing cutting component that positionable by an anchored indexing device downhole to permit the formation of accurately positioned openings in the well casing. The system employs a passage jetting component employing extreme high jet fluid pressures and a method that allows for the downhole manipulation of the components so that the radial and lateral passages are achieved by minimum pulling work on casing, tubing or other components. The system is fully controllable and reduces dramatically the margins of error and failure that are inherent of the present day systems used for radial drilling.

Abstract: A whipstock assembly allowing a lowside casing exit, the whipstock assembly includes a whipstock including an upstream portion and a downstream portion, the upstream portion having a deflection wedge surface and an opposite casing-side surface; and a fulcrum protruding from the whipstock and positioned between the downstream portion and the upstream portion. Also includes is a method of allowing a first side exit in a window milling operation of a casing having a first side and an opposite second side.

Abstract: A method for forming lateral boreholes from an existing wellbore is provided. The method comprises providing a downhole tool assembly having a whipstock with a curved face. The whipstock is run into the wellbore in a collapsed position. A force is applied to the assembly to cause the whipstock to rotate into an operating position. In this position, the curved face of the whipstock forms a bend-radius that allows a jetting hose to bend across the entire inner diameter of the production casing. A jetting hose is run into the wellbore and along the curved face of the whipstock. The jetting hose is then directed through a window in the production casing. Hydraulic fluid is injected through the hose to create a lateral borehole extending many feet outwardly into a subsurface formation. A downhole jetting assembly for forming lateral boreholes is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for circumferentially orienting a downhole latch assembly in a wellbore. The downhole latch assembly has a plurality of latch keys including a primary latch key. The apparatus includes a casing string positionable in the wellbore. A window joint is interconnected in the casing string. A latch coupling having a latch profile is interconnected in the casing string downhole of the window joint. An orienting subassembly interconnected in the casing string has an orienting profile positioned uphole of the latch profile such that, after operable engagement of the primary latch key with the orienting profile, axial alignment of the latch assembly with the latch coupling causes operable engagement of the latch keys with the latch profile.

Abstract: A deflector assembly includes two deflectors that can cooperate for directing a bullnose assembly toward an intended bore in a multi-bore well based on a configuration of the bullnose assembly without requiring use of gravitational forces or requiring the assembly to be oriented in a certain manner. The deflectors can cooperate by being spaced by a certain amount that, depending on if the amount is less than or greater than a longitudinal length and diameter of a bullnose of the bullnose assembly, can allow the bullnose assembly to be diverted toward the intended bore.

Abstract: A system for circumferentially aligning a downhole latch subsystem in a wellbore. The system includes an outer tool assembly including a latch coupling having a latch profile and a slot subassembly having an axially extending slot profile. An inner tool assembly is positionable within the outer tool assembly. The inner tool assembly includes a latch assembly having a plurality of latch keys and an orienting subassembly having a plurality orienting keys. In operation, after axial alignment of the orienting subassembly with the slot subassembly, rotation of the orienting subassembly causes operable engagement of at least one orienting key with the slot profile and, thereafter, axial alignment of the latch assembly with the latch coupling causes operable engagement of the latch keys with the latch profile.

Abstract: An anchor device is utilized to locate the whipstock both longitudinally and rotationally in order to properly orient the whipstock prior to beginning the sidetrack operation. The present embodiment may be used to either mechanically or hydraulically trigger an anchor device.

Abstract: A collet assembly has a housing and the collets disposed on flexible fingers connected to the housing at their opposed ends. A surrounding landing sleeve stops the assembly so that collets are aligned with a recess in a landing collar that is part of a surrounding tubing string. Once set the landing sleeve transmits compressive loads so that compressive stress essentially bypasses the finger structure supporting the collets. The fingers are initially tapered toward a longitudinal axis so that when internally supported they assume an aligned orientation to the housing axis to allow greater tensile loading and to provide a retraction force when the housing is to be removed after the collet support is removed.

Abstract: A method comprising moving a shifting tool in a first direction through a moveable member positioned in a casing of a wellbore, including moving the shifting tool through a shifting tool interface member (STIM) adjacent the moveable member, until the shifting tool is positioned past the moveable member and the STIM. The shifting tool is then moved in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction until the shifting tool and the STIM engage. The shifting tool is then further moved in the second direction, thereby moving the STIM and the moveable member in the second direction, until the STIM substantially simultaneously (1) engages the casing and (2) disengages the shifting tool.

Abstract: A wedge deflecting device useful in drilling and workover operations on oil and gas wells. The device includes a cutting tool connected to the upper portion of the wedge by means of the shear element provided with an external circular groove, located below the wedge deflecting surface, and with a transverse slot in its upper part, the cutting tool having a longitudinal cylinder and a downwards spring-biased piston, inserted into the cylinder; above lower seal elements and below the spring the piston has a wedge nose which corresponds to a transverse slot of the shear element. Below the piston, the cylinder communicates with the drill string and the supply tube, and above-the-piston space communicates with the borehole interior. The cutting tool is provided with a radial inward spring-biased locking element, arranged to be able to fix the piston in its top position, where the piston is located above the shear element.

Abstract: A telebending tool for conveying a logging tool into a wellbore includes a tool body configured to couple to a logging tool, wherein the body has a central axis. The telebending tool also includes a cam housing coupled to the tool body and having a cam pathway and a nose moveably coupled to the tool body through a pivoting member, wherein the nose has a central axis. The telebending tool further includes a compression spring positioned between the nose and the pivoting member and a camming arm coupled to the nose. The camming arm extends coaxially through the pivoting member to selectively engage the cam pathway of the cam housing. The nose has a first position with the central axis of the nose coaxially aligned with the central axis of the body and a second position with the central axis of the nose oriented at an angle less than 180° relative to the central axis of the body.