Abstract: A system for producing fluids from a wellbore extending from a well surface to a fluid-producing formation has a Y-tool installed in fluid communication with the tubing string placed in the wellbore. A pump, which may be an electric submersible pump (ESP), is installed in the Y-tool for lifting fluids from the formation to the surface. A blanking plug is positioned in the tubing string between the upper and lower connections of the Y-tool. A flushing port extends through a wall of the tubing string, positioned above and near the upper end of the blanking plug when in its operating position, and a flushing tube is located in the annular space between the tubing string and the wellbore casing. The flushing tube is in fluid communication with the flushing port and extends from the flushing port to the well surface. Flushing fluid is pumped downhole through the flushing tube to agitate and disperse any accumulated sand, scale and other particulate matter on top of the blanking plug.

Abstract: A sand lift tool for use in a subterranean well can include an outer housing, an inner production tube positioned in the outer housing, and a dart received in the inner production tube. An annulus is positioned between the outer housing and the inner production tube. The dart can reciprocate in the inner production tube in response to variations in fluid flow between the annulus and an interior of the inner production tube. Another sand lift tool can include an outer housing, an inner production tube, and a sand collection annulus between the outer housing and the inner production tube. A flow area for fluid flow between the annulus and an interior of the inner production tube increases in response to an increase in a flow rate of the fluid flow.

Abstract: A one-trip screen installation and cleaning system includes a tubular supporting a screen. The tubular has an inner surface defining a flow bore positioned radially inwardly of the screen. At least one actuator extends radially inwardly from the inner surface and is positioned axially offset relative to the screen. The at least one actuator includes at least one actuator surface. A wash pipe is arranged in the flow bore. The wash pipe includes a bypass valve including a selectively openable outlet port, a spray cleaning device arranged axially outwardly of the selectively openable outlet port, and an inflow control valve arranged between the selectively openable outlet port and the spray cleaning device.

Abstract: Spring discs are rotationally locked to the mandrel are between pairs of actuation rings that feature a circumferential protrusion. On application of axial force release of a stored force from flexing, the protrusion engages a sloping portion of the spring disc and moves the sloping portion toward a more vertical orientation. Alternatively, a release of a stored force from flexing accomplishes the same result. Slots in the spring disc allow irregular growth to conform to surface irregularities of a surrounding surface. The discs can serve as anchors, centralizers or supports for a sealing element in a packer. Ends of fingers feature stiffeners to enhance strength. The discs can be stacked apart or together and oriented in the same or opposed directions. The can deliver an axial force when stacked and pushed toward flat and released.

Abstract: A method of completing a well involving remediating a condition of screen-out that has taken place along a zone of interest. The method includes forming a wellbore, and lining at least a lower portion of the wellbore with a string of production casing and placing a valve along the production casing, wherein the valve creates a removable barrier to fluid flow within the bore. The barrier is removed by moving the valve in the event of a screen-out. This overcomes the barrier to fluid flow, thereby exposing ports along the production casing to the subsurface formation at or below the valve. Additional pumping takes place to pump the slurry through the exposed ports, thereby remediating the condition of screen-out.

Abstract: A method of completing a well involving remediating a condition of screen-out that has taken place along a zone of interest. The method includes forming a wellbore, and lining at least a lower portion of the wellbore with a string of production casing and placing a valve along the production casing, wherein the valve creates a removable barrier to fluid flow within the bore. The barrier is removed by moving the valve in the event of a screen-out. This overcomes the barrier to fluid flow, thereby exposing ports along the production casing to the subsurface formation at or below the valve. Additional pumping takes place to pump the slurry through the exposed ports, thereby remediating the condition of screen-out.

Abstract: A dissolvable sieve includes a body that is permeable to fluid flow therethrough constructed of a material configured to dissolve in a target environment.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a screened communication connector for a production tubing joint is disclosed. The screened communication connector including a hollow body including a plurality of holes to block particulate material from passing therethrough and allow fluid to pass therethrough. The screened communication connector additionally includes a first axial end of the hollow body including a first seal member for creating a particle tight seal between the first axial end and a first screen joint. The screened communication connector additionally includes a second axial end of the hollow body, the second axial end including a second seal member for creating a particle tight seal between the second axial end and a second screen joint.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering a production stream downhole that involves creating a basepipe annulus and a casing annulus and forcing the production stream through a filter between the casing annulus and the basepipe annulus before combining the production stream with a previously filtered production stream. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a screen, a first inflow control device and a second inflow control device, wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of each inflow control device. A method of cleaning a flow control apparatus such as that described above comprises providing in a wellbore a flow control apparatus comprising at least one screen and at least one inflow control device wherein a fluid inflow path is provided through the at least one screen and from an outer portion to an inner portion of the at least one inflow control device, targeting the at least one inflow control device with a treatment fluid and delivering the treatment fluid such that the fluid flows in a reverse direction along the fluid inflow path.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: A hardfacing composition composed of an Fe—Cr alloy. The alloy is comprised of 80 wt % iron, about 2 wt % to about 20 wt % Cr, less than 1 wt % Si and less than 1 wt % C. The alloy's microstructure is at least 80 vol % martensite; and less than 20 vol % austenite.

Abstract: An end cap for a well drilling screen for use in a water producing well. The end cap provides a water jet for use in inserting the screen into a layer of sand, and includes a check valve which prevents sand and particulates from entering the well tube. Also provided is a connection which allows the end cap to disengage from a drill string.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly having control line capture capability is operable for use in a subterranean wellbore. The sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having a screen jacket positioned therearound for preventing the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough and allowing the flow of production fluids therethrough. The sand control screen assembly also includes a control line capture assembly. The control line capture assembly includes an axially extending flange that couples to the screen jacket and is operable to protect the control line during installation and operation of the sand control screen in the wellbore. The control line capture assembly also includes an axially extending spring channel that couples to the flange. The channel is operable to receive and retain the control line during installation and operation of the sand control screen in the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing a well. The apparatus can include a packer located downhole of a sand control sliding sleeve extension device to create an upper annulus and a lower annulus. The apparatus can also include a formation isolation well control barrier device located downhole of both the sand control sliding sleeve extension and the packer to create a lower tubular region an upper tubular region.

Abstract: A retrievable drill pipe screen is adapted for releasable connection within a drill pipe string. The screen has a planar support plate for connecting a perforated tubular screen body to a fish neck wherein the plane of the planar support plate is generally parallel to the axis of the screen body. The orientation of the planar support plate provides minimal resistance to fluid flowing into the screen body while also reducing vortex effects that cause wear of screen components. Preferably, a wear distributor sleeve is fit within the screen body for protecting against wear of the screen caused by fluid flow and a retaining rod can secure the bottom of the screen body to the fish neck in the event that a lower portion of the screen body becomes detached.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gravel pack assembly for use in a wellbore having a packer positioned therein with a minimum inside diameter and a primary packing seal. In one embodiment, the gravel pack assembly comprises a pack-off conduit that is coupable to the packer. The pack-off conduit has a maximum outer diameter that is sufficient to prevent the pack-off conduit from traversing the minimum inside diameter of the packer. The gravel pack assembly further includes a seal positioned about an inside diameter of the pack-off conduit. The seal is engageable with an outer surface of a tool that is passable through the pack-off conduit to inhibit fluid flow between the seal and the tool, uphole from the primary packing seal. The primary packer seal is typically near the uphole end of the packer and is the seal that isolates the downhole zones from the pressure exerted by the fluid uphole from the primary packer seal.

Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus and associated method of gravel packing a subterranean well prevents screen collapse without requiring sealing engagement of a washpipe with an external seal, without requiring reliance solely on differential pressure, and without utilizing a reciprocating valve. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel packing apparatus has a tubular mandrel, a tubular housing attached to the mandrel and defining an annular space between the mandrel and housing, a sleeve slidably disposed on the mandrel and extending into the annular space, first and second seals disposed on the sleeve, and a screen slidably disposed on the mandrel and attached to the sleeve for sliding displacement therewith.

Abstract: A well completion system which includes a production packer assembly, production tubing sealed to the packer assembly, and an isolation assembly coupled with the packer assembly. The isolation assembly includes an isolation pipe received within a production screen and sealed at both ends therewith. The isolation pipe defines at least one port and carrying a moveable sleeve defining at least one aperture. The sleeve is moveable between an open position in which the port and aperture are in communication to permit fluid flow therethrough, and a closed position in which the port and aperture are not in communication and fluid flow is prevented. The isolation system is also coupled with a wash down shoe and a shearable ball seat.

Abstract: A gravel pack screen assembly includes a bit or sub having a flow passage which may accept a wash pipe. The wash pipe may be inserted past a flapper-type closure member which moves to a closed position upon withdrawal of the wash pipe after completion of the installation of the gravel pack assembly. The closure member can be formed of a porous material to permit the flow of liquid through the bit or sub flow passage into the interior of the gravel pack screen but to prevent flow of gravel packing or produced sand into the interior of the screen. The closure member may serve as a backup to a conventional one-way valve and permit additional gravel pack material to be placed in the flow passage upon completion of the gravel pack installation and in the event of early or late failure of the one-way valve.

Abstract: Device combinations and methods for wellbore operations for simplifying production methods and workover operations and for production from a failed secondary zone. Using a commercially available prior art coil tubing unit, a coil tubing string is run into an already-in-place production tubing string. The coil tubing string has a commercially available prior art sand control device at the bottom, a portion of blank pipe and a commercially available prior art releasable hydraulic running and release tool ("hrart"). A commercially available prior art small washpipe is connected to the hrart. Wash fluid flows through the hrart, to the wash pipe, and then out of the washpipe thereby washing the sand control device into place in filter media at the perforated production zone. An isolation packer or packers are set between the production tubing and coil tubing string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing an in situ leach well to prevent production of sand and to insure minimum permeability damage to the ore bearing zone during casing and cementing operations. A hole for the casing is drilled to and terminated at a point (e.g. onefoot) just above the ore zone. If a pilot hole has been drilled to locate the ore zone, it is reamed to provide the hole for the casing with the cuttings from the reaming operations dropping into lower portion of the pilot hole which extends through the ore zone, thereby protecting the ore zone from permeability damage normally cause by contact with cement. The hole is then cased and cemented. Next, a hole is drilled from the lower end of the casing into the ore zone and an interval thereof is underreamed. A perforated liner is lowered on a drill stem which has a stinger pipe thereon which extends through the lower end of the liner.