Abstract: A loss prevention screen includes a housing and a first plurality of rods, each rod having an uphole end and a downhole end. The plurality of rods is arranged within the housing to form a flow path that forces a fluid flowing through the housing to pass through gaps formed between the plurality of rods. A loss prevention tool includes a housing having a through bore and first and second loss prevention screens positioned within the housing.

Abstract: An assembly and a method for filtering a particulate from a wellbore fluid flow entering a downhole shut-in device in a wellbore are described. The downhole shut-in device includes a valve body with an inlet. An inner sleeve is coupled to an inner surface of the valve body and moves between a closed position and an open position to control a fluid flow from the wellbore through the inlet of the valve body. The downhole shut-in device includes a screen surrounding an outer surface of the valve body to filter the particulate from the fluid flow through the inlet of the valve body. Some devices also include a strainer tool with a cylindrical housing and an internal strainer. The method includes identifying a production fluid flow containing particulates of a size and quantity to be filtered from entering the downhole shut-in device.

Abstract: A spallation drilling apparatus is also disclosed that uses jets of hot fluid for drilling. This is compatible with drilling wells in high temperature zones, such as a lava dome. A simplified pyrolysis reactor for use in a lava dome is also disclosed, in which the dome functions to contain the reaction, and the apparatus to facilitate pyrolysis is far more compact.

Abstract: A completion assembly having a wireless adjustable electronic flow control node disposed along the sand screen base pipe to control flow of a fluid through a shunt tube assembly adjacent a sand screen. Each electronic flow control node includes a valve that can be adjusted by an electric actuator powered by a power harvesting mechanism disposed in a flow path of the completion assembly. A wireless transmitter receives a control signal to control the electric actuator. The control signal may be transmitted to open or close a packing tube or a transport tube of the shunt tube assembly.

Abstract: A lower completion assembly made up of an upper sand screen assembly and a lower sand screen assembly. Each sand screen assembly includes a shunt system. Each shunt system includes a transport tube and a packing tube extending from a junction block. Each packing tube includes a plurality of nozzles spaced apart from the junction block and from each other. The shunt system of the upper sand screen assembly has a higher pressure rating than the shunt system of the lower sand screen assembly. The wall thickness of the transport tubes of the upper sand screen assembly shunt system is greater than the wall thickness of the transport tubes of the lower sand screen assembly shunt system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dissolved gas from multiple levels of a coal bed or other type of gas bearing formations is provided.

Abstract: A flow control device includes an annular inner shroud coupled to a work string that defines one or more flow ports therein, and an annular outer shroud also coupled to the work string and radially offset from the inner shroud such that a channel is defined between at least a portion of the inner and outer shrouds. The channel is in fluid communication with at least one of the one or more flow ports and configured to restrict a flow rate of a fluid. The work string has a central axis and the inner and outer shrouds extend longitudinally within the work string.

Abstract: A multi-zone formation has a plurality of sliding sleeve valves for selective access to the formation from the wellbore. Each of the sliding sleeves has a unique latch profile such that an initial dart with a matching profile will land on the predetermined sleeve. With all the sliding sleeves initially in the position where access ports are closed the sleeve that gets the first dart has pressure applied to shift that sleeve to the ports open position for well treatment. Thereafter, a second dart lands on the first effectively closing the ports just opened. Further pressure closes the sliding sleeve and blows both darts to hole bottom. Any other sleeve can then be selected with a unique profile that matches another sliding sleeve and the process repeats. For production selected sliding sleeves are opened preferably with a wireline shifting tool.

Abstract: A sand control screen assembly includes a base pipe having an interior and defining one or more flow ports. At least one sand screen is arranged about the exterior of the base pipe and has a predetermined screen gauge. At least one dead space is axially offset from the at least one sand screen and comprises at least one of an axial length of the base pipe and a shroud arranged about an exterior of the base pipe and extending axially from the at least one sand screen. One or more perforations are provided at the at least one dead space and are defined through at least one of the axial length of the base pipe and the shroud. Each perforation defines an opening and an erosion-resistant material deposited at the opening. A size of the opening is equal to or smaller than the predetermined screen gauge.

Abstract: A flow balancing device facilitates polymer injection in a horizontal formation in a manner that minimizes shear effects on the injected polymer. Features of the device reduce velocity using a broad circumferentially oriented inlet plenum that leads to a circumferentially oriented path having zig-zag fluid movement characterized by broad passages that define the zig-zag pattern so as to reduce velocity at such transition locations. Because the path is circumferentially oriented there is room for broad transition passages independent of the housing diameter. The broad crescent shaped inlet plenum also reduces inlet velocity, and therefore shear, to preserve the viscosity of the injected polymer. Other materials can be injected or the device can be employed in production service as well as injection. A related method employs the described device for injection.

Abstract: A pressure equalization apparatus can include separate longitudinal bores which form a continuous flowpath, the flowpath alternating direction between the bores, and the bores being interconnected at opposite ends thereof. A well system can include a well tool with a chamber therein containing an assembly in a dielectric fluid, and a pressure equalization apparatus including a flowpath having one end connected to the chamber, and the other end connected to a source of a another fluid, the flowpath extending in opposite directions between the flowpath ends through multiple separate bores. A method of installing a well tool can include attaching a mandrel to the well tool, then lowering the well tool at least partially into the well suspended from the mandrel, and then securing a pressure equalization apparatus to the mandrel, a flowpath of the apparatus being connected to a chamber of the well tool containing an assembly.

Abstract: A gravel pack of screen sections separated by blank pipe is accomplished with sleeves around the blank sections that have a smaller run in dimension to allow the gravel to get past the sleeves during the gravel packing. When the gravel packing is complete the sleeves swell or otherwise enlarge to fill the voids where no or insufficient amount of gravel has been deposited. The presence of the enlarged sleeves prevents settling or shifting of the gravel pack away from the screens because voids that would otherwise have been there are filled with the enlarged sleeves. This is more of an issue in wells that are closer to vertical than horizontal.

Abstract: A tubular flow control apparatus includes, a first screen surrounding a first tubular defining a first annular space therebetween, a second screen surrounding a second tubular defining a second annular space therebetween, and a third tubular positioned longitudinally between the first tubular and the second tubular having at least one passageway fluidically connecting the first annular space with the second annular space, the third tubular having at least one opening fluidically connecting the at least one passageway to a third space located radially outwardly of the third tubular.

Abstract: A setting tool for hanging a tubular string includes: a tubular mandrel having an actuation port formed through a wall thereof; a debris barrier for engaging an upper end of the tubular string; and a piston having an upper face in fluid communication with the actuation port. The setting tool further includes: an actuator sleeve extending along the mandrel and connected to the piston; a latch releasably connecting the debris barrier to the actuator sleeve and for releasably connecting the debris barrier to the tubular string; a packoff connected to the mandrel below the piston and operable to seal against an inner surface of the tubular string, thereby forming a buffer chamber between the debris barrier and the packoff; and a passage. The passage: is in fluid communication with a lower face of the piston, is formed in a wall of and along the mandrel, and bypasses the packoff.

Abstract: A system for intercepting, treating and venting of soil gas from contaminated soil includes a borehole with an open top end, a porous liner against the outer wall of the borehole and porous fill material inside the liner. The fill material can include materials to retard and degrade contaminants in the soil gas. The system can include a slotted aeration tube in the borehole, vegetation planted in the open end of the borehole, impermeable sections in liner, and impermeable ground cover around the top end of the borehole. A method for intercepting, treating and venting of soil gas from contaminated soil includes the system and pulling soil gas out the top end of the borehole with variations in atmospheric barometric pressure.

Abstract: An assembly of screens made of connected joints with exterior bypasses that span the threaded connections among the joints features common fluid connections for the bypasses adjacent joint threaded ends that are connected with a coupling. A mandrel spans from one joint to the next inside the threaded coupling and is sealed to the respective bases pipes on opposed ends of the coupling. At each end of the mandrel the surrounding base pipe has openings from the common fluid connection where the bypasses terminate to define an annular flow path between pairs of common fluid connections. The bypasses can have slanted gravel outlet passages or no gravel openings at all. The bypasses can span over screen or blank pipe with an option to mount a shroud over the generally parallel bypasses.

Abstract: A desander system for a wellbore for separating wellbore fluid from particulate. The system having a dip tube nipple, a dip tube, base tubing connecting around the dip tube having base tubing perforations, two collars affixed to the base tubing, two weld rings affixed to the base tubing, a screen jacket mounted over the base tubing perforations, and a Venturi centrifugal helical desander having a Venturi tube with a bore connected to the base tubing. The Venturi tube having a plurality of spiral fins configured to flow particulate around the tube and a desander tube connected to the Venturi tube for flowing wellbore fluid over the outside of the Venturi tube causing a vortex while simultaneously allowing particulate to fall out while simultaneously allowing cleaned fluid to flow up the bore.

Abstract: A debris barrier is installed and locked to the liner tieback extension. When it is time to check release from the liner before initiating a cement job the inner running string is lifted. The lock stays engaged to the liner tieback extension tube as the inner running string is lifted. In that manner the debris barrier remains in position during the lifting to determine release from the liner before cementing. After cementing, the inner running string is lifted further to eventually undermine the lock and capture the debris barrier to bring the debris barrier to the surface with the inner running string. The lock can be dogs or collets or the like. An inner sleeve or a lift sub with an upset can be the support whose axial movement beyond a predetermined value undermines the lock to release the debris barrier.

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a string and a screen assembly, which is adapted to be run downhole on the string. The screen assembly includes a tubular carrier and a container. The container includes a gravel pack layer that includes gravel. The tubular carrier and the gravel pack layer are adapted to be radially expanded downhole; and the tubular carrier, container and the gravel pack layer are adapted to be run downhole as a unit.

Abstract: A tubular assembly comprises a wellbore tubular, at least one shunt tube, and a coupling assembly configured to rotatably couple the at least one shunt tube to the wellbore tubular. A method of coupling the tubular assemblies comprises coupling a first wellbore tubular to a second wellbore tubular, wherein a first shunt tube is coupled to the first wellbore tubular, rotating a second shunt tube about the second wellbore tubular that is coupled to the first wellbore tubular until the second shunt tube is substantially aligned with the first shunt tube, and coupling the first shunt tube to the second shunt tube.

Abstract: A debris barrier snap fits to a tubular groove of one of the tubulars that define the annular gap in which the barrier is to be mounted. It is loosely mounted so that it can center itself in the annulus as the relatively moving members go out of a concentric arrangement. The continuous carbon fiber material used for the debris barrier has lubricious qualities to act as a bushing when the annulus shape changes due to movement of the tubulars out of a concentric relationship. An outer or inner groove on the barrier acts to trap and retain small particles that manage to advance between the barrier and the outer tubular. The snap fit is accomplished with flexible spaced apart fingers with grip surfaces to engage a groove on one of the tubulars. The barrier has low expansion under thermal loads that acts to stop the entrance of debris.

Abstract: A tubular assembly comprises a wellbore tubular, at least one shunt tube, and a coupling assembly configured to rotatably couple the at least one shunt tube to the wellbore tubular. A method of coupling the tubular assemblies comprises coupling a first wellbore tubular to a second wellbore tubular, wherein a first shunt tube is coupled to the first wellbore tubular, rotating a second shunt tube about the second wellbore tubular that is coupled to the first wellbore tubular until the second shunt tube is substantially aligned with the first shunt tube, and coupling the first shunt tube to the second shunt tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling water ingress into a pipe useful in the production of hydrocarbons from underground reservoirs comprises a multi-layer tubular, the multi-layered tubular comprising an outer pipe layer, an inner pipe layer longitudinally aligned within the outer pipe layer, and a hydrophilic composite material between the outer pipe layer and the inner pipe layer. The composite comprises a material selected from the group consisting of sand, silt and clay and mixtures thereof. The composite material is non chemically reactive and has absorption properties such that the material swells in the presence of water but is non-absorptive of hydrocarbons. Upon exposure to water, composite material creates an impervious shield covering at least a portion of the inner pipe layer.

Abstract: A system for production of petroleum from an earth formation. The system includes: an injection assembly disposable within a first borehole for injecting a thermal source into the formation, the injection assembly including an injector extending from a distal end of the assembly; and a production assembly disposal within a second borehole for recovering material including the petroleum from the formation, the production assembly including a collector extending from a distal end of the assembly. At least one of the injector and the collector includes at least a first conduit and at least a second conduit concentric with the first conduit, the first conduit having a first distal end and the second conduit having a second distal end, the first and second distal ends located at different locations along a length of at least one of the first and second borehole.

Abstract: A well screen (101) having a base pipe (103), a filter layer (105) arranged around the base pipe (103), and a discrete mesh outer standoff layer (107) arranged around the filter layer (105) in a first spiral wrap (109) is provided. The first spiral wrap (109) comprises a first succession of loops such that a trailing edge of a next one of the first succession of loops is in contact, or in overlap, with a leading edge of a previous one of the first succession of loops; and to produce a compressive force on the filter layer (105) radially towards the base pipe (103).

Abstract: A debris barrier snap fits to a tubular groove of one of the tubulars that define the annular gap in which the barrier is to be mounted. It is loosely mounted so that it can center itself in the annulus as the relatively moving members go out of a concentric arrangement. The continuous carbon fiber material used for the debris barrier has lubricious qualities to act as a bushing when the annulus shape changes due to movement of the tubulars out of a concentric relationship. An outer or inner groove on the barrier acts to trap and retain small particles that manage to advance between the barrier and the outer tubular. The snap fit is accomplished with flexible spaced apart fingers with grip surfaces to engage a groove on one of the tubulars. The barrier has low expansion under thermal loads that acts to stop the entrance of debris.

Abstract: A subsurface well completion system including a subsurface heat exchanger section that includes an outer shell and an inner shell having an upper threaded portion, an open inside diameter, one or more inlet boxes and one or more outlet boxes. An upper annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell and has one or more openings. A lower annular ring extends between the inner shell and the outer shell. The lower annular ring is spaced apart from the upper annular ring and has one or more openings. One or more tubes are sealably connected at a first end and a second end to the one or more openings in the upper annular ring and the one or more openings in the lower annular ring, respectively, and extend between the upper and lower annular rings in an annular space between the inner shell and the outer shell.

Abstract: A debris barrier snap fits to a tubular groove of one of the tubulars that define the annular gap in which the barrier is to be mounted. It is loosely mounted so that it can center itself in the annulus as the relatively moving members go out of a concentric arrangement. The continuous carbon fiber material used for the debris barrier has lubricious qualities to act as a bushing when the annulus shape changes due to movement of the tubulars out of a concentric relationship. An outer or inner groove on the barrier acts to trap and retain small particles that manage to advance between the barrier and the outer tubular. The snap fit is accomplished with flexible spaced apart fingers with grip surfaces to engage a groove on one of the tubulars.

Abstract: A completion joint 100 has a sand control jacket 120 and an inflow control device 130. The jacket 120 communicates screened fluid with a housing of the inflow control device 130. The basepipe's flow openings 118 are isolated in the housing from the screened fluid by flow devices 170. The flow devices 170 are externally accessible on the device's housing to selectively configure the flow devices 170 open or closed.

Abstract: Screen assemblies capable of being disposed in a bore for hydrocarbon fluid production are described. The screen assemblies can support filter mediums and reduce or eliminate plugging by swellable material. One screen assembly includes filter mediums supported by a rigid member located exterior to a portion of a base pipe. The rigid member can include openings through which the filter mediums can be in fluid communication with an inner diameter of the base pipe. Swellable material can be disposed exterior to a second portion of the base pipe adjacent to the rigid member. The filter mediums can be displaced to contact a wellbore and the rigid members can help reduce or prevent plugging of screen assembly openings.

Abstract: An apparatus monitors a production flow from a gravel pack into a tubular sand screen disposed concentrically around downhole production tubing in an oil or gas well. A tubular sample layer is disposed concentrically around the sand screen to be exposed to the radial production flow in use. The sample layer is electrically insulated from the production tubing in use. An erosion sensor provides a signal which varies in dependence upon an electrical resistance of the sample layer, which is related to the erosion of the sample layer. An apparatus also monitors a substantially longitudinal production flow through downhole production tubing in an oil or gas well. A method and apparatus are used to monitor the condition of a gravel pack within an oil or gas well. Other methods monitor temperature or pressure conditions within an oil or gas well.

Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in hydrocarbon well operations include a tubular and a flow control apparatus. The tubular defines a well annulus and includes an outer member defining a flow conduit. Fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit is provided by permeable portion(s) of the outer member. The flow control apparatus is disposed within the flow conduit and comprises conduit-defining and chamber-defining structural members. The conduit-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least two flow control conduits. The chamber-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide at least one of the at least two flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers. Each of the flow control chambers has at least one inlet and one outlet, each of which is adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size.

Abstract: A tubular assembly comprises a wellbore tubular, at least one shunt tube, and a coupling assembly configured to rotatably couple the at least one shunt tube to the wellbore tubular. A method of coupling the tubular assemblies comprises coupling a first wellbore tubular to a second wellbore tubular, wherein a first shunt tube is coupled to the first wellbore tubular, rotating a second shunt tube about the second wellbore tubular that is coupled to the first wellbore tubular until the second shunt tube is substantially aligned with the first shunt tube, and coupling the first shunt tube to the second shunt tube.

Abstract: An assembly of screens made of connected joints with exterior shunts that span the threaded connections among the joints features manifolds for the shunts adjacent joint threaded ends that are connected with a coupling. A mandrel spans from one joint to the next inside the threaded coupling and is sealed to the respective bases pipes on opposed ends of the coupling. At each end of the mandrel the surrounding base pipe has openings from the manifold where the shunts terminate to define an annular flow path between pairs of manifolds. The shunts can have slanted gravel outlet passages or no gravel openings at all. The shunts can span over screen or blank pipe with an option to mount a shroud over the generally parallel shunts.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating multiple and isolated well flow paths operating at different pressures in the wellbore is described. These multiple flow paths establish a full circulation loop with the surface and a remaining isolated flow channel produces reservoir fluids to the surface. Heat is transferred from the produced reservoir fluid into the circulated loop via a unique down-hole heat exchanger. The flow of reservoir fluid through the isolated annular well channel allows for more efficient and extensive extraction of heat from the reservoir fluid compared with merely heating the circulating loop via the well bore exterior surface.

Abstract: A screen jacket assembly for positioning around a base pipe (102) to form a sand control screen (100). The screen jacket assembly includes a screen jacket (112) formed from a plurality of circumferentially distributed axially extending ribs (114) and a screen wire (116) wrapped therearound. A pair of oppositely disposed connector rings (118, 126) is at least partially positionable around the first and second ends, respectively, of the screen jacket (112). The connector rings (118, 126) each have a plurality of openings (120, 128) in a sidewall portion thereof that are circumferentially alignable with at least a portion of the ribs (114) such that the connector rings (118, 126) are integrally connectable with the aligned ribs (114) via the openings (120, 128).

Abstract: In one aspect, a passive flow control device for controlling flow of a fluid is provided, which device in one configuration include a longitudinal member configured to receive fluid radially along a selected length of the longitudinal member, the longitudinal member including flow restrictions configured to cause a pressure drop across the radial direction of the longitudinal member. In another aspect, a method of completing a wellbore is provided, which method in one embodiment may include providing a flow control device that includes a tubular with a first set of fluid flow passages and at least one member with a second set of fluid passages placed outside the tubular, wherein the first and second set of passages are offset along a longitudinal direction and the member is configured to receive a fluid along the radial direction; placing the flow control device at a selected location a wellbore; and allowing a fluid flow between the formation and the flow control device.

Abstract: A new method separating sand, solids, and produced particulates down-hole in a well producing hydrocarbons. The separation assembly can include ether one, two, or more segments or stages of varying lengths depending upon the individual application. The assembly is installed into the tubing string or delivery conduit of a well producing hydrocarbons. One stage can consist of a velocity chamber whereby separation of particulates occurs by increasing the downward velocity of particulates and reducing the upward velocity of hydrocarbons thereby allowing the particulates to “fall-out” into a lower chamber where the particulates are captured. Another stage can consist of a filter whereby particulates are captured in a chamber that can consist of filtering materials such as gravel, rock, sand, wood, or manmade materials. Each of the stages can be employed individually or in combination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shrouded tubular device that includes but is not limited to a tubular member, such as a screen joint; a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the tubular, the shroud is at least a two-piece shroud; and a shim in the annulus between the tubular member and the shroud. By way of example only, the shroud may be located directly radially inward from the joint of two of the shroud pieces.

Abstract: A flow control screen having a fluid flow path between a perforated section of a base pipe and a filter medium positioned around a blank pipe section of the base pipe. A valve assembly, including a piston body and a valve plug, is disposed within the fluid flow path. The piston body has an internal seat and a collet assembly that is radially outwardly constrained in a first operating position of the piston body to retain the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained in a second operating position of the piston body. Reverse flow is initially prevented as an internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on the internal seat and causes the piston body to shift to the second operating position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, an external differential pressure causes the valve plug to be expelled through the collet assembly, thereby no longer preventing reverse flow.

Abstract: Screen assemblies capable of being disposed in a bore for hydrocarbon fluid production are described. The screen assemblies can support filter mediums and reduce or eliminate plugging by swellable material. One screen assembly includes filter mediums supported by a rigid member located exterior to a portion of a base pipe. The rigid member can include openings through which the filter mediums can be in fluid communication with an inner diameter of the base pipe. Swellable material can be disposed exterior to a second portion of the base pipe adjacent to the rigid member. The filter mediums can be displaced to contact a wellbore and the rigid members can help reduce or prevent plugging of screen assembly openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an outer tubular (236) and an inner tubular (218) on a well platform by applying a crimping force to the outer tubular (236) when the outer tubular (236) is disposed about the inner tubular (218) and the inner tubular (218) is suspending from the well platform. The apparatus includes a support assembly (244) operably associated with the well platform and a crimping assembly (242) operably associated with the support assembly (244). The crimping assembly (242) is operable to mechanically deform the outer tubular (236) into contact with the inner tubular (218).

Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in injection wells and in the production of hydrocarbons utilize a particulate material disposed in an external flow area of a flow control chamber having an internal flow channel and an external flow area separated at least by a permeable region. The particulate material transitions from a first accumulated condition to a free or released condition when a triggering condition is satisfied without requiring user or operator intervention. The released particles accumulate without user or operator intervention, to control the flow of production fluids through a flow control chamber by at least substantially blocking the permeable region between the external flow area and the internal flow channel.

Abstract: A flow control screen (100) includes a base pipe (102) having a blank pipe section (104) and a perforated section (106). A filter medium (112) is positioned around a portion of the blank pipe section (104). A housing (114, 118, 120, 122, 124) is positioned around another portion of the blank pipe section (104) and the perforated section (106). A deformable element (150) is positioned between the housing and a portion of the perforated section including at least one production port (108) but not including at least one closure port (110) to define a production path (154) between the production port (108) and the filter medium (112) such that application of a sufficient pressure to the closure port (110) acts on the deformable element (150) to deform the deformable element (150) to substantially close the production path (154).

Abstract: A modular screen system allows connection of screens using couplings that connect the annular space in each module between the screen material and the base pipe. A series of connected screens and couplings feed into a single valve to control the flow through many screens. The valve is preferably located in a coupling and the passages through the coupling or the screen can also accommodate instrumentation to detect, store or transmit well data or flows through the various screen modules.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bore screen comprising a plurality of perforated rigid tubular modules (1) impermeably connected in series by ball joint means (2), allowing an extracted fluid to flow though all of the elements in series and allowing the consecutive elements to move freely relative to one another, tilting in all directions.

Abstract: A well screen assembly includes an elongate base pipe and a wire wrap layer. The wire wrap layer includes a wire wrapped around support ribs. The wire wrap layer has an axial end section wrapped at a first gage and an intermediate section wrapped at a second, larger gage. A mesh layer is provided around the wire wrap layer. An outer shroud is provided around the mesh layer, the outer shroud sealed to the wire wrap layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons including a wellbore that accesses a subsurface reservoir; a production tubing string disposed within the wellbore; and sand control devices coupled to the production tubing string. At least one of the sand control devices includes a first tubular member having a permeable section and a non permeable section; a second tubular member disposed within the first tubular member. The second tubular member has a plurality of openings and an inflow control device that provides a flow path to the interior. The sand control devices include a sealing mechanism disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member to provide pressure loss during gravel packing operations that is less than the pressure loss during production operations.

Abstract: An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines.

Abstract: The present invention is used in conjunction with a multi-channel system of a production string for deployment in gas, condensate or oil wells. An end-piece is placed at the entrance to such multi-channel system. It includes a semi-enclosed space helping to increase the proportion of gas phase entering the system at its bottom entrance. Increased proportion of gas allows lifting liquids and/or solids from the wellbore with greater efficiency. Examples of using the invention include wellbore water removal for gas wells with liquid loading problems, for solution gas drive or gas cap driven oils wells during their initial “natural flowing phase”, or during gas re-injection or gas-lift recovery operations for oil wells. It can also be used for gas-lifting water in water wells.