Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are provided which facilitate underbalanced drilling and completion of wells. In a described embodiment of a well control valve, the valve is opened and closed when a drill string is displaced therethrough. A shifting device is carried on a drill bit and deposited in the valve when the drill string enters and opens the valve. The valve is closed and the shifting device is retrieved from the valve when the drill string is tripped out of the well. A packer hydraulic setting tool usable in conjunction with the well control valve in underbalanced completions is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in wellbores that enables the running in, washing down, gravel packing, reversing excess slurry, and the spotting of post gravel pack fluids on a single trip. The one trip apparatus comprises a housing having an exterior and a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, and a lateral port providing a communication path between the housing longitudinal bore and the exterior of the housing. A first sleeve is disposed within the housing longitudinal bore that has a longitudinal passageway therethrough and is capable of being positioned in an upper position and a lower position relative to the housing. First and second lateral passageways extend through the wall of the first sleeve. A second sleeve is disposed within the first sleeve and also has a longitudinal passageway therethrough. The second sleeve is capable of being positioned in an upper position and a lower position relative to the first sleeve.

Abstract: A completion string for use in a wellbore includes a tubing having a bore and a housing providing a main bore communicating with the tubing bore and further defining plural side bores generally parallel to each other. A plurality of valves are positioned proximal respective side bores to control fluid flow. An actuator is coupled to the valves to actuate the valves to at least open and closed positions. The valves may be part of tubular flow elements mounted to the housing, each tubular flow element including a bore that forms part of a respective side bore. Each valve may include a sleeve valve or a disk valve. The housing may include a side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: A seal assembly having a first seal with a first mating surface and a recess in the first mating surface, and a second seal having a second mating surface and a recess in the second mating surface. The first mating surface of the first seal is adjacent to the second mating surface of the second seal and a first thermal expansion restricter is received simultaneously into the recesses of the first and second mating surfaces of the first and second seals, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of performing fluid loss, well isolation control, and flow control in a well having multiple zones. A multi-valve system having a plurality of valve assemblies is installed into the well. The multi-valve system provides fluid loss and well isolation control during running of the upper completion and provides flow control during production or other operation of the well. A control line carrying fluid pressure is run from the surface to the plurality of valve assemblies, with the control line capable of selectively actuating more than one valve assembly. In one example arrangement, the control line carries nitrogen gas to the multi-valve system. A fast bleed and slow bleed device at the well surface is connected to the control line. One of the fast bleed and slow bleed devices may be employed to open or close a selected one of the valve assemblies. In another arrangement, the control line and activating mechanism may be used for other types of pressure-actuated devices.

Abstract: A method of servicing a well and an associated well system provide convenient downhole hydraulic path selection. In a described embodiment, a hydraulic path selector is preconfigured for selection of a desired hydraulic path set, and then the selector is conveyed into a tubular string in which a hydraulic manifold is connected to one or more hydraulically operable tools. When engaged with the manifold, the selector selects the appropriate hydraulic path set, which selection determines which tool is to be operated and/or in what manner the tool is to be operated. In another described embodiment, the selector is operated after engagement with the manifold to select the appropriate path set.

Abstract: A circulation control valve includes a top sub having a bore, a body connected to the top sub and having a first fluid passageway and a second fluid passageway parallel to the first fluid passageway, the bore communicating with both the first fluid passageway and second fluid passageway, a one-way valve in the second fluid passageway, and a first activatable block for the first fluid passageway. Upon upon activation of the block, fluid in the first fluid passageway is blocked and only flows through the second fluid passageway.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method or process, useful in cementing a well, especially a hydrocarbon well, which is characterized by the use of increased external and internal diameter liners, the method being characterized by provision and use of a novel liner and liner-tool assembly. Novel liner apparatus, a liner-tool assembly, and a fluid circulating tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reverse-cementing apparatus. The reverse-cementing apparatus is a float apparatus connected in a pipe string to be cemented into a wellbore. The float apparatus includes an outer housing connected to the casing string. A check valve for preventing flow from the wellbore into the pipe string is disposed in the housing. The check valve is releasably disposed in the housing so that it can be removed from the housing once the pipe string is in place. A flow path for fluid from the wellbore into the pipe string is therefore provided. Cement displaced into the annulus will cause fluid in the wellbore to enter the pipe string through the housing so that the pipe string can be cemented in place utilizing a reverse-cementing method.

Abstract: A downhole ball-valve (20) comprises a body (22) defining a bore (32), a valve ball (34) defining a through passage (36) such that the ball (34) may be positioned to permit flow through the body bore (32) or to close the bore, and a sealing assembly (44) located to one side of the ball and defining a valve seat (50, 53) for forming a sealing contact with the ball (34) and a seal between the body and the assembly. A fluid pressure force applied at one side of the ball (34) tends to urge the valve seat (50, 53) towards the ball (34) and a fluid pressure force applied at the other side of the ball tends to urge the ball towards the valve seat. The sealing assembly forms part of a ball carriage which is axially movable in the bore, axial movement of the carriage inducing rotation of the ball between the open and closed positions.

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: This invention relates to a shifting apparatus and method for use with a tubular string set in a well for unlocking, selective orientation and relocking of sections of the tubular string below the shifting apparatus of this invention, while the tubular string sections above the shifting apparatus of this invention remain substantially unchanged in their orientation in the well including a lower tubular wall member connected to the tubular string above the shifting apparatus, an upper tubular wall member connected to the lower tubular wall member for controlled movement and orientation between the lower tubular wall member and the upper tubular wall member and connected to the tubular string below the shifting apparatus, and an internal tool located inside the upper and lower tubular wall members for releasablely and selectively locking into the upper and lower tubular wall members for holding the upper and lower tubular walls engaged until orientation of the tubular string below the shifting apparatus is desi

Abstract: Two sliding sleeves are carried in a tubular pipe assembly for controlling the opening and closing of flow passages extending through the pipe wall. The pipe assembly is placed at the lower end of a tubing string disposed in a well to regulate the flow of fluid from the string into a subsurface well formation. The first sleeve extends between upper and lower seals disposed above and below the flow passage to close the flow passages to flow. A shifting tool operated from the well surface moves the sleeve axially down through the pipe assembly to open the flow passages, leaving the upper seal exposed. The shifting tool then moves the second sleeve axially down through the pipe to cover the exposed seal. Fluid pumped through the pipe exits freely through the flow passages without first having to flow through radial flow passages in the sliding sleeve to prevent erosion of the flow passages and the sleeve structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily storing the lower portion of a string of drill pipe in a well which has a cased portion wherein a packer, installed between a storm valve located below the packer and an actuator located above the packer, is set in the annulus between the drill pipe and the well casing, the actuator being designed to close the valve upon initial axial movement of the upper portion of the drill pipe, and then to become disengaged from the lower portion of the set drill pipe allowing the remaining surface suspended drill pipe and actuator to be retrieved as in the case of a floating drill ship or set aside for reconnection and reopening of the storm valve after a storm has passed.