Baker Oil Tools, Inc.

Bj Services Company

Otis Engineering Corporation

The Western Company of North America

Completion Tool Developments, Inc.

Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker International Inc.

Bj Services Company, U.s.a.

Completion Tool Development, LLC

Oiltool Engineering Services, Inc.

Gregg W Stout

John A Nelson

James T Matte

Dewayne McCoy Turner

Marvin Bryce Traweek

Christopher L Blackler

Joseph F Donovan

Phillip W Schmuck

Rodney J Wetzel

Elmer R Peterson

Stephen C Yeary

Richard J Ross

David Joseph Walker

Todd Ulrich Chretien

Floyd Romaine Bishop

Donald H Michel

Jack W Robbins

Russell A Johnston

Joel E Adkins

William D Myers, Jr

John H Crisp

An array of plugging devices are pumped sequentially from the surface through a liner that typically becomes horizontal in nature, where each plugging device is anchorable at a specific position along the length of the line. Perforations are generated above the plugging device. The plugging device may be a cup plug and when pump pressure is applied to the cup the cup moves through the liner. When anchored, the cup directs frac fluids through the perforations to treat the well formation. The plug may be of the type where a full bore is maintained through the liner and allows the cup plug to travel back to the surface due to flow from the well thus eliminating any need for milling obstructions from the well bore. The use of multiple plugging devices allows multizone stage fracing.

Multizone frac system

A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. The operator can use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a preselected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. An optional 'Stand-Down-Mode' can be integrated into the timing system so that if pumping stops the timers go into a sleep mode until the pumping resumes. The apparatus can consist of three major components: a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. The packer may be removed.

Method and apparatus for single-trip time progressive wellbore treatment

A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. This system allows the operator to use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a pre-selected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. The apparatus is present as a 'Frac Module' that can consist of three major components, a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. A hydraulic packer may be removed or replaced with a swellable type packer.

Apparatus for single-trip time progressive wellbore treatment

A subterranean well tool seals along a section of a wall of the well and is carried on a conduit into the well. A plurality of anchoring elements and seals are provided for respective anchoring and sealing engagement along the wall of the well in concert and substantially concurrently with one another when the tool is shifted to the set position. When the well tool moves to the set position, a portion of the mandrel separates and is retrieved from the well bore, allowing the well tool to be reduced in overall length. The anchoring elements are sandwiched in between first and second, or upper and lower, sets of seals.

Subterranean well ultra-short slip and packing element system

An improved well completion system for completing two or more separate production zones in a well bore during a single downhole trip is disclosed. The improved completion system comprises a completion assembly comprising two or more production zone assemblies and a completion tool assembly. Each production zone assembly may comprise an automatic system locating assembly and at least two inverted seal systems for sealing against the tool assembly.

Multi-zone, single trip well completion system and methods of use

A well system comprising an improved cross-over tool is provided. The tool may comprise a debris shield for substantially preventing sand, proppant or other well debris from fouling a flow port closing sleeve located below the cross-over tool fracture ports; a return port cover adapted to close or open a return port upon contact with a designated downhole surface regardless of tubing movement caused by stretching or contracting under stress or other induced pipe movement from downhole conditions; or a collet-type circulation valve adapted to mechanically indicate the position or flow status of the cross-over tool.

Cross-over tool

An isolation string having an upper packer and an isolation pipe in mechanical communication with the upper packer, the isolation pipe comprises an operable valve and an object activated valve. An object holding service tool is adapted to release an object to activate the object activated valve. A method of running-in an isolation string, comprising an operable valve and an object activated valve, with an object holding service tool having an object held therewith; setting the isolation string in the casing adjacent perforations; pressurizing the object to cause a release from the object holding service tool, whereby the object travels to the object activated valve; closing the object activated valve with the released object; and withdrawing the object holding service tool from the well.

Washpipeless isolation strings and methods for isolation with object holding service tool

The present invention provides a return port cover that can close and open a return port separate from tubing movement caused by stretching or contracting under stress or other induced pipe movement from downhole conditions. For example, the return port cover can assist in preventing pack 'fluffing' by preventing unintended fluid communication through an associated downhole tool regardless of the position of a circulating valve means. The return port cover can be biased, so that in one position it closes the port and in another position opens the port based on relative tubing placement at different portions of the fracturing operation or other well treatment operations.

Cross-over tool return port cover

An improved single trip perforating and gravel pack system is provided which includes a tubing conveyed perforating assembly, a gravel pack completion assembly, and a retrievable service assembly. The retrievable service assembly includes a hydraulic setting tool and a crossover tool assembly. The hydraulic setting tool is less sensitive to hydraulic pressures generated by the detonation of the perforating guns. The hydraulic setting tool includes an annulus release mechanism, a preset lock assembly and a rotational lock assembly, all of which are mechanically actuated. The retrievable service assembly also includes a concentric check valve which improves well control and allows for reversing out excess slurry in the service assembly following completion of a gravel packing or frac packing operation.

Single trip perforate and gravel pack system

A release mechanism for use with setting wellbore isolation tools, such as packers or bridge plugs. The release mechanism typically includes a release piston which selectively isolates equalization ports extending from the interior to the exterior of a setting tool body. The release piston may be activated to allow equalization of pressure across the sealing elements of a set isolation tool, typically by applying pressure to the annular space above the isolation tool. The release mechanism may be used to allow a tool body (such as a setting or retrieving tool) to be removed from a set isolation tool under conditions in which high pressure differential exists across the isolation tool.

Isolation tool release mechanism

A swab-resistant packer is disclosed which prevents the packing element from expanding outwardly to cause swabbing during tripping of the apparatus in a subterranean well. Preferably, a metallic or other cable or cord is placed immediate and circumferentially around the exterior of the first and second ends of the packing element to prevent the packing element from moving outwardly away from the first, pre-set retracted position to thereby abate any tendency to swab.

Swab-resistant subterranean well packer

An apparatus is disclosed for fracing and gravel packing a subterranean well. The apparatus includes a packer and a liner assembly with a setting tool and crossover assembly. Abrasive wear in the wall of the crossover assembly is abated by providing for conversion of turbulent fluid flow of the fracing or gravel packing fluid into laminar flow immediate the opening within the crossover tool between the interior of the crossover tool and the exterior thereof. An isolator is also provided within the crossover such that when it is opened, a valve head is completely shielded and carried within the device whereby further cutting of the crossover tool wall by fluid flow is greatly abated.

Combination gravel packing/frac apparatus for use in a subterranean well

A multiple acting lock is provided which prevents premature setting of the packer of a gravel pack tool by the setting piston of a setting tool. The lock comprises a locking cylinder which when in the locked position rotationally locks the setting tool with the gravel pack tool thereby allowing rotation of the tool during tripping to facilitate working the tool past tight spots. The lock also longitudinally locks the setting sleeve of the gravel pack tool to prevent premature setting of the packer of the gravel pack tool. The locking mechanism of the setting sleeve comprises keys located in keyholes and a sleeve inside the setting sleeve which protrude and engage with the setting sleeve. The locking cylinder when in a locked position covers the inside of the keyholes retaining the keys in engagement with the setting sleeve. When the locking cylinder is hydraulically moved to the unlocked position the keys slide inward out of the keyholes and out of engagement with the setting sleeve.

Multiple acting lock for gravel pack system

A separable fluid pressure activated firing mehanism for a perforating gun comprises a pressure-operated tubing valve, a packer, and a tubular housing assembly defining a plurality of fluid pressure chambers therein. The first chamber contains a light density, clean, compressible fluid which is subject to well annulus pressure above the packer to provide a reference pressure. A second chamber sealably mounts a piston-type firing pin, which is normally secured by a locked latch in an elevated position above a detonatable primer and the lower portion of said firing pin is exposed to the reference pressure. The latch is unlocked through the application of a predetermined annulus pressure above the packer to a locking piston which moves to unlock the latch and trap the reference pressure in the first chamber. A further increase in said annulus pressure opens the tubing valve. A still further increase in said annulus pressure releases the firing pin from the latch and drives the firing pin downwardly to detonate the primer. Additional features of the disclosure are the provision of a cross-over tool between the packer and the tubular housing assembly to permit underbalance perforating, the provision of a detachable connection between the cross-over tool and the packer, and the provision of a shiftable sleeve valve effecting the closing of a connection from the packer bore to the annulus upon disconnection of the packer from the cross-over tool.

Hydraulically activated firing head for well perforating guns

Improved method and apparatus are provided for perforating casing located in a deviated portion of a subterranean well. The direction toward which the explosive charges in the downhole perforating gun are facing upon firing of the gun is accurately controlled by a firing head operatively responsive to a first initiating signal activated from the surface and a second signal automatically generated when the gun is rotationally at a predetermined angular position relative to a vertical plane passing through the central axis of the perforating gun. A rotating device within the gun firing head enables the gun to be rotated for generating the second signal when the gun is positioned below a set packer. The technique of the present invention is reliable yet relatively inexpensive, and minimizes undesirable gravitation of formation sands with formation fluids into the casing.

Growing community of inventors

Montgomery, TX, United States of America

Gregg W Stout