Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Halliburton Company

Otis Engineering Corporation

Other

Henry Louis Restarick

Jody Ray McGlothen

John C Gano

Roger Lynn Schultz

Clark E Robison

Colby M Ross

Michael L Connell

Pat M White

John R Setterberg, Jr

Patrick Emmett Laursen

Nicida L Maerefat

Philip D Nguyen

Ronald Glen Dusterhoft

Flint R George

Bryon David Mullen

Dhirajlal C Patel

Phillip Terry Thomas

Bryant A Arterbury

Ralph H Echols, Iii

James E Spangler

Frank Giusti, Jr

David T Merritt

Ronald D Thomas

Jody R Mcglothen

A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.

Surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve

A multilateral completion system utilizing an alternate passage. In a described embodiment, a wellbore junction includes a first passage extending from a first opposite end to a second opposite end of the wellbore junction. A window is formed through a sidewall of the wellbore junction and provides fluid communication between the first passage and an exterior of the wellbore junction. A second passage is in communication with the first passage on a first side of the window, and in communication with the first passage on a second side of the window.

Multilateral completion system utilizing an alternate passage

A gravel packing apparatus () has an outer tubular () having a plurality of openings () therethrough and a sand control screen assembly () disposed within the outer tubular (). The sand control screen assembly () prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. Sensors () are operably coupled to the outer tubular (), the sand control screen assembly () or both. An instrument line () disposed between the outer tubular () and the sand control screen assembly () is operably associated with the sensors () such that power, signals and data may be transmitted between the sensors () and the surface or other downhole systems.

Gravel packing apparatus having an integrated sensor and method for use of same

Alternate path multilateral production/injection. In a described embodiment, a system for drilling and completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores comprises a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string. The apparatus includes a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein. The first passage extends longitudinally through the mandrel and is in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string. The second passage extends laterally relative to the first passage and is configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough. The mandrel further includes at least one third passage or alternate path extending longitudinally in the mandrel.

Alternate path multilayer production/injection

A multilateral injection/production/storage completion system. In a described embodiment, a method of completing a well having a first wellbore intersecting each of second, third and fourth wellbores includes the steps of: injecting a first fluid into a first zone intersected by the second wellbore; receiving a second fluid into the third wellbore in response to the first fluid injecting step; flowing the second fluid from the third wellbore to the fourth wellbore; storing the second fluid in a second zone intersected by the fourth wellbore; and then producing the second fluid from the second zone to a remote location.

Multilateral injection/production/storage completion system

A well tool assembly interconnection method is provided. In a described embodiment, a continuous tubing string has connectors positioned corresponding to desired locations for tool assemblies in a well. The tubing string is wrapped on a reel and transported to a well. As the tubing string is deployed from the reel into the well, the tool assemblies are interconnected between the connectors.

Apparatus for interconnecting continuous tubing strings having sidewall-embedded lines therein

Methods of forming permeable sand screens in long, open hole well bores within fluid producing zones are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a perforated pipe in the open hole well bore, providing a hardenable composition which after being placed in a desired location cures into a hard mass, placing the hardenable composition in the well bore adjacent to the fluid producing zone within the interior of the perforated pipe therein, between the perforated pipe and the walls of the open hole well bore and within voids or fractures in the producing zone, causing the hardenable composition to cure into a hard permeable mass and drilling the hard permeable mass out of the interior of the perforated pipe.

Methods of forming permeable sand screens in well bores

There is a need to better understand well conditions during gravel pack completions and during production through a gravel pack. The sensors that are used to determine the conditions at the actual interface between the gravel pack and the production interval are located directly on the gravel pack assembly. This allows for the most accurate and timely understanding of the interface conditions. Sensors along the length of the gravel pack can provide real time bottom hole pressure and temperature readings. Other sensors could provide information on flow rate of fluids produced as well as density measurements. Thus, during completion, the sensors can provide information on the effectiveness of gravel placement. During production, the sensors could provide instantaneous information on dangerous well conditions in time to minimize damage to the well equipment.

Sand screen with integrated sensors

The invention provides apparatus and methods for washing a wellbore ahead of an expansion swedge and radially expanding a sand-control screen jacket in a subterranean well. The methods and apparatus can be used in either the bottom-up or top-down direction and can accomplish borehole washing and screen expansion in a single trip.

Method and apparatus for washing a borehole ahead of screen expansion

Methods and apparatus for interconnecting well tool assemblies in continuous tubing strings

Sensors are attached directly to portions of the sand screen of a gravel packing assembly, with connectors to the sensors run through elements of the screen that are hollow for that purpose. The hollow element can be the trapezoidal wire that is circumferentially wrapped to form the outer screen or one of the outer spacers used to provide a stand-off of the wire from the underlying tubing. Sensors can detect such conditions as pressure, temperature, flow rate, density, etc., and can provide real-time information on the effectiveness of gravel placement during packing and on well conditions during production.

Method and apparatus for a sand screen with integrated sensors

A travel joint and latching assembly is connected below a gravel pack service tool to set an isolation assembly while performing backwashing and gravel pack operations, in a single trip. The travel joint is protected against inadvertent expansion by a positive mechanical lock assembly which isolates and decouples mechanical loading forces which may arise during the setting of the packer and during gravel pack operations. Inadvertent set of the hydraulic packer during backwashing operations is prevented by a hydraulic setting tool which includes a shear sleeve and an expandable C-ring drop ball seat.

One trip backwash/sand control system with extendable washpipe isolation

A sintered metal screen is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sintered metal screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sintered metal sand screen may be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sintered metal screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve may be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting formation fluid from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sintered metal screen is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen. The sintered metal sand screen is thus interposed in the flow path for screening out sand fines which would otherwise be conducted because of damage to the primary screen caused by corrosion or sand erosion.

Growing community of inventors

Carrollton, TX, United States of America

Henry Louis Restarick