Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

J Eric Lauritzen

Robert Joe Coon

Patrick Glen Maguire

Khai Tran

Mark J Murray

Clayton Plucheck

Jeffery Bode

A Craig Mackay

Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson

Mike A Luke

Robert P Badrak

Neil A A Simpson

Dale Norman

Ronnie S Royer

Colin Gordon Rae

Neil Aa Simpson

Caswell D Vickers, Iii

Jefferey Bode

A method of removing produced fluid from a well producing both gas and liquid comprises utilising produced gas flowing from a formation to power a produced liquid pump. The produced liquid from the pump and the produced gas are carried towards surface in separate fluid streams, and may be commingled closer to surface.

Fluid removal from gas wells

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for completing a wellbore using expandable tubulars. In one aspect, the invention includes a tubular member with an expandable portion at a lower end constructed and arranged to be expanded into contact with a previously expanded liner. At an upper end of the tubular is a polish bore receptacle permitting the tubular to be tied back to the surface of the well with production tubing. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of completing a well comprising expanding a liner top into a cased wellbore to hang the liner and, thereafter running a tubular member into the wellbore.

Tie back and method for use with expandable tubulars

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for expanding an expandable sand screen in the wellbore and then fracturing the wellbore. In one aspect of the invention, an expandable sand screen includes a perforated inner pipe and outer shroud. The outer shroud includes a plurality of longitudinal channels that retain their general shape after the expandable sand screen is expanded. In the expanded state, the channels provide a fluid conduit along an area between the screen and the wall of the wellbore. In a subsequent fracturing operation, slurry travels along the conduits permitting communication of the fracturing slurry with hydrocarbon bearing formations.

Expandable sand screen for use in a wellbore

An improved expansion assembly for an expander tool is provided. The expander tool is used to expand a surrounding tubular body within a wellbore. Accordingly, a method for expanding a surrounding tubular is also provided. The expansion assembly first comprises a piston disposed within a recess of the expander tool. The top surface of the piston closely receives a pad. The pad is held in close proximity to the top surface of the piston such that it does not rotate about a shaft. This arrangement reduces the geometric size of the expansion assembly, affording a larger inner diameter for the hollow bore of the expander tool itself. At least one reinforcement member is disposed on or within the pad to strengthen the pad during an expansion operation. The reinforcement member is fabricated from a durable material, and is arranged along the pad in the area of contact with the surrounding tubular during an expansion operation.

Expansion assembly for a tubular expander tool, and method of tubular expansion

An apparatus for preventing erosion of wellbore components comprises a wellscreen and a coating disposed on the wellscreen. The coating includes a metal-based coating and preferably nickel and phosphorous. The coating may also be organic-based such as phenolic resin containing ceramic or cermet. A method for fabricating an erosion and corrosion resistant wellbore component by providing the wellbore component and treating the wellbore component with erosion resistant materials. The treating step is conducted by plating the wellbore component, preferably by electroless plating. The treating step further comprises heat treatment of the wellbore component subsequent to plating. An additional step of inserting the treated wellbore component into a wellbore may also be conducted.

Apparatus for preventing erosion of wellbore components and method of fabricating same

An apparatus for translating an expander tool within a wellbore. The apparatus enables an expander tool to be moved axially within a wellbore during an expansion operation without raising or lowering the working string during the expansion operation. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises a shaft, a nut member which rides along the shaft when the shaft is rotated, and a recess connected to the nut member for receiving the shaft as the nut member travels axially along the shaft. The expander tool is connected at an end to the nut member such that translation of the nut member along the shaft serves to translate the expander tool axially within the wellbore. In one aspect, the shaft employs helical threads for incrementally advancing the nut member upon rotation of the shaft. In a further aspect, the apparatus includes a nut housing for holding the nut member, and a key member disposed within the circumference of the nut and the nut housing. The key member extends into a spline fabricated into the inner surface of the tubular to be expanded, such as a lower string of casing, to maintain the nut member in a non-rotational manner during rotation of the shaft.

Threaded apparatus for selectively translating rotary expander tool downhole

An apparatus and method for providing a more uniform gravel pack in the well bore. An alternative pathway is provided within the apparatus to by-pass a sand bridge formed in the wellbore. The reentry point of the slurry into the wellbore can be predetermined based upon the conditions of the formation.

Apparatus and methods for use of a wellscreen in a wellbore

An improved expansion assembly for an expander tool is provided. The expander tool is used to expand a surrounding tubular body within a wellbore. The expansion assembly first comprises a piston disposed within a recess of the expander tool. The top surface of the piston defines a bearing cavity configured to closely receive a roller. A shoe is further disposed on the top surface of the piston to receive a lower portion of the roller. In one arrangement, the roller is a tapered cylindrical roller actuated by hydraulic pressure applied from within the bore of the expander tool. Actuation of the tool forces the pistons to radially extend away from the body of the tool within the recesses. This, in turn, causes the roller members to engage the inner surface of the surrounding tubular body to be expanded. Rotation of the expander tool causes the rollers to at least partially rotate within the bearing cavity. This arrangement reduces the geometric size of the expansion assembly, affording a larger inner diameter for the hollow bore of the expander tool itself.

The present invention provides an expandable tubular having improved polished bore receptacle protection. The present invention further provides methods for completing a wellbore through the use of an expandable string of casing having improved polished bore receptacle protection. In one aspect, the invention includes a liner member having an expandable section, and a polished bore receptacle positioned below the expandable section. The expandable section is run into a wellbore, and is positioned to overlap with the bottom portion of a string of casing already set within the wellbore. The expandable section is then expanded into frictional engagement with the surrounding casing. The expandable section optionally includes at least one sealing member and at least one slip member on the outer surface. In one aspect, a transition section is provided between the expandable section and the polished bore receptacle. The transition section defines a sloped inner diameter which provides further protection for the sealing surfaces of the polished bore receptacle as tools, fluid, and tubulars are transited downhole through the polished bore receptacle.

Expandable tubular having improved polished bore receptacle protection

An apparatus and method for expanding a lower string of casing into frictional contact with an upper string of casing, and thereby hanging the lower string of casing onto the upper string of casing is provided. The apparatus essentially defines a lower string of casing having a separation region formed in the top end thereof. The lower string of casing is run into the wellbore, and positioned so that the top end overlaps with the bottom end of an upper string of casing already cemented into the wellbore. The top end of the lower casing string is expanded below the depth of the separation region into frictional contact with the upper string of casing. At the same time, or shortly thereafter, the top end of the upper string of casing is expanded. As the portion of the lower casing string having the separation region is expanded, the casing severs into upper and lower portions. The upper portion can then be removed from the wellbore, leaving a lower string of casing expanded into physical contact with an upper string of casing. The separation region may be formed by heat treating the tubular at the point of desired severance. In another aspect, the separation region may comprise the connection between two tubulars. This involves connecting two tubulars to form the tubular to be expanded downhole. The tubular formed is then lowered into the wellbore and expanded at the connection to separate the tubular.

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Kingwood, TX, United States of America

J Eric Lauritzen