Baker Hughes Corporation

William N Triplett

Thomas Gary Corbett

Robert Joe Coon

Steven Rowell Hayter

Kenneth R MacDonald

Michael J Naquin

Allen Dale Gabrysch

Anderson Da Silva Amaral

Anderson DeSilva Amaral

Toby J Begnaud

A modular pressure operated actuator can be coupled with a downhole tool to selectively operate it at least once. In the preferred embodiment the module can be mounted adjacent an isolation valve and after a fixed number of on and off pressure cycles allow a spring to push an actuator to operate the valve to an open position. The actuator, in another embodiment, can be reset with a tool run into the module to move the actuator back against a power spring and hold that spring force until the pressure cycling begins again. The preferred application is for a formation isolation ball valve but other valves, such as sliding sleeves, or other types of downhole tools can be actuated with the module that permits a retrofit of a hydraulic operation to a heretofore purely mechanically actuated tool.

Modular hydraulic operator for a subterranean tool

A fluid loss valve is disposed in a wash pipe in a gravel packing assembly. It is preferably held open initially and when in the process it is time for the valve to be able to go closed a pulling force is applied that creates relative movement to either close the valve or allow it to close without release of the assembly when under tension. This allows a surface signal that the valve is to be released for closure. The tension is relieved before string movement with the valve can occur. This can happen by slacking off before picking up again or through other time delay features that allow the tension to be removed and a lock to collapse before a lift force is applied for subsequent gravel packing operations. The valve in its closed position acts to eliminate fluid loss when excess gravel is reversed out.

Delayed acting gravel pack fluid loss valve

A well packing system and method for operating a well packing system wherein an isolation string assembly has a lower circulation valve with lateral flow ports that are operated to an open position without the use of shifters on a wash pipe. The isolation string assembly is incorporated into a well packing assembly within a wellbore and includes an upper sleeve tool that provides selective production of fluids through the frac pack assembly. In addition, the isolation string includes a lower circulation valve having a sliding sleeve that is shiftable from an open position to a closed position upon receipt of a suitable pressure differential. This configuration is particularly valuable for permitting monitoring of pressure or other conditions in the annulus of the wellbore portion being packed during packing operations. Further, the lower circulation valve tool can be used to selectively allow fluid returns during the packing operation.

Washpipeless frac pack system

A frac pack system and method for operating a frac pack system wherein an isolation string assembly has a lower circulation valve with lateral flow ports that are operated to an open position without the use of shifters on a wash pipe. The isolation string assembly is incorporated into a frac pack assembly within a wellbore and includes an upper sleeve tool that provides selective production of fluids through the frac pack assembly. In addition, the isolation string includes a lower circulation valve having a sliding sleeve that is shiftable from an open position to a closed position upon receipt of a suitable pressure differential. This configuration is particularly valuable for permitting monitoring of pressure or other conditions in the annulus of the wellbore portion being packed during frac pack operations. Further, the lower circulation valve tool can be used to selectively allow fluid returns during the frac pack operation.

The lock allows two members in a downhole tool to be temporarily held together. In an application where mandrel movement is dictated by pressure cycling in combination with a J-slot mechanism, such as in a downhole valve, the mandrel is releaseably retained to an adjacent connector against mechanical impacts. The mandrel features an extended collet that moves relatively to a floating sleeve during pressure cycles. At some point the collet heads rise to an elevated groove that causes them to contact a no-go shoulder for locking. The lock is defeated be removing the collet heads from the elevated groove for normal tool operation.

Lock for a downhole tool with a reset feature

A tool and method for treating an open hole just before expanding a screen into position is described. The swage is hydraulically driven and permits flow through it and out lateral ports to impact the borehole wall. A cup seal assembly below and a packer up above insure that the fluid impacts the borehole wall with sufficient force to dislodge the mud cake. Another feature of the invention is that the surface treatment and screen expansion can be done in one trip. The pressurized fluid that drives the swage also provides the fluid energy to prepare the borehole wall just before the screen is expanded against it.

Treating apparatus and method for expandable screen system

A system for enhancing oil production and reducing contamination thereof by such things as water breakthrough in unconsolidated horizontal wells comprises gravel packing, zonal isolation and selective flow control in combination. The significant control provided by the system enables the well operator to create a uniform pressure drop form heel to toe of the horizontal well and avoid commonly experienced water coning and early breakthrough of the horizontal borehole. An intelligent completion string including one or more flow control devices and one or more sensors is installable to enhance zonal isolation and control.

Unconsolidated zonal isolation and control

A system for enhancing oil production and reducing contamination thereof by such things as water breakthrough in unconsolidated horizontal wells comprises gravel packing, zonal isolation and selective flow control in combination. The significant control provided by the system enables the well operator to create a uniform pressure drop form heel to toe of the horizontal well and avoid commonly experienced water coning and early breakthrough at the heel of the horizontal borehole.

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

William N Triplett