A flow control apparatus (800) includes a tubular member (818) having a plurality of openings (820, 822, 824, 826) that allow fluid flow between an exterior and an interior flow path (828) of the tubular member (818) and a multi-stage flow restricting section (804) operably positioned in a fluid flow path between a fluid source disposed exteriorly of the tubular member (818) and the interior flow path (828). The flow restricting section (804) including a plurality of flow restricting devices (838, 844, 850) each operable to create a pressure drop. Actuatable devices (830, 832, 834, 836) operably associated with the openings (820, 822, 824, 826) are sequentially actuatable to allow fluid flow through the associated openings (820, 822, 824, 826), thereby sequentially reducing the pressure drop experienced by fluids flowing from the fluid source to the interior flow path (828).

Apparatus for adjustably controlling the inflow of production fluids from a subterranean well

Methods and devices are provided for treating multiple interval well bores. More particularly, an isolation assembly may be used to allow for zonal isolation to allow treatment of selected productive or previously producing intervals in multiple interval well bores. One example of a method for treating a multiple interval well bore includes the steps of: providing an isolation assembly comprising a liner and a plurality of swellable packers wherein the plurality of swellable packers are disposed around the liner at selected spacings; introducing the isolation assembly into the well bore; allowing at least one of the plurality of swellable packers to swell so as to provide zonal isolation of at least one of a plurality of selected intervals; establishing fluidic connectivity to the at least one of a plurality of selected intervals; and treating the at least one of a plurality of selected intervals.

Methods and devices for treating multiple-interval well bores

A sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (44) having a plurality of openings (45) in a sidewall portion thereof and a swellable material layer (46) disposed exteriorly of the base pipe (44) and having a plurality of openings (47) that correspond to the openings (45) of the base pipe (44). A plurality of telescoping perforations (48) are operably associated with the openings (45) of the base pipe (44) and at least partially disposed within the corresponding openings (47) of the swellable material layer (46). A filter medium (56) is disposed within each of the telescoping perforations (48). In operation, radial expansion of the swellable material layer (46), in response to contact with an activating fluid, causes the telescoping perforations (48) to radially outwardly extend.

Sand control screen assembly and method for use of same

An offshore universal riser system may include a valve module which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through a flow passage extending longitudinally through a riser string. An anchoring device may releasably secure the valve module in the passage. A method of constructing a riser system may include the steps of installing the valve module in the passage, and installing at least one annular seal module in the passage. The annular seal module may prevent fluid flow through an annular space between the riser string and a tubular string positioned in the passage. Drilling methods may include injecting relatively low density fluid compositions into the annular space, and selectively varying a restriction to flow through a subsea choke in a drilling fluid return line. The riser string, including housings for the various modules and external control systems, may be dimensioned for installation through a rotary table.

Offshore universal riser system

Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.

Wellbore method and apparatus for completion, production and injection

Provided are coated oil and gas well production devices and methods of making and using such coated devices. In one form, the coated device includes one or more cylindrical bodies, hardbanding on at least a portion of the exposed outer surface, exposed inner surface, or a combination of both exposed outer or inner surface of the one or more cylindrical bodies, and a coating on at least a portion of the inner surface, the outer surface, or a combination thereof of the one or more cylindrical bodies. The coating includes one or more ultra-low friction layers, and one or more buttering layers interposed between the hardbanding and the ultra-low friction coating. The coated oil and gas well production devices may provide for reduced friction, wear, erosion, corrosion, and deposits for well construction, completion and production of oil and gas.

Coated oil and gas well production devices

A method, system and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons are described. The system includes a wellbore that accesses a subsurface reservoir; a production tubing string disposed within the wellbore; and one or more sand control devices coupled to the production tubing string and disposed within the wellbore. At least one of the sand control devices includes a first tubular member having a permeable section and a non permeable section; a second tubular member disposed within the first tubular member. The second tubular member has a plurality of openings and an inflow control device that each provide a flow path to the interior of the second tubular member. Also, the at least one of the sand control devices includes a sealing mechanism disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The sealing mechanism is configured to provide a pressure loss during gravel packing operations that is less than the pressure loss during at least some of the production operations.

Wellbore method and apparatus for sand and inflow control during well operations

A method and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a tubular member having a central opening within an internal portion of the tubular member, wherein the central opening allows hydrocarbons to flow through the tubular member. Also, the tubular member includes openings between the central opening and a region external to the tubular member. In addition to the tubular member, at least two adjacent wire segments are disposed around the tubular member. The at least two adjacent wire segments create at least two flow paths to the central opening. Also, the at least two adjacent wire segments form at least two openings configured to prevent particles greater than a specific size from entering the openings in the tubular member.

Wellbore apparatus and method for completion, production and injection

A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons is described. The method includes drilling a wellbore using a drilling fluid, conditioning the drilling fluid, running a production string in the wellbore and gravel packing an interval of the wellbore with a carrier fluid. The production string includes a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end, the load sleeve assembly having at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit disposed therethrough. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. The joint assembly also includes a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.

Charles S. Yeh

Papers

Wellbore method and apparatus for completion, production and injection

Coated oil and gas well production devices

Wellbore method and apparatus for sand and inflow control during well operations

Wellbore apparatus and method for completion, production and injection

Gravel packing methods