Claims
- 1. The method of conveying a completion string to a desired formation depth within a wellbore, said completion string having a packer and a screen, said method comprising the steps of:
a. setting said packer in said wellbore above said screen; and, b. maintaining an overburden pressure within said wellbore below said packer before, during and after setting said packer.
- 2. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 1 wherein said packer isolates a first well annulus from a second well annulus.
- 3. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 2 wherein said overburden pressure is maintained throughout a well completion process.
- 4. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 3 wherein said second well annulus is gravel packed.
- 5. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 3 wherein said completion string further comprises a cross-over tool for directing fluid flow into one of at least three flow paths.
- 6. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 5 wherein said cross-over tool directs fluid flow along a first flow path from a fluid flow bore within said completion string into said second well annulus.
- 7. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 6 wherein said cross-over tool directs fluid flow along a second flow path from said fluid flow bore into said first well annulus.
- 8. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 7 wherein said second well annulus is gravel packed along said first flow path.
- 9. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 7 wherein fluid filtrate from said second well annulus gravel packing is returned along said second flow path.
- 10. The method of conveying a completion string as described by claim 9 wherein fluid filtrate from said second well annulus gravel packing passes through said screen into said second flow path.
- 11. A method of completing a well into a predetermined earth formation comprising the steps of:
a. conveying a tubular completion string along a wellbore into a predetermined formation while continuously maintaining an overburden pressure throughout said wellbore, said completion string having an internal flow bore, an annulus packer, a cross-over device and a fluid production screen; b. setting said packer to separate a first wellbore annulus from a second wellbore annulus with said production screen positioned in said second annulus; and, c. the overburden pressure condition being continuously maintained in both wellbore annuli before, during and after the packer setting procedure.
- 12. A method of completing a well as described by claim 11 wherein said crossover device is aligned to a first position of fluid communication between said first and second annuli while said packer is being set to separate said first and second annuli.
- 13. A method of completing a well as described by claim 12 wherein fluid communication between said internal flow bore and either of said annuli is substantially terminated while said packer is being set.
- 14. A method of completing a well as described by claim 13 wherein said crossover device is aligned to a second position that substantially terminates fluid communication between said first and second annuli and fluid communication is permitted from said flow bore into said second annulus.
- 15. A method of completing a well as described by claim 14 wherein fluid pressure is applied to said second annulus from said flow bore of a magnitude that is greater than the natural hydrostatic pressure of a formation penetrated by said second annulus.
- 16. A method of completing a well as described by claim 15 wherein fluid pressure is externally applied to said first annulus simultaneous with said second annulus pressure, the magnitude of said first annulus pressure being greater than the magnitude of said second annulus pressure.
- 17. A method of completing a well as described by claim 16 wherein positive pressure within said wellbore is applied to an interface between the wellbore and the formation penetrated by said wellbore
- 18. Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean wellbore opposite a formation intersected by the wellbore, the apparatus comprising; an assembly having first and second opposite ends and including a packer, a screen and a flow directing mechanism, the flow directing mechanism permitting fluid communication longitudinally through the interior of he assembly between the first and second opposite ends when the assembly is conveyed into the wellbore and selectively permitting and preventing fluid communication between the interior of the screen and a first annulus formed between the assembly and the wellbore and extending to the earth's surface when the packer is set in the well bore.
- 19. The apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising a tubular string attached to the assembly and wherein the flow directing mechanism substantially continuously permits fluid communication between a second annulus formed between the screen and wellbore when the packer is set in the wellbore and selected one of the tubular string and the first annulus.
- 20. An axial indexing well tool comprising:
a. a tubular mandrel having an axial bore therein and first and second profiled projections from a substantially cylindrical outside surface thereof; b. a sleeve that is coaxially assembled about said mandrel and confined to axial displacement along said mandrel between first and second axially separated positions along said mandrel; c. a spring positioned to bias said sleeve along said mandrel toward said first position; d. a plurality of longitudinal slots in said sleeve distributed around the sleeve perimeter to define longitudinal collet fingers therebetween, said collet fingers having axially separated, peripheral segments respective to both large and small internal diameters, said collet fingers also having axially separated, peripheral segments respective to both large and small external diameters; and e. a cylindrical cam profile on said sleeve having operative cooperation with the second profiled projection from said mandrel whereby an axial stroking of said sleeve relative to said mandrel partially rotates said sleeve about said axis to a selected axial index position.
- 21. A well tool as described by claim 20 wherein said first mandrel projection is aligned with the large internal diameter segments of said collet fingers whereby said fingers may be structurally constricted.
- 22. A well tool as described by claim 20 wherein said first mandrel projection is aligned with the small internal diameter segments of said collet fingers whereby said fingers cannot be structurally constricted.
- 23. An anti-swabbing well tool assembly comprising:
a. a tubular mandrel having an axial bore therein and a flapper seat within said bore; b. a flapper having a pivotal attachment to said mandrel for rotation onto said seat, said flapper having a structural projection therefrom by which said flapper is held from said seat against a spring bias; c. a sliding sleeve assembled coaxially around said mandrel, said sleeve having a latch device for meshing with said flapper projection to hold said flapper from said seat against said spring bias; d. a selectively sheared fastener for securing said sleeve at a relative axial position whereat said latch device is meshed with said flapper projection; and e. a collet assembly coaxially around said mandrel to bear upon said sleeve for selectively shearing said fastener.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefits of the following: U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,801 filed Jul. 22, 1999 and issued May 15, 2001; copending U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 09/550,439 filed Apr. 17, 2000; and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/093,714 filed Jul. 22, 1998.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60093714 |
Jul 1998 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09550439 |
Apr 2000 |
US |
Child |
10102983 |
Mar 2002 |
US |
Parent |
09359245 |
Jul 1999 |
US |
Child |
09550439 |
Apr 2000 |
US |