Patent Abstract:
A flow control apparatus is provided for deployment downhole as part of a wellbore string. The flow control apparatus includes a flow control member having a screened portion for filtering debris from reservior fluid that is incoming into the wellbore.

Full Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to apparatuses which are deployable downhole for controlling supply of treatment fluid to the reservoir and for controlling production of reservoir fluids from the reservoir. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Production of hydrocarbon reservoirs is complicated by the presence of naturally-occurring solids debris, such as sand, as well as solids, such as proppant, which have been intentionally injected into the reservoir, in conjunction with treatment fluid, for improving the rate of hydrocarbon production from the reservoir. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a housing including a port, a third position-determining hard stop, and a passage; a hard stop engager; and a flow control member including a screen, wherein the flow control member is: 
         [0004]    displaceable relative to the port, wherein the displaceability includes:
       displaceability, relative to the port, by a first displacement from a first position, corresponding to disposition of the port in a closed condition, to a second position, corresponding to disposition of the port in an open condition;   and   displaceability, relative to the port, by a second displacement from the second position to a third position corresponding to disposition of the port in a screened condition, wherein, in the screened condition, at least a portion of the screen is disposed in alignment with the port such that the port is obstructed, or substantially obstructed by the at least a screen portion, and such that the at least a screen portion is disposed for interfering with conduction of oversize solids through the port; configured for becoming coupled to the hard stop engager during the displacement of the flow control member relative to the port, wherein the coupling of the flow control member to the hard stop engager is such that the hard stop engager translates with the flow control member with effect that the displaceability of the flow control member, relative to the port, becomes limited by the third position-determining hard stop, in response to engagement of the hard stop engager with the third position-determining hard stop, such that, upon the engagement of the hard stop engager with the third position-determining hard stop, the flow control member becomes disposed in the third position.       
 
         [0008]    In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising:
   a housing including a port, a hard stop, and a passage;   a flow control member including a screen and a j-slot;   wherein:   the flow control member is displaceable, relative to the port, such that the flow control member is positionable, relative to the port, in a first position, corresponding to disposition of the port in a closed condition, a second position, corresponding to disposition of the port in an open condition, and a third position, corresponding to disposition of the port in a screened condition, wherein, in the screened condition, at least a portion of the screen is disposed in alignment with the port such that the port is obstructed, or substantially obstructed by the at least a screen portion, and such that the at least a screen portion is disposed for interfering with conduction of oversize solids through the port;   the hard stop is disposed within the j-slot and is displaceable, relative to the flow control member, while the flow control member is being displaced, relative to the port, and co-operates with the j-slot such that displacement of the flow control member is limited such that at least one of the first, second and third positions of the flow control member is established by the limiting of the displacement of the flow control member by the interaction between the hard stop and the j-slot.   
 
         [0014]    In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising:
   a housing including a port and a passage;   a first flow control member displaceable relative to the port between a closed port condition-defining position and a non-closed port condition-defining position; and   a second flow control member including a screen, and positionable in a screened port condition-defining position;   wherein the first flow control member co-operates with the second flow control member such that: (i) disposition of the first flow control member in the closed port condition-defining position is conditional on the second flow control member being disposed in a retracted position relative to the screened port condition-defining position, and the disposition of the first flow control member in the closed port condition-defining position corresponds to the port being disposed in the closed condition, (ii) disposition of the second flow control member in the screened port condition-defining position is conditional on the first flow control member being disposed in a retracted position relative to the closed port condition-defining position, and the disposition of the second flow control member in the screened port condition-defining position corresponds to the port being disposed in the screened condition, and (iii) while the first flow control member is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position and the second flow control member is disposed in a retracted position relative to the screened port condition-defining position, the port is disposed in an open condition.   
 
         [0019]    In another aspect, there is provided a method of producing hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation, comprising:
   deploying a wellbore string within a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation, wherein the wellbore string includes an apparatus comprising a housing and a flow control member;   wherein:
       the housing includes a port and a passage;   the flow control member including a screen;   the flow control member is displaceable, relative to the port, such that the flow control member is positionable, relative to the port, in a first position, corresponding to disposition of the port in a closed condition, a second position, corresponding to disposition of the port in an open condition, and a third position, corresponding to disposition of the port in a screened condition, wherein, in the screened condition, at least a portion of the screen is disposed in alignment with the port such that the port is obstructed, or substantially obstructed by the at least a screen portion, and such that the at least a screen portion is disposed for interfering with conduction of oversize solids through the port;   
       and   after the deploying, displacing the flow control member to one of the first, second and third positions with a conveyance mechanism that is configured to controllably displace the shifting tool by a predetermined distance.   
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The preferred embodiments will now be described with the following accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the apparatus, showing the port disposed in the closed condition; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing the port disposed in the open condition and the flow control member being coupled to the hard stop engager, with the flow control member having moved downhole from its position in  FIG. 1  to effect opening of the port and coupling of the flow control member with the hard stop engager; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing the port disposed in the screened position; with the flow control member having moved uphole from its position in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the apparatus, with the port disposed in the closed condition; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 4 , showing the port disposed in the open condition, with the flow control member having moved downhole from its position in  FIG. 3  to effect opening of the port; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 4 , showing the port having been re-closed and the flow control member being coupled to the hard stop engager, with the flow control member having moved uphole from its position in  FIG. 5  to effect re-closure of the port and the coupling of the flow control member with the hard stop engager; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 4 , showing the port disposed in the screened position; with the flow control member having moved downhole from its position in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the flow control member that is useable with the first embodiment (see  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ) and the second embodiment (see  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 ) of the apparatus; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the hard stop engager that is useable with the first embodiment (see  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ) and the second embodiment (see  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 ) of the apparatus; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the apparatus, showing the port disposed in the closed condition; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 8 , showing the port disposed in the open position, with the flow control member having moved downhole from its position in  FIG. 8  to effect opening of the port; 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 8 , showing the port disposed in the screened position, with the flow control member having moved uphole from its position in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the flow control member that is useable with the third embodiment (see  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 ) of the apparatus; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is an end view of one end of the clutch ring of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is an unwrapped view of a J-slot profile of the flow control member of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus, showing the port disposed in the closed condition; 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 15 , showing the port disposed in the open position; 
           [0045]      FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 15 , showing the port disposed in the screened position; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of the apparatus disposed within a wellbore. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    There is provided an apparatus  10  for selectively stimulating a reservoir, and for effecting production of hydrocarbon material from the stimulated reservoir. The apparatus is deployable within a wellbore  8 . Suitable wellbores include vertical, horizontal, deviated or multi-lateral wells. The wellbore extends into a subterranean formation 
         [0048]    The reservoir is stimulated by supplying treatment material to the subterranean formation  100  which includes the reservoir. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, for example, the treatment material is a liquid including water and chemical additives. In other embodiments, for example, the treatment material is a slurry including water, proppant, and chemical additives. Exemplary chemical additives include acids, sodium chloride, polyacrylamide, ethylene glycol, borate salts, sodium and potassium carbonates, glutaraldehyde, guar gum and other water soluble gels, citric acid, and isopropanol. In some embodiments, for example, the treatment material is supplied to effect hydraulic fracturing of the reservoir. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, for example, the treatment material includes water, and is supplied to effect waterflooding of the reservoir. 
         [0051]    The apparatus  10  may be deployed within the wellbore and integrated within a wellbore string  11 . 
         [0052]    Successive apparatuses  10  may be spaced from each other such that each apparatus is positioned adjacent a producing interval to be stimulated by fluid treatment effected by treatment material that may be supplied through a port  18  (see below). 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 20 , in some embodiments, for example, the apparatus  10  includes a housing  12  and a flow control member  14 . The housing  12  includes the port  18 . The flow control member  14  includes a screen  20 . 
         [0054]    The screen  20  is configured to interfere with (for example, prevent or substantially prevent) passage of oversize solid material through the port  18 . In some embodiments, for example, the screen  20  is machined into the flow control member  14 . In some embodiments, for example, the screen  20  is defined by a sand screen that is wrapped around a perforated section of the flow control member  14 . In some embodiments, for example, the screen  20  is in the form of a porous material that is integrated within an aperture of the flow control member  14 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the housing  12  is coupled (such as, for example, threaded) to the wellbore string  11 . The wellbore string is lining the wellbore  8 . The wellbore  11  string is provided for, amongst other things, supporting the subterranean formation  100  within which the wellbore  8  is disposed. The wellbore string  8  may include multiple segments, and segments may be connected (such as by a threaded connection). In some embodiments, for example, the wellbore string includes a casing string. 
         [0056]    A passage  16  is defined within the housing  12 . The passage  16  is configured for conducting treatment material from a supply source (such as at the surface) to the port  18  such that the treatment material is able to be supplied to the subterranean formation  100 . 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, for example, the housing  12  includes a sealing surface configured for sealing engagement with the flow control member  14 . In some embodiments, for example, the sealing surface is defined by sealing member  11 A,  11 B. In some embodiments, for example, when the flow control member  14  is disposed in a position corresponding to the closed position of the port  18 , each one of the sealing members  11 A,  11 B, is, independently, disposed in sealing engagement with both of the housing  12  and the flow control member  14 . 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, for example, each one of the sealing members  11 A,  11 B, independently, includes an o-ring. In some embodiments, for example, the o-ring is housed within a recess formed within the housing  12 . In some embodiments, for example, each one of the sealing members  11 A,  11 B, independently, includes a molded sealing member (i.e. a sealing member that is fitted within, and/or bonded to, a groove formed within the sub that receives the sealing member). 
         [0059]    The port  18  extends through the housing  12 , and is disposed between the sealing surfaces  11 A,  11 B. In some embodiments, for example, the port  18  extends through the housing  12 . During treatment, the port  18  effects fluid communication between the passage  16  and the wellbore. In this respect, during treatment, treatment material being conducted from the treatment material source via the passage is supplied to the wellbore through the port. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments, for example, the passage  16  is configured to receive a shifting device for actuating movement of the flow control member  14 , and thereby effecting a change in the condition of the port  18 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , in some embodiments, for example, it is desirable for the treatment material being supplied to the wellbore through the port  18  be supplied, or at least substantially supplied, within a definite zone (or “interval”) of the subterranean formation  100  in the vicinity of the port. In this respect, the system may be configured to prevent, or at least interfere, with conduction of the treatment material, that is supplied to one zone of the subterranean formation, to a remote zone of the subterranean formation. In some embodiments, for example, such undesired conduction to a remote zone of the subterranean formation  100  may be effected through an annulus, that is formed within the wellbore, between the casing and the subterranean formation. To prevent, or at least interfere, with conduction of the supplied treatment material to a zone of interval of the subterranean formation  100  that is remote from the zone or interval of the subterranean formation to which it is intended that the treatment material is supplied, fluid communication, through the annulus, between the port and the remote zone, is prevented, or substantially prevented, or at least interfered with, by a zonal isolation material. In some embodiments, for example, the zonal isolation material includes cement, and, in such cases, during installation of the assembly within the wellbore, the casing string is cemented to the subterranean formation  100 , and the resulting system is referred to as a cemented completion. 
         [0062]    To at least mitigate ingress of cement during cementing, and also at least mitigate curing of cement in space that is in proximity to the port  18 , or of any cement that has become disposed within the port, prior to cementing, the port may be filled with a viscous liquid material having a viscosity of at least 100 mm 2 /s at 40 degrees Celsius. Suitable viscous liquid materials include encapsulated cement retardant or grease. An exemplary grease is SKF LGHP 2™ grease. For illustrative purposes below, a cement retardant is described. However, it should be understood, other types of liquid viscous materials, as defined above, could be used in substitution for cement retardants. 
         [0063]    In some embodiments, for example, the zonal isolation material includes a packer, and, in such cases, such completion is referred to as an open-hole completion. 
         [0064]    The flow control member  14  is displaceable relative to the port  18 , and positionable in first, second and third positions. The first position corresponds to a closed condition of the port  18 . The second position corresponds to an open condition of the port  18 . The third position corresponds to a screened condition of the port  18 . In the screened condition, the screen  20  is disposed in alignment with the port  18  such that the port  18  is obstructed, or substantially obstructed by the screen  20 , and such that the screen  20  is disposed for interfering with conduction of oversize solids through the port  18 . 
         [0065]    In some embodiments, for example, the disposition of the flow control member  14  in the first position is such that the flow control member  14  occludes the port. In some embodiments, for example, while the apparatus  10  is disposed within the wellbore and the port  18  is closed, the flow control member  14  prevents, or substantially prevents, conduction of materials through the port  18 , between the passage  16  and the subterranean formation. 
         [0066]    In some embodiments, for example, the disposition of the flow control member  14  in the second position is such that a continuous portion of the port  18  is unobstructed by the flow control member, wherein the continuous portion defines at least 25% of the total area of the port  18 , such as, for example, at least 50% of the total area of the port  18 , such as, for example, at least 75% of the total area of the port  18 . In some embodiments, for example, it is not necessary that the entirety of the port  18  be unobstructed by the flow control member  14  for the port  18  to be disposed in the open condition. In this respect, in some of these embodiments, for example, the disposition of the flow control member in the second position is such that the flow control member occludes at least 25% of the total area of the port. 
         [0067]    In some embodiments, for example, the disposition of the flow control member  14  in the second position is such that the port is non-occluded, or substantially non-occluded, by the flow control member  14 . 
         [0068]    In some embodiments, for example, the disposition of the flow control member  14  in the second position is such that there is an absence, or substantial absence, of interference by the flow control member  14  with conduction of material through the port  18 . 
         [0069]    The flow control member  14  is displaceable, relative to the port  18 , from the first position to the second position and thereby effect opening of the port  18 , for purposes of supplying treatment material to the wellbore through the port  18 . 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, for example, the flow control member  14  is also displaceable, relative to the port  18 , from the second position to the first position to effect re-closing of the port  18 . In some embodiments, for example, this is effected after completion of the supplying of the treatment material to the wellbore through the port. In some embodiments, for example, this enables the delaying of production through port, facilitates controlling of wellbore pressure, and also mitigates ingress of sand or other solids from the reservoir into the casing, while other zones of the subterranean formation are now supplied with treatment material through other ports. In this respect, after sufficient time has elapsed after the supplying of the treatment material to a zone of the subterranean formation, such that meaningful fluid communication has become established between the hydrocarbons within the zone of the subterranean formation and the port  18 , by virtue of the interaction between the subterranean formation and the treatment material that has been previously supplied into the subterranean formation through the port, and, optionally, after other zones of the subterranean formation have similarly become disposed in fluid communication with other ports, the flow control member(s) may be moved to the second position so as to enable production through the passage. 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, for example, by enabling displacement of the flow control member  14 , so as to effect opening and closing of the port  18 , pressure management during hydraulic fracturing is made possible. 
         [0072]    Displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , from the second position to the first position, so as to effect closing of the port  18 , may also be effected while fluids are being produced from the subterranean formation  100  through the port, and in response to sensing of a sufficiently high rate of water production from the reservoir through the port. In such case, moving the flow control member  14  blocks further production through the associated port  14 . 
         [0073]    In some embodiments, for example, the passage  16  is being used to supply water for effecting water flooding of the subterranean formation. In such cases, where channeling, within the subterranean formation, is sensed of water being supplied through the port  18 , displacing the flow control member  14  from the second position to the first position blocks wasted supply of water through the port. 
         [0074]    After the port  18  has been re-closed, the flow control member  14  is displaceable, relative to the port  18 , from the first position to the third position so as to effect a change in condition of the port  18  from a closed condition to a screened condition, and thereby enable production of reservoir fluids through the port  18 , after sufficient time has been provided for the supplied treatment material to stimulate the reservoir. 
         [0075]    The flow control member  14  is also displaceable from the second position to the third position, without, prior to assuming the third position, transitioning to the first position. Such manipulation of the flow control member  14  may be practised when it is desirable to bring on production shortly after a hydraulic fracturing operation. 
         [0076]    The flow control member  14  is displaceable, relative to the port  18 , from the first position, corresponding to disposition of the port  18  in the closed condition, to the second position, corresponding to disposition of the port  18  in the open condition, and the displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , is limited between these positions, such as by surfaces of the housing  12  which function as separate hard stops  36 ,  38 . When the flow control member  14  is engaged to the hard stop  36 , and thereby prevented from displacement in one of an uphole and downhole direction (in the illustrated embodiment, this is the uphole direction), the flow control member  14  is disposed in the first position. When the flow control member  14  is engaged to the hard stop  38 , and thereby prevented from displacement in the other one of an uphole and downhole direction (in the illustrated embodiment, this is the downhole direction), the flow control member  14  is disposed in the second position. In this respect, the hard stop  36  determines the first position of the flow control member  14 , and the hard stop  38  determines the second position of the flow control member  14 . 
         [0077]    In some embodiments, for example, the flow control member  14  includes a sleeve. The sleeve is slideably disposed within the passage  16 . 
         [0078]    In some embodiments, for example, the flow control member  14  co-operates with the sealing members  11 A,  11 B to effect opening and closing of the port  18 . In this respect, the flow control member  16  co-operates with the sealing members  11 A,  11 B. When the port  18  is disposed in the closed position, an unbroken (unperforated) portion of the flow control member is sealingly engaged to both of the sealing surfaces  11 A,  11 B. When the port  18  is disposed in the open condition, the flow control member  16  is spaced apart or retracted from at least one of the sealing members (such as the sealing surface  11 A), thereby providing a fluid passage for treatment material to be delivered to the port  18  from the passage  16 . When the port  18  is disposed in the screened condition, the screened portion  20  of the flow control member  14  is disposed in alignment with the port. 
         [0079]    In some embodiments, for example, a flow control member-engaging collet  22  extends from the housing  12 , and is configured to engage the flow control member  16  for resisting a change in disposition of the flow control member. In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, the flow control member-engaging collet  22  includes at least one resilient flow control member-engaging collet finger  22 A, and each one of the at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger includes a tab  22 B that engages the flow control member. 
         [0080]    In some embodiments, for example, the flow control member  14  and the flow control member-engaging collet  22  are co-operatively configured so that engagement of the flow control member and the flow control member-engaging collet is effected while the port  18  is disposed in the closed condition, the open condition, or the screened condition. 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 4, 6, and 8 , while the flow control member is disposed in the first position (i.e. the port  18  is disposed in the closed condition) the flow control member-engaging collet  22  is engaging the flow control member  14  such that interference or resistance is being effected to displacement of the flow control member  14 . The flow control member  14  includes a closed condition-defining recess  24 . The at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger  22 A and the recess  24  are co-operatively configured such that while the flow control member  14  is disposed in the first position, the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B is disposed within the closed condition-defining recess  24 . In order to effect opening of the port  18 , a first displacement force is applied to the flow control member  14  to effect displacement of the tab  22 B from (or out of) the recess  24 . Such displacement is enabled due to the resiliency of the collet finger  22 A. Once the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B has become displaced out of the recess  24 , continued application of force to the flow control member  14  (such as, in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in a downhole direction) effects displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , such that there is a change in condition of the port  18  from a closed condition to an open condition. In some embodiments (see  FIGS. 4 to 7 ), alternatively, the flow control member  14  is also displaceable from the first position to the third position such that a change in disposition of the port  18  from a closed condition to a screened condition is effected, and in order to effect a change in disposition of the port  18  from a closed condition to a screened condition (such as, for example, when the port  18  has become disposed in the closed condition after treatment material has been injected through the port  18  and into the subterranean formation, and it is desirable to delay production, as described above), a second displacement force is applied to the flow control member  14  to effect displacement of the tab  22 B from (or out of) the recess  24 , again, owing to to the resiliency of the collet finger  22 A. Once the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B has become displaced out of the recess  24 , continued application of the second displacement force to the flow control member  14  (such as in a downhole direction, as in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 7 ) effects displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , such that there is a change in condition of the port  18  from a closed condition to a screened condition. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIGS. 2, 5, and 9 , while the flow control member is disposed in the second position (i.e. the port  18  is disposed in the open condition), the flow control member-engaging collet  22  is engaging the flow control member  14  such that interference or resistance is being effected to displacement of the flow control member. The flow control member  14  includes an open condition-defining recess  26 . The at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger  22 A and the recess  26  are co-operatively configured such that while the port  18  is disposed in the open condition, the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B is disposed within the open condition-defining recess  26 . In order to effect a change in condition of the port  18  from the open condition, a third displacement force is applied to the flow control member  14  to effect displacement of the tab from (or out of) the recess  26 . Such displacement is enabled due to the resiliency of the collet finger  22 A. Once the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B has become displaced out of the recess  26 , continued application of the third displacement force to the flow control member  14  (such as, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in an uphole direction) effects displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , from the second position to the third position such that there is a change in condition of the port  18  from an open condition to a screened condition. In some embodiments (see  FIGS. 4 to 7 ), for example, alternatively, the flow control member  14  is also displaceable from the second position to the first position to effect re-closure of the port  18  (i.e. a change in disposition of the port  18  from the open condition to the closed condition, such as, for example, for the reasons described above), and in order to effect re-closure of the port  18 , a fourth displacement force is applied to the flow control member  14  to effect displacement of the tab  22 B from (or out of) the recess  26 , again, owing to to the resiliency of the collet finger  22 A. Once the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B has become displaced out of the recess  26 , continued application of the second displacement force to the flow control member  14  (such as, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 7 , in an uphole direction) effects displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , such that there is a change in condition of the port  18  from the open condition to the closed condition. 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIGS. 3, 7, and 10 , while the flow control member  14  is disposed in the third position (i.e. the port  18  is disposed in the screened condition), the flow control member-engaging collet  22  is engaging the flow control member  14  such that interference or resistance is being effected to displacement of the flow control member  14 . The flow control member  14  includes a screened condition-defining recess  28 . The at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger  22 A and the recess  28  are co-operatively configured such that while the port  18  is disposed in the screened condition, the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B is disposed within the screened condition-defining recess  28 . In order to effect a change in condition of the port  18  from the screened condition, a fifth displacement force is applied to the flow control member  14  to effect displacement of the tab  22 B from (or out of) the recess  28 . Such displacement is enabled due to the resiliency of the collet finger  22 A. Once the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  22 B has become displaced out of the recess  28 , depending on the configuration of the apparatus (see below), displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , in some embodiments, is only effectible such that the port  18  becomes disposed in the closed condition, or, in some embodiments, is only effectible such that the port  18  becomes disposed in the open condition, or, in some embodiment, is effectible such that the port  18  is disposable in either one of the open or closed conditions. 
         [0084]    In some embodiments, for example, while the apparatus  10  is being deployed downhole, the flow control member  14  is maintained in a position, by one or more shear pins, such that the port  18  remain disposed in the closed condition. The one or more shear pins are provided to secure the flow control member to the wellbore string so that the passage  16  is maintained fluidically isolated from the reservoir until it is desired to treat the reservoir with treatment material. To effect the initial displacement of the flow control member  14  from the first position to the second position, sufficient force must be applied to the one or more shear pins such that the one or more shear pins become sheared, resulting in the flow control member  14  becoming displaceable relative to the port  18 . In some operational implementations, the force that effects the shearing is applied by a workstring (see below). 
         [0085]    In some embodiments, for example, the displacement forces are applied to the flow control member  14  mechanically, hydraulically, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, for example, the applied forces are mechanical forces, and such forces are applied by one or more shifting tools. In some embodiments, for example, the applied forces are hydraulic, and are applied by a pressurized fluid. 
         [0086]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 7, 7A, and 7B  in some embodiments, for example, the apparatus  10  includes a hard stop engager  32 , and the flow control member  14  is configured for becoming coupled to the hard stop engager  32  during the displacement of the flow control member  14  relative to the port  18 . In some embodiments, for example, the hard stop engager carries a snap-ring  34 . In this respect, the flow control member  14  includes a receiving recess  36  for receiving the snap-ring  34  when the receiving recess becomes aligned with the snap-ring. Such alignment is configured to be effected after the flow control member  14  has become unlocked relative to the housing  12 , and has become displaced from its original position while locked (i.e. the first position). 
         [0087]    As discussed above, the flow control member  14  is displaceable, relative to the port  18 , from the first position, corresponding to disposition of the port  18  in the closed condition, to the second position, corresponding to disposition of the port  18  in the open condition. Prior to being coupled to the hard stop engager  32 , the displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , is limited between these positions, by the hard stops  36 ,  38 . 
         [0088]    In some embodiments, for example, the displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , is only effectible after the flow control member  14  becomes unlocked from the housing  12 . In this respect, while the flow control member  14  is locked to the housing  12 , the flow control member  14  is uncoupled from the hard stop engager  32 . In some embodiments, while locked to the housing  12 , the flow control member  14  is positioned in the first position such that the port  14  is disposed in the closed condition, and the displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , is only effectible after the flow control member  14  becomes unlocked from the housing  12  and displaced from the first position. 
         [0089]    In some embodiments, after unlocking of the flow control member  14 , the flow control member  14  is displaceable, relative to the port  18 , from the first position, corresponding to disposition of the port in the closed condition, and to the second position, corresponding to disposition of the port  18  in the open condition, prior to the coupling of the flow control member  14  to the hard stop engager  32 . 
         [0090]    The coupling of the flow control member  14  to the hard stop engager  32  is such that, while the flow control member  14  is coupled to the hard stop engager  32 , the hard stop engager  32  translates with the flow control member  14 , and the displacement of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , becomes limited by the hard stop  40 , in response to engagement of the hard stop engager  32  with the hard stop  40 . In this respect, upon the engagement of the hard stop engager  32  with the hard stop  40 , the flow control member  14  becomes disposed, relative to the port  18  in a position corresponding to the disposition of the port  18  in the screened condition. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3, 7A and 7B  in some embodiments, for example, upon the coupling of the flow control member  14  with the hard stop engager  32 , the flow control member  14  is restricted from returning to the first position (i.e. that position corresponding to disposition of the port  18  in the closed condition). In some of these embodiments, for example, where the hard stop engager  32  carries a snap-ring  34 , while the flow control member  14  is locked to the housing  12 , the snap-ring  34  is disposed downhole relative to the receiving recess  36  (that is configured to receive the snap-ring  34  when alignment is effected between the snap-ring  34  and the receiving recess  36 ). In this respect, after the unlocking of the flow control member  14  from the housing  12 , downhole displacement of the flow control member  14  from the first position to the second position (to effect opening of the port  18 ) effects the alignment, resulting in coupling of the flow control member  14  to the hard stop engager  32 . Because the coupling of the hard stop engager  32  to the flow control member  14  is effected as the flow control member  14  is displaced downhole from the first position to the second position to effect opening of the port  18 , the flow control member  14  can now no longer return, by uphole displacement, to re-close the port  18 , due to the interference provided by the hard stop  40  to the uphole displacement of the hard stop engager  32 . Instead, in response to uphole displacement of the flow control member  14  from the second position, the flow control member  14  stops short of the first position upon the hard stop engager  32  engaging the hard stop  40 , and the flow control member  14  becomes disposed, relative to the port  18 , in a position corresponding to the disposition of the port  18  in the screened condition. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 7, 7A and 7B  in some embodiments, for example, upon the coupling of the flow control member  14  with the hard stop engager  32 , the flow control member  14  is restricted from returning to the second position (i.e. that position corresponding to disposition of the port  18  in the open condition). In some of these embodiments, for example, where the hard stop engager  32  carries a snap-ring  34 , while the flow control member  14  is locked to the housing  12 , the snap-ring  34  is disposed uphole relative to the receiving recess  36  (that is configured to receive the snap-ring  34  when alignment is effected between the snap-ring  34  and the receiving recess  36 ), such that, after the unlocking of the flow control member  14  from the housing  12 , the alignment is only effected by uphole displacement of the flow control member  14 . So, if the initial displacement of the flow control member  14 , upon the unlocking of the flow control member  14 , is in the downhole direction to the second position, for effecting opening of the port  18  (such as, for example, to enable supplying of hydraulic fracturing fluid through the port  18 ), the alignment, and the resultant coupling, is only effected once the flow control member  14 , after having opened the port  18 , is displaced in an uphole direction to re-close the port  18 . In order to effect the alignment, and the resultant coupling, the uphole displacement of the flow control member  14  is such that the flow control member  14  becomes displaced slightly uphole relative to its position when previously locked to the housing  12  (in this context, such position is considered to be a “first position”, as the port  18  is closed when the flow control member  14  is disposed in this position), the uphole displacement being limited by the stop  38 . Because the coupling of the hard stop engager  32  to the flow control member  14  is effected as the flow control member  14  is displaced uphole from the second position to the first position to effect re-closing of the port  18 , the flow control member  14  can now no longer return, by downhole displacement, to the second position, such that the port  18  becomes disposed in the open condition, due to the interference provided by the hard stop  40  to the downhole displacement of the hard stop engager  32 . Instead, in response to downhole displacement of the flow control member  14 , after the flow control member  14  becomes coupled to the hard stop engager  32 , the flow control member  14  stops short of the second position upon the hard stop engager  32  engaging the hard stop  40 , and the flow control member  14  becomes disposed, relative to the port  18 , in a position corresponding to the disposition of the port  18  in the screened condition. 
         [0093]    In some embodiments, for example, the hard stop engager  32  is disposed within the passage  16 , between the flow control member  14  and the housing  12 . In some embodiments, for example, the hard stop engager  32  is in the form of a sleeve. 
         [0094]    In some embodiments, for example, and referring to  FIGS. 8 to 10 , the housing  12  includes a hard stop  42  and the flow control member  14  includes a j-slot  44  (see  FIGS. 11 and 13 ). In some embodiments, the j-slot  44  is provided in the external surface of the flow control member  14 . The hard stop  42  is disposed for displacement, relative to the flow control member  14 , within the j-slot  44 , while the flow control member  14  is being displaced, relative to the port  18 , and co-operates with the j-slot such that displacement of the flow control member  14  is limited such that at least one of the first, second and third positions of the flow control member  14 , relative to the port  18 , is established by the limiting of the displacement of the flow control member  14  by the interaction between the hard stop  42  and the j-slot  44  (see  FIG. 13 ). 
         [0095]    In some embodiments, for example, the hard stop  42  includes one or more pins depending from a clutch ring  46  (see  FIG. 12 ) that is integrated within the housing  12  and is rotationally independent from the housing  12 . Each one of the one or more pins are disposed within the j-slot  44  for travel within the j-slot. Positions of the hard stop  42  within the j-slot  44 , and corresponding to each one of the open, closed and screened positions, is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0096]    In some embodiments, for example, while the apparatus  10  is being deployed downhole, the flow control member  14  is maintained in a position, by one or more shear pins (not shown), such that the port  18  remain disposed in the closed condition, as described above. 
         [0097]    In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 10 , the flow control member  14  is displaceable between the first, second and third positions by application of a force (such as, for example, a mechanical force, a hydraulic force, or a combination of a mechanical and a hydraulic force) to the flow control member  14 . In some embodiments, for example, the applied force is a mechanical force, and such force is applied by a shifting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the applied force is hydraulic, and is applied by a pressurized fluid. 
         [0098]    In some of those embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in some of those embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 7 , and in some of those embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 10 , for example, all of the displacement forces are imparted by a shifting tool, and the shifting tool is integrated within a bottom hole assembly that includes other functionalities. The bottomhole assembly may be deployed within the wellbore on a workstring. Suitable workstrings include tubing string, wireline, cable, or other suitable suspension or carriage systems. Suitable tubing strings include jointed pipe, concentric tubing, or coiled tubing. The workstring includes a fluid passage, extending from the surface, and disposed in, or disposable to assume, fluid communication with the fluid conducting structure of the tool. The workstring is coupled to the bottomhole assembly such that forces applied to the workstring are translated to the bottomhole assembly to actuate movement of the flow control member  14 . All of the displacement forces are impartable in such embodiments by a shifting tool that is actuable by a workstring because, for amongst other reasons, each one of the first, second, and third positions are determined by a respective hard stop, and which, therefore, facilitates the positioning of the flow control member  14  such that positioning of flow control member is not entirely dependent on the manipulation of the shifting tool. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIGS. 14 to 16 , in some embodiments, for example, rather than having flow control member  14 , the apparatus  10  includes first and second flow control members  114 A,  114 B. The flow control member  114 B includes the screen  20 . 
         [0100]    The first flow control member  114 A is displaceable from a closed port condition-defining position to a non-closed port condition-defining position. The second flow control member  114 B is positionable in a screened port condition-defining position. 
         [0101]    The first flow control member  114 A co-operates with the second flow control member  114 B such that: (i) disposition of the first flow control member  114 A in the closed port condition-defining position is conditional on the second flow control member  114 B being disposed in a retracted position relative to the screened port condition-defining position, and the disposition of the first flow control member  114 A in the closed port condition-defining position corresponds to the port  18  being disposed in the closed condition, (ii) disposition of the second flow control member  114 B in the screened port condition-defining position is conditional on the first flow control member  114 A being disposed in a retracted position relative to the closed port condition-defining position, and the disposition of the second flow control member  114 B in the screened port condition-defining position corresponds to the port  18  being disposed in the screened condition, and (iii) while the first flow control member  114 A is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position and the second flow control member  114 B is disposed in a retracted position relative to the screened port condition-defining position, the port  18  is disposed in an open condition. The closed, open and screened conditions of the port  18  are as above-described. 
         [0102]    In some embodiments, for example, the first flow control member  114 A is disposed one of uphole or downhole relative to the second flow control member  114 B. In this respect, in some of these embodiments, for example, the first flow control member  114 A co-operates with the second flow control member  114 B such that: (i) disposition of the first flow control member  114 A in the closed port condition-defining position is conditional on the second flow control member  114 B being disposed in a retracted position relative to the screened port condition-defining position in a direction that is the other one of uphole or downhole (in the illustrated embodiment, this is in the uphole direction), and the disposition of the first flow control member  114 A in the closed port condition-defining position corresponds to the port  18  being disposed in the closed condition; (ii) disposition of the second flow control member  114 B in the screened port condition-defining position is conditional on the first flow control member  114 A being disposed in a retracted position relative to the closed port condition-defining position in a direction that is the one of uphole or downhole (in the illustrated embodiment, this is in the downhole direction), and the disposition of the second flow control member  114 B in the screened port condition-defining position corresponds to the port  18  being disposed in the screened condition, and (iii) while the first flow control member  114 A is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position and the second flow control member  114 B is disposed in a retracted position relative to the screened port condition-defining position in a direction that is the other one of uphole or downhole (in the illustrated embodiment, this is in the uphole direction), the port  18  is disposed in an open condition. 
         [0103]    In some embodiments, for example, a flow control member-engaging collet  122  extends from the housing  12 , and is configured to engage the flow control member  114 A for resisting a change in disposition of the flow control member. In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, the flow control member-engaging collet  122  includes at least one resilient flow control member-engaging collet finger  122 A, and each one of the at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger includes a tab  122 B that engages the flow control member. The flow control member  114 A and the flow control member-engaging collet  122  are co-operatively configured so that engagement of the flow control member and the flow control member-engaging collet is effected while the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the closed port condition-defining position or the non-closed port condition-defining position. 
         [0104]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , while the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the closed port condition-defining position (i.e. the port  18  is disposed in the closed condition) the flow control member-engaging collet  122  is engaging the flow control member  114 A such that interference or resistance is being effected to displacement of the flow control member. The flow control member  114 A includes a closed condition-defining recess  130 . The at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger  122 A and the recess  124  are co-operatively configured such that while the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the closed port condition-defining position, the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  122 B is disposed within the closed condition-defining recess  124 . In order to effect displacement of the first flow control member  114 A from the closed port condition-defining position to the non-closed port condition-defining position, and thereby effect opening of the port  18 , a FCM (“first flow control member) displacement force is applied to the flow control member  114 A to effect displacement of the tab  122 B from (or out of) the recess  124 . Such displacement is enabled due to the resiliency of the collet finger  122 A. Once the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  122 B has become displaced out of the recess  124 , continued application of force to the flow control member  114 A (such as, in the illustrated embodiment, in a downhole direction) effects displacement of the flow control member  114 A, relative to the port  18 , such that there is a change in condition of the port  18  from a closed condition to an open condition (see  FIG. 15 ). 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , upon becoming disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position, the flow control member-engaging collet  122  engages the flow control member  114 A such that interference or resistance is being effected to displacement of the flow control member, relative to the port  18 , from the non-closed port condition-defining position. The flow control member  114 A includes a non-closed condition-defining recess  126 . The at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger  122 A and the recess  124  are co-operatively configured such that while the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position (such that the port  18  is disposed in the open condition), the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  122 B is disposed within the non-closed condition-defining recess  124 . 
         [0106]    In some embodiments, for example, a flow control member-engaging collet  1022  extends from the housing  12 , and is configured to engage the flow control member  114 B for resisting displacement of the flow control member  14  relative to the port  18 . In this respect, in some embodiments, for example, the flow control member-engaging collet  1022  includes at least one resilient flow control member-engaging collet finger  1022 A, and each one of the at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger includes a tab  1022 B that engages the flow control member  114 B. The flow control member  114 B and the flow control member-engaging collet  1022  are co-operatively configured so that engagement of the flow control member  14  and the flow control member-engaging collet  1022  is effected while the flow control member  114 B is disposed in a retracted position relative to the screened port condition-defining position. 
         [0107]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , while the flow control member  114 B is disposed in a retracted position, relative to screened port condition-defining position, the flow control member-engaging collet  1022  is engaging the flow control member  114 B such that interference or resistance is being effected to displacement of the flow control member. The flow control member  114 B includes a retracted condition-defining recess  1024 . The at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger  1022 A and the recess  1024  are co-operatively configured such that while the flow control member  114 B is disposed in the retracted position, relative to screened port condition-defining position, the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  1022 B is disposed within the retracted condition-defining recess  1024 . While the flow control member  114 A is disposed in a retracted position, relative to the closed port condition-defining position (such as, for example, while the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position), and while the flow control member  114 B is disposed in the retracted position, relative to screened port condition-defining position, the flow control member  114 B is displaceable to the screened port condition-defining position. In order to effect displacement of the first flow control member  114 B from the retracted position, relative to screened port condition-defining position, to the screened port condition-defining position, and thereby effect disposition of the port  18  in a screened condition, a SCM (“second flow control member”) displacement force is applied to the flow control member  114 B to effect displacement of the tab  1022 B from (or out of) the recess  1024 . Such displacement is enabled due to the resiliency of the collet finger  1022 A. Once the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  1022 B has become displaced out of the recess  1024 , continued application of force to the flow control member  114 B (such as, in the illustrated embodiment, in a downhole direction) effects displacement of the flow control member  114 B such that there is a change in condition of the port  18  from the open condition to the screened condition (see  FIG. 16 ). 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , upon the flow control member  114 B becoming disposed in the screened port condition-defining position, the flow control member-engaging collet  1022  engages the flow control member  114 B such that interference or resistance is being effected to displacement of the flow control member  14  from the second port condition-defining position. The flow control member  114 B includes a screened condition-defining recess  1026 . The at least one flow control member-engaging collet finger  1022 A and the recess  1026  are co-operatively configured such that while the flow control member  114 B is disposed in the screened port condition-defining position (such that the port  18  is disposed in the screened condition), the flow control member-engaging collet finger tab  1022 B is disposed within the screened condition-defining recess  1026 . 
         [0109]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , in some embodiments, while the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position, the flow control member  114 A functions as a hard stop, limiting displacement of the flow control member  114 B, from the screened port condition-defining position, in a direction that is the one of uphole or downhole (in the illustrated embodiment, this is in the downhole direction) from the screened port condition-defining position. In some of these embodiments, for example, the housing defines a hard stop  1201  for limiting displacement of the flow control member  114 A, while the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position, in a direction that is the one of uphole or downhole (in the illustrated embodiment, this is in the downhole direction) from the non-closed port condition-defining position. 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , in some embodiments, while the flow control member  114 B is disposed in the retracted position, relative to screened port condition-defining position, the flow control member  114 B functions as a hard stop, limiting displacement of the flow control member  114 A, from the closed port condition-defining position, in a direction that is the other one of uphole or downhole (in the illustrated embodiment, this is in the uphole direction) from the closed port condition-defining position. In some of these embodiments, for example, the housing defines a hard stop  1203  for limiting displacement of the flow control member  114 B, while the flow control member  114 B is disposed in a retracted position, relative to the screened port condition-defining position, in a direction that is the other one of uphole or downhole (in the illustrated embodiment, this is in the uphole direction) from the retracted position. 
         [0111]    In some embodiments, for example, while the apparatus  10  is being deployed downhole, the flow control member  114 A is maintained in a position, by one or more shear pins (not shown), such that the port  18  remain disposed in the closed condition, as described above. 
         [0112]    Each one of the flow control members  114 A,  114 B is displaceable by application of a force (such as, for example, a mechanical force, a hydraulic force, or a combination of a mechanical and a hydraulic force) to the flow control member  14 . In some embodiments, for example, the applied force is a mechanical force, and such force is applied by a shifting tool, such as one that is integrated within a bottomhole assembly (as above-described). In some embodiments, for example, the applied force is hydraulic, and is applied by a pressurized fluid. 
         [0113]    Upon the apparatus  10  being deployed downhole to a desired location, the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the closed port condition-defining position and the flow control member  114 B is disposed in a retracted position relative to screened port condition-defining position. To effect opening of the port  18 , a FCM displacement force is applied to the flow control member  114 A, resulting in displacement of tab  122 B from the recess  124 . While continuing to apply the FCM displacement force, displacement of the flow control member  114 A, relative to the port  18 , is effected from the closed port condition-defining position until the flow control member becomes disposed in contact engagement with the hard stop  1201 . Upon becoming disposed in contact engagement with the hard stop  1201 , the flow control member  114 A is disposed in the non-closed port condition-defining position. The port  18  is now in the open condition, and hydraulic fracturing fluid may be supplied into the subterranean formation through the port  18 . 
         [0114]    After the supplying of the hydraulic fracturing fluid has finished such that the supplying has become suspended, the port  18  can be reclosed by shifting the flow control member  114 A to the closed port condition-defining position, or the port  18  can be transitioned to the screened condition, thereby enabling production. 
         [0115]    To transition the port  18  to the screened condition, the flow control member  114 B is shifted to the screened port condition-defining position. In order to transition the port  18  to the screened condition, a SCM displacement force is applied to the flow control member  114 B, resulting in displacement of tab  1022 B from the recess  1026 . While continuing to apply the SCM displacement force, displacement of the flow control member  114 B is effected from the retracted position, relative to screened port condition-defining position, until the flow control member  114 B becomes disposed in contact engagement with the flow control member  114 A, which limits further displacement of the flow control member  114 B. Upon becoming disposed in contact engagement with the flow control member  114 A, the flow control member  114 B is disposed in the screened port condition-defining position. The port  18  is now in the screened condition such that fluid communication is effected between the wellbore and the subterranean formation, enabling production of reservoir fluids, while still preventing entry of oversize solids into the wellbore during such production. In this respect, the flow control member  114 A functions as a hard stop, defining the screened port condition-defining position of the flow control member  114 A. 
         [0116]    In the above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the present disclosure. Although certain dimensions and materials are described for implementing the disclosed example embodiments, other suitable dimensions and/or materials may be used within the scope of this disclosure. All such modifications and variations, including all suitable current and future changes in technology, are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the present disclosure. All references mentioned are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4