Methods and compositions for performing a sealing operation in a wellbore. An example method introduces a sealant composition into the wellbore while the sealant composition is under shear. The sealant composition comprises a thixotropic material, a conformance gel system, and an aqueous base fluid. The sealant composition is placed into a target location, and applied shear is reduced to the sealant composition when in the target location thereby allowing the sealant composition to thicken in the target location. Fluid flow across the target location is reduced by a fluid seal formed by the thickened sealant composition.

An apparatus and a method of controlling flow communication with an apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow communicator, a flow control member, an uphole-disposed flow interference effector uphole of the flow communicator, and a downhole-disposed flow interference effector downhole of the flow communicator. While each of the uphole-disposed flow interference effector and the downhole-disposed flow interference-effector, independently, is contacting the flow control member, the flow communicator is closed. Displacement of the flow control member, relative to the flow communicator, in the downhole direction, opens the flow communicator. While there is an absence of occlusion of the second uphole-disposed flow interference-effecting member of the uphole-disposed flow interference effector, the flow control member is disposable, relative to the flow communicator, such that each one of the second-uphole disposed flow interference-effecting member and the downhole-disposed flow interference-effector, independently, is contacting the flow control member, such that the flow communicator is closed.

Provided is a seal assembly. The seal assembly, in one aspect, includes a first member, the first member formed of a first material, and a second member overlapping with the first member, the second member formed of a second material, the first and second members defining an overlapping fluid leakage path. The seal assembly according to this aspect further includes a primary seal positioned in the overlapping fluid leakage path, the primary seal configured to prevent fluid from passing from a first side of the overlapping fluid leakage path to a second side of the overlapping fluid leakage path. The seal assembly according to this aspect additionally includes an expandable metal backup seal positioned in the second side of the overlapping fluid leakage path, the expandable metal backup seal including a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

Provided is a seal assembly. The seal assembly, in one aspect, includes a first member, the first member formed of a first material, and a second member overlapping with the first member, the second member formed of a second material, the first and second members defining an overlapping fluid leakage path. The seal assembly according to this aspect further includes a primary seal positioned in the overlapping fluid leakage path, the primary seal configured to prevent fluid from passing from a first side of the overlapping fluid leakage path to a second side of the overlapping fluid leakage path. The seal assembly according to this aspect additionally includes an expandable metal backup seal positioned in the second side of the overlapping fluid leakage path, the expandable metal backup seal including a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis.

A sealing apparatus includes a swellable metal. The swellable metal, when exposed to a fluid, is transitionable from an initial configuration having an initial volume to an expanded configuration having an increased volume. The swellable metal, upon transitioning to the expanded configuration in an annulus of a fluid channel, forms a seal against a surface of the fluid channel such that fluid communication across the swellable metal in the annulus is at least partially restricted.

Hydrocarbons are produced from a wellbore using a wand member supported within the top end of the casing and a bailer vessel supported within the casing of the wellbore to reciprocate between (i) a lower position submerged in the hydrocarbon fluids at a predetermined depth within the casing such that fluids enter a production chamber of the bailer vessel and (ii) an upper position receiving the wand member therein through an open top of the bailer vessel so as to force the hydrocarbon fluids in the production chamber under pressure through a bottom opening in the wand member and into a receiving chamber of the wand member. The hydrocarbons in the wand member are then discharged to a location externally of the casing for storage.

Hydrocarbons are produced from a wellbore using a wand member supported within the top end of the casing and a bailer vessel supported within the casing of the wellbore to reciprocate between (i) a lower position submerged in the hydrocarbon fluids at a predetermined depth within the casing such that fluids enter a production chamber of the bailer vessel and (ii) an upper position receiving the wand member therein through an open top of the bailer vessel so as to force the hydrocarbon fluids in the production chamber under pressure through a bottom opening in the wand member and into a receiving chamber of the wand member. The hydrocarbons in the wand member are then discharged to a location externally of the casing for storage.

A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.

This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.

This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.