A technique facilitates improved setting of downhole devices, e.g. frac plugs. The technique utilizes a setting tool, e.g. a disposable setting tool, which integrates the functionality of a wireline adapter kit to provide a compact disposable solution for setting downhole devices. The setting tool comprises a self metering system which slows an otherwise violent setting action to a controlled setting sequence. The self metering system enables avoidance of the use of slow burn charges sometimes used in conventional setting tools.

A whipstock system and methods are disclosed, including a whipstock body, a control unit mounted on or in the whipstock body, the control unit comprising transmitters and receivers operable to receive commands from an external source, activatable components mounted on or in the whipstock body, and a hydraulic system in the whipstock body, the hydraulic system in communication with the control unit, the hydraulic system including at last one hydraulic power unit operable to repeatedly activate and de-activate the activatable components.

A sub connects a gun string to a hydraulically activated setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well. The sub includes a housing that prevents a well fluid from entering inside the housing; a plug that covers a hole made in a wall of the housing; and an explosive mechanism located inside the housing and configured to break the plug to open the hole to achieve fluid communication between an outside and the inside of the sub.

An inverted seal including a disintegrable body, one or more inside dimension seals disposed in the body. A method for removing an inverted seal from a downhole environment including exposing the body of the inverted seal to a condition to which it is responsive, disintegrating a portion of the body. A method for deploying a conventional seal after an inverted seal in a borehole including positioning an inverted seal in a downhole location, utilizing the inverted seal for its intended purpose, removing at least a portion of a body of the inverted seal, running a conventional seal further downhole of the location of the inverted seal.

A setting tool can include a generally tubular cylinder, a generally tubular piston sealingly and reciprocably received in the cylinder, and a rod separately secured to the piston, the rod blocking an axial end of a power charge chamber formed in the piston. Another setting tool can include a generally tubular cylinder, a generally tubular piston sealingly and reciprocably received in the cylinder, a rod separately secured to the piston, and at least one port that provides fluid communication between the power charge chamber and an annular space formed radially between the cylinder and the rod. The port intersects an end surface of the piston between the cylinder and the rod.

A method and apparatus are disclosed that use a control line to expand a piston that shears pins to disconnect a latching system for wellbore operations.

A setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well includes a housing having a floating piston that separates a pressure chamber from a hydraulic chamber; and a plug that is removably located in a through passage of the floating piston. The through passage fluidly connects the pressure chamber to the hydraulic chamber, and the plug prevents a fluid to move from the pressure chamber to the hydraulic chamber or from the hydraulic chamber to the pressure chamber when attached to the floating piston.

Provided is a communications sub. The communications sub, in one aspect, includes a fluid chamber, and a pressure-activated indexing device positioned within the fluid chamber, the pressure-activated indexing device including a lock mandrel configured to incrementally move between an engaged state and a disengaged state when subjected to two or more pressure cycles. The communications sub, in accordance with one aspect, further includes a latch body positioned in the fluid chamber, the latch body configured to be fixed in place by the lock mandrel and close a fluid path from the fluid chamber to a control line when the lock mandrel is in the engaged state, and configured to be allowed to move and open the fluid path from the fluid chamber to the control line when the lock mandrel is in the disengaged state.

An assembly of a setting tool in combination with a delivery tool for an adaptive support allows delivery of the adaptive support in a condition where it stores potential energy. Relative movement between a mandrel and a surrounding sleeve allows release of the adaptive support at a desired subterranean location. The relative movement to release the adaptive support comes from a setting tool that has a setting sleeve and a supporting connection to the mandrel of the delivery tool. The setting sleeve, when triggered to move by preferably an explosive charge, engages a piston rod assembly supported by the delivery tool mandrel for tandem movement to a mandrel travel stop. The tandem movement is regulated, preferably in the delivery tool, with regulation of fluid flow through a restriction to eliminate component failure due to high impact loads when the travel stop is engaged.

A hydraulically activated setting tool for setting an auxiliary tool in a well, the setting tool including a housing that prevents a well fluid from entering inside the housing; a floating piston placed inside the housing and closing an end of a pressure chamber; an attached piston placed inside the housing and configured to actuate the auxiliary tool; a fluid chamber located between the floating piston and the attached piston, wherein the fluid chamber holds a fluid; and a communication element configured to establish a fluid communication between an outside and an inside of the housing. The fluid communication makes a well fluid in the well to directly act on the floating piston.