A method of actuating at least one of a plurality of downhole tools connected to at least one hydraulic fluid line is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) providing each of the downhole tools with a control unit comprising a timer which permits fluid communication between the at least one hydraulic fluid line and the downhole tool during a window of time; and b) controlling the pressure in the at least one hydraulic fluid line for at least a sufficient period of time required to at least actuate the said downhole tool, wherein the said sufficient period of time coincides at least partially with the said window of time. A control unit for operating one or more than one of a plurality of downhole tools connected to at least one hydraulic fluid line is also disclosed as including a timer associated with each of the one or more downhole tools, the timer permitting hydraulic fluid to communicate with the respective downhole tool if supplied via the at least one hydraulic fluid line during a window of time. A timer apparatus for use in downhole wellbore for permitting controlled activation of a downhole tool at a point in time is also disclosed as including a valve associated with an energy storage mechanism and which is arranged to move the valve when the energy is released to actuate the downhole tool. A system of downhole tools is also disclosed as including two or more downhole tools, at least one hydraulic fluid line, wherein each of the two or more downhole tools is connected to the at least one hydraulic fluid line and at least one control unit comprising at least one timer, wherein each of the one or more downhole tools is connected to a timer, said timer permitting hydraulic fluid to communicate with the respective downhole tool. A method of controlling flow downhole in a wellbore is also disclosed.

A valve for use in a wellbore includes a housing including a housing port, a slidable closure member disposed in a bore of the housing and including a closure member port, and a seal disposed in the housing, wherein the closure member includes a first position in the housing where fluid communication is provided between the closure member port and the housing port, and a second position axially spaced from the first position where fluid communication between the closure member port and the housing port is restricted, wherein, in response to sealing of the bore of the housing by an obturating member sealingly engaging the seal, the closure member is configured to actuate from the first position to the second position.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a pressure containment device which includes a housing with a returns outlet port, an injection port, and an overflow outlet port, and a seal assembly with a seal arranged in the housing to surround and enter into a sealing engagement with a tubular body extending along a passage in the housing via a sealing face. The injection port is arranged between the returns outlet port and a first end of the seal. The overflow outlet port is arranged adjacent to a second, opposite, end of the seal and communicates with an upper end of the passage. The upper end of the passage connects to a bell nipple or to a section of a riser pipe and, in use, the overflow outlet port is exposed to a hydrostatic head provided by a fluid in the bell nipple or the section of the riser pipe.

A completion assembly defines a throughbore and comprises an isolation valve configurable between an open state (permitting fluid to flow through the throughbore) and a closed state (preventing fluid from flowing through the throughbore). A method for use in installing the assembly into a wellbore in a single trip comprises running the assembly into the wellbore with the valve in the open state until a downhole end of the assembly reaches a target position; injecting a fluid through the throughbore and the valve when the valve is in the open state; configuring the valve into the closed state; and performing a pressure integrity test of the throughbore above the valve. The valve is configurable between the open and closed states without any requirement for the valve to be mechanically engaged by an activation member or a tool whilst the valve receives power from a power source.

A downhole flow control device includes a housing, an inlet port, an outlet port and a valve seat surface surrounding the inlet port. A valve plate is mounted within the housing to move between an open position in which the valve plate is separated from the valve seat surface to define a separation flow path therebetween to permit flow in a forward direction from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and a closed position in which the valve plate is engaged with the valve seat surface to close the separation flow path to restrict flow in a reverse direction from the fluid outlet to the fluid inlet. At least one of the valve seat and valve plate defines a geometry to encourage an increase in static pressure of fluid flow in the separation flow path when the valve plate is in the open position.

An apparatus for deployment in a wellbore to control flow of fluids between the wellbore and a subterranean reservoir is provided, comprising: a housing; a port extending through the housing; a passage disposed within the housing; and a flow control member, releasably retained relative to the housing and disposed relative to the port such that the port is disposed in a closed condition, and including a frangible portion. The flow control member, the housing, and the port are co-operatively configured such that, in response to application of a sufficient force for urging displacement of the flow control member in a first direction: the flow control member becomes released from the retention relative to the housing; after the release of the flow control member from the retention relative to the housing, the flow control member is displaced, relative to the port, in the first direction; and while the flow control member is being displaced, relative to the port, in the first direction, the displacement of the flow control member is impeded by an interaction between the flow control member and the housing.

A slow response time tool including a biasing arrangement, a piston in operable communication with the biasing arrangement, a chamber receptive to the piston, a retardation arrangement defining a helical pathway in fluid communication with the chamber.

A port sub comprises one or more standard flow ports, each having a low-pressure port assembly positioned therein to, and at least one control flow port having a high-pressure port assembly positioned therein. The low-pressure port assembly comprises an inner layer having a first rupture pressure and an outer layer configured to remain intact upon the rupturing of the inner layer. The high-pressure port assembly comprises an inner layer having a second rupture pressure that is greater than the first rupture pressure. The high-pressure port assembly is configured to be broken through upon the rupturing of its inner layer to allow fluid flow through the at least one control flow port, thereby allowing a dissolve fluid to flow therethrough to facilitate the disintegration of the outer layer of the low-pressure port assembly to open the one or more standard flow ports.

A method and apparatus that includes an elongated base pipe having an external surface at least partially defining an external region and an internal surface at least partially defining an internal region; and a pressure maintenance device disposed in the base pipe and comprising: a flow path that extends between the internal region and the external region; and a valve having a gas charged chamber, the valve allowing the flow of a fluid from the internal region to the external region through the first flow path when a pressure differential between a pressure associated with the internal region and a pressure associated with the gas charged chamber is less than a maximum pressure threshold and when a pressure differential between the external region and the pressure associated with the gas charged chamber is greater than a minimum pressure threshold.

A valve for use in a wellbore includes a housing including a housing port, a slidable closure member disposed in a bore of the housing and including a closure member port, and a seal disposed in the housing, wherein the closure member includes a first position in the housing where fluid communication is provided between the closure member port and the housing port, and a second position axially spaced from the first position where fluid communication between the closure member port and the housing port is restricted, wherein, in response to sealing of the bore of the housing by an obturating member sealingly engaging the seal, the closure member is configured to actuate from the first position to the second position.