Wells – Processes – Parallel string or multiple completion well
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-07-17
Neuder, William (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Parallel string or multiple completion well
C166S050000, C166S385000, C175S062000, C175S081000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260623
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for utilizing flexible tubing with lateral bore holes, and more particularly to such an apparatus and method in which flexible tubing is directed laterally through a passage in a packer into a lateral bore hole extending from a main well bore.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Heretofore, flexible tubing has been directed laterally through a lateral opening in casing about a main well bore and an elbow has been lowered within the casing to receive the flexible tubing for being directed laterally by the elbow through a lateral opening in the casing for penetrating the surrounding formation. A lateral opening is normally utilized by flexible or coiled tubing for a lateral bore hole in an area of the formation adjacent the opening. A casing may be perforated at different heights in the same pay zone and fluids may be communicated between the perforated areas into the adjacent formation.
It is desirable for certain procedures that lateral bore hole openings for separate lateral bore holes at a similar depth be isolated from each other to prevent fluid communication between different lateral bore holes and to permit different treatments in formations adjacent different lateral openings.
After drilling of a lateral bore hole from a main bore hole, the flexible tubing is withdrawn from the main bore hole and removed to another site. To reenter the main bore hole and utilize a selected lateral opening existing in the casing for identifying a specific lateral bore hole such as required for a well stimulation procedure utilizing coiled tubing, for example, the elbow receiving the flexible tubing must be precisely aligned with the existing lateral opening for the lateral bore hole.
It is an object of the invention to provide a packer for a well bore hole having a lateral opening for a lateral bore hole, the packer sealing about the lateral opening in an inflated position and having a passage therein for guiding flexible tubing from the main bore hole through the lateral opening for the lateral bore hole into the adjacent formation.
A further object of the invention is to provide an orienting structure in the main bore hole below the packer for orienting the packer in the event it is desired to reenter or isolate the lateral bore hole such as required for well stimulation, for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed particularly to an apparatus and method for forming and sealing about a lateral entrance opening to a lateral bore hole utilizing flexible tubing received within an elbow of the packer. The packer has a curved passage therein formed between an upper central entrance opening and a lower side exit opening to receive flexible tubing from the main bore hole and direct the flexible tubing laterally through the exit opening in the packer for forming the lateral entrance opening for the lateral bore hole. The packer is effective upon inflation to seal about the lateral entrance opening in the main bore hole to prevent flow in the annulus or flow to other lateral openings extending from the main bore hole. This permits isolation of the formation adjacent the sealed lateral opening from other areas of the formation as may be desirable for different strata or conditions encountered adjacent other lateral openings in the main bore hole or for different treatments of different strata. The flexible tubing may be utilized for several functions, such as cutting a lateral opening in the casing, water jetting of the formation, or injecting the formation with various fluids, for example.
An orienting structure may be mounted in the bore hole or casing for positioning the packer at a predetermined depth and predetermined angular position in a lateral direction. The orienting structure which is secured within the bore hole at a predetermined depth has a central bore with an orienting key therein and a stinger on the lower end of the packer is guided within the central bore by a tapered cam surface engaging the key. The packer is rotated by the key about its longitudinal axis to the desired angular relation and seated on the orienting structure so that the lateral exit opening of the packer is in axial alignment with the desired lateral opening in the casing for sealing about the lateral opening upon inflation of the packer at the seated position. A gyroscopic orientation tool may be utilized for the initial positioning of the packer without the utilization of an orienting structure. The orientation tool is run in the bore hole by an electric wireline for determining the proper depth and proper orientation as well known. However, in the event it is desired to reenter the well after the packer has been withdrawn, the orientation structure is required including a bridge plug and associated orienting key for alignment of the packer at the predetermined depth and azimuth.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings.
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Jensen William P.
KMK Trust
Neuder William
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
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