Wells – Processes – Parallel string or multiple completion well
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-18
2002-08-06
Schoeppel, Roger (Department: 3672)
Wells
Processes
Parallel string or multiple completion well
C166S382000, C166S384000, C166S050000, C166S117600, C175S061000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06427777
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a system and method for creating multiple lateral wells through a wall of a common well bore which enables lateral and longitudinal orientation of the system at multiple lateral and longitudinal positions in the common well bore and positive, selective reentry of each lateral well.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several advantages are provided by drilling relatively high angle, deviated or lateral wells from a generally common well bore such as a) access to the regular oil and gas reserves without additional wells being drilled from the surface, b) avoiding unwanted formation fluids, c) penetration of natural vertical fractures, and d) improved production from various types of formations or oil and gas reserves. Additionally, reentry of one or more lateral wells is often required to perform completion work, additional drilling, or remedial and stimulation work. Thus, lateral wells have become commonplace from the standpoint of new drilling operations and reworking existing well bores, including remedial and stimulation work.
Ordinarily, lateral well completion and/or reentry requires expensive downhole wireline surveys to accurately position the diverter or whipstock which is used to direct the boring or completion tool through a wall of a generally vertical well bore into the adjacent formation. Without a survey, the lateral well formed may not be accurately recorded for purposes of reentry. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,304,299; 4,807,704; and 5,704,437 each describe a method and/or apparatus for producing lateral wells from a generally vertical common well bore using conventional techniques and tools. In each instance, one or more lateral wells may be produced at a different depth and location in the common well bore and reentered. Consequently, the whipstock must be repositioned at the new depth and location. Each time the whipstock is repositioned at a different depth and location, the change in depth and lateral orientation relative to a point of reference is recorded. In most applications using conventional threaded connections as thus described, the exact depth and location of each lateral well formed cannot be accurately or efficiently recreated using the same system and technique. As a result, a downhole directional survey is necessary to relocate the exact depth and location of each lateral well upon reentry.
Recognizing the disadvantages of the foregoing techniques, U.S. Pat. No. 2,839,270 and, more recently, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,350 have attempted to address the need for a more accurate method and/or apparatus for producing, relocating and reentering lateral wells without the need for a directional survey. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,839,270 describes a technique for selectively forming a lateral well through a wall of a common well bore at a predetermined depth and lateral orientation by means of a supporting apparatus which includes apertures formed at predetermined locations in the supporting apparatus. The apertures determine the relative depth and lateral orientation of each lateral well and are prefabricated according to the particular common well bore in which the supporting apparatus is installed. The whipstock is then positioned using one or more specially designed latches which engage a correspondingly designed aperture for receipt of the respective latch.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,350 describes a method and system for creating lateral wells at preselected positions in a common well bore by means of a diverter assembly having a plurality of locator keys specially designed to engage a corresponding nipple formed in the well bore casing having a unique profile. Although this technique may be employed in new and existing wells, it is expensive and, in some instances, inappropriate because the prefabricated keys and nipples are permanently and integrally formed according to the particular formation characteristics of the common well bore in which the system is installed.
Notwithstanding the conventional attempts at obtaining cost effective and efficient lateral well completion, there is a recognized need for new and improved methods and devices. In particular, there is a need for a cost effective and efficient system and technique for completion of lateral wells which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and may be utilized on new and pre-existing wells. Moreover, there is a need for a technique and system for completion of lateral wells which may be used in a variety of new or preexisting well bores to create and reenter a plurality of different lateral wells without the need for expensive directional surveys or prefabricated equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a system and method for creating lateral wells through a wall in a common well bore which may be used in new and preexisting well bores to vary the depth and lateral orientation of each lateral well in a cost-efficient and timely manner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for creating lateral wells through a wall in a common well bore which may be reinstalled in a particular well bore in order to relocate each lateral well for selective reentry.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide for the use of conventional and/or standardized equipment in the formation and reentry of multiple lateral wells.
In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides an improved system for creating multiple lateral wells through a wall of the common well bore extending from the earth's surface or other point of drilling and completion operations. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an anchor, an orienting member, an extension member, a diverter, and a probe. The anchor includes a packer secured within the common well bore at a predetermined position. The anchor, or packer, also includes a longitudinal reference point and a lateral reference point. The orienting member includes a muleshoe and stinger assembly slidably engaged within the anchor for initial orientation of the system relative to the lateral reference point. The extension member has a first end releasably connected to the orienting member and a second end. The diverter includes a whipstock with an angled or arcuate face which is releasably connected to the second end of the extension member. The probe includes a boring tool which is releasably connected to the diverter for creating a lateral well when the face of the diverter directs the probe toward the wall of the common well bore upon release of the probe from the diverter. This embodiment of the system enables lateral orientation of the diverter at multiple positions relative to the lateral reference point, positioning the diverter at multiple longitudinal positions relative to the longitudinal reference point, and reentry of each of the respective lateral wells created. Each connection between the first end and second end of the extension member and the respective orienting member and diverter restricts rotational and translational movement of each respective connection upon makeup and maintains alignment between the first end and second end of the extension member and the respective orienting member and diverter in a single direction.
In another preferred embodiment wherein the extension member includes one or more segments for positioning the diverter at multiple longitudinal positions, each segment is releasably connected to another respective segment. Each connection between the segments restricts rotational and translational movement of the connection upon makeup. One connection between the plurality of segments enables alignment between the respectively connected segments in multiple directions while the remaining connections maintain alignment between the respective segments in a single direction. The connection enabling alignment in multiple directions is used to laterally orient the diverter in multiple lateral directions and the
Jensen William P.
KMK Trust
Schoeppel Roger
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
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