EP0900911A2 - Methods of completing and producing a subterranean well and associated apparatus - Google Patents
Methods of completing and producing a subterranean well and associated apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0900911A2 EP0900911A2 EP98307076A EP98307076A EP0900911A2 EP 0900911 A2 EP0900911 A2 EP 0900911A2 EP 98307076 A EP98307076 A EP 98307076A EP 98307076 A EP98307076 A EP 98307076A EP 0900911 A2 EP0900911 A2 EP 0900911A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- wellbore
- tubular string
- tubular
- regulating device
- flow
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 91
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 153
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 110
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 69
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 32
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 31
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 31
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 31
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 66
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 17
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
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- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007792 addition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012217 deletion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037430 deletion Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003801 milling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/14—Obtaining from a multiple-zone well
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/0035—Apparatus or methods for multilateral well technology, e.g. for the completion of or workover on wells with one or more lateral branches
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/12—Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
Definitions
- the releasing step may be performed after the first tubular string has entered the second wellbore.
- the releasing step may further comprise engaging the deflection device with a structure positioned within the second wellbore.
- the releasing step may further comprise applying an axially compressive force to the deflection device after the engaging step.
- the method may further comprise the steps of: flowing a fluid between the third tubular string and a formation intersected by the second wellbore portion; regulating flow of the fluid with the second regulating device; and flowing the fluid into an annulus formed between the third tubular string and the third wellbore portion.
- a lateral wellbore 22 is to be drilled so that it intersects the parent wellbore 12 at an intersection 24.
- a whipstock assembly 26 is positioned in the parent wellbore 12 and oriented so that an upper inclined deflection surface 28 formed on a generally tubular whipstock 30 is adjacent the intersection 24 and faces toward the lateral wellbore-to-be-drilled 22.
- the whipstock assembly 26 is anchored to, and sealingly engaged with, the casing 16 by means of a packer 32 attached to the whipstock 30.
- a tailpipe 34 or other tubular member, such as a conventional PBR, is attached to, and extends downwardly from, the packer 32.
- the tubular member 34 may be a mandrel of the packer 32.
- the deflection device 62 has been released for axial displacement relative to the remainder of the tailpipe 52 by engaging the deflection device with an upper PBR 82 attached to the liner 42 and applying an axially downwardly directed force to the deflection device by manipulation of the apparatus 46 from the earth's surface. As described above, however, release of the deflection device 62 may be accomplished by other methods without departing from the principles of the present invention.
- the deflection device 120 is shown in FIGS. 6A-6B in a configuration in which it is run into a well. It includes an engagement portion 122, one or more release members 124, a blocking device 126, an inner generally tubular mandrel 128 and an outer generally tubular housing 130.
- the outer housing 130 is shown radially outwardly surrounding a representative item of equipment, a packer 132, but it is to be clearly understood that the housing may overlie any item of equipment, or any combination of equipment desired, with appropriate modification to the housing.
- the packer 132 is threadedly attached to the inner mandrel 128, and the inner mandrel is threadedly attached to a tubing string 134 extending upwardly therefrom.
- the inner mandrel 128 is prevented from displacing axially relative to the housing 130, release members 124 and engagement portion 122 by the blocking member 126.
- the blocking member 126 is representatively a generally C-shaped member which is radially outwardly disposed to engage a sleeve 136 threadedly attached to the housing 130.
- the blocking member 126 is retained on the inner mandrel 128 by a retainer 138 threadedly attached to the inner mandrel.
- the housing 130 is configured so that it will deflect off of a deflection surface, such as the deflection surface 28.
- the housing 130 may have a larger diameter than the bore 36 of the whipstock 30, or may be otherwise shaped to prevent its insertion through another member.
- the housing is threadedly attached to the release members 124, sleeve 136 and engagement portion 122 (the engagement portion and release members being integrally formed as shown in FIG. 6A), thereby making up an outer assembly 140.
- the release members 124 are axially elongated and circumferentially spaced apart, so that they are resilient. That is, they may be radially inwardly deflected. Note that a radially inwardly extending projection 146 formed on each release member 124 is in radial contact with the blocking member 126. Thus, it will be readily appreciated that if the release members 124 are radially inwardly deflected. the blocking member 126 will also be radially inwardly displaced thereby, and the inner mandrel 128 will no longer be secured by the blocking member relative to the outer assembly 140. However, one or more shear pins 148 installed through the sleeve 136 and into the mandrel 128 will still releasably secure the inner mandrel 128 against axial displacement relative to the outer assembly 140.
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- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Flow Control (AREA)
- Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
- Pipeline Systems (AREA)
- Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
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Abstract
Apparatus is also disclosed.
Description
- The present invention relates generally to operations performed in subterranean wells and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides apparatus and methods for completing and producing a subterranean well having multiple wellbores.
- It is well known in the art of drilling subterranean wells to form a parent bore into the earth and then to form one or more bores extending laterally therefrom. Generally, the parent bore is first cased and cemented, and then a tool known as a whipstock is positioned in the parent bore casing. The whipstock is specially configured to deflect milling bits, drill bits, and/or other cutting tools in a desired direction for forming a lateral bore. A mill is typically lowered into the parent bore suspended from drill pipe and is radially outwardly deflected by the whipstock to mill a window in the parent bore casing and cement. Directional drilling techniques may then be employed to direct further drilling of the lateral bore outwardly from the window as desired.
- The lateral bore may then be cased by inserting a tubular liner from the parent bore, through the window previously cut in the parent bore casing and cement, and into the lateral bore. In a typical lateral bore casing operation, the liner extends somewhat upwardly into the parent bore casing and through the window when the casing operation is finished. In this way, an overlap is achieved wherein the lateral bore liner is received in the parent bore casing above the window. In another type of lateral bore casing operation, the liner is completely received within the lateral bore and does not extend into the parent bore when the casing operation is finished.
- The lateral bore liner is then cemented in place by forcing cement between the liner and the lateral bore. Where the liner extends into the parent bore, the cement is typically also forced between the liner and the window, and between the liner and the parent bore casing where they overlap. In this case, the cement provides a seal between the liner, the parent bore casing, the window, and the lateral bore. Where the liner does not extend into the parent bore, the cement provides a seal between the liner and the lateral bore.
- Further operations may then be performed in completing and/or producing the well. For example, one or more tubing strings may be installed in the well to conduct fluids from formations intersected by the parent and lateral bores to the earth's surface, or to inject fluid into one or more of the formations. Unfortunately, these completion and/or production operations do not provide means whereby fluid flow through the tubing strings may be regulated in relatively close proximity to the formations and controlled from the earth's surface, in order to regulate rates of fluid flow from or into each of the formations, regulate the commingled proportions of fluids produced or injected into each of the formations, control rates of production or injection to comply with regulations affecting such matters, etc.
- For example, a flow choke, inline orifice or other flow regulating device installed at the earth's surface is capable of influencing the rate of fluid flow through a single tubing string. However, when that tubing string conducts fluid produced from multiple formations or multiple intervals, the flow choke or inline orifice is not capable of regulating the proportional rate of fluid flow from each formation or interval. Of course, a separate flow choke or inline orifice may be provided for each formation or interval, but that would require a separate tubing string extending to the earth's surface for each formation or interval, which would be expensive and often impossible to achieve. Additionally, it is well known that wellbore storage effects make it much more desirable to regulate fluid flows in close proximity to the formations or intervals, rather than at the earth's surface.
- As another example, flow regulating devices may be installed in the well, but past methods of accomplishing this have proved to be unsatisfactory. Most such flow regulating devices require intervention into the well to vary the rate of fluid flow therethrough, such as by shifting a sleeve using a shifting tool conveyed by wireline, slickline, tubing, etc. Others of such flow regulating devices obstruct the inner diameter of the tubing string in which they are installed.
- From the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be quite desirable to provide a method of completing and/or producing a well which does not rely on flow regulating devices installed at the earth's surface, and which does not require intervention into the well to vary rates of fluid flow into or out of various formations or intervals, but which permits accurate and convenient regulation of fluid flow into or out of formations or intervals intersected by the well. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide such a method and associated apparatus.
- In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a method is provided which permits a rate of fluid flow into or out of each formation intersected by a well to be regulated from the earth's surface. Furthermore, apparatus for facilitating performance of the method is also provided.
- In broad terms, a method provided by the present invention results in a flow regulating device being installed within the well in relatively close proximity to each formation or interval intersected by the well for which it is desired to regulate the flow of fluids. The regulating devices may be remotely controllable from the earth's surface and may not require intervention into the well to vary rates of fluid flow therethrough.
- In an embodiment of the invention described below, multiple tubing strings are installed in the well, with one of the tubing strings extending into a lower parent wellbore, and another of the tubing strings extending into a lateral wellbore. A flow regulating device is interconnected in the tubing string extending into the lateral wellbore, and another flow regulating device is interconnected in yet another tubing string extending to the earth's surface. Fluid flow through the tubing string extending into the lower parent wellbore is directed to an annulus disposed radially between the upper parent wellbore casing and the tubing string extending to the earth's surface and axially between two sealing devices. The flow regulating devices may be remotely controllable.
- In another embodiment of the present invention described below, each tubing string extending into a wellbore intersecting a formation or interval into, or from which, fluid flow is to be regulated is provided with a flow regulating device interconnected therein. In this way, the rate of flow of fluid into or from each formation or interval may be independently controlled. The fluid flows may or may not be directed through separate tubing strings extending to the earth's surface, or commingled in one or more such tubing strings. Each flow regulating device may be remotely controllable from the earth's surface.
- In one aspect of the present invention, a releasable deflection device is provided which enables a tubing string to be deflected off of a deflection surface positioned at an intersection of a parent and a lateral wellbore, to thereby direct the tubing string into the lateral wellbore. In one embodiment described herein, the deflection device engages a tubular structure within the lateral wellbore and releases a relatively large diameter outer housing for displacement relative to the remainder of the tubing string.
- According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of completing a subterranean well having intersecting first and second wellbores, and a deflection surface positioned proximate the intersection of the first and second wellbores, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first tubular string including a releasable deflection device; deflecting the first tubular string off of the deflection surface from the first wellbore to the second wellbore; and releasing the deflection device for displacement relative to the remainder of the first tubular string.
- The releasing step may be performed after the first tubular string has entered the second wellbore. The releasing step may further comprise engaging the deflection device with a structure positioned within the second wellbore. The releasing step may further comprise applying an axially compressive force to the deflection device after the engaging step.
- The first tubular string may be attached to a second tubular string, and the second tubular string may be received in the first wellbore. The receiving step may further comprise inserting the second tubular string through a whipstock disposed within the first wellbore after the deflecting step.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a subterranean well having first, second and third wellbore portions, the third wellbore portion extending to the earth's surface, and the first, second and third wellbore portions intersecting, the method comprising the steps of: sealingly engaging a first tubular string including a first flow regulating device within the first wellbore portion; sealingly engaging a second tubular string within the second wellbore portion; and interconnecting the first and second tubular strings to a third tubular string including a second remotely controllable flow regulating device
- The first and second regulating devices may be remotely controllable.
- The method may further comprise the step of operating the first regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the third tubular string and a formation intersected by the first wellbore portion. The method may further comprise the step of operating the second regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the third tubular string and a first formation intersected by the second wellbore portion. The method may further comprise the step of commingling in the third tubular string fluid produced from the first formation with fluid produced from a second formation intersected by the first wellbore portion.
- The flow of the fluid produced from the second formation may be regulated by the first regulating device.
- The method may further comprise the steps of: flowing a fluid between the third tubular string and a formation intersected by the second wellbore portion; regulating flow of the fluid with the second regulating device; and flowing the fluid into an annulus formed between the third tubular string and the third wellbore portion.
- According to another apsect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a first tubular string within a first wellbore of the well, the first tubular string including a first flow regulating device; positioning a second tubular string within the well, at least a portion of the second tubular string being received within a second wellbore of the well intersecting the first wellbore, the second tubular string including a second flow regulating device; operating the first regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the first tubular string and a first formation intersected by the first wellbore; and operating the second regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the second tubular string and a second formation intersected by the second wellbore.
- The first and second regulating devices may be remotely controllable.
- The method may further comprise the step of extending the first and second tubular strings to the earth's surface.
- The first regulating device operating step may further comprise regulating fluid flow between the first formation and the earth's surface through the first tubular string, and the second regulating device step may further comprise regulating fluid flow between the second formation and the earth's surface through the second tubular string.
- The method may further comprise the step of interconnecting the first and second tubular strings to a third tubular string extending to the earth's surface.
- The method may further comprise the steps of positioning a third tubular string within the well, at least a portion of the third tubular string being received within a third wellbore of the well intersecting the first wellbore, the third tubular string including a third remotely controllable flow regulating device, and operating the third regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the third tubular string and a third formation intersected by the third wellbore. The method may further comprise the step of interconnecting the first, second and third tubular strings to a fourth tubular string extending to the earth's surface.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of completing a subterranean well having first and second intersecting wellbores, the first wellbore extending to the earth's surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tubular string including first and second sealing devices and first and second flow regulating devices; positioning the tubular string within the well; sealingly engaging the first sealing device within the first wellbore; and sealingly engaging the second sealing device within one of the first and second wellbores.
- The first and second regulating devices may be remotely controllable. The first regulating device may be interconnected between the first and second sealing devices, and the second sealing device may be interconnected between the first and second regulating devices.
- The method may further comprise the steps of operating the first regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the tubular string and a first formation intersected by the first wellbore, and operating the second regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the tubular string and a second formation intersected by the second wellbore.
- The method may further comprise the steps of operating the second regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the tubular string and a first formation intersected by the one of the first and second wellbores, and operating the first regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the tubular string and a second formation intersected by the other of the first and second wellbores.
- The well may include a tubular member received in the first and second wellbores, and the method may further comprise the step of inserting the tubular string through a sidewall portion of the tubular member.
- In the second sealing device sealingly engaging step, the second sealing device may be sealingly engaged within the first wellbore, the tubular member sidewall portion being disposed between the first and second sealing devices.
- The method may further comprise the steps of flowing fluid from a first formation intersected by the first wellbore, through the second regulating device and to the earth's surface through the tubular string, and flowing fluid from a second formation intersected by the second wellbore, through the first regulating device and to the earth's surface through the tubular string.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of completing a subterranean well having a parent wellbore extending to the earth's surface, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a whipstock having a deflection surface formed thereon within the parent wellbore proximate a desired intersection of the parent wellbore with a lateral wellbore-to-be-drilled; drilling the lateral wellbore by deflecting at least one cutting tool off of the deflection surface; inserting a first tubular string into the parent wellbore, the first tubular string including a deflection device and a first flow regulating device; inserting the first tubular string into the lateral wellbore by deflecting the deflection device off of the deflection surface; sealingly engaging the first tubular string within the lateral wellbore; and operating the first flow regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the first tubular string and a first formation intersected by the lateral wellbore.
- The first regulating device may be remotely controllable.
- The deflection device may be releasably secured against displacement relative to the first tubular string, and the method may further comprise the step of releasing the deflection device after the deflection device is deflected off of the deflection surface.
- The releasing step may be performed by engaging the deflection device with a tubular structure disposed within the lateral wellbore. The releasing step may further comprise applying an axially compressive force to the first tubular string after the engaging step.
- The method may further comprise the steps of inserting a second tubular string into the parent wellbore, inserting the second tubular string through the whipstock after the step of inserting the first tubular string into the lateral wellbore, and sealingly engaging the second tubular string within the parent wellbore.
- The method may further comprise the steps of providing a second flow regulating device, and operating the second regulating device to regulate fluid flow between a second formation intersected by the parent wellbore and a third tubular string interconnected to the first and second tubular strings. The second regulating device may be remotely controllable.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third tubular strings, the second tubular string having a length greater than that of the third tubular string; a coupling device interconnecting the first, second and third tubular strings, the first tubular string extending outwardly from the coupling device in a first axial direction, and the second and third tubular strings extending outwardly from the coupling device in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; and a releasable deflection device attached to the second tubular string.
- The apparatus may further comprise an item of equipment attached to the second tubular string, and the deflection device may radially outwardly surround the item of equipment. The item of equipment may be a flow regulating device. The flow regulating device may be remotely controllable.
- The first tubular string may include a first sealing device, and may further comprise a second sealing device interconnected to the second and third tubular strings.
- The apparatus may further comprise a first flow regulating device, the first regulating device regulating fluid flow between the first tubular string and the third tubular string. The first regulating device may be remotely controllable.
- The third tubular string may further include at least one opening formed through a sidewall portion of the third tubular string and a flow blocking device preventing fluid flow through a portion of the third tubular string, the flow blocking device being disposed between the opening and the first regulating device. The second tubular string may further include a second flow regulating device, the second regulating device regulating flow through the second tubular string to the first tubular string. The second regulating device may be remotely controllable.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third tubular strings; a first coupling device interconnecting the first, second and third tubular strings, the first tubular string extending outwardly from the coupling device in a first axial direction, and the second and third tubular strings extending outwardly from the coupling device in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; a first flow regulating device, the first regulating device regulating fluid flow between the second tubular string and the first tubular string; and a second flow regulating device, the second regulating device regulating fluid flow between the third tubular string and the first tubular string.
- The first and second regulating devices may be remotely controllable.
- The apparatus may further comprise a releasable deflection device operatively engaged with the second tubular string.
- The second tubular string may further include a first sealing device interconnected between the first regulating device and the first coupling device, and the third tubular string may further include a second sealing device interconnected between the second regulating device and the first coupling device.
- At least one of the first and second sealing devices may be remotely settable. The apparatus may further comprise: fourth and fifth tubular strings; a second coupling device interconnecting the first, fourth and fifth tubular strings; and a third flow regulating device, the third regulating device regulating fluid flow between the fifth tubular string and the fourth tubular string.
- The third regulating device may be remotely controllable.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third tubular strings: a coupling device interconnecting the first, second and third tubular strings; and first and second flow regulating devices, the first regulating device regulating fluid flow between the first and second tubular strings, and the second regulating device regulating fluid flow between the first and third tubular strings.
- The first and second regulating devices may be remotely controllable.
- The apparatus may further comprise a releasable deflection device attached to the second tubular string. The releasable deflection device may at least partially enclose the first regulating device.
- The third tubular string may further include at least one opening formed through a sidewall portion of the third tubular string. The apparatus may further comprise a flow blocking device preventing fluid flow through a portion of the third tubular string. The flow blocking device may be disposed between the opening and the coupling device, and the flow blocking device may prevent fluid flow between the third tubular string and the coupling device.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: a tubular string including first and second flow regulating devices, and first and second sealing devices, the first regulating device being interconnected between the first and second sealing devices.
- The first and second regulating devices may be remotely controllable.
- The first regulating device may regulate fluid flow through a first sidewall portion of the tubular string. The second regulating device may regulate fluid flow through a second sidewall portion of the tubular string. The second regulating device may regulate fluid flow through an axial bore of the tubular string.
- At least one of the first and second sealing devices may be remotely settable within a tubular member disposed within the well.
- The second sealing device may be interconnected between the first and second regulating devices.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well relative to a tubular member disposed within the well, the apparatus comprising: an engagement portion configured for engagement with the tubular member; an inner mandrel releasably secured against displacement relative to the engagement portion; and at least one release member attached to the engagement portion and configured for releasing the inner mandrel for displacement relative to the engagement portion.
- At least one release member may be a series of circumferentially spaced apart resilient members radially inwardly deflectable to release the inner mandrel for displacement relative to the engagement portion. The resilient members may be configured to radially inwardly deflect when the resilient members are inserted within the tubular member.
- The engagement portion and the or each release member may be integrally formed.
- The apparatus may further comprise a generally tubular housing attached to the or each release member.
- The apparatus may further comprise a blocking member preventing displacement of the inner mandrel relative to the engagement portion in at least cne axial direction. The or each release member may be radially inwardly deflectable, and the blocking member may permit displacement of the inner mandrel relative to the engagement portion when the at least one release member is radially inwardly deflected.
- Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a subterranean well in which initial steps of a first embodiment of a method according to the present invention have been performed;
- FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational view of a first embodyiment of an apparatus according to the present invention:
- FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the well of FIG. 1, in which additional steps of the first method have been performed, the first apparatus having been installed in the well;
- FIGS. 4A-4B are a schematic cross-sectional views of another well in which a second embodiment of a method and a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention have been utilized:
- FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of still another well in which a third embodiment of a method and a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention have been utilized:
- FIGS. 6A-6B are cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of an embodiment of a releasable deflection device according to the present invention, the device being shown in a configuration in which it is run into a wellbore; and
- FIGS. 7A-7D are cross-sectional views of successive axial sections of the releasable deflection device of FIGS. 6A-6B, the device being shown in a released configuration.
-
- Representatively and schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is a
method 10 of completing a subterranean well which embodies principles of the present invention. In the following description of themethod 10 and other apparatus and methods described herein, directional terms, such as "above", "below", "upper", " lower", etc., are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, it is to be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., without departing from the principles of the present invention. - FIG. 1 depicts a well in which initial steps of the
method 10 have been performed. Aparent wellbore 12 has been drilled and intersects a formation or interval of aformation 14. As used herein, the term "formation" is used to designate either a formation or a particular interval of a formation.Casing 16 is installed in the parent wellbore 12 and cemented in place.Perforations 18 are formed through thecasing 16 andcement 20 to provide flowpaths for fluid between the wellbore 12 and theformation 14. - The
method 10 will be described herein as it may be utilized in producing fluids from the well, such as by flowing fluid from theformation 14 to the earth's surface through thewellbore 12. However, it is to be clearly understood that a method performed according to the principles of the present invention may also be utilized in injecting fluids into one or more formations intersected by the well. Additionally, it will become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a method performed according to the principles of the present invention may be utilized in simultaneously injecting fluids into one or more formations intersected by the well and producing fluids from one or more formations intersected by the well. - In the
method 10, alateral wellbore 22 is to be drilled so that it intersects the parent wellbore 12 at anintersection 24. For this purpose, awhipstock assembly 26 is positioned in the parent wellbore 12 and oriented so that an upperinclined deflection surface 28 formed on a generallytubular whipstock 30 is adjacent theintersection 24 and faces toward the lateral wellbore-to-be-drilled 22. Thewhipstock assembly 26 is anchored to, and sealingly engaged with, thecasing 16 by means of apacker 32 attached to thewhipstock 30. Atailpipe 34 or other tubular member, such as a conventional PBR, is attached to, and extends downwardly from, thepacker 32. Alternatively, thetubular member 34 may be a mandrel of thepacker 32. - It is to be understood that the
whipstock assembly 26 may include other or different elements, or substitutions may be made for the representatively illustrated elements thereof, without departing from the principles of the present invention. For example, thewhipstock 30 may include anaxial bore 36 which is filled with a relatively easily drillable material. Thetailpipe 34 may have a conventional plug installed therein prior to, and during, drilling of thelateral wellbore 22. Various whipstock assemblies and procedures for drilling lateral wellbores, which may be utilized in themethod 10, are disclosed in our copending European patent application no. 97305217.8 entitled APPARATUS FOR COMPLETING A SUBTERRANEAN WELL AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USING SAME and filed July 14, 1997, and in our copending US patent application entitled METHODS OF COMPLETING A SUBTERRANEAN WELL AND ASSOCIATED APPARATUS and filed August 20, 1997. - With the
whipstock assembly 26 positioned at theintersection 24, a series of cutting tools (not shown) are utilized to form anopening 38 laterally through thecasing 16 andcement 20. Thelateral wellbore 22 is then drilled outwardly from the parent wellbore 12 to intersect a desiredformation 40. Theformation 40 may be separate and isolated from theformation 14, or theformations formation 14, resulting in production of hydrocarbon fluids from theformation 40. - A
liner 42 or other tubular structure is lowered through anupper portion 44 of theparent wellbore 12. through theopening 38, and into thelateral wellbore 22. Theliner 42 is then cemented in place. However, it is to be understood that it is not necessary for theliner 42 to be installed in this manner in themethod 10. For example, theliner 42 may extend upwardly through theopening 38, across theintersection 24 and into theupper portion 44 of the parent wellbore 12, as described in the incorporated copending applications. - Referring additionally now to FIG. 2. an
apparatus 46 is representatively and schematically illustrated, which embodies principles of the present invention. Theapparatus 46 is utilized in themethod 10 for controlling the rate of fluid flow into, or out of, theformations lateral wellbores apparatus 46 is depicted in FIG. 2 as it is completely assembled when installed in the well, it is to be understood that, in actual practice, theapparatus 46 may be assembled as it is installed in the well, it may be assembled in the well after its individual elements have been installed therein in separate subassemblies, etc. - The
apparatus 46 includes three interconnected tubing strings 48, 50, 52. When theapparatus 46 is installed in the well, thetubing string 48 extends upwardly to the earth's surface. The tubing strings 50, 52, which may also be referred to as tailpipes extend downwardly from thetubing string 48. Thetubing string 50 extends into alower portion 54 of the parent wellbore 12, and thetubing string 52 extends into thelateral wellbore 22, when theapparatus 46 is installed in the well. - The
tubing string 52 includes aconventional plug 56, a remotely controllableflow regulating device 58, a packer orother sealing device 60 and areleasable deflection device 62. Thedeflection device 62 radially outwardly surrounds thepacker 60, regulatingdevice 58 and plug 56, and extends somewhat downwardly therefrom. Thedeflection device 62 is utilized to direct thetubing string 52 into thelateral wellbore 22 as theapparatus 46 is lowered into the well. It is configured so that it will deflect off of thedeflection surface 28 toward thelateral wellbore 22, rather than passing through thebore 36 of thewhipstock 30. Thedeflection device 62 releases for displacement relative to the remainder of thetubing string 52 after deflecting off of thedeflection surface 28. Such release of thedeflection device 62 may be performed upon receipt of a signal and/or fluid pressure onlines 64 interconnected thereto, in response to engagement with a structure in thelateral wellbore 22, in response to manipulation of theapparatus 46, or any other method. An apparatus which may be used for thedeflection device 62 in themethod 10 is described more fully hereinbelow in relation to FIGS. 6A-6B and 7A-7D. - The regulating
device 58 may be a variable choke, which is responsive to signals and/or fluid pressures, etc. carried bylines 64 coupled thereto. Signals may be sent to the regulatingdevice 58 by other methods, as well, such as by acoustic telemetry, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields, mud pulses, etc. However, it is to be clearly understood that the regulatingdevice 58 may be otherwise controlled without departing from the principles of the present invention, for example, by manipulation of a latching or shifting tool engaged with the regulating device and conveyed on wireline, slickline, segmented tubing, coiled tubing, etc., by otherwise mechanically controlling the regulating device, by operating the regulating device with a Downhole Power Unit available from Halliburton Energy Services, etc. - Suitable regulating devices for use in the
method 10 are described in our copending European patent application nos. 98305750.6 and 98305764.7 entitled FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS FOR USE IN A SUBTERRANEAN WELL AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, each of which was filed 20 July 1998. Another suitable regulating device is the SCRAMS ICV available from Petroleum Engineering Services, Ltd. of The Woodlands, Texas. As representatively illustrated in FIG. 2, the regulatingdevice 58 acts to regulate the rate of fluid flow through a sidewall portion of thetubing string 52, however, it is to be understood that the regulating device may alternatively regulate fluid flow axially therethrough, in which case theplug 56 may not be included in thetubing string 52. - The
packer 60 may be another sealing device, such as a packing stack, seal element, etc. for sealing engagement with a seal surface, such as a PBR attached to theliner 42. A suitable packer for use in themethod 10 is the remotely settable SCRAMS HF packer available from Petroleum Engineering Services, Ltd. This type of packer may be interconnected to thelines 64 and set within theliner 42, or other tubular structure, in response to signals and/or fluid pressures, etc. carried by thelines 64. Alternatively, thepacker 60 may be a conventional hydraulically or mechanically settable packer having provision for passing thelines 64 therethrough. If remotely settable, thepacker 60 may receive signals by acoustic telemetry, electromagnetic waves, mud pulses, or any other communication means. - A
dual string packer 66 sealingly engages the tubing strings 50, 52. If thelines 64 are utilized to remotely control operation of the regulatingdevice 58,packer 60 and/or thedeflection device 62, thepacker 66 may include provision for extending thelines 64 therethrough. Thepacker 66 is configured for sealingly engaging thecasing 16 in theupper portion 44 of the parent wellbore 12 above theopening 38 when theapparatus 46 is installed in the well. Thepacker 66 may be hydraulically or mechanically set, and may be remotely set in response to signals and/or fluid pressures carried by thelines 64. - The
tubing string 50 includes a packingstack 68 or other sealing device, aperforated sub 70 having openings formed radially therethrough and aplug 72. The packing 68 is configured for passing through the whipstock bore 36 and sealing engagement with thetailpipe 34. Alternatively, the packing 68 may be a packer configured for setting within thetailpipe 34, and may be remotely settable, as described above for thepacker 60. It will be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that when the packing 68 is sealingly engaged within thetailpipe 34, fluid may flow from theformation 14, into a lower end of thetubing string 50, through thepacker 66 and outward through the openings in theperforated sub 70. - The
tubing string 48 includes apacker 74 or other sealing device and a remotely controllableflow regulating device 76. Thepacker 74 may be similar to thepacker 60, except that it is configured for setting within theupper portion 44 of theparent wellbore 12. The regulatingdevice 76 may be similar to the regulatingdevice 58, and may be controlled by any of the means described above for controlling the regulatingdevice 58. - A
coupling device 78 couples thetubing string 48 to thetailpipes coupling device 78 may be a conventional wye block and may include a vane or other member for directing tools, wirelines, coiled tubing, etc. from thetubing string 48 into a selected one of thetailpipes tailpipe 50, theplug 72 should be removed therefrom. A suitable wye block for use as thecoupling device 78 in themethod 10 is described in our copending European patent application no. 98304145.0 entitled WYE BLOCK HAVING A ROTARY GUIDE INCORPORATED THEREIN, filed on 26 May 1998. - Where such a directing member is included in the
coupling device 78, it may be operated mechanically, hydraulically, in response to signals and/or fluid pressure carried by thelines 64, acoustic telemetry, electromagnetic waves, mud pulses, etc. Thecoupling device 78 may be controlled by any of those means described above for the regulatingdevice 58. - The regulating
device 76 operates to regulate the rate of fluid flow through a sidewall portion of thetubing string 48. In this way, fluid passing outwardly through the openings in theperforated sub 70, and into anannulus 80 formed radially between thetubing string 48 and the parent wellbore 12 when theapparatus 46 is installed in the well, may flow into thetubing string 48. Thus, as theapparatus 46 is representatively illustrated in FIG. 2, fluid flowing between thetubing string 48 and thetailpipe 50 does not necessarily flow through thecoupling device 78. Instead, it flows into theannulus 80, thereby bypassing thecoupling device 78. Alternatively, the regulatingdevice 76 may be included in thetailpipe 50, similar to the manner in which theregulating device 58 is included in thetailpipe 52, in which case theplug 72 andperforated sub 70 would not be included in thetailpipe 50 and flow between thetubing string 48 and thetailpipe 50 would pass through thecoupling device 78. - Referring additionally now to FIG. 3, the
apparatus 46 is representatively illustrated as it is operatively installed in the well. Thedeflection device 62 has deflected thetailpipe 52 into thelateral wellbore 22 as theapparatus 46 was lowered into the well. Thereafter, since thetailpipe 50 is shorter than thetailpipe 52, thetailpipe 50 is inserted through the whipstock bore 36 and into thelower portion 54 of theparent wellbore 12. However, it is to be clearly understood that it is not necessary for thetailpipe 50 to enter the lower parent wellbore 54 after thetailpipe 52 enters thelateral wellbore 22, or for thetailpipe 50 to be shorter than thetailpipe 52, in keeping with the principles of the present invention. - The
deflection device 62 has been released for axial displacement relative to the remainder of thetailpipe 52 by engaging the deflection device with anupper PBR 82 attached to theliner 42 and applying an axially downwardly directed force to the deflection device by manipulation of theapparatus 46 from the earth's surface. As described above, however, release of thedeflection device 62 may be accomplished by other methods without departing from the principles of the present invention. - When the
deflection device 62 is released, thetailpipe 52 extends further into thelateral wellbore 22. Thepacker 60. regulatingdevice 58 and plug 56 enter theliner 42. When positioned therein as desired, thepacker 60 is set so that it sealingly engages and anchors to theliner 42. Thepacker 60 may be set by any method, as described above. - It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that, with the
packer 60 set in theliner 42 as representatively illustrated in FIG. 3, fluid (represented by arrows 84) may flow from theformation 40, inwardly through the regulatingdevice 58. through thetailpipe 52, through thecoupling device 78, and through thetubing string 48 to the earth's surface. Of course, if it is desired to inject the fluid into theformation 40, the fluid 84 may flow in the opposite direction. - After the
tailpipe 50 has been inserted into the lower parent wellbore 54, the packing 68 sealingly engages thetubular member 34. If the packing 68 is a packer, it is set within thetubular member 34. Thereafter, thepackers casing 16. If thepackers - It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that, after the
packers device 68 is sealingly engaged within thetubular member 34, fluid (represented by arrows 86) may flow from theformation 14, through thetailpipe 50, outward through theperforated sub 70, into theannulus 80, inward through the regulatingdevice 76 and through thetubing string 48 to the earth's surface. Of course, if an injection operation is to be performed, the fluid 86 may flow in an opposite direction. In themethod 10 as representatively illustrated in FIG. 3, thefluids tubing string 48, but it is to be clearly understood that the fluids may be segregated from each other, without departing from the principles of the present invention. - Thus has been described the
method 10 andapparatus 46 which permits the rate of flow of thefluids formations devices fluids tubing string 48. - Referring additionally now to FIGS. 4A-4B, another
method 90 embodying principles of the present invention is representatively and schematically illustrated. Elements of themethod 90 which are similar to those previously described are indicated in FIGS. 4A-4B using the same reference numbers, with an added suffix "a". - The
method 90 differs from themethod 10 in part in that atailpipe 92 that extends into thelower parent wellbore 54a includes thepacker 60a, regulatingdevice 58a and plug 56a, similar to that included in thetailpipe 52a extending into thelateral wellbore 22a. Thepacker 60a is set in thetubular member 34a. In this manner, theperforated sub 70, plug 72 andseparate annulus 80 are not utilized in themethod 90. Thus, fluid 86a produced from theformation 14a flows into the regulatingdevice 58a below thepacker 60a and flows through thecoupling device 78a into atubing string 94, wherein thefluids - As discussed above, it is not necessary for the
fluids packer 66a is shown in FIG. 4A in dashed lines to indicate that it is not necessarily or preferably utilized in themethod 90 as representatively illustrated. However, it will be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that, if it is desired to segregate thefluids packer 66a may be installed and separate tubing strings (not shown) coupled thereto and extended to the earth's surface, in place of thecoupling device 78a andtubing string 94. Thepacker 74a may be utilized if commingled flow in thetubing string 94 is desired. - FIGS. 4A-4B also show that the
method 90 may be utilized to control fluid flow from additional wellbores and formations intersected by those wellbores. For example, an additionallateral wellbore 96 may be drilled above or below thelateral wellbore 22a extending outwardly from anotheropening 38a formed through thecasing 16a andcement 20a, and intersecting anotherformation 100. Anothertailpipe 98 including another set of thepacker 60a, regulatingdevice 58a and plug 56a may then be installed in aliner 42a in thelateral wellbore 96. - Fluid (represented by arrows 102) may then be flowed from the
formation 100, inwardly through the regulatingdevice 58a, and through thetailpipe 98. The fluid 102 may be commingled with thefluids tubing string 104 extending to the earth's surface by providing anothercoupling device 78a interconnecting thetubing string 94, thetailpipe 98 and thetubing string 104. Alternatively, separate tubing strings may be provided for segregating thefluids - In FIGS. 4A-4B, the
lateral wellbore 96 is depicted as being drilled above thelateral wellbore 22a. For this purpose, anotherwhipstock assembly 26a is positioned in the parent wellbore 12, with itsdeflection surface 28a adjacent theintersection 24a of the parent wellbore and the upperlateral wellbore 96. The upper lateral wellbore 96 is then drilled in a manner similar to that used to drill the lowerlateral wellbore 22a. - The
tubing string 94 is segmented, so that alower portion 160 of thetubing string 94 may be joined with anupper portion 162 thereof, after the upper lateral wellbore 96 has been drilled. For this purpose, thelower portion 160 includes aconnector 164, which permits fluid communication between the upper andlower portions lines 64a. Theconnector 164 may be of the type well known to those of ordinary skill in the art as a "wet connector". A suitable connector that may be used for theconnector 164, with appropriate modification, is described in U.S. patent no. 5,577,925, entitled CONCENTRIC WET CONNECTOR SYSTEM. - Alternatively, the
lower portion 160 may include a PBR at its upper end and theupper portion 162 may include an appropriate sealing device, such as a packing stack, at its lower end for sealing engagement with the PBR. In that case interconnection of thelines 64a may be accomplished by one or more other conventional connectors. However, it is to be clearly understood that connection of the upper andlower portions tubing string 94 may be accomplished by any other means without departing from the principles of the present invention. For example, thetubular member 34a included in theupper whipstock assembly 26a could sealingly engage a PBR attached to the upper end of thelower portion 160, so that when thepacker 60a is set in the tubular member. theupper portion 162 is in fluid communication with thelower portion 160. - With the
lateral wellbore 96 drilled as described above, thetailpipe 98,upper portion 162 andtubing string 104 are installed in the well. Thetailpipe 98 may be deflected to enter thelateral wellbore 96 utilizing a deflection device, such as thedeflection device 62a, or other means may be utilized to insert the tailpipe into the lateral wellbore. Theupper portion 162 is inserted through theupper whipstock assembly 26a and connected to thelower portion 160. Thepackers 60a on theupper portion 162 andtailpipe 98 are set in thetubular member 34a andliner 42a, respectively.Fluids tubing string 104 and therethrough to the earth's surface. - Referring additionally now to FIG. 5, another
method 110 embodying principles of the present invention is representatively and schematically illustrated. Elements of themethod 110 which are similar to those previously described are indicated in FIG. 5 using the same reference number, with an added suffix "b". Themethod 110 differs in substantial part from theprevious methods single tubing string 112 is utilized to regulate fluid flow from, or into,multiple formations - In the
method 110, aliner 114 is installed extending into thelateral wellbore 22b, and remains partially received within theupper parent wellbore 44b. Theliner 114 is cemented in place overlying thewhipstock assembly 26b. Thereafter, anopening 116 is cut through a sidewall portion of theliner 114 to provide access to thelower parent wellbore 54b via thewhipstock bore 36b - The
tubing string 112 includes two regulatingdevices packers device 76b is interconnected between thepacker 74b and thepacker 60b, and thepacker 60b is interconnected between the regulatingdevice 76b and theregulating device 58b. However, it will be readily appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that, for example, if a regulating device capable of regulating fluid flow axially therethrough is utilized in place of theregulating device 58b, it could be positioned between thepackers plug 56b could be eliminated from thetubing string 112. Thus, other configurations of thetubing string 112 may be utilized without departing from the principles of the present invention. - The
tubing string 112 is inserted through theopening 116, so that a lower portion thereof extends into thelower parent wellbore 54b. Thepacker 60b is set within thetubular member 34b and thepacker 74b is set within thecasing 16b in theupper parent wellbore 44b. As described above, if thepackers - With the
packers formation 14b, inwardly through the regulatingdevice 58b, and through thetubing string 112 to the earth's surface. The fluid 84b may flow from theformation 40b, through theliner 114, inwardly through the regulatingdevice 76b, and through thetubing string 112 to the earth's surface, commingled with the fluid 86b. The regulatingdevices fluids formations fluids - Referring additionally now to FIGS. 6A-6B, a
deflection device 120 embodying principles of the present invention is representatively illustrated. Thedeflection device 120 may be utilized for thedeflection device 62 in any of the methods described above wherein a deflection device is used. As described herein, thedeflection device 120 is releasable upon engagement with a tubular structure and application of an axial force thereto, but it is to be clearly understood that the deflection device may be hydraulically, electrically, remotely, etc. released, without departing from the principles of the present invention. - The
deflection device 120 is shown in FIGS. 6A-6B in a configuration in which it is run into a well. It includes anengagement portion 122, one ormore release members 124, ablocking device 126, an inner generallytubular mandrel 128 and an outer generallytubular housing 130. Theouter housing 130 is shown radially outwardly surrounding a representative item of equipment, apacker 132, but it is to be clearly understood that the housing may overlie any item of equipment, or any combination of equipment desired, with appropriate modification to the housing. - The
packer 132 is threadedly attached to theinner mandrel 128, and the inner mandrel is threadedly attached to atubing string 134 extending upwardly therefrom. As depicted in FIGS. 6A-6B, theinner mandrel 128 is prevented from displacing axially relative to thehousing 130,release members 124 andengagement portion 122 by the blockingmember 126. The blockingmember 126 is representatively a generally C-shaped member which is radially outwardly disposed to engage asleeve 136 threadedly attached to thehousing 130. The blockingmember 126 is retained on theinner mandrel 128 by aretainer 138 threadedly attached to the inner mandrel. Thus, with the blockingmember 126 disposed between and contacting theretainer 138 andsleeve 136, theinner mandrel 128 is prevented from displacing downwardly relative to thehousing 130. Additionally, theinner mandrel 128 is shouldered up against a lower portion of thesleeve 136, thereby preventing the inner mandrel from displacing upwardly relative to thehousing 130. - The
housing 130 is configured so that it will deflect off of a deflection surface, such as thedeflection surface 28. For this purpose, for example, thehousing 130 may have a larger diameter than thebore 36 of thewhipstock 30, or may be otherwise shaped to prevent its insertion through another member. The housing is threadedly attached to therelease members 124,sleeve 136 and engagement portion 122 (the engagement portion and release members being integrally formed as shown in FIG. 6A), thereby making up anouter assembly 140. - Preferably, the
housing 130 extends downwardly past any items of equipment attached below theinner mandrel 128. In this manner, thehousing 130 will contact any structure, such as a whipstock, prior to the equipment, and will permit thedeflection device 120 to direct thetubing string 122 toward, for example, a lateral wellbore. Fig. 6B shows anend cap 142 of thehousing 130 through which anend sub 144 of thepacker 132 extends, but it is to be understood that, when thedeflection device 120 is utilized in the methods described above, it is preferred that theend cap 142 completely overlie any item of equipment connected below theinner mandrel 128. - The
release members 124 are axially elongated and circumferentially spaced apart, so that they are resilient. that is, they may be radially inwardly deflected. Note that a radially inwardly extendingprojection 146 formed on eachrelease member 124 is in radial contact with the blockingmember 126. Thus, it will be readily appreciated that if therelease members 124 are radially inwardly deflected. the blockingmember 126 will also be radially inwardly displaced thereby, and theinner mandrel 128 will no longer be secured by the blocking member relative to theouter assembly 140. However, one or more shear pins 148 installed through thesleeve 136 and into themandrel 128 will still releasably secure theinner mandrel 128 against axial displacement relative to theouter assembly 140. - The
release members 124 also have radially outwardly extendingprojections 150 formed thereon. Theprojections 150 extend radially outwardly so that, when thedeflection device 120 is inserted within an appropriate tubular structure, theprojections 150 will engage the tubular structure and be deflected radially inward thereby. In the representatively illustrated embodiment of thedeflection device 120, theprojections 150 are configured to permit radially inward deflection of therelease members 124 upon insertion of thedeflection device 120 into a PBR attached to a liner in a lateral wellbore. It is to be clearly understood, however, that therelease members 124 may be otherwise configured for engagement with other structures, without departing from the principles of the present invention. - The
engagement portion 122 is configured to engage the top of the PBR attached to the liner and prevent further insertion of thedeflection device 120 into the liner. For this purpose, theengagement portion 122 has a radially outwardly extendingflange 152 formed thereon, which has a greater diameter than the inner diameter of the liner PBR. However, it is to be clearly understood that theengagement portion 122 may be otherwise configured to engage a structure, without departing from the principles of the present invention. - Referring additionally now to FIGS. 7A-7D, the
deflection device 120 is representatively illustrated inserted into aPBR 154 attached to aliner 156. ThePBR 154 andliner 156 may, for example, correspond to thePBR 82 andliner 42 of themethod 10 as depicted in FIG. 3. Therelease members 124 have been radially inwardly deflected by radial contact between theprojections 150 and the inner diameter of thePBR 154. Such deflection of therelease members 124 has caused theprojections 146 to radially inwardly displace the blockingmember 126. Thus, when thedeflection device 120 is inserted into thePBR 154, the blockingmember 126 no longer secures theinner mandrel 128 against displacement relative to theouter assembly 140. - Thereafter, an axially downwardly directed force may be applied to the
inner mandrel 128 to shear the shear pins 148 and permit the inner mandrel and anyequipment 132 attached thereto to downwardly displace relative to theouter assembly 140. Such downwardly directed force may be applied by slacking off on thetubing string 134 at the earth's surface. An opposing force is applied to theouter assembly 140 by engagement of theengagement portion 122 with the top of thePBR 154, theflange 152 thereby preventing further downward displacement of theouter assembly 140. Thepacker 132 is now permitted to displace downwardly into theliner 156 and may be set therein, with theouter assembly 140 remaining within thePBR 154. - Of course, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find it obvious to make certain modifications, additions, deletions, substitutions and other changes to the various apparatus and methods described herein. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only. It will be appreciated that modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (10)
- A method of completing a subterranean well having intersecting first and second wellbores, and a deflection surface positioned proximate the intersection of the first and second wellbores. the method comprising the steps of: deflecting a first tubular string, which includes a releasable deflection device, off of the deflection surface from the first wellbore to the second wellbore; and releasing the deflection device for displacement relative to the remainder of the first tubular string.
- A method of producing a subterranean well having first, second and third wellbore portions, the third wellbore portion extending to the earth's surface, and the first, second and third wellbore portions intersecting, the method comprising the steps of: sealingly engaging a first tubular string including a first flow regulating device within the first wellbore portion; sealingly engaging a second tubular string within the second wellbore portion; and interconnecting the first and second tubular strings to a third tubular string including a second remotely controllable flow regulating device.
- A method of producing a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a first tubular string within a first wellbore of the well, the first tubular string including a first flow regulating device; positioning a second tubular string within the well, at least a portion of the second tubular string being received within a second wellbore of the well intersecting the first wellbore, the second tubular string including a second flow regulating device; operating the first regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the first tubular string and a first formation intersected by the first wellbore; and operating the second regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the second tubular string and a second formation intersected by the second wellbore.
- A method of completing a subterranean well having first and second intersecting wellbores, the first wellbore extending to the earth's surface, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a tubular string, which includes first and second sealing devices and first and second flow regulating devices, within the well; sealingly engaging the first sealing device within the first wellbore; and sealingly engaging the second sealing device within one of the first and second wellbores.
- A method of completing a subterranean well having a parent wellbore extending to the earth's surface, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a whipstock having a deflection surface formed thereon within the parent wellbore proximate a desired intersection of the parent wellbore with a lateral wellbore-to-be-drilled; drilling the lateral wellbore by deflecting at least one cutting tool off of the deflection surface; inserting a first tubular string into the parent wellbore, the first tubular string including a deflection device and a first flow regulating device; inserting the first tubular string into the lateral wellbore by deflecting the deflection device off of the deflection surface; sealingly engaging the first tubular string within the lateral wellbore; and operating the first flow regulating device to regulate fluid flow between the first tubular string and a first formation intersected by the lateral wellbore.
- Apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third tubular strings, the second tubular string having a length greater than that of the third tubular string; a coupling device interconnecting the first, second and third tubular strings, the first tubular string extending outwardly from the coupling device in a first axial direction, and the second and third tubular strings extending outwardly from the coupling device in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; and a releasable deflection device attached to the second tubular string.
- Apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third tubular strings; a first coupling device interconnecting the first, second and third tubular strings, the first tubular string extending outwardly from the coupling device in a first axial direction, and the second and third tubular strings extending outwardly from the coupling device in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction; a first flow regulating device, the first regulating device regulating fluid flow between the second tubular string and the first tubular string; and a second flow regulating device, the second regulating device regulating fluid flow between the third tubular string and the first tubular string.
- Apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: first, second and third tubular strings; a coupling device interconnecting the first, second and third tubular strings; and first and second flow regulating devices, the first regulating device regulating fluid flow between the first and second tubular strings, and the second regulating device regulating fluid flow between the first and third tubular strings.
- Apparatus for completing a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: a tubular string including: first and second flow regulating devices; and first and second sealing devices, the first regulating device being interconnected between the first and second sealing devices.
- Apparatus operatively positionable within a subterranean well relative to a tubular member disposed within the well, the apparatus comprising: an engagement portion configured for engagement with the tubular member; an inner mandrel releasably secured against displacement relative to the engagement portion; and at least one release member attached to the engagement portion and configured for releasing the inner mandrel for displacement relative to the engagement portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US922669 | 1997-09-03 | ||
US08/922,669 US6079494A (en) | 1997-09-03 | 1997-09-03 | Methods of completing and producing a subterranean well and associated apparatus |
US09/135,564 US5944109A (en) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-08-18 | Method of completing and producing a subteranean well and associated |
US135564 | 1998-08-18 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP0900911A2 true EP0900911A2 (en) | 1999-03-10 |
EP0900911A3 EP0900911A3 (en) | 1999-09-22 |
EP0900911B1 EP0900911B1 (en) | 2004-06-30 |
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EP19980307076 Expired - Lifetime EP0900911B1 (en) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-09-03 | Methods of completing and producing a subterranean well and associated apparatus |
EP19980307074 Expired - Lifetime EP0900915B1 (en) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-09-03 | Methods of completing and producing a subterranean well and associated apparatus |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP19980307074 Expired - Lifetime EP0900915B1 (en) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-09-03 | Methods of completing and producing a subterranean well and associated apparatus |
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EP (2) | EP0900911B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU732482B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR9805090A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2246184C (en) |
DK (2) | DK0900911T3 (en) |
NO (1) | NO319912B1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001031167A1 (en) * | 1999-10-28 | 2001-05-03 | Halliburton Energy Services | Flow control apparatus for use in a subterranean well |
GB2367841A (en) * | 2000-10-13 | 2002-04-17 | Schlumberger Holdings | Arrangement for controlling fluid flow from two well branches |
GB2389381B (en) * | 2002-06-04 | 2006-08-02 | Halliburton Energy Serv Inc | Junction isolation apparatus and methods for use in multilateral well treatment operations |
WO2009009445A2 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2009-01-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Heated fluid injection using multilateral wells |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6354375B1 (en) | 1999-01-15 | 2002-03-12 | Smith International, Inc. | Lateral well tie-back method and apparatus |
GB0002531D0 (en) * | 2000-02-04 | 2000-03-29 | Omega Completion Technology Li | Method of controlling access between a main boreand a lateral bore in a production system |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0819829A2 (en) | 1996-07-15 | 1998-01-21 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus for completing a subterranean well and method of using same |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5477923A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1995-12-26 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Wellbore completion using measurement-while-drilling techniques |
US5762149A (en) * | 1995-03-27 | 1998-06-09 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method and apparatus for well bore construction |
US5641023A (en) * | 1995-08-03 | 1997-06-24 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Shifting tool for a subterranean completion structure |
US5775421A (en) * | 1996-02-13 | 1998-07-07 | Halliburton Company | Fluid loss device |
US6056059A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 2000-05-02 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Apparatus and method for establishing branch wells from a parent well |
US5918669A (en) * | 1996-04-26 | 1999-07-06 | Camco International, Inc. | Method and apparatus for remote control of multilateral wells |
US5845710A (en) * | 1997-02-13 | 1998-12-08 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods of completing a subterranean well |
-
1998
- 1998-09-01 AU AU83023/98A patent/AU732482B2/en not_active Expired
- 1998-09-02 NO NO19984028A patent/NO319912B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-09-02 CA CA 2246184 patent/CA2246184C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-03 EP EP19980307076 patent/EP0900911B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-03 DK DK98307076T patent/DK0900911T3/en active
- 1998-09-03 DK DK98307074T patent/DK0900915T3/en active
- 1998-09-03 EP EP19980307074 patent/EP0900915B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-09-03 BR BR9805090A patent/BR9805090A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0819829A2 (en) | 1996-07-15 | 1998-01-21 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Apparatus for completing a subterranean well and method of using same |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001031167A1 (en) * | 1999-10-28 | 2001-05-03 | Halliburton Energy Services | Flow control apparatus for use in a subterranean well |
GB2367841A (en) * | 2000-10-13 | 2002-04-17 | Schlumberger Holdings | Arrangement for controlling fluid flow from two well branches |
GB2367841B (en) * | 2000-10-13 | 2002-12-18 | Schlumberger Holdings | Flow control in lateral wells |
GB2389381B (en) * | 2002-06-04 | 2006-08-02 | Halliburton Energy Serv Inc | Junction isolation apparatus and methods for use in multilateral well treatment operations |
WO2009009445A2 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2009-01-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Heated fluid injection using multilateral wells |
WO2009009445A3 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2010-04-29 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Heated fluid injection using multilateral wells |
US8701770B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2014-04-22 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Heated fluid injection using multilateral wells |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0900911B1 (en) | 2004-06-30 |
NO319912B1 (en) | 2005-10-03 |
NO984028D0 (en) | 1998-09-02 |
DK0900915T3 (en) | 2005-05-17 |
EP0900915A3 (en) | 1999-09-22 |
AU8302398A (en) | 1999-03-18 |
BR9805090A (en) | 1999-11-16 |
EP0900915B1 (en) | 2005-01-19 |
CA2246184C (en) | 2008-01-08 |
EP0900911A3 (en) | 1999-09-22 |
DK0900911T3 (en) | 2004-10-04 |
CA2246184A1 (en) | 1999-03-03 |
NO984028L (en) | 1999-03-04 |
AU732482B2 (en) | 2001-04-26 |
EP0900915A2 (en) | 1999-03-10 |
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