WO2002048504A1 - Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral - Google Patents

Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002048504A1
WO2002048504A1 PCT/GB2000/004835 GB0004835W WO0248504A1 WO 2002048504 A1 WO2002048504 A1 WO 2002048504A1 GB 0004835 W GB0004835 W GB 0004835W WO 0248504 A1 WO0248504 A1 WO 0248504A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
well bore
tubular
tubular sleeve
window
seal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2000/004835
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Charles G. Brunet
Original Assignee
Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
Harding, Richard, Patrick
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Weatherford/Lamb, Inc., Harding, Richard, Patrick filed Critical Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
Priority to EP00985586A priority Critical patent/EP1348064B1/fr
Priority to CA002432057A priority patent/CA2432057C/fr
Priority to DE60021290T priority patent/DE60021290D1/de
Priority to AU2001221996A priority patent/AU2001221996A1/en
Priority to PCT/GB2000/004835 priority patent/WO2002048504A1/fr
Publication of WO2002048504A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002048504A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP 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
    • E21B41/0042—Apparatus or methods for multilateral well technology, e.g. for the completion of or workover on wells with one or more lateral branches characterised by sealing the junction between a lateral and a main bore

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an assembly and method to be used in the formation of seals at the junction of lateral wells drilled through windows in a main well bore casing or through any tubular type materials.
  • this invention relates to novel and improved assemblies and methods used for forming seals in any deviated well bore which is drilled off or from another well bore whether it is vertical, deviated or horizontal and whether it is the primary well bore casing or other tubular material .
  • this invention relates to the completion procedures used in completion of wells with deviated well bores off a main or casing well bore where as part of the completion procedure the well may be cemented and sealed.
  • horizontal wells have been known for many years, it has only been in the last decade that this technology has been accepted by the industry and used as a proven and cost effective means to increase production and maximize ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir formation while lowering the cost to do so.
  • horizontal wells frequently improve production by factors of 5 to 10 time in suitable reservoirs, such as for example those which are located in naturally fractured areas or are in heavy oil application zones.
  • This invention is most broadly related to an assembly and method for forming a seal at the junction of a lateral well bore drilled through a window in a main well bore casing, or any other tubular material which has a window section formed therein such that a hydraulic seal is formed between the junction of the vertical and lateral well, and further that a sealed isolation zone is created between the respective lateral wells in a multilateral well system.
  • this invention comprises a tubular member for being run into the well bore casing or other tubular material, having at least one orientation member for orientation of the tubular member in the main well bore casing, with the tubular sleeve member having an aperture through it for being run into the well bore casing for alignment of its aperture with the window in the well bore casing.
  • this assembly has a seating surface on the inside of the tubular sleeve member proximate the aperture. Also a sealing member is positioned about the tubular member for seating with the seating surface inside the tubular sleeve means proximate the aperture in the tubular sleeve member and for forming a seal when brought into engagement with the sealing member as the tubular means is run into the well bore and the lateral well bore.
  • a deflection member positioned and releasably sealed in the tubular sleeve for deflecting the tubular means through the window, and functionally connected to the at least one orientation member for orientation of the deflection member relative to said window in the well bore casing for defecting the tubular means through the window and for aligning the aperture through the one side of the tubular sleeve member with the window in the main well bore casing.
  • the object of providing an assembly and method for providing the ability to re-enter the lateral wells would be provided, and the capability to pressure test, and repair, if necessary the junction for hydraulic integrity prior to the removal of the installation tools from the well would be provided, the capability to perform the afore mentioned in a single drill pipe trip in order to reduce the cost of such sealed lateral completions to make the use of this technology economical for lower producing wells, and the capability to install the completion assembly in a single trip into the well bore would be achieved.
  • control orifices which can be used to selectively re-enter the lateral at a future time without the need for a packer device or other orientation members being required to remain in the main well bore as an obstruction in the main well bore after the sealing means is installed in the junction.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tight pressure seal above and below the window in the main casing, as well as a tight hydraulic seal all around the window in order to prevent the migration of fluids either into or out of the main well bore casing or tubular member, which in some cases would be a lateral well liner.
  • a further object of this invention is to generally use a compression seal member to achieve the tight pressure seal above and below the window opening in the main well bore casing, as well as the tight hydraulic seal all around the window opening to prevent the migration of fluids either into or out of the main well bore casing or tubular member, which in some cases would be a lateral well liner.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a compression sealing member for creation of a seal between the tubular sleeve member in the main well bore casing and the tubular member, or production liner in some cases, in order to prevent the migration of fluids either into or out of the main well bore casing or tubular member.
  • Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a compression sealing member for receiving sufficient fluid to expand the compression sealing member to create a seal between the compression sealing member and the tubular sleeve member in the main well bore casing in order to prevent the migration of fluids wither into or out of the main well bore casing or tubular member, which may be a production liner .
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a sealing member for seating with the a seating surface inside the tubular sleeve member proximate the aperture through the one side of the tubular sleeve member, and moved into engagement with the seating surface for preventing the migration of fluids either into or out of the main casing or production liner. Also an object of this invention is to provide a method to pressure test the multilateral junction subsequent to the installation of the sealed completion but prior to the removal of the tubular member running tool from the well bore, and thus allow a great cost savings compared to re-mobilizing the rig and operating personnel if it is discovered at a future time that the required pressure integrity does not exist.
  • Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a means to repair the seal created in the junction, if necessary, prior to the removal of the tubular member running tool from the main casing well bore, and thus realize a great cost savings as opposed to re-mobilizing a rig and operating personnel if it is found that the required pressure integrity was not obtained.
  • an object of this invention is to provide a deflection member with in the tubular sleeve member which deflects the tubular member or production liner through the window and into the lateral without the requirement for a separate drill pipe trip to install the deflector member.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a deflection member which is positioned and releasable sealed inside the tubular sleeve member which provides hydraulic integrity prior to the establishment of the seal at the junction but when removed leaves the tubular sleeve member substantially open for access down the main well bore casing.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide at least one orientation member for orientation of said deflector member and for aligning the aperture through the tubular sleeve with the window and for operating in conjunction with the deflector member and tubular sleeve both of being set in the main well bore casing and in the removal from the main well bore casing to leave a clear well bore, which is unrestricted.
  • an object of this invention is to provide an orientation member, having spring loaded key located on the tubular sleeve member which pop open into a key way located in the main casing window to allow the tubular sleeve member be aligned with the window and to align the aperture through the one side of the tubular sleeve member with the window by following the window sill as it moves downward until it is properly aligned, thus eliminating the need for a packer device or other obstruction to remain in the main well casing bore that would restrict or prohibit access to the well bore below the obstruction.
  • Yet a further object of this invention to use the one orientation means for orientation of the deflection member to also actuate slip devices which provide a means to hold the tubular sleeve member in a set and fixed position and to also set a seal between the main well bore casing and the tubular sleeve member to seal the main well bore casing below the seal member when the orientation member has been fully oriented and set.
  • an object of the invention is to allow the deflector member located within the sleeve device to be recovered with a single trip of the drill string or wire line after the installation of the sealed multilateral junction is completed.
  • a yet further object of this invention is to provide an assemblies and methods to establish hydraulic integrity at the junction of a multilateral well bore in a single trip of the drill string, while greatly reducing the cost of this installation due to the saving in rig time.
  • Fig. 1A is a side elevation view in partial cross section of the assembly of this invention for forming a seal at the junction of a lateral well bore drilled through a window in the main well bore casing as the assembly is being lowered down hole pasted the window with the key member popped outward into the window opening.
  • Fig. 1 B is side elevation view in partial cross section of the assembly of this invention for forming a seal at the junction of a lateral well bore drilled through a window in the main well bore casing as the assembly has come to rest on the window sill with the key member popped outward into the window opening and coming to rest on the window sill.
  • Fig. 2A is a front elevation view of main well bore casing having a window there in and through which a lateral well bore would have been drilled and in this embodiment an orientation key way is provided at the down hole end of the window sill for receiving a key member but as shown here no key member has reached the window and all that is showing is the window section in the well bore.
  • Fig. 2B is a representational front elevation view of a main well bore casing having a pre-cut window there through and showing a pre-cut key way in the window and the key member has popped outward into the window and is moving downward with rest of the assembly (not shown here) to find the key way for orientation of the rest of the assembly of this invention.
  • Fig. 2C is a representational front elevation view of a main well bore casing which is the natural result of down hole milling the window in the casing while down hole and the key member has popped outward into the window and is moving downward with the rest of the assembly (not shown ) to land on the window sill of the window for orientation of the assembly.
  • Fig. 2D is a representational front elevation view of a main well bore casing which has a down hole milled key way milled in the window of the casing and the key member is being guided by the window sill to orient the assembly (not shown) of this invention and bring the key member to rest in the down hole milled key way.
  • Fig. 2E is a representational front elevation view of a main well bore casing which has a down hole milled key way milled in the window of the casing and the key member is being actively guided by the window sill to orient the assembly (not shown) of this invention in the process of bring the key member to rest in the down hole milled key way.
  • Fig. 2F is a representational front elevation view of a main well bore casing which has a down hole milled key way milled in the window of the casing and the key member has been guided by the window sill to orient the assembly (not shown ) of this invention and the key member is at rest and secured in the down hole milled key way.
  • Fig. 3A is a side elevation view in partial cross section of the key member as it is mounted in the deflector member and showing the key member just as the tubular sleeve member having an aperture through one side is aligned with the window in the well bore casing.
  • Fig. 3B is a side elevation view in partial cross section of the key member as it is mounted in the deflector member and showing the key member with additional pressure having been applied to the deflector member to overcome the spring in the key member for driving the deflector member downward while the key member is stopped in the key way, and thereby forces the setting of the seal member and slip grabbing members to secure the tubular sleeve member and deflector member in a sealed and fixed position in the main well bore casing.
  • Fig. 4 Is a front elevation of the deflector member of this invention out of the tubular sleeve member of the assembly of this invention.
  • Fig. 5A is a side elevation view of the assembly of this invention in partial cross section which shows the deflector member positioned and releasable seated in the tubular sleeve member and the deflection member and key member having set the seal member to form a seal down hole in the main well bore casing between the main well bore and the tubular sleeve member and having set the slip grabbing means to prevent movement of the tubular sleeve member and the tubular member has been functionally separated from the deflector member and deflected and landed into the lateral well bore.
  • orientation key member is at position A A in the muleshoe key way and the lower part of the aperture is at A' A' but prior to any controllable collapsing of the upper part of the tubular sleeve member in communication with the aperture.
  • Fig. 5B is a side elevation view of the assembly of this invention in partial cross section which shows the orientation key member for orientation of the tubular member seated in the key way of the mule shoe and the tubular sleeve member having been driven downward to set the up hole seal between the main well bore casing and the tubular sleeve member and having moved to a stopped position.
  • orientation key member is now shown at position B B in the muleshoe keyway and has controllably collapsed the upper part of the tubular sleeve member in communication with the aperture and has moved the lower part of upper part of the tubular sleeve member in communication with the aperture to B' B' and the sealing member positioned about the tubular member for seating with the seating surface inside the tubular sleeve member proximate the aperture is being moved into place.
  • Fig. 5C is a side elevation view of the assembly of this invention in partial cross section which shows the orientation key member for orientation of the tubular member and the key member seated in the key way of the mule shoe with the tubular sleeve member driven downward to a stopped position C- - - C and the tubular member released from the orientation key member to move further downward to finally seat the sealing member against the seating surface inside the tubular sleeve member proximate the aperture through the tubular sleeve member at C C.
  • Fig. 6 is a partial cross section front view of the tubular sleeve member with the controllably collapsible upper part in view and uncollapsed.
  • Fig.7A is a front elevation view of the tubular sleeve member with the orientation member for the tubular member and key in phantom view at a first position prior to the controlled compression of the upper tubular sleeve member but with the seal on the down hole end formed and slip grabbing members set.
  • Fig. 7B is a front elevation view of the tubular sleeve member with the orientation member for the tubular and key in phantom view at a second position after the controlled Compression of the upper tubular sleeve member and with the upper seal set.
  • Fig 8 is a partial cross section of the tubular sleeve member, the tubular member, the sealing means positioned about the tubular member and seated with the surface inside the tubular sleeve member proximate the aperture and showing an elastic tubular seal member and a one way check valve to inflate the elastic tubular seal member.
  • Fig. 9 is a partial cross section of the seal at the junction formed in a lateral well bore and the assembly of this invention being used to pressure check the seal before leaving the well and pulling the equipment from the well.
  • Fig. 10 is a partial cross section the tubular sleeve member and deflector member in place in the well and the tubular member and sealing member positioned about the tubular member for seating being run on a different trip into the well to form a seal a the junction of the lateral well bore drilled through the window in the main well bore casing.
  • Fig. 11 is a partial cross section of the deflector member being pulled from the tubular sleeve member after the seal at the junction of the lateral well bore drilled through the window in the main well bore casing has been formed and showing that the main well bore casing will be substantially clear after the seal at the junction was formed.
  • Fig. 12 is a partial cross section of the main well bore casing with the seal at the junction of the lateral well bore drilled through the window in the main well bore casing has been formed and showing that the main well bore casing is substantially clear after the seal at the junction was formed.
  • FIG. 1 A wherein a representational main well bore is generally shown as 10 with a main well bore casing shown at 11 , it should be understood all through out the teachings of this invention that while the drawings and discussion about the preferred embodiments may refer to vertical for the main well bore 10 or main well bore casing 11 , they, in fact, may be in a vertical position, or deviated therefrom, or a horizontal position, without departing from the teachings of this invention.
  • up hole and down hole may, in fact, in the ground be horizontal on occasions or even have up hole and down hole reversed, but the general teaching is that up hole mean back toward the surface of the ground and downhole means into the hole in the opposite direction from up hole whether it is down hole or not in the well.
  • lateral well bore or a multilateral well bore may or may not be truly lateral or horizontal but may be just more deviated than the main well bore 10 from which it is "kicked off from” but it will be generally referred to as a lateral well bore 12 or a multilateral in the teaching of this invention never the less.
  • any tubular product from which a lateral or multilateral drilling of a bore could be achieved could be used in the practice of this invention.
  • it could be used in the well bore of a lateral to drill another lateral well without deviating from the teachings of this invention.
  • It could be used with coiled tubing to drill a lateral well from the coiled tubing which might be the equivalent of the main well bore casing or it may be a lateral well from which an additional lateral might be drilled without departing from the teachings of this invention.
  • the assembly for forming a seal at the junction of a lateral well bore 12 drilled through a window 13 is generally shown as 14.
  • the assembly 14 is shown being lowered down hole in the main well bore casing 11 , which has the window 13 in a section of the casing already in place in the main well bore casing 11.
  • this window 13 could have been added to the make up of the casing string or it could have been milled down hole in place, either of which would not effect the practice of this invention, which makes this invention have universal application.
  • this assembly 14 comprises generally a tubular sleeve member 15 with a releasablely sealed deflection member 16 , sometimes referred to as a "Whip Stock", positioned in the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • the tubular sleeve member 15 is provided with an aperture 21 , as best seen in Fig.6, 7A, and 7B, through at least one side of the tubular sleeve member 15 which can be brought into alignment with the window 13 when the tubular sleeve member 15 is run into the main well bore casing 11 and has a seating surface 17, shown in Fig.
  • the deflection member 16 has an outwardly biased key 18 which when being run in the main well bore casing 11 is compressed back into the deflection member 16 through a key hole 19 in the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • the outward biased key 18 arrives at the window 13 in the main well bore casing 11 , the key 18 will pop outwardly into the window 13 and catch on the sill 20 of the window 13.
  • tubular sleeve member 15 has on it's up hole end a tubular mule shoe 22 which will provide mechanical guidance into a mule shoe key way 23 which is also formed in the up hole end of the tubular sleeve member 15 for orientation of yet another part of the assembly 14 of this invention, which will be further explained later.
  • the tubular sleeve member 15 is releasablely and functionally connected to a tubular member 24 through intermediated parts but still remains part of the assembly 14.
  • the functional connection may be through intermediated parts such as by connecting the tubular member 24 to, for example, a well liner 55 which is connected to the deflection member 16 which is in turn connected to the tubular sleeve member 15 and still be part of the assembly 14 which can then, as in this embodiment, be used to run both the tubular sleeve member 15, deflection member 16, tubular member 24, and the well liner 55 into the main well bore casing 11 and the lateral well bore 12 with only one trip into the well, while setting the intermediate parts and forming a seal.
  • the tubular member 24 is part of the assembly 14 and it has a sealing member 25 positioned about the tubular member 24 and an orientation key 40 for orientation of the tubular member 24 and the sealing member 25 relative to the aperture 21 of the tubular sleeve member 15 to bring the sealing member 25 into engagement with the seating surface 17 inside the tubular sleeve member 15 proximate the aperture 21 as the tubular member 24 is run into the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11.
  • a drill string 53 might be connected to a "Stab-in" 54, which may be a modified drill string section, which is connected to the tubular member 24 and which in turn might be connected to a lateral liner 55 for example or a wire screen or other tubular material or intermediate material for placement in the lateral well bore 12 and then used to position the tubular sleeve member 15 and deflector member.16 with the window 13 and also run the tubular member 24 with the sealing member 25 positioned about the tubular member 24 into place on one trip into the well.
  • a "Stab-in" 54 which may be a modified drill string section, which is connected to the tubular member 24 and which in turn might be connected to a lateral liner 55 for example or a wire screen or other tubular material or intermediate material for placement in the lateral well bore 12 and then used to position the tubular sleeve member 15 and deflector member.16 with the window 13 and also run the tubular member 24 with the sealing member 25 positioned about the tubular member 24 into place on one trip
  • a drill string 53 may be used to position the tubular sleeve member 15 and deflector member 16 with the window 13 and then run the tubular member 24 with the sealing member 25 positioned about the tubular member 24 at a later time without departing from the teaching of this invention.
  • the tubular member 24 is run with the tubular sleeve member 15 the complete installation of assembly 14 can be completed for achieving a seal at the junction of a lateral well bore 12 and a main well bore casing 11 in a single trip into the well, which as those skilled in the art will appreciate is desirable.
  • Fig. 2A through 2F it can be better understood how key 18 is used with the window 13 and sill 20 of the window 13 to align and position the tubular sleeve member 15 with it's aperture 21 in position with the window 13.
  • the assembly 14 of this invention can be used with almost all of them to practice the teaching of this invention for forming a seal at the junction of the lateral well bore 12 with the main well bore casing 11.
  • this assembly 14 and the method of it's practice have universal application in the lateral and multilateral well arts with all types of windows.
  • a window 13 is shown formed in the main well bore casing 11 with a window key way 26 provided at the down hole end or sill 52 of the window 13 and located in the main well bore 10.
  • the assembly 14 has not yet arrived at the window 13 because the window is clear.
  • the assembly 14 of this invention has arrived at the window 13 and the key 18 which is connected to the assembly 14 has popped outwardly into the window 13 and is being lowered by the operator down hole. It can be seen in Fig.
  • Fig. 2F it can be seen that the key 18 has finally come to rest in the key way 26, when the window 13 has a key way 26, which will positively position and align the aperture 21 of the tubular sleeve member 15 and the deflector member 16 with the window 13 of the main well bore casing 11 for the practice of this invention in forming a seal at the junction of the lateral well bore 12 in the main well bore casing 11.
  • Fig. 2B it can be seen that in a pre-cut window 13, which would have been added to the main well bore casing 11 as part of making up the main well bore casing 11 , provides a window 13 and sill 20 with a key way 26 at the down hole sill 52 also for the practice of this invention using the assembly 14.
  • the key 18 is not quiet in position in the key way 26 and thus the positioning and alignment of the assembly 14 has not been achieved yet, but is in process.
  • a window 13 and sill 20 have been formed by a down hole milling operation and the window 13 and the sill 20 which are formed are just the natural result of the target configuration produced by the milling bit which would have been used to mill them in the down hole milling process.
  • This natural result however allows the use of the assembly 14 of this invention to form a seal at the junction of the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11 in the same manner as with the premilled windows 13.
  • the art has perfected ways to also mill key ways down hole to achieve better alignment and positioning of tools for multilateral operations. For example in Fig.
  • Fig. 1 A and Fig. 1 B it will be seen that in Fig 1 A that the assembly 14 with the key 18 popped outwardly through the key hole 19 into the window 13 has, thus, found the window 13 and is being lowered down hole toward the key way 26 but has not yet come to rest in the key way 26, and is at a position A-A as shown, while in Fig. 1 B the key 18 has come to rest in the key way 26, and is at a position B-B as shown.
  • tubular member 24 is being used in conjunction with a drill string 53 , not shown in these figures, and a "Stab In" 54 connected at a drill collar 62, not shown in these figures, to run the tubular sleeve member 15 into the main well bore casing 11 and into alignment with the window 13.
  • the tubular member 24 and tubular sleeve member 15 may be run on any running device capable of running tools into the main well bore casing 11. It should be noted that in other embodiments that the tubular sleeve member 15 may be set first and then the tubular member 24 might be run into the main well bore casing 11 and lateral well bore 12 at a later time without departing from this invention.
  • Fig. 1A which is the running position of the assembly 14, it can be seen, in this embodiment, that the deflector member 16 is positioned in the tubular sleeve member 15 and releasable and slidably sealed therein by an o-ring seal 27 which thus seals the tubular sleeve member 15 from fluid flow there through once the tubular sleeve member 15 is set in the main well bore casing 11.
  • packer seal 28 is mounted on and through the tubular sleeve member 15 for being driven outwardly to form a seal between the main well bore casing 11 and the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • tubular sleeve member 15 Further mounted down hole on tubular sleeve member 15 are slip grabbing members 30, which are mounted for being driven outwardly into the main well bore casing 11 to grip the main well bore casing 11 for setting the tubular sleeve member 15 to prevent the movement of the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • slip grabbing members 30 are mounted for being driven outwardly into the main well bore casing 11 to grip the main well bore casing 11 for setting the tubular sleeve member 15 to prevent the movement of the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • the aperture 21 is aligned with the window 13.
  • the deflector member 16, however, while being releasable and slidably sealed in the tubualr sleeve member 15 would continue downward in response to the well operator continuing to let the drill string 53 down hole.
  • the key 18 is mounted into the deflector member 16 in a spring receiving box 31 , which has a first key spring 32 therein for compression by the key 18 when the assembly 14 is being run into the main well bore casing 11 but which is outwardly biased against the key 18 for popping the key 18 through the key hole 19 into the window 13 as has already been discussed.
  • a second key spring 33 is also mounted in the spring receiving box 29 for keeping the key 18 in a downward position until the key 18 comes to a stop when the key 18 comes to rest on the downhole sill 52 or key way 26 of the window 13, but will then compress and allow the deflector member 16 to continue downward motion while the key 18 remains in the stopped position.
  • a 2nd cam surface 67 which is located proximate the slip grabbing members 30 for driving the slip grabbing members 30 outwardly into the main well bore casing 11 to grip the main well bore casing 11 for setting the tubular sleeve member 15 to prevent the movement of the tubular sleeve member 15
  • This configuration at least in this one embodiment, thus allows for the sealing and fixedly setting of the tubular sleeve member 15 in the main well bore casing 11 with the aperture 21 of the tubular sleeve member 15 and the window 13 aligned for further operations which will be discussed.
  • the deflector member 16 has an inclined upper surface 34 for deflecting the tubular member 24 or any other tubular good , such as liner 55, through the window 13 when the tubular member 24 is run into contact with the inclined upper surface 34 of the deflection member 16. Also located on the up hole end of the deflector member 16, as best seen in Fig.4, is provided a female retrieving member 35 which will be more fully explained later but is for the purpose of pulling the deflection member 16 out of the tubular sleeve member 15 after the seal has been formed in the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11. Further in some embodiments of the deflector member 16, attachment points 36 are provided along this inclined upper surface 34.
  • the deflector member 16 has attaching points 36 which are provided on the deflector member 16 for allowing the attachment of a controlled releasable connector member 37 , as for example shear pins, for joining the deflector member 16 releasablely and functionally to the tubular member 24 whether directly or functionally, for example through a lateral liner 55 for running the assembly 14 into the main well bore casing 11.
  • a controlled releasable connector member 37 allows the controlled release of the controlled releasable connector member 37 after the deflector member 16 is stopped from down ward motion.
  • the deflector member 16 is stopped when it has moved down hole the distance allowed by the second key spring 33 and spring receiving box 31. Once the deflector member 16 can no longer be moved down hole, then the controlled releasable connector member 37 are released at the attaching point 36 such that the tubular member 24 and the lateral liner 55, for example, may continue down ward motion. Thus the tubular member 24 with the sealing member 25 position about the tubular member 24 can continue to be lowered down hole for the formation of a seal at the junction of the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11 at the window 13, after the tubular sleeve member 15 and deflector member 16 are fully set in place in the main well bore casing 11.
  • tubular sleeve member 15 could be set first and then the tubular member 24 could be run at a later time without departing from the teachings of this invention. Also between the attaching point 36 and the tubular member 24 may be connected other tubular goods, which would be intermediate thereto, for insertion into the lateral well bore 12 and which also provide a functional connection of the tubular member 24 and the deflector 16.
  • an orientation key 40 releasablely connected to the stab in 54 by shear pins 56 at a predetermined distance from the sealing member 25 comes into engagement with the tubular mule shoe 22 , located on the up hole end of the tubular sleeve member 15 and provides mechanical guidance of the orientation key 40 to the mule shoe key way 23 for orientation of tubular member 24 and the sealing member 25 positioned thereabout.
  • the tubular sleeve member 15 is formed in two pieces with the upper part, generally referred to at 41 , of the tubular sleeve member 15 being for controlled collapse and for sealing the tubular sleeve member 15 against the main well bore casing 11 proximate the upper part 41 of the tubular sleeve member 15 and for downward adjustment of the upper part, generally referred to at 42, of the aperture 21 in the tubular sleeve member 15 by bringing the seating surface 17 located on the upper part 42 of the aperture 21 inside the tubular sleeve member 15 proximate the aperture 21 into a preferred configuration for mating with the sealing member 25 positioned about the tubular member 24 for seating.
  • the tubular sleeve member 15, as set out above, may be formed in two pieces which are respectively the upper part 41 and lower part 69.
  • the upper part 41 of the tubular member 15 being formed into a tubular insert 43 for insertion into the lower part 69 of the tubular member 15 as shown in Figs. 6, 7A, and 7B.
  • the tubular insert 43 has an arched lower section 44 which frames the upper part 42 of the aperture 21 of the tubular sleeve member 15, as shown in Figs. 6, 7A & 7B.
  • a circular packer seal 45 with a fixed compression ring 46 positioned above the circular packer seal 45 for compressing the circular packer seal 45 into sealing engagement with the main well bore casing 11 for forming a seal there between when the tubular insert 43 is moved downward and the circular packer seal 45 is compressed against the up hole end 68 of the lower part 69 of the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • the outside surface of the tubular insert 43 has sealing and gripping surfaces 47 for mating with sealing and gripping surfaces 48 located on the inside of the tubular sleeve member 15 when the two sealing and gripping surfaces 47 & 48 are pushed together.
  • the orientation key 40 drives downward on the mule shoe key way 23 it drives the tubular insert 43 with the sealing and gripping surfaces 47 into engagement with the sealing and gripping surfaces 48 to both seal the tubular insert 43 and the inside surface of the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • One of the functions for the adjustment of the configuration of the aperture 21 is to provide both a sealing engagement between the sealing member 25 positioned about the tubular member 24 and the seating surface 17 inside of the tubular sleeve member 15 proximate the aperture 21 and also between the tubular member 24 and the aperture 21 by the downward movement by the arched lower section 44 thus forming a seal at the junction of the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11 , as shown in Fig 8.
  • compressible material 61 is connected about the aperture 21 of the tubular sleeve member 15 for sealing the tubular member 24 when the aperture 21 is downwardly adjusted by the arched section 44.
  • the sealing member 25 has positioned thereon a compression seal gasket 49 for forming a compression seal when the sealing member 25 is brought into engagement with the seating surface 17 inside the tubular sleeve member 15 proximate the aperture 21 as the tubular member 24 is run into the main well bore casing 11.
  • FIG. 8 and 9 shows a elastic tubular seal 50 about the sealing member 25 of the tubular member 24 which is in fluid communication by way of a one way check valve 51 , as best seen in Fig. 8, for receiving fluid 70 from the drill string 53 to expand the elastic tubular seal 50.
  • the elastic tubular seal 50 expands against the tubular sleeve member 15 which forms the aperture 21 and against the tubular sleeve member 15 outside and proximate the aperture 21 for providing a seal which will prevent well fluid 63 movement either into or out of the aperture 21 and for holding the tubular member 24 and the tubular sleeve member 15 together against movement.
  • a pressure check of the seal formed between the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11 can be conducted while all the equipment of the assembly 14 is in place in the well, as shown in Fig. 9. This test is done by pressuring up the well fluids 63 or any other desired fluids in the well and checking for leaks. If the seal formed is not as desired, then additional fluid 70 may be pumped in to expand the elastic tubular seal 50 further until a desired seal is formed, as shown by Fig. 8 & 9. As those skilled in the art would appreciate the stab in 54 would have a cap 57 to allow the fluid 70 to have a pressure build up to perform this operation.
  • the fluid 70 which was pumped into the elastic tubular seal 50 will set up and become solid, like a cement, for forming a very rigid seal.
  • the stab in 54 is sealed in place by a well bore seal 58 located in the tubular member 24, which holds until it is desired to pull the stab in 54 out of the tubular member 24.
  • the stab in 54 may be hydraulically disconnected form the tubular member 24 when it is desired to pull them from the main well bore casing 11
  • the deflection member 16 may be retrieved from the well as shown in Fig. 11 by running a drill string 53 with a male retrieving member 52 to engage with the female retrieving member 35 on the deflection member 16 and then pull the deflection member 16 from inside the tubular sleeve member 15 and clear of the window 13.
  • the main well bore casing 11 is substantially clear and open for further well operations below the junction of the seal between the main well bore casing 11 and the lateral well bore 12. In some cases it will be desired to seal the key cavity 59 , as shown in Fig.
  • an impervious plug 60 as shown in Fig. 12, would be set and sealed in the key cavity 59 using the mule shoe 22 and the mule shoe key way 23 with a running tool to locate and position the impervious plug 60 in the hole and seal it.
  • the ability to set this impervious plug 60 in the key cavity 59 points out one of the benefits of the use of the assembly 14 of this invention not only for setting the impervious plug 60, but also for reentry back into the lateral well bore at any later time.
  • the assembly 14 may be run in two separate runs, such that the deflection member 16 and tubular sleeve member 15 may be run into the main well bore casing 11 and used as a standard "Whip Stock " for setting lateral well bore liner 54, or lateral well bore screens, etc. and then the tubular member 24 with the sealing member 25 positioned' about the tubular member 24 may be run into the well on a later run to form the seal using a tubular member 24, with a "Stab In" 54 to join the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11 as shown in Fig. 10 without departing from the teachings of this invention.
  • the key 18 at least in some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 8, has a downwardly sloping front face 38 for grabbing on to the sill 20 of the window 13 and pulling the tubular sleeve member 15 in to very positive engagement against movement down hole. Further it should be noted that key 18 at least in this embodiment may also have downward sloping back face 39 for acting as a cam surface to drive the key 18 back into the spring receiving box 31 upon the deflector member 16 being removed from the tubular sleeve member 15 after completion of the seal operations.
  • tubular sleeve member 15 is sized to fit into the main well bore casing 11 or other tubular member into which it may be used and is sized to receive the deflection member 16 and have the O-ring seal 27 of the deflection member 16 to seal the tubular sleeve members 15 from fluid flow through the inside diameter of the tubular sleeve member 15.
  • the inside diameter of the tubular sleeve 15 would be as large as possible and yet still receive the benefits of this invention because the larger the inside diameter of the tubular sleeve 15 the less the main well bore casing clearance would be reduced after the seal at the junction of the lateral well bore 12 and the main well bore casing 11 is completed and the deflection member 16 is removed.
  • the method of using the assembly 14 of this invention for forming a seal at the junction of a lateral well bore 12 drilled through a window 13 in at least a main well bore casing 12 comprising in one embodiment the steps of running a tubular member 24 with a sealing member 25 positioned about the tubular member 24 into the main well bore casing 11 which is functionally and releasablely connected to a deflector member 16 which is positioned in the tubular sleeve member 15 having an aperture 21 through at least one side of the tubular sleeve member 15, and releasable sealed in the tubular sleeve member 15 and having an orientation key 18 positioned thereon.
  • tubular sleeve member 15 having an adjustable upper part 43 which is in mechanical communication with the aperture 21 for adjusting the aperture 21 until said controllably collapsible upper part 43 collapses which seals and sets the upper part of the tubular sleeve member 41 in the main well bore casing 11.
  • Step of pressure testing the seal by pressuring up the well with well fluids 63, or other fluid, to check the seal. If the seal is not as secure as desired then re-running the step of pumping fluid 70 into the elastic tubular seal 50 may be done again to higher pressures, possibly if desired, and a re-pressure testing of the seal again until the seal is as desired. All of this rechecking being done while all the equipment for forming the seal remains in place, which eliminates any need to reset up the equipment if the seal had failed.
  • main well bore casing 37 releasable connector member
  • tubular sleeve member 41 upper part of tubular sleeve
  • tubular mule shoe 48 sealing gripping surface

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un ensemble et un procédé permettant de former un joint hydraulique (47,48,49) à la jonction d'un puits de forage multilatéral percée à travers une fenêtre (13) dans au moins un puits de forage principal (10), lequel ensemble comprend : un élément tubulaire (24) qui est descendu dans le tubage de revêtement du puits de forage et qui est muni d'un élément d'étanchéité (49) placé autour de l'élément tubulaire afin de permettre son positionnement ; au moins un élément d'orientation (22) permettant d'orienter l'élément tubulaire et l'élément d'étanchéité précités dans le tubage de revêtement du puits de forage ; un élément manchon tubulaire (15) destiné à être inséré dans le puits de forage, lequel élément manchon possède, formée dans au moins l'un de ses côtés, une ouverture (21) destinée à s'aligner avec la fenêtre et, à l'intérieur de l'élément manchon tubulaire, une surface de positionnement (17) à proximité de l'ouverture, laquelle ouverture (21) est réglable dans certains modes de réalisation ; un élément déflecteur (16) placé et fixé de façon étanche et libérable dans l'élément manchon tubulaire (15), qui est destiné à dévier l'élément tubulaire à travers la fenêtre du puits de forage lorsque l'élément tubulaire (24) est descendu jusqu'à entrer en contact avec l'élément déflecteur (16) ; et au moins un élément d'orientation (19,32,33) destiné à orienter l'élément déflecteur par rapport à la fenêtre dans au moins le tubage de revêtement du puits de forage et à aligner l'ouverture formée dans le manchon tubulaire (15) avec la fenêtre.
PCT/GB2000/004835 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral WO2002048504A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00985586A EP1348064B1 (fr) 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral
CA002432057A CA2432057C (fr) 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral
DE60021290T DE60021290D1 (de) 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 Anordnung und verfahren zur abdichtung einer bohrlochabzweigung eines bohrloches mit mehreren seitenbohrungen
AU2001221996A AU2001221996A1 (en) 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 An assembly and method for forming a seal in junction of a multilateral wellbore
PCT/GB2000/004835 WO2002048504A1 (fr) 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/GB2000/004835 WO2002048504A1 (fr) 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002048504A1 true WO2002048504A1 (fr) 2002-06-20

Family

ID=9886665

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/004835 WO2002048504A1 (fr) 2000-12-15 2000-12-15 Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1348064B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2001221996A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2432057C (fr)
DE (1) DE60021290D1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002048504A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2372272B (en) * 2001-02-20 2003-08-27 Schlumberger Holdings Junction apparatus and method for connecting a main well bore and a lateral branch
US6848504B2 (en) 2002-07-26 2005-02-01 Charles G. Brunet Apparatus and method to complete a multilateral junction
GB2421747A (en) * 2004-12-28 2006-07-05 Schlumberger Holdings System and technique for orienting and positioning a lateral string in a multilateral system.
US10196880B2 (en) 2014-12-29 2019-02-05 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Multilateral junction with wellbore isolation
US10655433B2 (en) 2014-12-29 2020-05-19 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Multilateral junction with wellbore isolation using degradable isolation components

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0935051A2 (fr) * 1998-02-05 1999-08-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Procédé pour la fabrication d'une jonction dans un puits de forage
US5971074A (en) * 1997-02-13 1999-10-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus
EP0961007A2 (fr) * 1998-05-28 1999-12-01 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Jonction expansible de puits de forage
US6009949A (en) * 1998-01-27 2000-01-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Apparatus and methods for sealing a wellbore junction
US6012526A (en) * 1996-08-13 2000-01-11 Baker Hughes Incorporated Method for sealing the junctions in multilateral wells
US6012516A (en) * 1997-09-05 2000-01-11 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Deviated borehole drilling assembly
US6015012A (en) * 1996-08-30 2000-01-18 Camco International Inc. In-situ polymerization method and apparatus to seal a junction between a lateral and a main wellbore
US6062306A (en) * 1998-01-27 2000-05-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sealed lateral wellbore junction assembled downhole
US6065543A (en) * 1998-01-27 2000-05-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sealed lateral wellbore junction assembled downhole
US6089320A (en) * 1997-10-10 2000-07-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Apparatus and method for lateral wellbore completion

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6012526A (en) * 1996-08-13 2000-01-11 Baker Hughes Incorporated Method for sealing the junctions in multilateral wells
US6015012A (en) * 1996-08-30 2000-01-18 Camco International Inc. In-situ polymerization method and apparatus to seal a junction between a lateral and a main wellbore
US5971074A (en) * 1997-02-13 1999-10-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus
US6012516A (en) * 1997-09-05 2000-01-11 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Deviated borehole drilling assembly
US6089320A (en) * 1997-10-10 2000-07-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Apparatus and method for lateral wellbore completion
US6009949A (en) * 1998-01-27 2000-01-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Apparatus and methods for sealing a wellbore junction
US6062306A (en) * 1998-01-27 2000-05-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sealed lateral wellbore junction assembled downhole
US6065543A (en) * 1998-01-27 2000-05-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Sealed lateral wellbore junction assembled downhole
EP0935051A2 (fr) * 1998-02-05 1999-08-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Procédé pour la fabrication d'une jonction dans un puits de forage
EP0961007A2 (fr) * 1998-05-28 1999-12-01 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Jonction expansible de puits de forage

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2372272B (en) * 2001-02-20 2003-08-27 Schlumberger Holdings Junction apparatus and method for connecting a main well bore and a lateral branch
US6848504B2 (en) 2002-07-26 2005-02-01 Charles G. Brunet Apparatus and method to complete a multilateral junction
GB2421747A (en) * 2004-12-28 2006-07-05 Schlumberger Holdings System and technique for orienting and positioning a lateral string in a multilateral system.
GB2421747B (en) * 2004-12-28 2007-10-17 Schlumberger Holdings System and technique for orienting and positioning a lateral string in a multilateral system
US7284607B2 (en) 2004-12-28 2007-10-23 Schlumberger Technology Corporation System and technique for orienting and positioning a lateral string in a multilateral system
US10196880B2 (en) 2014-12-29 2019-02-05 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Multilateral junction with wellbore isolation
US10655433B2 (en) 2014-12-29 2020-05-19 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Multilateral junction with wellbore isolation using degradable isolation components
US11313205B2 (en) 2014-12-29 2022-04-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Multilateral junction with wellbore isolation
US11506025B2 (en) 2014-12-29 2022-11-22 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Multilateral junction with wellbore isolation using degradable isolation components

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1348064A1 (fr) 2003-10-01
AU2001221996A1 (en) 2002-06-24
CA2432057A1 (fr) 2002-06-20
CA2432057C (fr) 2006-07-04
EP1348064B1 (fr) 2005-07-13
DE60021290D1 (de) 2005-08-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6209644B1 (en) Assembly and method for forming a seal in a junction of a multilateral well bore
US5388648A (en) Method and apparatus for sealing the juncture between a vertical well and one or more horizontal wells using deformable sealing means
US5325924A (en) Method and apparatus for locating and re-entering one or more horizontal wells using mandrel means
CA2218278C (fr) Appareil et methode de completion d'un puits lateral
US5353876A (en) Method and apparatus for sealing the juncture between a verticle well and one or more horizontal wells using mandrel means
US5322127A (en) Method and apparatus for sealing the juncture between a vertical well and one or more horizontal wells
US5318122A (en) Method and apparatus for sealing the juncture between a vertical well and one or more horizontal wells using deformable sealing means
CA2120365C (fr) Sifflets deviateurs servant a reperer un ou plusieurs puits lateraux et a y penetrer de nouveau
US5520252A (en) Method and apparatus for sealing the juncture between a vertical well and one or more horizontal wells
US5311936A (en) Method and apparatus for isolating one horizontal production zone in a multilateral well
US10240434B2 (en) Junction-conveyed completion tooling and operations
WO1994003697A9 (fr) Procede et appareil pour localiser et reouvrir un ou plusieurs puits horizontaux a l'aide d'un dispositif a mandrin
GB2388138A (en) Downhole reference member for drilling operations
GB2297988A (en) Method and apparatus for locating and re-entering one or more horizontal wells using whipstocks
US20150376955A1 (en) Lateral Junction For Use In A Well
EP1348064B1 (fr) Ensemble et procede permettant de former un joint a la jonction d'un puits de forage multilateral
GB2297779A (en) Method and apparatus for sealing the juncture between a vertical and horizontal well
CA2497617C (fr) Sifflets deviateurs servant a reperer un ou plusieurs puits lateraux et a y penetrer de nouveau
CA2120486C (fr) Methode et appareillage pour reperer et penetrer a nouveau dans un ou plusieurs puits horizontaux, a l'aide d'un mandrin

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BR CA GB NO

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2432057

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2000985586

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2000985586

Country of ref document: EP

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 2000985586

Country of ref document: EP