# US 11,078,756 B2 · Method and apparatus for introducing a junction assembly including a transition joint and a load transfer device

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- Number: US 11,078,756 B2
- Document ID: US11078756B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/478,443
- Filed: 2018-07-25
- Published: 2020-12-03
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2018-07-25
- Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Inventors: Stephen Ross Maddux; Shane Patrick Furlong; David Joe Steele
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11078756B2

## CPC

- E21B 41/0035: {Apparatus or methods for multilateral well technology, e.g. for the completion of or workover on wells with one or more lateral branches}
- E21B 23/01: for anchoring the tools or the like (E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18)
- E21B 41/0042: {characterised by sealing the junction between a lateral and a main bore}
- E21B 29/06: Cutting windows, e.g. directional window cutters for whipstock operations ({E21B29/005 and} E21B29/08 take precedence)
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

A junction system to line a lateral wellbore can include a junction assembly and a running tool. The junction assembly can include an anchor, a transition joint, a load transfer device, and a lateral liner. The running tool assembly can be configured to extend within a central bore of the junction assembly. The running tool assembly can include a setting tool to set the anchor and a locking device to permit transfer of axial or rotational force between the lateral liner and a work string.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method to introduce a junction assembly from a primary wellbore into a lateral wellbore, the method comprising:
introducing a running tool into the junction assembly, wherein the junction assembly includes an anchor, a transition joint coupled to the anchor, a load transfer device coupled to the transition joint, and a lateral liner coupled to the load transfer device;
milling a transition joint window in the transition joint;
releaseably coupling the running tool to the anchor and to the load transfer device;
advancing the running tool and the junction assembly through a casing of the primary wellbore;
introducing the lateral liner through a casing window of the casing; and
applying rotational or axial force to the lateral liner and the load transfer device via the running tool to position the lateral liner within the lateral wellbore.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising diverting a load from the lateral liner to the running tool via the load transfer device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising locating the casing window via the running tool.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein milling the transition joint window comprises milling the transition joint window at a downhole location.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising aligning the transition joint window of the transition joint with the casing window.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein aligning the transition joint window further comprises axially aligning the transition joint with the casing window.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein aligning the transition joint window further comprises rotationally aligning the transition joint with the casing window.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising cementing the lateral liner within the lateral wellbore.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising setting the anchor.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein setting the anchor further comprises expanding the anchor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein expanding the anchor comprises hydraulically expanding the anchor.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein expanding the anchor comprises mechanically expanding the anchor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
disengaging the running tool from the junction assembly; and
retrieving the running tool from the primary wellbore.

### Claim 14

A junction system to line a lateral wellbore extending from a primary wellbore, the junction system comprising:
a junction assembly including an anchor, a transition joint, a load transfer device, and a lateral liner that collectively define a central bore extending therethrough, the transition joint coupled to the anchor, the transition joint including a transition joint window extending through the transition joint into the central bore, the load transfer device coupled to the transition joint, the load transfer device including a load transfer device profile disposed within the central bore, wherein the load transfer device profile includes an axial engagement portion and a rotational engagement portion, the lateral liner positioned below the transition joint; and
a running tool assembly configured to extend within the central bore of the junction assembly, the running tool assembly including:
an upper connection to a work string;
a setting tool coupled to the upper connection; and
a locking device axially spaced apart from the setting tool, the locking device including locking profile complimentary to the load transfer device profile to engage with the axial engagement portion or the rotational engagement portion of the load transfer device profile, wherein axial and rotational engagement between the load transfer device and the locking device permits transfer of axial or rotational force between the lateral liner and the work string.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The junction system of claim 14, further comprising a mandrel coupling the setting tool and the locking device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The junction system of claim 15, wherein the mandrel extends across the transition joint.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The junction system of claim 15, further comprising an actuating lug assembly disposed between the setting tool and the locking device, the actuating lug assembly including:
a lug having a lug member and a pivot, the lug coupled to a mandrel; and
the lug member and the pivot configured to urge the lug away from the mandrel.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The junction system of claim 17, wherein the actuating lug assembly includes a plurality of actuating lug assemblies.

### Claim 19

A junction system to line a lateral wellbore extending from a primary wellbore, the junction system comprising:
a junction assembly including an anchor, a transition joint, a load transfer device, and a lateral liner that collectively define a central bore extending therethrough, the anchor including an anchor profile disposed within the central bore, the transition joint coupled to the anchor, the load transfer device coupled to the transition joint, the load transfer device including an inner engagement surface, the lateral liner coupled to the load transfer device; and
a running tool assembly configured to extend within the central bore of the junction assembly, the running tool assembly including:
an upper connection to a work string;
a setting tool coupled to the upper connection, the setting tool including a setting tool collet, and a mandrel extending within the setting tool collet, wherein the setting tool collet includes a setting profile complimentary to the anchor profile and is configured to receive the anchor profile; and
a locking device axially spaced apart from the setting tool, the locking device including a locking profile configured to engage the inner engagement surface, wherein axial and rotational engagement between the load transfer device and the locking device permits transfer of axial or rotational force between the lateral liner and the work string.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The junction system of claim 19, wherein the mandrel extends across the transition joint.