Apparatus and method for installing a branch junction from a main well
AssigneePhilippe C. Nobileau
InventorPhilippe C. Nobileau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A casing junction member connects in a well between a main casing and a lateral branch casing. The junction member has an upper end section which connects to the main casing extending above the member. It has a lower end section that is coaxial and connects into the main casing below the junction member. The junction member has a lateral section which extends downward for connecting to lateral branch casing. The junction between the main section and the lateral section has enlarged sections that are formed by opposed cones. A removable or drillable closure member blocks the lateral passage while in the collapsed and expanded positions. The casing junction uses internal fluid pressure to move from collapsed position to expanded position.
Claims16
A casing junction apparatus for joining a lateral branch casing to a string of main casing in a well, the apparatus having a collapsed position for running-in and an expanded position while installed, the apparatus comprising:
- a main passage having an upper end (19) and a lower end (41) adapted to be secured into and run into a main well while the apparatus is in the collapsed position, and
- a lateral passage joining the main passage between the upper and lower ends and extending laterally therefrom;
- and wherein the apparatus is formed of malleable material;
- said apparatus being characterized in that said main passage comprises:
- a generally conical upper enlarged section (21) which is adapted to be connected to said upper end and diverges in a downward direction,
- a generally conical lower enlarged section (27) which joins the upper enlarged section or a cylindrical downward extension of it and extends downward, the conical lower enlarged section converging in a downward direction for connection to said lower end;
- and
- said lateral passage comprises a branch lateral section (29) which joins at least one of the enlarged sections and extends downward at an angle relative to the main casing for connection to lateral branch casing below the apparatus.
A method for providing a junction in a main casing to enable a lateral branch well to be drilled therefrom, comprising:
- (a) providing a metal junction apparatus which has a single generally conical upper diverging downwardly end (21), a main leg comprising a converging downwardly conical portion and a lateral leg comprising a converging downwardly conical portion, defining a generally inverted Y-shape;
- (b) deforming the junction apparatus into a collapsed position in which the main leg portion receive the lateral leg portion;
- (c) blocking the lateral leg portion with a removable or drillable closure;
- (d) securing the junction apparatus into the main casing, and running the main casing and the junction apparatus into a well;
- and
- (e) pumping a liquid into the main casing at a pressure sufficient to cause the junction apparatus to expand into the inverted Y-shape, with the lateral leg portion moving laterally outward.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.