Back to results
US 2012/0234551 A1Published application
System and Method For Drilling A Well That Extends For A Large Horizontal Distance
OwnerStuart R. Keller, Adel H. Younan +3inventors
InventorsStuart R. Keller, Adel H. Younan, Mark C. Gentry, Timothy J. Nedwed, Bruce A. Dale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for extending the horizontal distance through which wells can be drilled. A horizontal tubular is used to convey a drillstring from a drilling rig toward a target location and a mud return line and pump on the surface is used to pump drilling mud returning from the bit back to the drilling rig.
Claims30
A system for extended reach drilling of a well, comprising:
- a drilling rig;
- a horizontal tubular disposed to receive a drillstring from the drilling rig and extending from the drilling rig to a selected location;
- a mud return line connected to a port in the horizontal tubular;
- and
- a pump connected in the mud return line.
2 more elements
A method for drilling a well having a surface location and a bottomhole location horizontally offset from the surface location, comprising:
- supplying a drilling rig;
- installing a horizontal tubular having a proximal end disposed to receive a drillstring from the drilling rig and extending to a selected location, the horizontal tubular having a port in proximity to a distal end;
- installing a mud return line outside the horizontal tubular from the port in the horizontal tubular to the drilling rig and a pump for pumping mud through the return line;
- connecting the mud return line to the horizontal tubular through the port in the horizontal tubular;
- placing the drillstring through the horizontal tubular and drilling into the earth in a first selected direction to a selected first depth with the drillstring to form a first borehole;
- placing a casing string having a packer thereon through the horizontal tubular to a selected location in the first borehole, the casing string having a port at a selected location, such that the port in the casing string is in proximity to the port in the horizontal tubular.
3 more elements
A method for drilling a well, comprising:
- supplying two drilling rigs;
- installing two horizontal tubulars disposed to receive a drillstring from each of the drilling rigs and extending from each drilling rig to a selected location;
- installing a mud return line from each of the drilling rigs to a selected location along each of the horizontal tubulars and connecting the mud return lines through a port in the horizontal tubulars, the port being controlled by a valve;
- installing a pump and power for the pump, the pump being connected in the mud return line;
- and
- operating the pump to deliver mud to a selected drilling rig.
3 more elements
A method for drilling multiple wells, comprising:
- supplying a drilling rig;
- installing a horizontal tubular disposed to receive a drillstring from the drilling rig and extending from the drilling rig to a selected location, the horizontal tubular having a whipstock at a distal end oriented to direct tubulars in a first direction from the distal end of the horizontal tubular;
- installing a mud return line from the drilling rig to a selected location along the horizontal tubular and connecting the mud return line through a port in the horizontal tubular, the port being controlled by a valve;
- installing a pump and power for the pump, the pump being connected in the mud return line;
- and
- operating the pump to deliver mud to the drilling rig at a selected rate while drilling a first well in the first direction from the distal end of the horizontal tubular;
- operating the whipstock to direct tubulars in a second direction from the distal end of the horizontal tubular;
- and
- operating the pump to deliver mud to the drilling rig at a selected rate while drilling a second well in the second direction from the distal end of the horizontal tubular;
6 more elements
A method for drilling a lower section of a well, comprising:
- drilling and casing an upper section of the well using a first drilling rig;
- supplying a second drilling rig;
- installing a horizontal tubular disposed to receive a drillstring from the second drilling rig to the upper section of the well;
- installing a mud return line, having a pump therein and power for the pump, from the second drilling rig to a selected location along the horizontal tubular and connecting the mud return line through a port in the horizontal tubular;
- and
- operating the pump to deliver mud to the drilling rig at a selected rate while drilling a first well in the first direction from the distal end of the horizontal tubular.
3 more elements
A system for connecting a well with a drilling vessel for extended reach drilling operations comprising:
- a drilling rig;
- a horizontal tubular disposed to receive a drillstring from the drilling rig and extending from the drilling rig to a selected location;
- a mud return line connected to the horizontal tubular at a selected location along the horizontal tubular;
- a pump connected with the mud return line;
- and
- a whipstock in the well;
- wherein the horizontal tubular connects with the well at a location in the well substantially at or below the whipstock.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.