Method and apparatus for sealing the juncture between a vertical well and one or more horizontal wells using deformable sealing means
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorHenry J. Jordan, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of methods and devices are provided for solving important and serious problems posed by lateral (and especially multilateral) completion in a wellbore including methods and devices for sealing the junction between a vertical and lateral well. Methods are disclosed wherein deformable devices are utilized to selectively seal the juncture between the vertical and lateral wells. Such deformable devices may comprise (1) an inflatable mold which utilizes a hardenable liquid (e.g., epoxy or cementious slurry) to form the seal; (2) expandable memory metal devices; and (3) swaging devices for plastically deforming a sealing material.
Claims11
A method for sealing the intersection between a primary borehole and a branch borehole comprising the steps of:
- positioning deformable sealing means at an intersection between a primary borehole and branch borehole subsequent to drilling of the branch borehole;
- and
- deforming said sealing means to seal the intersection between said primary borehole and said branch borehole;
- and wherein
- said deformable sealing means comprises collapsible/expandable assembly means having,
- a rigid primary element with a window therethrough;
- a secondary element attached to said primary element and communicating with said window, said secondary element being adapted to collapse against said primary element and expand angularly from said primary element;
- said deforming step further including;
- collapsing said secondary element prior to positioning said deformable sealing means at said intersection with said branch borehole;
- expanding said secondary element toward said branch borehole;
- plugging said end of said secondary element;
- and
- applying pressure to said secondary element through said primary element wherein internal pressure is created in said plugged secondary element to thereby inflate said secondary element.
The method of claim 2 wherein said secondary element comprises:
- a non-metallic material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.