US 5,474,131 A · Method for completing multi-lateral wells and maintaining selective re-entry into laterals

Abstract

A method for completing multi-lateral wells and maintaining selective re-entry into laterals is presented. In accordance with the present invention, a first lateral well is drilled from a primary well bore and a string of external casing packers and a packer bore receptacle are run therein. Once the orientation of the packer bore receptacle is determined, an orientation anchor of a retrievable whipstock assembly is mounted thereto. Thereafter, a second lateral well may be drilled. Once the second lateral well is drilled, the whipstock assembly may be retrieved and replaced with a scoophead diverter assembly which also includes an orientation anchor for mating with the packer bore receptacle. At this time, a string of external casing packers may be run into the second lateral well through the scoophead diverter assembly. Finally, a selective reentry tool is run into the scoophead assembly. The selective re-entry tool includes a diversion flapper for selecting either the first or second lateral well bore. Selective re-entry is desirable for the purpose of performing well intervention techniques. The re-entry tool may be actuated by a device located on a coil tubing work string which may be operated from the surface.

Claims54

Dependent claims

A method for completing multilateral wells wherein a primary well communicates with at least a first and a second lateral well extending from said primary well, said first lateral well being downhole from said second lateral well, comprising the steps of:

(a) completing said first lateral with a first completion string, said first completion string including a packer bore receptacle having a first orientation device;
(b) running a scoophead/diverter assembly into said primary well, said scoophead/diverter assembly including a scoophead and a diverter spaced downwardly from and connected to said scoophead, said scoophead/diverter assembly terminating at an orientation anchor having a second orientation device for mating with said first orientation device, said scoophead/diverter assembly further including fluid communications structure for fluid communication with said first completion string;
and
(c) completing said second lateral well with a second completion string which is passed through said scoophead and diverted by said diverter into said second lateral well.

1 more element

A method for completing multilateral wells wherein a primary well communicates with at least a first and a second lateral well extending from said primary well, said first well being downhole from said second lateral well, comprising the steps of:

(a) completing siad first lateral with a first completion string;
(b) running a scoophead diverter assembly into said primary well, said scoophead diverter assembly comprising:
(1) a scoophead, said scoophead including at least a first and a second longitudinal bore therethrough, said first bore adapted for communication with the first lateral well and the second bore adapted for communication with the seocnd lateral well;
(2) a diverter sub, said diverter sub including at least a first longitudinal opening therethrough and a sloped diverting outer surface for directing an object into the second lateral well;
(3) a connecting structure for rigidly connecting said scoophead to said diverter sub at a preselected spaced distance;
and
(4) tubing communicating between said first bore in said scoophead and said opening of said diverter sub;
(c) completing said second lateral well with a second completion string which is passed through said scoophead and diverted by said sloped diverting outer surface into said second lateral well;
and
(d) running a liner tie back sleeve into said second bore of said scoophead, said liner tie back sleeve comprising:
a cylindrical sleeve having opposed first and seocnd ends and having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
threading on said second end of said sleeve for threadably mating with production tubing;
a smooth seal bore along a portion of said interior of said sleeve;
a first attachment along a portion of siad interior of said sleeve for removable attachment of said sleeve to a running tool;
and
a second attachment along a portion of said exterior of said sleeve for attachment within said second bore of said scoophead.

13 more elements

(a) completing said first lateral with a first completion string;
(b) running a scoophead diverter assembly into said primary well, said scoophead diverter assembly comprising:
(1) a scoophead, said scoophead including at least a first and a second longitudinal bore therethrough, said first bore adapted for communication with the first lateral well and the second bore adapted for communication with the second lateral well;
(2) a diverter sub, said diverter sub including at least a first longitudinal opening therethrough and a sloped diverting outer surface for directing an object into the second lateral well;
(3) a connecting structure for rigidly connecting said scoophead to said diverter sub at a preselected spaced distance;
and
(4) tubing communicating between said first bore in said scoophead and said opening of said diverter sub;
(c) completing said second lateral well with a second completion string which is passed through said scoophead and diverted by said sloped diverting outer surface into said second lateral well;
and
(d) running a parallel seal assembly into said first and second bores of said scoophead, said parallel seal assembly comprising:
a seal assembly housing;
a first seal assembly extending from said housing, said first seal assembly comprising a first tubing having an exterior cylindrical surface with a first seal disposed along a portion of said surface, said first seal being in sealing engagement with said second bore of said scoophead means;
and
a second seal assembly extending from said housing, said second seal assembly comprising a second tubing having an exterior cylindrical surface with a second seal disposed along a portion of said surface, said second seal being in sealing engagement within said first bore of said scoophead means.

11 more elements

(a) completing said first lateral with a first completion string:
(b) running a scoophead diverter assembly into said primary well, said scoophead diverter assembly comprising:
(1) a scoophead, said scoophead including at least a first and a second longitudinal bore therethrough, said first bore adapted for communication with the first lateral well and the second bore adapted for communication with the second lateral well;
(2) a diverter sub, said diverter sub including at least a first longitudinal opening therethrough and a sloped diverting outer surface for directing an object into the second lateral well;
(3) a connecting structure for rigidly connecting said scoophead to said diverter sub at a preselected spaced distance;
and
(4) tubing communicating between said first bore in said scoophead and said opening of said diverter sub:
(c) completing said second lateral well with a second completion string which is passed through said scoophead and diverted by said sloped diverting outer surface into said second lateral well;
and
(d) running the scoophead into the primary well using a running tool, the running tool comprising:
running the scoophead means into the primary well using a running tool, the running tool comprising:
a mounting head having an opening passing longitudinally therethrough, said mounting head having a first end and an opposed second end;
a running stump extending outwardly from said second end and being positioned in said second bore of said scoophead;
and
a housing extending outwardly from said first end and communicating with said opening through said mounting head, said housing being parallel to said running stump, said housing and running stump being axially offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said mounting head;
an internal mandrel in said housing having an outer surface and an interior longitudinal opening, said internal mandrel being longitudinally movable within said housing in response to a selected force;
and
a displaceable connector cooperating with said housing and internal mandrel to selectively engage or disengage from a mating connector in said first bore of said scoophead in response to the movement of said internal mandrel.

15 more elements

the steps of:
(a) completing said first lateral with a first completion string;
(b) running a scoophead diverter assembly into said primary well, said scoophead diverter assembly comprising;
(1) a scoophead, said scoophead including at least a first and a second longitudinal bore therethrough, said first bore adapted for communication with the first lateral well and the second bore adapted for communication with the second lateral well;
(2) a diverter sub, said diverter sub including at least a first longitudinal opening therethrough and a sloped diverting outer surface for directing an object into the second lateral well;
(3) a connecting structure for rigidly connecting said scoophead to said diverter sub at a preselected spaced distance;
and
(4) tubing communicating between said first bore in said scoophead and said opening of said diverter sub;
(c) completing said second lateral well with a second completion string which is passed through said scoophead and diverted by said sloped diverting outer surface into said second lateral well;
and
(d) running a device for selective re-entry of multi-lateral wells into said scoophead, the device being remotely controlled by an actuator from a surface operator

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for completing multi-lateral wells and maintaining selective re-entry into laterals

Life of this patent

Method for completing multi-lateral wells and maintaining selective re-entry into laterals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims54