Multi-lateral wellbore systems and methods for forming same

A method for recovering hydrocarbons form one or more producing zones, comprising:

• (a) forming a primary wellbore substantially in a non-producing formation;
• (b) forming at least one branch wellbore into a producing zone for producing hydrocarbons therefrom, said at least one branch wellbore intersecting the primary wellbore;
• (c) installing a fluid flow control device in the at least one branch wellbore for controlling the flow of the hydrocarbons from the branch wellbore into the primary wellbore;
• and
• (d) producing the hydrocarbons from the producing zone by flowing such hydrocarbons through the primary wellbore while maintaining the primary wellbore substantially free of flow control devices.

A method for producing hydrocarbons form a producing zone, comprising:

• (a) forming a primary wellbore substantially in a non-producing formation;
• (b) forming a branch wellbore into the producing zone for producing hydrocarbons therefrom, said branch wellbore intersecting the primary wellbore;
• (c) forming a sealed junction at the intersection of the primary wellbore and the branch wellbore, said junction formed entirely outside the producing zone;
• (d) forming a storage wellbore intersecting with the primary wellbore for storing therein a retrievable device for later use;
• and
• (e) producing the hydrocarbons from the producing zone by flowing such hydrocarbons through the primary wellbore.

A method for forming multi-lateral wellbores for producing hydrocarbons from subterranean formations, said method comprising:

• (a) forming a primary wellbore in a first formation;
• (b) forming a plurality of lateral wellbores intersecting the primary wellbore, wherein at least one lateral wellbore is formed into a producing zone for producing hydrocarbons therefrom and at least one lateral wellbore is formed primarily in the first formation;
• (c) placing a retrievable device useful for performing work at a later time in the at least one lateral wellbore formed in the first formation and storing a retrievable device therein for performing work downhole;
• (d) completing the wellbores in the production zone and producing the hydrocarbons from the producing zone by flowing such hydrocarbons through the primary wellbore;
• and
• (e) retrieving the stored devices and performing an operation therewith downhole.

A method for recovering hydrocarbons form a producing zone, comprising:

• (a) forming a primary wellbore;
• (b) forming a branch wellbore into the producing zone for producing the hydrocarbons;
• (c) producing hydrocarbons from the producing zone via the branch wellbore;
• and
• (d) compressing gas present in the hydrocarbons produced from the producing zone by a compressor placed downhole.

A method for forming wellbores, comprising:

• (a) forming a first access wellbore into a non-producing formation;
• (b) forming a second access wellbore from the first access wellbore into a producing formation, said second access wellbore intersecting with the first access wellbore;
• (c) forming a branch production wellbore from the second access wellbore into the producing formation;
• and
• (d) producing hydrocarbons from the producing formation.

A method for transporting a working device into a desired lateral wellbore selected from a plurality of lateral wellbores intersecting with an access wellbore said method comprising:

• (a) detachably attaching the working device to a transport device, said transport device adapted to sass over lateral wellbores preceding the desired lateral wellbore while said working device being adapted to be inserted into the desired lateral wellbore;
• (b) conveying the transport device carrying the working device into the access wellbore past each of the lateral wellbores preceding the desired lateral wellbore;
• (c) detaching the transport device from the working device prior to the working device reaching the desired lateral wellbore;
• and
• (d) moving the working device until it is placed in the desired lateral wellbore.

Apparatus for selectively accessing from a surface location a desired lateral wellbore from a plurality of wellbores which intersect with an access wellbore having a known diameter drilled into a subterranean formation, wherein each lateral wellbore communicates with the access wellbore through a separate opening between such lateral wellbore and the access wellbore and wherein the largest dimension of each such opening is smaller than the diameter of the access wellbore, comprising:

• (a) a conveying apparatus suitable for conveying devices from the surface location into the access wellbore;
• (b) a transport device detachably connected to the conveying apparatus for conveying the transport device into the access wellbore, the transport device having outside dimensions greater than the size of the opening of each of the lateral wells preceding the desired lateral wellbore;
• and
• (c) a working device attached to the conveying apparatus near the transport device, said working device having outside dimensions smaller that the opening of the desired wellbore.

A method for recovering hydrocarbons form a producing zone, comprising:

• (a) forming a primary wellbore substantially in a non-producing formation;
• (b) forming a branch wellbore into the producing zone, said branch wellbore intersecting the primary wellbore;
• (c) completing the branch wellbore for producing hydrocarbons therefrom;
• (d) placing a concentric tubing in the primary wellbore, said concentric tubing having an inner tubing and an outer tubing
• (e) recovering hydrocarbons from the producing zone via the branch wellbore;
• and
• (f) flowing the produced hydrocarbons to the surface by independently controlling flow of the produced hydrocarbons through the inner and outer concentric tubings.