Lateral branch junction for well casing
OwnerPhilippe Nobileauinventor
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 portion which connects to the main casing extending above the member. It has a lower end portion that is coaxial and connects into the main casing below the junction member. The junction member has a lateral section which joins the main section at a junction and extends downward for connecting to lateral branch casing. The junction between the main section and the lateral section has a lower perimeter portion that is generally in the shape of a parabola. A stiffening member is joined to the lower perimeter portion of this junction. The stiffening member is located in a plane containing the lower perimeter portion of the junction.
Claims20
A casing junction apparatus for connection in a well between a main casing and a lateral branch casing, comprising:
- a main section having an upper end portion for connection to main casing extending above the apparatus, the upper end portion being cylindrical and having a longitudinal axis;
- the main section having a cylindrical lower end portion substantially coaxial with the upper end portion for connection to main casing extending below the apparatus;
- a lateral section which joins the main section at a junction and extends downward from the main section at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the lateral section having a cylindrical lower end portion for connection to lateral branch casing;
- the junction between the main section and the lateral section having a lower perimeter portion that is generally in the shape of a parabola;
- and
- a stiffening member joined to the lower perimeter portion of the junction, the stiffening member being located in a plane containing the lower perimeter portion of the junction.
A casing junction apparatus for connection in a well between a main casing and a lateral branch casing, comprising:
- a main upper end portion for connection to the main casing above the apparatus, the main upper end portion being cylindrical and having a longitudinal main axis;
- a generally conical intermediate portion which joins the main upper end portion and diverges in a downward direction;
- a generally conical main portion which joins the intermediate portion and extends downward, the conical main portion converging in a downward direction;
- a main lower end portion for connection to the main casing below the apparatus, the main lower end portion being cylindrical and coaxial with the main axis;
- a generally conical lateral portion which joins the intermediate portion adjacent to the conical main portion and extends downward at an acute angle relative to the main axis, the conical lateral portion converging in a downward direction;
- a cylindrical lateral lower end portion for connection to the lateral branch casing;
- the conical lateral portion joining the conical main portion at a junction which has a lower perimeter portion that is generally in the shape of a parabola;
- and
- a stiffening member joined to the lower perimeter portion of the junction, the stiffening member being located in a plane containing the lower perimeter portion of the junction.
A method for providing a pressure resistant junction in a well between a main casing and a lateral branch casing, comprising:
- providing a junction apparatus which comprises:
- a main section having an upper end portion with a longitudinal main axis, a lower end portion substantially coaxial with the upper end portion;
- a lateral section which joins the main section at a junction and extends downward from the main section at an acute angle relative to the main axis, the lateral section having a lower end portion;
- the junction between the main section and the lateral section having a lower perimeter portion that is generally in the shape of a parabola;
- and
- a stiffening member joined to the lower perimeter portion of the junction, the stiffening member being located in a plane containing the lower perimeter portion of the junction;
- then
- connecting the upper end portion of the main section to main casing extending upward in the well from the junction apparatus and the lower end portion of the main section to main casing extending downward in the well from the junction apparatus;
- and
- connecting the lower end portion of the lateral section to lateral branch casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.