Expandable wellbore junction
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsJohn C. Gano, Tommie A. Freeman, Jim R. Longbottom, John S. Bowling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for use in conjunction with subterranean well operations. In a described embodiment, an expandable wellbore connector is utilized in interconnecting multiple wellbores in the well. The wellbore connector is expanded into a cavity formed in one wellbore, and then another wellbore is drilled through the wellbore connector. The wellbore connector is sealingly engaged with tubular members in each wellbore.
Claims16
A method of interconnecting first and second wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a radially enlarged cavity in the first wellbore below casing lining the first wellbore;
- positioning a wellbore connector within the cavity, the wellbore connector being configurable in expanded and contracted configurations;
- expanding the wellbore connector within the cavity;
- extending the first wellbore by passing a cutting tool axially through the wellbore connector;
- inserting a tubular member through the wellbore connector and into the extended first wellbore;
- and
- sealingly engaging the tubular member with the wellbore connector.
A method of interconnecting first and second wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a wellbore connector in the first wellbore, the wellbore connector being configurable in expanded and contracted configurations;
- disposing a first tubular member in the second wellbore;
- and sealingly engaging a second tubular member with the wellbore connector and the first tubular member, the second tubular member thereby permitting fluid communication between the wellbore connector and the first tubular member, the sealingly engaging step including radially outwardly deforming the second tubular member.
A method of interconnecting first and second wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a wellbore connector in the first wellbore;
- positioning a first tubular member in the second wellbore;
- installing one opposite end of a second tubular member within a tubular portion of the wellbore connector;
- installing the other opposite end of the second tubular member within the first tubular member;
- radially outwardly deforming the one opposite end, thereby sealingly engaging the second tubular member with the wellbore connector;
- and
- sealingly engaging the second tubular member with the first tubular member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.