Sealed multilateral junction system
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsRay C. Smith, Terry A. Schroter
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Abstract
A sealed multilateral junction system provides fluid isolation between intersecting wellbores in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of forming a wellbore junction includes the steps of sealing a tubular string in a branch wellbore to a tubular structure in a parent wellbore. The tubular string may be secured to the tubular structure utilizing a flange which is larger in size than a window formed in the tubular structure. The flange may be sealed to the tubular structure about the window by a metal to metal seal or by adhering the flange to the tubular structure.
Claims50
A method of forming a wellbore junction in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- drilling first and second wellbores, the second wellbore extending outwardly from the first wellbore;
- installing a casing string in the first wellbore, the casing string including a tubular structure having a window formed through a sidewall of the tubular structure prior to installing the casing string in the first wellbore;
- rotationally aligning the window with the second wellbore;
- cementing the casing string in the first wellbore;
- and
- preventing cement flow through the window during the cementing step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.