Sealed multilateral junction system
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsRay C. Smith, Terry A. Schroter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims8
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 outward from an intersection of the first and second wellbores;
- positioning a tubular structure within the first wellbore at the intersection;
- aligning a window formed laterally through the tubular structure with the second wellbore;
- installing a tubular string in the second wellbore through the window;
- securing an end of the tubular string to the tubular structure utilizing a flange attached to the tubular string;
- and
- engaging the flange with a guide structure separate from the tubular structure, the guide structure being complimentarily shaped relative to the flange.
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 outward from an intersection of the first and second wellbores;
- positioning a tubular structure within the first wellbore at the intersection;
- aligning a window formed laterally through the tubular structure with the second wellbore;
- installing a tubular string in the second wellbore through the window;
- securing an end of the tubular string to the tubular structure utilizing a flange attached to the tubular string;
- and
- sealing the flange to a guide structure separate from the tubular structure, the guide structure being complementarily shaped relative to the flange.
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 outward from an intersection of the first and second wellbores;
- positioning a tubular structure within the first wellbore at the intersection;
- aligning a window formed laterally through the tubular structure with the second wellbore;
- installing a tubular string in the second wellbore through the window;
- and
- securing an end of the tubular string to the tubular structure utilizing a flange attached to the tubular string, the securing step including expanding a sleeve outward within the tubular structure, and retaining the flange between the sleeve and the tubular structure.
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 outward from an intersection of the first and second wellbores;
- positioning a tubular structure within the first wellbore at the intersection;
- aligning a window formed laterally through the tubular structure with the second wellbore;
- installing a tubular string in the second wellbore through the window;
- securing an end of the tubular string to the tubular structure utilizing a flange attached to the tubular string, the securing step including expanding a sleeve outward within the tubular structure;
- and
- sealing the sleeve to the tubular structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.