Sealed multilateral junction system
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsRay C. Smith, Terry A. Schroter
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims41
A method of forming a wellbore junction in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- drilling a first wellbore;
- installing a casing string in the first wellbore;
- drilling a second wellbore extending outwardly from the first wellbore;
- aligning a window formed through a sidewall of the casing string with the second wellbore;
- installing a liner string through the window and into the second wellbore;
- and
- then installing a member within the casing string, thereby preventing the liner string from displacing inwardly through the window,
- wherein the member is absent from the casing string prior to the liner string installing step.
A method of forming a wellbore junction in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- drilling a first wellbore;
- installing a casing string in the first wellbore;
- drilling a second wellbore extending outwardly from the first wellbore;
- aligning a window formed through a sidewall of the casing string with the second wellbore;
- installing a liner string through the window and into the second wellbore;
- then positioning a member within the casing string, thereby preventing the liner string from displacing inwardly through the window;
- and
- forming an opening through a sidewall of the member, the opening having projections extending into the opening.
A method of forming a wellbore junction in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- drilling a first wellbore;
- installing a casing string in the first wellbore;
- drilling a second wellbore extending outwardly from the first wellbore;
- aligning a window formed through a sidewall of the casing string with the second wellbore;
- installing a liner string through the window and into the second wellbore;
- then positioning a member within the casing string, thereby preventing the liner string from displacing inwardly through the window;
- forming an opening through a sidewall of the member, the opening having projections extending into the opening;
- and
- enlarging the opening after the positioning step.
A method of forming a wellbore junction in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:
- drilling a first wellbore;
- installing a casing string in the first wellbore;
- drilling a second wellbore extending outwardly from the first wellbore;
- aligning a window formed through a sidewall of the casing string with the second wellbore;
- installing a liner string through the window and into the second wellbore;
- then positioning a member within the casing string, thereby preventing the liner string from displacing inwardly through the window, the positioning step further comprising expanding the member within the casing string;
- and
- enlarging an opening formed through a sidewall of the member after the expanding step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.