System and method for producing fluids from a subterranean formation
AssigneesHalliburton Energy Services, Inc., Dynamic Production, Inc.
InventorsStephen A. Graham, Charles E. Graham, III, Jonathon G. Weiss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The system of subterranean wells includes a subsurface flow line 20 having at least a portion within or underlining one or more subterranean formations 12. One or more drainage wells 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 each extend from the surface and intercept at least one of the subterranean formations at a respective interception location. A lower portion of each drainage well is in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line. A recovery well 42 extends from the surface and is also in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line, so that fluids entering the drainage well flow into the subsurface flow line and then into the recovery well.
Claims44
A system of subterranean wells, comprising:
- a subsurface flow line having at least a portion underlying at least one of two or more subterranean formations vertically separated by one or more fluid impermeable layers;
- a plurality of drainage wells each extending from the surface and intercepting at least two of the two or more subterranean formations each at a respective interception location and having a lower portion in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line, the subsurface flow line between each location of fluid communication with a drainage well and a common recovery well being angled at 45° or less relative to horizontal;
- and
- the common recovery well extending from the surface and in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line, such that formation fluids entering the two or more drainage wells from the two or more formations flow into the subsurface flow line and then into the common recovery well.
A system for producing fluids from two or more subterranean formations, comprising:
- a primary drainage well extending from the surface, the primary drainage well including a subsurface flow line having at least a portion underlying at least one of the two or more subterranean formations vertically separated by one or more fluid impermeable layers;
- a plurality of secondary drainage wells each extending from the surface and intercepting at least two of the two or more subterranean formations at a respective interception location and having a lower portion in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line, each secondary drainage well including at least one of a perforated casing or a slotted liner within a subterranean formation;
- and
- a common recovery well extending from the surface, with a lower portion in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line, the recovery well including a lift system located in the recovery well.
A method of constructing a well system, comprising:
- drilling a plurality of drainage wells each extending from the surface and intercepting at least two or more subterranean formations at a respective interception locations, the subterranean formations being vertically separated by one or more fluid impermeable layers;
- drilling an subsurface flow line having at least a portion underlying at least one of the two or more subterranean formations vertically separated by one or more fluid impermeable layers and in fluid communication with a lower portion of the one or more drainage wells, the subsurface flow line between each location of fluid communication with a drainage well and a common recovery well is angled at 45° or less relative to the horizontal;
- drilling the common recovery well extending from the surface and in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line;
- and
- recovering fluids to the surface through the common recovery well, such that formation fluids entering the plurality of drainage wells flow through the drainage wells and to the subsurface flow line and then to the recovery well.
A method of constructing a well system in a field containing one or more existing wells, comprising:
- providing a common recovery well or re-completing an existing well as a recovery well, the recovery well extending from the surface and including a lower portion;
- providing a plurality of drainage wells or re-completing an existing well as a drainage well, each of the one or more plurality of drainage wells extending from the surface and including a lower portion, the one or more each drainage wells intercepting two or more formations at respective interception locations, the two or more formations vertically spaced by one or more impermeable layers;
- drilling a subsurface flow line having at least a portion underlying at least one of the two or more subterranean formations, such that the subsurface flow line is drilled for fluid communication with the plurality of drainage wells;
- and
- providing fluid communication between the subsurface flow line and the common recovery well, wherein the respective interceptions of the plurality of drainage wells are higher than the recovery well lower portion.
A method for producing fluids from two or more subterranean formations vertically separated by one or more impermeable layers, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of drainage wells each extending from the surface and intercepting at least two subterranean formations at respective interception locations;
- providing a subsurface flow line having at least a portion underlying at least one of the two or more subterranean formations and in fluid communication with a lower portion of the plurality of drainage wells;
- providing a common recovery well extending from the surface and in fluid communication with the subsurface flow line;
- and
- producing fluids from the two or more formations downward via the plurality of drainage wells and then into the subsurface flow, line and then into the common recovery well and then to the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.