Multilateral expandable seal
AssigneeSmith International, Inc.
InventorEuan Docherty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for sealingly engaging multiple downhole tubulars includes a first downhole tubular, a guide assembly and a swellable seal. The first downhole tubular includes an end for receiving a second downhole tubular. The guide assembly is disposed on an end of the second tubular. A swellable seal is disposed on an outer surface of the guide assembly. After the first tubular receives a second tubular, the swellable seal is activated to form an expanded circumferential seal between the first tubular and the second tubular.
Claims24
A system for sealingly engaging multiple downhole tubulars, comprising:
- a first downhole tubular comprising an end for receiving a second downhole tubular;
- a guide assembly rotatably connected to an end of the second tubular;
- and
- a swellable seal disposed on an outer surface of the guide assembly, wherein after the first tubular receives the second tubular, the swellable seal is activated to form an expanded circumferential seal between the first tubular and the second tubular.
A method of sealing tubulars in a wellbore comprising:
- drilling a main wellbore;
- forming a branch wellbore in hydraulic communication with the main wellbore;
- placing a first tubular in the branch wellbore;
- running a second tubular into the main wellbore, wherein the second tubular comprises:
- a guide assembly rotatably connected to a distal end of the second tubular;
- and
- a swellable seal disposed on an outer surface of the guide assembly;
- directing the second tubular toward the first tubular until the guide assembly penetrates the first tubular;
- and
- activating the swellable seal to form a hydraulic seal between the first tubular and the second tubular.
A system for sealingly engaging multiple downhole tubulars, comprising:
- a first downhole tubular comprising an end for receiving a second downhole tubular;
- a guide assembly disposed on an end of the second tubular;
- and
- a swellable seal disposed on an outer surface of the guide assembly,
- wherein:
- after the first tubular receives the second tubular, the swellable seal is activated to form an expanded circumferential seal between the first tubular and the second tubular,
- the guide assembly comprises a mule shoe assembly,
- the mule shoe assembly comprises a tubular body comprising an upper end and a lower end,
- the upper end is rotatably connected to a portion of the second tubular,
- the lower end of the tubular body comprises an angled end-face with a pointed tip, and
- the swellable seal is disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the pointed tip.
A method of sealing tubulars in a wellbore comprising:
- drilling a main wellbore;
- forming a branch wellbore in hydraulic communication with the main wellbore;
- placing a first tubular in the branch wellbore;
- running a second tubular into the main wellbore, wherein the second tubular comprises:
- a guide assembly disposed on a distal end of the second tubular, the guide assembly comprising a tubular body having an upper end rotatably connected to a portion of the second tubular and a lower end comprising an angle end face with a pointed tip;
- and
- a swellable seal disposed on an outer surface of the guide assembly and being disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of the pointed tip;
- directing the second tubular toward the first tubular until the guide assembly penetrates the first tubular;
- and
- activating the swellable seal to form a hydraulic seal between the first tubular and the second tubular.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.