US 9,540,921 B2 · Dual purpose observation and production well

Abstract

A method for producing hydrocarbons in a subterranean well useful for observing properties of one or more subterranean zones, includes the steps of: (a) installing a lower straddle packer in a vertical well section below a junction with a lateral well section; (b) installing an upper straddle packer in a vertical well section above the junction with the lateral well section; (c) conveying hydrocarbons from the lateral well section to the surface with a tubing; (d) observing pressure information in at least one zone with a pressure gauge located in the vertical well section below the lower straddle packer; and (e) obtaining information in the at least one zone with logging equipment run through the tubing. A sidetrack window may be installed in the tubing between the lower straddle packer and the upper straddle packer for providing access to the lateral well section.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method for producing hydrocarbons in a subterranean well useful for observing properties of one or more subterranean zones, the subterranean well having a vertical well section a plurality of lateral well sections, the intersection of the vertical well section and each of the plurality of lateral well sections creating a plurality of junctions, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) installing a lower straddle packer in the vertical well section below each of the plurality of junctions;
(b) installing an upper straddle packer in the vertical well section above each of the plurality of junctions to create an isolation zone between the lower straddle packer and the upper straddle packer around each of the plurality junctions;
(c) conveying hydrocarbons from the lateral well sections to the surface with a tubing;
(d) observing pressure information in at least one measurement zone with a pressure gauge located in the vertical well section outside all of the isolation zones, so that the pressure gauge does not hinder production from the lateral well section;
and
(e) obtaining information in at least one zone with a logging equipment run through the tubing.

3 more elements

An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean well while observing properties of one or more subterranean zones, the subterranean well having a vertical well section and a plurality of lateral well sections, the intersection of the vertical well section and each of the lateral well sections creating one or more junctions, the apparatus comprising:

an upper straddle packer located in the vertical well section above each of the plurality of junctions;
a lower straddle packer located in the vertical well section below each of the plurality of junctions to create an isolation zone between the upper straddle packer and the lower straddle packer around each of the plurality of junctions;
a pressure gauge located in a vertical well section outside all of the isolation zones, so that the pressure gauge does not hinder production from the one or more lateral well sections;
a tubing located in the vertical well for conveying hydrocarbons from at least one of the lateral well sections to the surface and for running tools from the surface through the upper straddle packer;
and
a means located within at least one of the isolation zones for isolating fluids in the vertical well section below the lower straddle packer from fluids in the at least one of the lateral well sections associated with the at least one of the isolation zones, and for providing access to both the at least one of the lateral well sections and the vertical well-section.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual purpose observation and production well

Life of this patent

Dual purpose observation and production well

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19