DRILLING AND OPENING RESERVOIRS USING AN ORIENTED FISSURE TO ENHANCE HYDROCARBON FLOW

Abstract

A system and method for increasing hydrocarbon production from a subsurface reservoir by utilizing an intersection of two well bores and a flexible linear cutting device, such as a segmented diamond wire saw, to form a fissure beginning at the intersection of the well bores and extending along a specified the length of the well bores. The ends of the cutting device can be actuated above ground. The shape of the fissure can be a substantially ruled surface defined between the two bores between which the fissure is formed. Configurations for the well bores include both bores extending from the surface and, alternatively, a first bore extending from the surface and a second bore extending from a whipstock in the first bore. The fissure may be located and oriented to maximize the extent of the fissure formed within the hydrocarbon bearing horizon and to intersect with a maximum number of natural and/or previously formed fractures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention having two bores extending from the surface, the bores having portions extending substantially parallel to and within a hydrocarbon bearing horizon;

FIG. 2 illustrates an illustrative fishing operation used to extend a flexible linear cutting device through the intersection of two well bores;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially formed fissure beginning at the intersection of two well bores and being cut by a flexible linear cutting device in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of another illustrative embodiment of the invention having two bores extending from the surface, the bores having portions extending substantially vertical within a hydrocarbon bearing horizon;

FIG. 5 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of an illustrative embodiment of the invention having two bores extending from the surface, and the bores intersecting beneath a hydrocarbon bearing horizon;

FIG. 6 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of an illustrated embodiment of the invention having one bore extending from the surface, a second bore extending from a whipstock of the first bore, and a distal intersection of the two bores located within a hydrocarbon bearing horizon;

FIG. 7A illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a fissure of non-uniform thickness formed in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of the fissure of FIG. 7A after subsequent reduction of thickness; and

FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional cross-sectional view of the FIG. 7A packed with material to prevent subsequent reduction of thickness.

Claims

1. A well system for a hydrocarbon zone, comprising: a first bore having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end forming a wellhead;a second bore having a first intersection with the first bore; anda fissure defined between and spanning at least a portion of the length of the first bore and the second bore, the fissure having a distal end at the first intersection of the first and second bores.

2. The hydrocarbon well system of claim 1, wherein the fissure defines a substantially ruled surface.

3. The hydrocarbon well system of claim 2, wherein the ruled surface is oriented substantially horizontal.

4. The hydrocarbon well system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first bore and the second bore has at least a portion oriented substantially horizontal within the hydrocarbon zone.

5. The hydrocarbon well system of claim 4, wherein the ruled surface is oriented substantially vertically.

6. The hydrocarbon well system of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the second bore forms a wellhead.

7. The hydrocarbon well system of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the second bore forms a second intersection with the first bore at a point between the first intersection and the proximal end of the first bore.

8. A system for forming a subterranean fissure extending along and between a length of a first and a second bore, comprising: a wellhead defined by a proximal end of the first bore;a first intersection defined by a junction of the first and second bore; anda flexible linear cutting device extending through the first intersection.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a wellhead defined by a proximal end of the second bore.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a second intersection defined by the first bore and a proximal end of the second bore, the second intersection located between the first intersection and the proximal end of the first bore.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the flexible linear cutting device includes a wire saw.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the flexible linear cutting device includes at least one of a chain, a wire-type saw, a high-pressure fluid cutting jet, an electromechanical cutter, and an electromagnetic cutter.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising at least one actuator for translating the flexible linear cutting device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one actuator is located below the surface in at least one of the first bore and the second bore.

15. A method of increasing hydrocarbon primary or secondary recovery, comprising: providing a first bore having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end forming a wellhead;providing a second bore having a first intersection with the first bore; andforming a fissure beginning at the first intersection and spanning between at least a portion of the length of the first bore and the second bore.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing a second bore includes a proximal end of the second bore forming a wellhead.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing the second bore includes the second bore having a second intersection with the first bore.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of forming a fissure includes: positioning a flexible linear cutting device through the first and second bores; andactuating the flexible linear cutting device to form the fissure.

19. The method of claim 15, within the step of actuating the flexible linear cutting device includes: tensioning the flexible linear cutting device; andtranslating the flexible linear cutting device in a linear reciprocating pattern.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein: the step of positioning a flexible linear cutting device includes coupling opposite ends of the flexible linear cutting device; andthe step of actuating the flexible linear cutting device includes: tensioning in the flexible linear cutting device; andtranslating the flexible linear cutting device in a non-reciprocating, rotary pattern.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of forming a fissure includes providing a non-uniform kerf.