Claims
- 1. A lateral junction apparatus for defining a junction between a main wellbore and a lateral branch, comprising:
a template having a lateral window for positioning proximal the junction; a connector adapted to be engaged with the template, the connector adapted to be directed by the template through the template lateral window; and a sealing element between the template and the connector, the sealing element adapted to define a continuous fluid seal path around the lateral window.
- 2. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing element is adapted to further define a continuous, closed fluid seal path around the lateral window.
- 3. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 1, wherein the template comprises a first inter-engagement member and the connector comprises a second inter-engagement member, the first and second inter-engagement members adapted to engage each other.
- 4. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of the first and second inter-engagement members comprises a groove and the other one of the first and second inter-engagement members comprises a rail.
- 5. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rail is adapted to continuously extend along a length that corresponds substantially to a length from one end of the template window to another end of the template window.
- 6. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 4, wherein the rail has plural segments with a gap between each pair of segments.
- 7. A lateral junction apparatus comprising:
a template having a first continuous inter-engagement member, the template a window formed therethrough; and a connector having a second continuous inter-engagement member adapted to cooperate with the first continuous inter-engagement member to guide a portion of the connector through the window of the template, the connector and template being in engagement along a first length, each of the first and second continuous inter-engagement members extending substantially the entire first length.
- 8. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second inter-engagement members extends from one end of the template window to another end of the template window.
- 9. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the template has at least another first continuous inter-engagement member.
- 10. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 9, wherein the connector has at least another second continuous inter-engagement member, each of the first continuous inter-engagement members adapted to engage a corresponding one of the second continuous inter-engagement members.
- 11. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 10, wherein each first inter-engagement member comprises one of a continuous groove and a continuous rail, and each second inter-engagement member comprises the other one of the continuous groove and continuous rail.
- 12. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a seal extending along a length of each of the first and second inter-engagement members to provide sealing engagement of the template and connector.
- 13. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 12, wherein the seal is carried by one of the first and second inter-engagement members.
- 14. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 13, wherein one of the first and second inter-engagement members comprises a rail, the seal carried by the rail.
- 15. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 13, wherein one of the first and second inter-engagement members comprises a groove, the seal carried by the groove.
- 16. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first inter-engagement member comprises one of a continuous groove and continuous rail, and the second inter-engagement member comprises the other one of the continuous groove and continuous rail.
- 17. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 16, wherein the continuous groove has a width varying along a length of the continuous groove.
- 18. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 17, wherein the continuous groove has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a width greater than the distal end.
- 19. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 18, wherein the width of the continuous groove decreases from the proximal end to the distal end.
- 20. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 19, wherein the proximal end of the continuous groove has an enlarged portion to guide the continuous rail into the continuous groove.
- 21. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 17, wherein the continuous rail has a width varying along a length of the continuous rail.
- 22. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 21, wherein the varying width of the continuous rail is adapted to correspond to the varying width of the continuous groove to enable engagement of the continuous rail and continuous groove.
- 23. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second inter-engagement members is generally symmetrical along an axis of one of the template and connector.
- 24. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first and second inter-engagement members is generally asymmetrical along an axis of one of the template and connector.
- 25. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the template has a pair of first continuous inter-engagement members, the pair being generally parallel to each other.
- 26. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the template has a pair of first continuous inter-engagement members, the pair being generally non-parallel to each other.
- 27. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the connector has a pair of second continuous inter-engagement members, the pair being generally parallel to each other.
- 28. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the connector has a pair of second continuous inter-engagement members, the pair being generally non-parallel to each other.
- 29. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first and second inter-engagement members have surfaces that when engaged with one another define a tortuous path to prevent entry of debris from outside the lateral junction apparatus into an inner bore of the lateral junction apparatus.
- 30. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second inter-engagement members extends substantially the entire first length without any break.
- 31. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 7, wherein the template has a bore, and wherein the connector is adapted to extend through the bore.
- 32. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 31, wherein a second portion of the connector is positioned inside the template bore, the second portion having a length equal to the first length.
- 33. A method of providing a junction connection between a main bore and a lateral branch bore, comprising:
positioning a template proximal the lateral branch bore, the template having a first continuous inter-engagement member; inserting a connector through the template, the connector having a second continuous inter-engagement member; and engaging the first and second continuous inter-engagement members, each extending substantially along an entire length of engagement between the template and the connector, to provide a connection in which a portion of the connector is directed through a window of the template into the lateral branch bore.
- 34. The method of claim 33, wherein engaging the first and second continuous inter-engaging members comprises engaging a rail and a groove.
- 35. The method of claim 33, further comprising providing a sealing element that defines a continuous fluid seal path around the template window.
- 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising defining a closed, continuous fluid path around the template window using the sealing element.
- 37. A method of providing a sealed junction assembly proximal a junction between a main bore and a lateral branch bore, comprising:
providing a template proximal the junction; engaging a connector with the template such that a portion of the connector extends radially outwardly through a lateral window of the template; and providing a sealing element that defines a continuous fluid seal path around the lateral window of the template.
- 38. The method of claim 37, wherein providing the sealing element further defines a closed, continuous fluid seal path around the lateral window.
- 39. A lateral junction apparatus to provide a connection between a main bore and a lateral branch bore, comprising:
a template having a bore and window proximal the lateral branch bore; a connector adapted for engagement inside the template bore, a portion of the connector extending through the template window into the lateral branch bore, the connector defining a conduit; and a communications line extending along the conduit.
- 40. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 39, wherein the communications line extends from the main bore to the lateral branch bore.
- 41. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 39, wherein the communications line comprises an electrical line.
- 42. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 39, wherein the communications line comprises one or more hydraulic control lines.
- 43. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 39, wherein the communications line comprises a fiber optic line.
- 44. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 39, wherein the conduit comprises a groove extending along a length of the connector housing.
- 45. The lateral junction apparatus of claim 39, wherein the template defines a conduit, the lateral junction apparatus further comprising another communications line extending along the template conduit.
- 46. A method of deploying a completions device in a lateral branch bore, comprising:
lowering the completions device using a kick-over tool; activating the kick-over tool to enable positioning of the completions device in the lateral branch bore; and engaging the completions device with an engagement member in a portion of the lateral branch bore.
- 47. The method of claim 46, wherein engaging the completions device comprises engaging the completions device in one or more profiles, the engagement member comprising the one or more profiles.
- 48. The method of claim 47, wherein the lateral branch bore has a liner, the one or more profiles being defined in the liner.
- 49. The method of claim 47, further comprising providing a lateral branch connector to define a flow conduit between the main bore and the lateral branch bore, the one or more profiles being defined in the lateral branch connector.
- 50. The method of claim 46, further comprising providing an electrical communications path to the completions device.
- 51. The method of claim 46, wherein providing the electrical communications path comprises providing an inductive coupler mechanism.
- 52. The method of claim 51, wherein providing the inductive coupler mechanism comprises providing a first inductive coupler portion in the main bore and a second inductive coupler portion in the lateral branch bore.
- 53. A junction assembly for use at a junction between a main bore and a lateral branch bore, comprising:
a template defining a first longitudinal bore and a second longitudinal bore offset from the first longitudinal bore, the first longitudinal bore being substantially aligned with the main bore to enable running an intervention tool through the main bore and the first longitudinal bore to a location downstream of the junction assembly; and a lateral branch connector adapted to be engaged with the template to provide a communications path to the lateral branch bore.
- 54. The junction assembly of claim 53, further comprising a plug positioned in the first longitudinal bore to prevent fluid flow in the first longitudinal bore during production.
- 55. The junction assembly of claim 54, wherein the second longitudinal bore provides a production flow path during production.
- 56. The junction assembly of claim 53, further comprising a first valve to control fluid flow through the second longitudinal bore.
- 57. The junction assembly of claim 56, further comprising a second valve to control fluid flow in the lateral branch bore.
- 58. A junction assembly for use at a junction between a main bore and a lateral branch bore, comprising:
a template having a lateral window adapted for alignment with the lateral branch bore; a lateral branch connector engaged with the template, a portion of the lateral branch connector positioned through the lateral window; a structure defining a conduit for communicating fluid between a first region of the main bore upstream of the junction and a second region of the main bore downstream of the junction; and at least one flow control device to selectively control flow from the second region of the main bore and the lateral branch bore.
- 59. The junction assembly of claim 58, further comprising a diverter attached to the structure, the diverter positioned to divert downhole tools into the lateral branch bore.
- 60. A system for use in a well having plural lateral branches, comprising:
a first lateral junction apparatus positioned proximal a first lateral branch; a second lateral junction apparatus positioned proximal a second lateral branch; and each of the first and second lateral branch apparatus comprising a template with a lateral window and a connector engaged with the template, a portion of the connector directed through the lateral window.
- 61. The system of claim 60, wherein each of the first and second lateral junction apparatus comprises a sealing element providing a closed, continuous fluid seal path around the lateral branch.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/196,495, filed Nov. 19, 1998.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09196495 |
Nov 1998 |
US |
Child |
09789187 |
Feb 2001 |
US |