Patent Application
20160194930
The present disclosure relates generally to methods and assemblies for the stimulation of multiple lateral wellbores of a subterranean wellbore in a multilateral well system, and more particularly (although not necessarily exclusively), to methods and assemblies for stimulating and isolating one or more wellbores in a multilateral well system.
A well can be a multilateral well. A multilateral well can have multiple lateral wellbores that branch off a wellbore. The wellbore can be drilled vertically, directionally, or at an inclined angle, and the lateral wellbores can be drilled horizontally, or otherwise deviated, off the wellbore. Multilateral wellbores can have an increased productive capacity and higher recoverable reserves. Once a first lateral wellbore is considered to be an active or a live wellbore, for example by perforation or stimulation, the entire well, including the first lateral wellbore and any other lateral wellbores, can all be considered to be in a “live well” scenario. To address this scenario, operators can introduce procedures and well control equipment to stabilize the first lateral wellbore and other wellbores prior to stimulating any additional wellbores. For example, the first lateral wellbore can be overbalanced with heavy weighted muds or fluids. The use of heavy weighted muds or fluids can damage the stimulated or “live” first lateral wellbore and can diminish its capacity to produce desired production at a sufficient or economical rate or require extensive remediation to improve reservoir performance. In another example, a hydraulic workover unit or high pressure-snubbing unit can be used to drill, complete, and stimulate additional lateral wellbores without overbalancing the first lateral wellbore. These additional workover units and ancillary surface components can add to the scale and cost in developing unconventional wells and can be uneconomical for many markets, such as shale oil and gas, and tight oil and gas.
Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for isolating a lateral wellbore from additional lateral wellbores in a multilateral well system, when the lateral wellbore is considered to be a live wellbore. The lateral wellbore can be considered to be a live wellbore after a procedure, such as stimulation or perforation, is performed on the wellbore. The live lateral wellbore can be temporarily isolated or closed off from any additional lateral wellbores by an isolation device that is in a closed position. Production and pressure from the live lateral wellbore can remain within the live lateral wellbore and not enter a main wellbore or other lateral wellbores when the isolation device is in the closed position. The live lateral wellbore is isolated from the rest of the multilateral well system and any associated pressure or producing constituents of the live lateral wellbore are not in communication with the rest of the multilateral well system with the isolation device in the closed position.
Isolating the live lateral wellbore can allow work to be performed on the rest of the multilateral well system without the live lateral wellbore being able to communicate back to the surface and avoiding an uncontrolled well scenario. For example, additional lateral wellbores can be safely drilled, completed, and stimulated with the isolation device in the closed position. The isolation device can also be in an open position, in which the live lateral wellbore is accessible and production and pressure from the live lateral wellbore is not isolated from any additional lateral wellbores.
The isolation device can include a closure component that can move between an open position and a closed position. The closure component can include a valve, a flapper, a ball, a chemical pill, or other suitable closure components. The isolation device can also be a plug device that can be positioned within the wellbore to isolate or close off the lateral wellbore. The plug device can be a retrievable plug device that can be temporarily positioned within the wellbore to isolate a lateral wellbore. The plug device can be removed from the wellbore to allow access to the lateral wellbore. In another aspect, the plug device can remain in the wellbore and can include a closure component such as a valve, a flapper, a ball, a chemical pill, or other suitable closure component. The plug device can be positioned within the wellbore by passing the plug device through a tubing assembly, for example a completion string.
The lateral wellbore can be re-accessed at a later time by re-opening the isolation device or, in another aspect, by removing the plug device. For example, after a second lateral wellbore is stimulated, the isolation device can be re-opened, thereby providing access to the first live lateral wellbore. The production of the first live lateral wellbore and the production of the second lateral wellbore can be comingled when the isolation device positioned in the first lateral wellbore is in the open position. In another aspect, the second lateral wellbore, and any additional lateral wellbores, can include additional isolation devices to isolate additional lateral wellbores selectively. Isolation devices can allow the first lateral wellbore and any additional lateral wellbores to be produced individually or collectively by positioning the isolation devices within each lateral wellbore and controlling the isolation devices among an open or a closed position.
The closure component of the isolation device can be pivotally mounted and can be displaced between an open and a closed position by mechanical means. For example, the closure component can be displaced from the open to the closed position by a wellbore string being removed from the wellbore, or by a wireline, coil tubing, or e-line intervention. In another example, the closure component can be displaced between the open and the closed position by a hydraulic or pulsation method and by hydraulic communication. In other examples, the closure component can be displaced between the open and the closed position by a remote method, including but not limited to by way of radio frequency identification means, by wireless telemetry, and by acoustic telemetry. The closure component of the isolation device can be displaced between the open position and the closed position multiple times. In an example, the closure component can be a chemical pill or other suitable substance that can create a removable barrier. The isolation device can also or alternatively be a plug device that is retrievable from within a wellbore. The plug device can be considered in the closed position when positioned within the wellbore and in the open position when removed from the wellbore.
The isolation device can also be positioned in a variety of locations in a multilateral wellbore. For example, the isolation device can be positioned in a casing string of the wellbore, in a short or an intermediate completion string within the wellbore, or in a liner string of the wellbore. Or the isolation device can be a self-contained device, for example a plug device, that can be positioned within and removed from the wellbore.
Wellbore strings, for example, tubing assemblies, tubing strings and completion strings, can be run into the wellbore to perform various procedures on a first lateral wellbore. For example, a tubing string can be positioned in the wellbore to stimulate or perforate a first lateral wellbore. The wellbore string can also isolate at least a portion of a wellbore and any additional lateral wellbores from a pressure or other downhole activity applied to the first lateral wellbore during the procedure. For example, a fracturing string with a seal member or sealing assembly can be latched or landed into a receptacle within the wellbore and coupled back to the surface. The sealing assembly can be any suitable sealing means. The receptacle can be a polish bore receptacle or other suitable receptacle for receiving a wellbore string. The fracturing string can be used to stimulate the first lateral wellbore while the isolation device is in the open position. The fracturing string can also isolate a portion of a wellbore and any additional lateral wellbores from a pressure applied to the first lateral wellbore during stimulation. In another example, a short or intermediate completion string with a seal member or sealing assembly and an anchor device, such as a packer assembly, can be latched or landed into the wellbore. The first lateral wellbore can be stimulated using a casing string and the short or intermediate completion string can isolate any additional lateral wellbores and a portion of the wellbore, such as a junction between the wellbore and an additional lateral wellbore, from a pressure or other downhole activity applied to the first lateral wellbore during stimulation.
After the first lateral wellbore has been stimulated, the tubing assembly can be removed and the first lateral wellbore can be temporarily isolated or closed off by moving the isolation device into the closed position or by introducing a plug device into the wellbore. While the first lateral wellbore can then be considered to be a live wellbore, the isolation device in the closed position can prevent production or pressure from the first lateral wellbore from entering other areas of the wellbore, including any additional lateral wellbores. A diverter device, such as a whipstock or deflector, can be positioned within the wellbore and a tubing assembly can be positioned within the wellbore for stimulating a second lateral wellbore. The tubing assembly can include a fracturing string or a short or intermediate completion string, as described above. The tubing assembly can isolate the first lateral wellbore from the pressure applied to the second lateral wellbore during stimulation. The tubing assembly and diverter device can be removed after the second lateral wellbore and any additional lateral wellbores have been stimulated. The second lateral wellbore can also include an isolation device that can isolate the second lateral wellbore after it has been stimulated. The isolation device positioned within the first lateral wellbore can be re-opened to allow the production and pressure of the first lateral wellbore and the production and pressure of the second lateral wellbore to be commingled. Additional isolation devices can be positioned in additional lateral wellbores of the multilateral wellbore and the additional lateral wellbores can be stimulated and isolated in this same manner.
These illustrative aspects and examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed here and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to describe the illustrative aspects but, like the illustrative aspects, should not be used to limit the present disclosure.
The main wellbore 102 includes a casing string 110 cemented at an upper portion of the main wellbore 102. A liner string 112 of the main wellbore 102 includes a receptacle 114, which may be a polish bore receptacle or other type of receptacle, positioned above the liner hanger 116. The liner hanger 116 can also be an anchor. The liner string 112 can be cemented or non-cemented, and can be part of a completion string. A liner string 118 of the first lateral wellbore 106 is hung from a liner hanger 116 and extends into the first lateral wellbore 106. The liner string 118 can be cemented or non-cemented and can be a part of a completion string. The liner string 118 extends along a length of the first lateral wellbore 106. An isolation device 124 is positioned within the liner string 112 of the main wellbore 102. The isolation device 124 includes a closure component 126, shown in
Another liner string 120 can be hung from an anchor, such as the open hole type anchor 122, positioned within a second lateral wellbore 108. The liner string 120 extends along a length of the second lateral wellbore 108. Another isolation device 128 is positioned in the liner string 120 of the second lateral wellbore 108. Either of the first lateral wellbore 106 or the second lateral wellbore 108 can be stimulated first using a tubing assembly positioned within the respective lateral wellbore. For example, if the first lateral wellbore 106 is stimulated first, the isolation device 124 can be closed after the first lateral wellbore 106 is stimulated by positioning the closure component 126 in the closed position.
With the isolation device 124 in the closed position, the second lateral wellbore 108 can be stimulated without being considered in a “live well” scenario. The isolation device 128 positioned within the second lateral wellbore 108 can also isolate the second lateral wellbore 108 from the remainder of the wellbore when in the closed position. The production of the first lateral wellbore 106 and the production of second lateral wellbore 108 can be comingled after the stimulation of the second lateral wellbore 108 by moving the isolation device 124 into the open position and retaining the isolation device 128 in the open position. In the alternative, the isolation device 128 positioned within the second lateral wellbore 108 can be moved into the closed position to isolate production and pressure from the second lateral wellbore 108 from the remainder of the wellbore. Additional lateral wellbores can also include isolation device for selectively isolating the lateral wellbores after stimulation or perforation.
A tubing string 220 is positioned within the main wellbore 208 and extends to the surface of the main wellbore 208. The tubing string 220 includes a seal member or sealing assembly 222 that is latched or landed into the receptacle 216. The first lateral wellbore 210 can be stimulated or fractured by the tubing string 220. The pressure applied to the first lateral wellbore 210 during stimulation can be isolated by the tubing string 220 that extends to the surface of the main wellbore 208. After the first lateral wellbore 210 is stimulated, the tubing string 220 can be removed and the closure component 214 can be closed. With the closure component 214 closed, the isolation device 204 is in the closed position and production and pressure from the first lateral wellbore 210 cannot exit the first lateral wellbore 210. An additional isolation device can also be positioned within the second lateral wellbore 212 to isolate or close off the second lateral wellbore 212 after it is stimulated.
In another example, the tubing string 220 can include an extension positioned below the seal member or sealing assembly 222. The extension and seal member or sealing assembly 222 can be latched or landed into the receptacle 216. The extension can cause the closure component 214 to move from the open position to the closed position as the tubing string 220 is removed from the main wellbore 208. The extension can also protect the receptacle 216 and isolation device 204 from damage. For example, the extension can protect the receptacle 216 and the isolation device 204 during stimulation of the first lateral wellbore 210.
In another example, a completion string, such as a short or intermediate completion string, can be run into the main wellbore 208 instead of the tubing string 220. The completion string can include a seal member or sealing assembly that is latched or landed into the receptacle 216. The completion string can also include an anchor device, such as a packer assembly, that can set the completion string within the main wellbore 208 above the junction between the main wellbore 208 and the second lateral wellbore 212. The first lateral wellbore 210 can be stimulated using the casing string of the main wellbore 208 and the first lateral wellbore 210. The completion string can isolate the junction and the second lateral wellbore from a pressure applied to the first lateral wellbore 210 during stimulation.
After the second lateral wellbore 212 has been stimulated, the isolation device 204 can be re-opened. With the isolation device 204 in the open position, production from the first lateral wellbore 210 and the second lateral wellbore 212 can be comingled. The isolation device 204 can be opened shortly after the stimulation of the second lateral wellbore 212 or at a later time. The second lateral wellbore 212 can also include an additional isolation device that can isolate or close off the second lateral wellbore 212, as desired, after stimulation.
In another example, a completion string, such as a short or intermediate completion string, can be run into the second lateral wellbore 212 instead of the tubing string 236. The completion string can include a seal member or sealing assembly that is latched or landed into the receptacle 240. The completion string can also include an anchor device, such as a packer assembly, that can set the completion string within the main wellbore 208 above the junction between the main wellbore 208 and the second lateral wellbore 212. The second lateral wellbore 212 can be stimulated using the casing string of the main wellbore 208 and the second lateral wellbore 212. The completion string can isolate the junction and the first lateral wellbore 210 from a pressure applied to the second lateral wellbore 212 during stimulation.
In another aspect, a tubing string can be latched or landed into the receptacle 410 and extend to the surface of the main wellbore 406. The tubing string can provide pressure isolation during stimulation of the first lateral wellbore 404. After the first lateral wellbore 404 is stimulated, the short or intermediate completion string 412 can be removed and the closure component 408 can be closed. The first lateral wellbore 404 can be considered a live wellbore after being stimulated. Production and pressure within the live first lateral wellbore 404 can be isolated from the rest of the multilateral wellbore by the closed isolation device 400. With the live first lateral wellbore 404 isolated, the second lateral wellbore 416 can be safely stimulated without being in a “live-well” scenario. In some examples, an extension can extend below the seal member or sealing assembly 418 and pass over the isolation device 400. The extension can protect the isolation device 400 from damage during stimulation or during the performance of other downhole activities on the first lateral wellbore 404.
After the second lateral wellbore 416 has been stimulated, the short or intermediate completion string 424 can be removed and the closure component 408 of the isolation device 400 can be re-opened. Production and pressure from the first lateral wellbore 404 and the second lateral wellbore 416 can be comingled with the closure component 408 in the open position. The closure component 408 can be opened shortly, such as substantially contemporaneously, after the stimulation of the second lateral wellbore 416 or at a later time. In another example, the second lateral wellbore 416 can include an isolation device that can isolate the second lateral wellbore 416 after it is stimulated, allowing additional lateral wellbores to be stimulated without being considered in a “live-well” scenario.
In another example, a tubing string with a seal member or sealing assembly can be latched or landed into the receptacle 428 instead of the short or intermediate completion string 424. The tubing string can extend to the surface of the main wellbore 406. The second lateral wellbore 416 can be stimulated by the tubing string. The tubing string can also isolate a pressure applied to the second lateral wellbore 416 during stimulation.
In another example, a completion string, such as a short or intermediate completion string, can be run into the main wellbore 505 instead of the tubing string 518. The completion string can include a seal member or sealing assembly that is latched or landed into the receptacle 510. The completion string can also include a packer assembly or other anchor device that can set the completion string within the main wellbore 505 above a junction between the main wellbore 505 and a second lateral wellbore 506. The first lateral wellbore 504 can be stimulated using the casing string of the main wellbore 505 and the first lateral wellbore 504. The completion string can isolate the pressure applied to the first lateral wellbore 504 during stimulation.
In another example, an isolation device can be positioned within the second lateral wellbore 506. The second lateral wellbore 506 can be stimulated prior to stimulating the first lateral wellbore 504. The isolation devices that close off the second lateral wellbore 506 and the first lateral wellbore 504, respectively, can be separately opened and closed to control the comingling of the production and pressure from the respective wellbores. The isolation devices can be closed during any time of the life of the well. For example, an isolation device within a lateral wellbore can be closed if the lateral wellbore's production declines to a point that it no longer is making sufficient contribution or because the lateral wellbore's production decline is diminishing production from other portions of the wellbore. The isolation device can also be closed in the event that the lateral wellbore begins to produce unwanted excess production, such as water. The isolation device can be closed in the event that one desires to re-enter and workover a portion of the remainder of the multilateral wellbore.
A short or intermediate completion string 616 is positioned within the main wellbore 604 and is set above a junction between the main wellbore 604 and the second lateral wellbore 608 by a packer assembly 618. The short or intermediate completion string 616 can also be an intermediate completion string. The short or intermediate completion string 616 includes a seal member or sealing assembly 620 that is latched or landed into the receptacle 610. The short or intermediate completion string 616 also includes an extension 622 below the seal member or sealing assembly 620. The extension 622 extends a sufficient length to pass over the isolation device 600. The extension 622 can protect the isolation device 600 from damage, for example, from erosion. The first lateral wellbore 606 can be stimulated or fractured down a casing string 624 of the main wellbore 604. The junction and the second lateral wellbore 506 can be isolated from a pressure applied to the first lateral wellbore 606 during stimulation by the short or intermediate completion string 616. In another aspect, a tubing string that extends from the surface of the main wellbore 604 can be used in place of the short or intermediate completion string 616 and the first lateral wellbore 606 can be stimulated by the tubing string. After the first lateral wellbore 606 is stimulated, the short or intermediate completion string 616 can be removed and the closure component 614 can be closed. The extension 622 can shift the closure component 614 from the open position to the closed position as it is pulled out of the liner string 602. The second lateral wellbore 608 can be stimulated in any suitable manner as described with respect to various aspects of this disclosure.
In some aspects, methods and systems are provided for stimulating and isolating one or more wellbores in a multilateral well system according to one or more of the following examples.
A wellbore system includes a subsurface isolation device that has an open position and a closed position to temporarily close off an active lateral wellbore in a multilateral well by isolating the active lateral wellbore from at least one other wellbore in the multilateral well.
The wellbore system of Example 1 can feature the subsurface isolation device being positionable within a casing string or a liner string of the active lateral wellbore.
The wellbore system of any of Examples 1 to 2 can feature the subsurface isolation device being positionable within a short or an intermediate completion string and the short or the intermediate completion string as positionable within the active lateral wellbore.
The wellbore system of any of Examples 1 to 3 can feature the subsurface isolation device being a plug device that is positionable within a liner string of the active lateral wellbore.
The wellbore system of any of Examples 1 to 4 can include a wellbore string that includes a sealing assembly. The wellbore string can be positionable within the wellbore system for isolating the at least one other wellbore from a pressure applied to the active lateral wellbore.
The wellbore system of Example 5 can feature the wellbore string having an extension device for shifting the subsurface isolation device from the open position to the closed position.
The wellbore system of Example 5 can feature the wellbore string having a short or an intermediate completion string including a seal assembly on a first end and an anchor device on a second end.
A method including positioning an isolation device within a multilateral well and performing a procedure on a wellbore of the multilateral well to cause the wellbore to be a live wellbore. Substantially contemporaneously to the wellbore becoming the live wellbore, the isolation device can be changed from an open position to a closed position at which the isolation device isolates the wellbore from at least one other wellbore of the multilateral well. Another procedure can be performed on the at least one other wellbore of the multilateral well while the isolation device is in the closed position.
The method of Example 8 can include isolating the wellbore from the at least one other wellbore of the multilateral well by preventing production and pressure from the wellbore from exiting the wellbore and entering the at least one other wellbore.
The method of any of Examples 8 to 9 can include performing the procedure on the wellbore of the multilateral well to cause the wellbore to be the live wellbore by stimulating the wellbore of the multilateral well.
The method of any of Examples 8 to 10 can include positioning the isolation device within the multilateral well by positioning a plug device within the multilateral well.
The method of any of Examples 8 to 11 can include changing the isolation device from the open position to the closed position by removing a wellbore string having an extension device from the multilateral well, the extension device shifting the isolation device from the open position to the closed position.
The method of any of Examples 8 to 12 can include positioning a wellbore string having a sealing assembly on an end into the wellbore for isolating the at least one other wellbore from a pressure applied to the wellbore while performing the procedure on the wellbore of the multilateral well to cause the wellbore to be the live wellbore.
The method of Example 13 can include positioning the wellbore string having the sealing assembly on the end into the wellbore for isolating the at least one other wellbore from the pressure applied to the wellbore while performing the procedure on the wellbore of the multilateral well by positioning a short or an intermediate completion string that also includes an anchor device on another end within the wellbore.
The method of any of Examples 8 to 14 can include re-opening the isolation device and allowing production from the wellbore and the at least one other wellbore to comingle.
A multilateral wellbore system includes a wellbore, at least one other wellbore, and a subsurface isolation device having an open position and a closed position. The subsurface isolation device can isolate the wellbore from the at least one other wellbore substantially contemporaneous to the wellbore becoming a live wellbore.
The multilateral wellbore system of Example 16 can feature a wellbore string having a sealing assembly on an end for isolating the at least one other wellbore from a pressure applied to the wellbore while stimulating the wellbore.
The multilateral wellbore system of any of Examples 16 to 17 can feature the subsurface isolation device being positioned within a casing string or a liner string of the wellbore.
The multilateral wellbore system of any of Examples 16 to 18 can feature the subsurface isolation device being positioned within a short or an intermediate completion string that includes a sealing assembly on a first end and an anchor device on a second end and positionable within the wellbore.
The multilateral wellbore system of any of Examples 16 to 19 can feature the subsurface isolation device including a valve for positioning the subsurface isolation device in the open position and the closed position.
The foregoing description of certain aspects, including illustrated aspects, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2013/076966 | 12/20/2013 | WO | 00 |
