Patent Application
20050241834
The present invention relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a tubular string connection for U-tube wells.
It is known to drill a wellbore so that it intersects another wellbore. Examples of intersecting wellbores include U-tube wells and multilateral or branching wells. It is also known to interconnect tubular strings, such as casing, liner or tubing strings, in the intersecting wellbores.
However, prior systems for interconnecting tubular strings in intersecting wellbores have suffered from some disadvantages. For example, in these systems one tubular string is typically inserted into an interior of another tubular string. This generally requires that the inserted string have a reduced inner diameter, which restricts flow and access through the string. Another disadvantage is that it is at times difficult to align the tubular strings so that they properly engage each other.
Therefore, it may be seen that it would be beneficial to provide improved systems and methods for interconnecting tubular strings in intersecting wellbores. These systems and methods could be useful in other applications, as well.
In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a tubular string connection system is provided which may be used to interconnect tubular strings in U-tube wells. Associated methods are also provided.
In one aspect of the invention, a tubular string connection system is provided which includes a first tubular string having an expanded entry guide. A second tubular string has an end guided into the first tubular string by the entry guide.
In another aspect of the invention, a method of connecting first and second tubular strings in a well is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing an expandable entry guide on the first tubular string; positioning the entry guide in the well, and then expanding the entry guide; and guiding the second tubular string into the first tubular string.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a well interconnection system is provided. The system includes two wellheads interconnected to each other by two tubular strings in sealed communication with each other at a subterranean tubular string connection. A wellbore junction is positioned between one of the wellheads and the tubular string connection. Another wellbore junction is positioned between the other wellhead and the tubular string connection.
In a further aspect of the invention, a method of connecting tubular strings in a well includes the steps of: providing an expandable entry guide on one of the tubular strings; positioning the tubular string in a wellbore; positioning another tubular string in another wellbore intersecting the first wellbore; and guiding the second tubular string into the first tubular string via the entry guide.
In a still further aspect of the invention, a well interconnection system is provided. The system includes first, second and third wellheads interconnected to each other substantially underground. The second, or middle, wellhead may operate as a pumping station for transferring fluid between the first and third wellheads.
These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative embodiments of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings.
Representatively illustrated in
As depicted in
A tubular string 16 is conveyed into the wellbore 12. The tubular string 16 could be a casing, liner, tubing, or other type of tubular string. At its lower end, the tubular string 16 includes an expandable entry guide 18 in an unexpanded configuration. The entry guide 18 is positioned within the cavity 14.
Referring additionally now to
Other expanding means could be used, if desired. For example, the entry guide 18 could be mechanically swaged or drifted to force its walls 20, 22 outward. In that case, the walls 20, 22 would not need to be pressure-bearing. Another expansion method is described below in relation to
In the cross-sectional view depicted in
The tubular string 16 is cemented in the wellbore 12 after expanding the entry guide 18. For this purpose, a check valve or cementing shoe 28 is provided in the outer end wall 22 of the entry guide 18. Cement 30 is flowed downwardly through the tubular string 16, and then outwardly through the check valve 28 into the wellbore 12, where it is permitted to harden.
Note that the terms “cement” and “cementing” are used herein to indicate not only the use of cementitious material, but also the use of any other hardenable material, such as epoxies, plastics, foams, etc., which may be used in an annulus between a tubular string and a wellbore to secure and/or seal the tubular string in the wellbore. In addition, it should be understood that it is not necessary for the tubular string 16 to be cemented in the wellbore 12 at all. The wellbore 12 could be left wholly or partially open hole, if desired.
It may be seen that the outer end wall 22 of the entry guide 18 presents an inclined generally conical exterior surface 32. Similarly, the side wall 20 presents an inclined generally conical interior surface 34. As described more fully below, the inclined surface 32 may be used to guide a cutting tool to cut through a center of the wall 22, and the inclined surface 34 may be used to guide another tubular string toward the seal bore 26 and latching profile 24 in the interior of the tubular string 16.
Referring additionally now to
As the wellbore 36 is being drilled to intersect the wellbore 12, a cutting tool, such as a drill bit, will eventually contact the inclined surface 32. Such contact between the cutting tool and the surface 32 will operate to guide the cutting tool toward the center of the wall 22, thereby helping to align the wellbore 36 with the other wellbore 16 and the entry guide 18 therein. As depicted in
After the wellbore 36 has been drilled, another tubular string 38 is conveyed into the wellbore. At its lower end, the tubular string 38 includes a latch 40 and a seal 42. The lower end of the tubular string 38 enters the entry guide 18 from the wellbore 36 and the inclined surface 34 guides the tubular string so that it is inserted into the other tubular string 16.
The latch 40 engages the profile 24 to releasably secure the tubular strings 16, 38 to each other. The seal 42 sealingly engages the seal bore 26 to form a sealed connection between the tubular strings 16, 38. Note that, if the seal bore 26 and profile 24 were formed on the interior of the wall 20, then the sealed and secured connection between the strings 16, 38 could be made at an increased diameter which would not restrict flow or access through the connection.
Instead of the seal 42 and latch 40, the tubular string 38 could have any other types of sealing and securing devices. For example, an expandable sealing and securing device, such as the VersaFlex™ expandable liner hanger available from Enventure Global Technologies of Houston, Tex. could be used on the tubular string 38. In that case, the seal bore 26 and latching profile 24 may not be used in the tubular string 16.
Referring additionally now to
While the tubular string 38 is being conveyed through the wellbore 36, the sheath 46 is maintained in position overlying the seal 42 by engagement between the latch 40 and a latching profile 48 formed within the sheath. As the lower end of the tubular string 38 enters an expanded entry guide 50, the sheath 46 eventually contacts the inclined portion of the wall 20, thereby releasing the latch 40 from the profile 48. The lower end of the tubular string 38 is then permitted to enter the tubular string 16, where the uncovered seal 42 seals against the bore 26 and the latch 40 engages the profile 24.
Note that in this embodiment the entry guide 50 is not cemented in the wellbore 12 and the entry guide does not have the outer end wall 22. The tubular strings 16, 38 could be conveyed into the wellbores 12, 36 after both of the wellbores have been drilled. The entry guide 50 could have been mechanically expanded.
Referring additionally now to
The detector 58 detects the radiation given off by the sources 52. For example, the sources 52 may emit gamma rays and the detector 58 may include a gamma ray sensor. Based on the characteristics of the detected radiation, the drill string 54 is guided toward the radioactive sources 52 and, thus, to intersect the wellbore 12.
Note that it is not necessary for there to be multiple sources 52. A single source 52 could provide a target for guiding the cutting tool 56, for example, based on the strength of the detected radiation. However, it is believed that the spaced apart array of sources 52 will provide additional characteristics (such as spatial distribution, etc.) to the radiation emitted by the sources so that increased accuracy in guiding the cutting tool 56 is obtained.
In
Referring additionally now to
In this embodiment, a drill string 65, such as a coiled tubing string, is conveyed through the tubular string 16 after the entry guide 64 is expanded. The drill string 65 includes a cutting tool 66, such as a tapered mill, for cutting through the end wall 22. To help guide the cutting tool 66 toward the center of the wall 22, an interior surface 68 of the wall may be inclined, such as the generally conical shape depicted in
The drill string 65 could also include an underreamer 70 if, for example, it is desired to cut most, or all, of the end wall 22 away to provide a larger opening for the tubular string 38 to enter. In
Referring additionally now to
In the system 72, the tubular string 74 includes an expandable entry guide 82 at its upper end. The entry guide 82 is positioned in the washed out section 84 of the wellbore 78, and is then expanded outward to the configuration shown in
The tubular string 76 is conveyed through the wellbore 80 and is deflected by a deflector 88 outwardly through a window 86. The window 86 was previously formed through a casing string 89 lining the wellbore 80 when the wellbore 78 was drilled outwardly from the wellbore 80. However, the window 86 could be formed, and/or the casing string 89 could be installed after the wellbore 78 is drilled, if desired. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the wellbore 80 to be lined with the casing 89 at all.
The tubular string 76 is deflected into the wellbore 78 and is lowered until it enters the entry guide 82. The seal 42 and latch 40 engage the seal bore 26 and profile 24 in the tubular string 74 as described above for the system 10. Note that the seal 42 may be protected by the sheath 46 while being conveyed through the wellbores 78, 8o, as described above for the system 44. The sheath 46 would then be released when the tubular string 76 engages the entry guide 82, to uncover the seal 42 and permit it to seal against the bore 26. Alternatively, other sealing and/or securing devices, such as an expandable liner hanger, could be used in place of the seal 42 and/or latch 40.
Referring additionally now to
Thus, the tubular string 90 could include a latch (such as the latch 40) releasably attached to the profile 24 in the tubular string 74 while the tubular string 74 is being conveyed through the wellbore 80 and into the wellbore 78. Alternatively, the tubular string 90 could be inserted into the end of the tubular string 74 after the tubular string 74 is conveyed into the wellbore 78.
As another alternative, the tubular string 90 could be conveyed through the tubular string 74 in the branch or lateral wellbore 78 and into the entry guide 82. In the system 10 illustrated in
The tubular string 90 includes an inflatable bladder or membrane 92. An interior of the membrane 92 is in communication with an interior of the tubular string 90 via openings 94 formed through a sidewall of the string. When it is desired to expand the entry guide 82, pressure is applied to the interior of the tubular string 90 to inflate the membrane 92. This applies an outwardly directed force to the interior surfaces of the entry guide 82, thereby causing it to deform outwardly and expand.
The entry guide 82 is depicted in
Referring additionally now to
A wellbore 106 drilled from the wellhead 102 intersects a wellbore 108 drilled from the wellhead 104. These wellbores 106, 108 may form a U-tube well. A tubular string 110 in the wellbore 106 may be connected to a tubular string 112 in the wellbore 108 using a tubular string connection system 10 as described above. Any of the other tubular string connection systems 44, 62, 72 described above could be used in place of the system 10.
A branch wellbore 114 drilled outwardly from the wellbore 106 intersects another branch wellbore 116 drilled outwardly from the wellbore 108. Yet another branch wellbore 118 drilled outwardly from the wellbore 106 intersects another branch wellbore 120 drilled outwardly from the wellbore 108.
A tubular string 122 in the wellbore 114 is connected to a tubular string 124 in the wellbore 116 using the tubular string connection system 10 (or another of the systems described above). Similarly, a tubular string 126 in the wellbore 118 is connected to a tubular string 128 in the wellbore 120.
A wellbore junction 130 interconnects the tubular strings 11o, 126. A wellbore junction 132 interconnects the tubular strings 110, 122. A wellbore junction 134 interconnects the tubular strings 112, 128. A wellbore junction 136 interconnects the tubular strings 112, 124.
These wellbore junctions 130, 132, 134, 136 may be of the type described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/725,140, filed Dec. 1, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference. Such wellbore junctions will permit independent control and monitoring of fluid flow between each of the branch wellbores 114, 116, 118, 120 and the respective wellbores 106, 108.
It may now be appreciated that the principles of the invention permit a wide variety of tubular string connection configurations in the system 100, thereby permitting a petroleum reservoir to be drained as desired using wellbores intersecting each other in various ways.
Note that any of the tubular strings 110, 112, 122, 124, 126, 128 can be gravel packed at any point in any of the respective wellbores 106, 108, 114, 116, 118, 120. For example,
The screens 138, 140, 142, or any of them, could be expandable. For example, the PoroFlex® expandable screen available from Enventure Global Technologies of Houston, Tex. could be used. If the screens 138, 140, 142 are used, they may not necessarily be gravel packed.
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
As depicted in
The tubular string 152 could be expanded mechanically (e.g., by swaging, drifting, or other type of mechanical forming), hydraulically (e.g., by applying pressure across a sidewall of the tubular string, inflating a membrane, etc.), or by any other method, or any combination of methods.
Expansion of the reduced diameter portion 156 expands a minimum restriction or an inner dimension d of a flow passage 160 of the tubular string 152 as shown in
Note that expansion of the portion 156 of the tubular string 152 also causes expansion of an end portion 164 of the tubular string 154. However, the end portion 164 could be expanded before the tubular string 152 is inserted into the tubular string 154, in which case, the end portion could be considered an entry guide on the tubular string 154. Note, also, that in any of the above-described systems 10, 44, 62, 72, 100 a tubular string (e.g., tubular strings 38, 76, 124, 112, 128) can be sealingly engaged within an entry guide (e.g., entry guides 18, 50, 64, 82) on another tubular string (e.g., tubular strings 16, 74, 122, 110, 126) to thereby reduce or prevent restrictions to access or flow through the connected tubular strings, whether or not the inserted tubular string is expanded within the entry guide.
Referring additionally now to
A wellbore 178 drilled from the wellhead 172 intersects a wellbore 180 drilled from the wellhead 174. These wellbores 178, 180 may form a U-tube well. A tubular string 182 in the wellbore 178 may be connected to a tubular string 184 in the wellbore 180 using a tubular string connection system 10 as described above. Any of the other tubular string connection systems 44, 62, 72, 150 described above could be used in place of the system 10.
A wellbore 186 drilled from the wellhead 174 intersects a wellbore 188 drilled from the wellhead 176. These wellbores 186, 188 may form a U-tube well. The wellbore 186 could be a branch of the wellbore 180, or vice versa. A tubular string 190 in the wellbore 186 may be connected to a tubular string 192 in the wellbore 188 using a tubular string connection system 10, or any of the other connection systems 44, 62, 72, 150 described above. The tubular strings 184, 190 may be joined to, or in communication with, each other at the wellhead 174 or in either of the wellbores 18o, 186 below the wellhead.
The wellhead 174 may be used as a pumping station to transfer fluid between the tubular strings 184, 190. In this manner, fluid may be pumped substantially underground from wellhead 172 to wellhead 176. Any number of wellheads may be joined using this method to transfer fluid substantial distances underground. This may be beneficial in that sensitive surface environments may be avoided, unstable surface conditions or difficult surface topology may be avoided, the transferred fluid may be maintained at a desired temperature geothermally, etc.
Although tubular string connection systems 10, 44, 62, 72, 100, 150, 170 have been described above for use with tubular strings positioned in intersecting wellbores, the systems could also be used in a wellbore, or a section of a wellbore, that does not intersect another wellbore. For example, the intersecting wellbores 12, 36 in the systems 10, 44, 62 could instead be a single continuous wellbore. The system 72 could also be used in a continuous wellbore. In the system 100, each of the intersecting wellbores 106, 108, intersecting wellbores 114, 116, and intersecting wellbores 118, 120, or any combination of them, could be drilled as a continuous wellbore. In the system 170, each of the intersecting wellbores 178, 180 and intersecting wellbores 186, 188 could be drilled as a continuous wellbore.
Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
