Method for making wells for removing fluid from a desired subterranean

• US 20050051326A1
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Corporation)
• Original Assignee: CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Corporation)
• Inventors: Fanning, Geoff W., Toothman, Richard L. Jr., Bradford, Kyle W.
• Application Number:
  US10/953,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20050051326A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/245
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/305 comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well

Abstract

This invention provides a method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation. A substantially vertical main well that extends from a surface through the desired subterranean formation to a point below the desired subterranean formation is provided. The substantially vertical main well has a seam section that begins at a top of the desired subterranean formation and ends at a bottom of the desired subterranean formation. The seam section has substantially the same diameter as a substantially vertical main well bore lower section. An intersecting well bore that is offset horizontally from the substantially vertical main well bore and intersects the seam section of the substantially vertical main well bore.

Claims

1. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation comprising:

(a) providing a substantially vertical main well which extends from a surface through the desired subterranean formation to a point below the desired subterranean formation, the substantially vertical main well has a seam section that begins at a top of the desired subterranean formation and ends at a bottom of the desired subterranean formation, the seam section has a diameter less than or equal to the largest diameter bore of the substantially vertical main well;

(b) providing an intersecting well bore that is offset horizontally from the main well bore, and intersects the seam section of the main well bore; and

(c) providing a means for removing fluid from the main well bore.

2. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 1 wherein the intersecting well bore exits the seam section.

3. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 1 wherein the intersecting well bore has a substantially vertical section.

4. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 1 wherein the intersecting well bore has a slant section.

5. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 1 wherein the intersecting well bore has a substantially horizontal section in the desired subterranean formation.

6. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 1 including a composite casing in the seam section of the main well bore.

7. A method as recited in claim 6 including installation of a baffle or bridge plug below the seam section of the main well bore.

8. A method as recited in claim 6 including installation of a bridge plug above the seam section of the main well bore.

9. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 6 wherein the intersection of the intersecting well bore and the main vertical well bore is done by drilling through the composite casing.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 including installation of a baffle or bridge plug below the seam section of the main well bore.

11. A method as recited in claim 9 including a bridge plug above the seam section of the main well bore.

12. A method as recited in claim 1 including a baffle below the seam section of the main well bore.

13. A method as recited in claim 1 including a bridge plug above the seam section of the main well bore.

16. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 5 including a lateral well drilled off of the substantially horizontal section of the intersecting well bore.

14. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation comprising:

(a) providing a substantially vertical main well bore that intersects and exits the desired subterranean formation;

(b) providing a fracture zone around the main well bore in the desired subterranean formation;

(c) providing an offset well bore that is offset horizontally from the main well bore, and has a substantially horizontal portion in the desired subterranean formation in the direction of the main well bore;

(d) providing a first lateral well bore from an end of the substantially horizontal portion of the offset well bore and continues in the desired subterranean formation on a first side of the main well bore without intersecting the main well bore and into the fracture zone; and

(e) providing a means for moving fluid from the main well bore.

15. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 14 including providing a second lateral well bore from the end of the substantially horizontal portion of the offset well bore and continues in the desired subterranean formation on a second side of the main well bore without intersecting the main well bore and into the fracture zone.

17. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation comprising:

(a) providing a substantially vertical main well which extends from a surface through the desired subterranean formation to a point below the desired subterranean formation, the substantially vertical main well has a seam section that begins at a top of the desired subterranean formation and ends at a bottom of the desired subterranean formation, the well bore in the seam section has substantially the same diameter throughout the seam section;

(b) providing an intersecting well bore that is offset horizontally from the main well bore, and intersects the seam section of the main well bore; and

(c) providing a means for removing fluid from the main well bore.

18. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 17 wherein the intersecting well bore exits the seam section.

19. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 17 wherein the intersecting well bore has a substantially vertical section.

20. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 17 wherein the intersecting well bore has a slant section.

21. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 17 wherein the intersecting well bore has a substantially horizontal section in the desired subterranean formation.

22. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 17 including a composite casing in the seam section of the main well bore.

23. A method as recited in claim 22 including installation of a baffle or bridge plug below the seam section of the main well bore.

24. A method as recited in claim 22 including installation of a bridge plug above the seam section of the main well bore.

25. A method for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation as recited in claim 22 wherein the intersection of the intersecting well bore and the main vertical well bore is done by drilling through the composite casing.

26. A method as recited in claim 25 including installation of a baffle or bridge plug below the seam section of the main well bore.

27. A method as recited in claim 25 including a bridge plug above the seam section of the main well bore.

28. A method as recited in claim 17 including a baffle below the seam section of the main well bore.

29. A method as recited in claim 17 including a bridge plug above the seam section of the main well bore.