System for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface
First Claim
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1. A substantially horizontal subterranean drainage pattern for accessing a substantially quadrilateral area of a subterranean zone, comprising:
- a substantially horizontal diagonal well bore extending diagonally from a first corner of the substantially quadrilateral area in the subterranean zone to a distant corner of the quadrilateral area;
a first plurality of substantially horizontal lateral well bores extending in space relation to each other from the diagonal well bore to the periphery of the quadrilateral area on a first side of the diagonal well bore; and
a second plurality of substantially horizontal lateral well bores extending in space relation to each other from the diagonal well bore to the periphery of the quadrilateral area on a second, opposite side of the diagonal.
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Abstract
Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A substantially horizontal subterranean drainage pattern for accessing a substantially quadrilateral area of a subterranean zone, comprising:
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a substantially horizontal diagonal well bore extending diagonally from a first corner of the substantially quadrilateral area in the subterranean zone to a distant corner of the quadrilateral area;
a first plurality of substantially horizontal lateral well bores extending in space relation to each other from the diagonal well bore to the periphery of the quadrilateral area on a first side of the diagonal well bore; and
a second plurality of substantially horizontal lateral well bores extending in space relation to each other from the diagonal well bore to the periphery of the quadrilateral area on a second, opposite side of the diagonal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification