Alternate path multilayer production/injection

• US 6,863,126 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: McGlothen, Jody R., Restarick, Henry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stephenson, Daniel P
• Application Number:
  US10/253,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20040055751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 166/242.5, 166/242.1, 166/50, 166/265, 166/100, 166/117.5, 166/117.6, 166/117.7, 166/169, 166/313
• US Class Current: 166/242.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0035 Apparatus or methods for multilateral well technology, e.g. for the completion of or workover on wells with one or more lateral branches
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0042 characterised by sealing the junction between a lateral and a main bore
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/12 Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00

Abstract

Alternate path multilateral production/injection. In a described embodiment, a system for drilling and completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores comprises a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string. The apparatus includes a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein. The first passage extends longitudinally through the mandrel and is in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string. The second passage extends laterally relative to the first passage and is configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough. The mandrel further includes at least one third passage or alternate path extending longitudinally in the mandrel.

Claims

1. A system for completing a well having a wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses further having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein the apparatuses are cemented in the wellbore by flowing cement through the third passages of the apparatuses.

2. A system for completing a well having a first wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the first wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses further having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein fluid is produced through the third passage of the first apparatus while a second wellbore is drilled through the second apparatus.

3. A system for completing a well having a wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses further having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein a flow control device controls fluid flow between the second and third passages of the first apparatus.

4. A system for completing a well having a wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses further having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein a flow control device controls fluid flow between the first and second passages of the first apparatus.

5. A system for completing a well having a wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses farther having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein at least a portion of a flow control device of the first apparatus is retrievable from the well through the third passage of the first apparatus.

6. A system for completing a well having a wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses further having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein the third passages of the apparatuses extend through a tubular string interconnected between the apparatuses.

7. A system for completing a well having a wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses further having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein the third passages extend through an annulus between the casing string and the tubular string.

8. A system for completing a well having a wellbore, the system comprising:

first and second apparatuses interconnected in a casing string in the wellbore, an internal flow passage of the casing string extending through a first passage of each of the apparatuses, each of the apparatuses further having a second passage intersecting the first passage; and

a third passage of each of the apparatuses providing fluid communication between the apparatuses separate from the casing string flow passage, and

wherein one of the first and second apparatuses includes a separator for separating hydrocarbons and water from fluid received in the separator.

9. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the third passage extends longitudinally through the mandrel, and wherein cement is flowed through the third passage between opposite ends of the mandrel.

10. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including multiple third passages extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a first flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between a first one of the third passages and the first passage, and a second flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between a second one of the third passages and the first passage.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the first flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between the first and second flow passages.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the second flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between the first and second flow passages.

13. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including multiple third passages extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a first flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between a first one of the third passages and the second passage, and a second flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between a second one of the third passages and the second passage.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the first flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between the first and second flow passages.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the second flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between the first and second flow passages.

16. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the third passage is in fluid communication with a tubular string extending to a remote location.

17. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between the third passage and the first passage.

18. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a flow control device selectively controls fluid communication between the third passage and the second passage.

19. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least first and second mandrels interconnected in the casing string, each of the first and second mandrels having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and each of the first and second mandrels further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the third passage of the first mandrel is in fluid communication with the third passage of the second mandrel via a tubular string interconnected between the first and second mandrels.

20. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least first and second mandrels interconnected in the casing string, each of the first and second mandrels having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and each of the first and second mandrels further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the third passage of the first mandrel is in fluid communication with the third passage of the second mandrel via an annulus formed between two tubular strings interconnected between the first and second mandrels.

21. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least first and second mandrels interconnected in the casing string, each of the first and second mandrels having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and each of the first and second mandrels further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, the third passage of the first mandrel being in fluid communication with the third passage of the second mandrel, and

wherein a flow control device is interconnected between the third passage of the first mandrel and the second passage of the first mandrel.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein fluid is produced from the second wellbore into the third passage of the first mandrel through the flow control device.

23. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a third wellbore is drilled by passing a drill string through the first passage, while fluid is produced from the second wellbore through the third passage.

24. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a third wellbore is drilled by passing a drill string through the first passage, while fluid is injected into the second wellbore through the third passage.

25. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a third wellbore is drilled by passing a drill string through the first passage, while the second wellbore is stimulated through the third passage.

26. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein a third wellbore is drilled by passing a drill string through the first passage, while a formation test is performed on the second wellbore through the third passage.

27. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein at least a portion of a flow control device of the apparatus is retrievable from the apparatus via a tubular string connected to the third passage and extending to a remote location.

28. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the apparatus further includes a separator configured for separating hydrocarbons and water from fluid received into the apparatus.

29. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a separator configured for separating hydrocarbons and water from fluid received into the apparatus, and a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the separator is positioned in the third passage.

30. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a separator configured for separating hydrocarbons and water from fluid received into the apparatus, and a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the separator directs the hydrocarbons to flow into the first passage, and wherein the separator directs the water to flow out of the apparatus via the second passage.

31. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein first and second ones of the apparatus are interconnected in the casing string, the first apparatus receiving a fluid comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, the fluid being flowed via the third passage of the first apparatus to the third passage of the second apparatus, the hydrocarbons being substantially separated from the water in the second apparatus, the hydrocarbons being produced via the first passage of the second apparatus, and the water being flowed out of the second apparatus via the second passage.

32. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and

at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string, the apparatus including a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel and in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage and being configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough, and the mandrel further including at least one third passage extending longitudinally in the mandrel, and

wherein the apparatus further includes a three way flow control device which selectively permits fluid communication between the second passage and one of the first and third passages.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the third passage is in fluid communication with a separator configured for separating hydrocarbons and water from fluid flowed through the flow control device.

34. A method of drilling and completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting at least one apparatus in a casing string having an internal longitudinal flow passage formed therethrough, the apparatus including first and second passages formed therein, the first passage extending longitudinally through the apparatus and forming a portion of the casing string flow passage;

positioning the apparatus in the first wellbore at a location where it is desired to drill the second wellbore;

drilling the second wellbore by passing a drill string through the first and second passages; and

flowing fluid between the second wellbore and a remote location through a third passage of the apparatus, the third passage being isolated from the first passage in the apparatus.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the interconnecting step further comprises interconnecting first and second ones of the apparatus in the casing string.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the flowing step further comprises flowing fluid through the third passage between the first and second apparatuses.

37. The method according to claim 35, wherein the flowing step further comprises flowing fluid between the second passage of the first apparatus and the second passage of the second apparatus.

38. The method according to claim 35, wherein the flowing step further comprises flowing the fluid through a tubular string extending between the first and second apparatus external to the casing string.

39. The method according to claim 35, wherein the flowing step further comprises flowing the fluid through an annulus formed between the casing string and a tubular string in the first wellbore.

40. The method according to claim 35, further comprising the step of drilling another wellbore through the second apparatus during the flowing step.

41. The method according to claim 34, wherein the flowing step further comprises producing fluid from the second wellbore through the third passage.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein the fluid producing step further comprises performing a formation test on the second wellbore.

43. The method according to claim 41, wherein the flowing step further comprises flowing the fluid from the apparatus to another apparatus interconnected in the casing string.

44. The method according to claim 34, wherein the flowing step further comprises injecting fluid into the second wellbore through the third passage.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the fluid injecting step further comprises injecting water separated from the fluid in the second apparatus.

46. The method according to claim 44, wherein the fluid injecting step further comprises stimulating the second wellbore.

47. The method according to claim 44, wherein the flowing step further comprises receiving the fluid into the apparatus from another apparatus interconnected in the casing string.

48. The method according to claim 34, wherein the flowing step further comprises isolating the third passage from the casing string flow passage between the apparatus and the remote location.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the isolating step further comprises extending the third passage through a tubular string external to the casing string.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein in the isolating step, the remote location is the earth'"'"'s surface, and the tubular string extends between the apparatus and the earth'"'"'s surface.

51. The method according to claim 34, wherein the flowing step further comprises controlling flow between the second wellbore and the third passage using a flow control device interconnected between the second and third passages.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the flow controlling step further comprises controlling flow between the first and second passages using the flow control device.

53. The method according to claim 51, wherein the flow controlling step further comprises controlling flow between the second passage and a selected one of the first and third passages using the flow control device.

54. The method according to claim 51, wherein there are multiple ones of the third passage in the apparatus, and wherein the flow controlling step further comprises controlling flow between the second passage and a selected one of the third passages.

55. A system for completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

at least one apparatus positioned in the first wellbore and having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage forming a portion of an internal flow passage of a casing string in which the apparatus is interconnected, and the second passage providing access between the first passage and the second wellbore; and

the apparatus further having a third passage isolated from the first passage while fluid is flowed between the third passage and the second wellbore.

56. The system according to claim 55, wherein fluid is flowed through the second passage between the third passage and the second wellbore.

57. The system according to claim 55, wherein fluid is produced from the second wellbore through the third passage.

58. The system according to claim 57, wherein fluid is produced from the second wellbore during a formation test in the second wellbore.

59. The system according to claim 57, wherein fluid flows through the third passage to a third wellbore intersecting the first wellbore.

60. The system according to claim 59, wherein the third wellbore extends outward from another apparatus interconnected in the casing string.

61. The system according to claim 55, wherein fluid is flowed into the second wellbore from the third passage.

62. The system according to claim 61, wherein fluid is flowed into the second wellbore during stimulation of the second wellbore.

63. The system according to claim 61, wherein fluid is flowed into the second wellbore from a third wellbore intersected by the first wellbore.

64. The system according to claim 63, wherein fluid flowed into the second wellbore is separated from fluid produced from the third wellbore.

65. The system according to claim 64, wherein the fluid flowed into the second wellbore includes water separated from hydrocarbons in the fluid produced from the third wellbore.

66. The system according to claim 64, wherein the fluid flowed into the second wellbore includes hydrocarbons separated from water in the fluid produced from the third wellbore.

67. The system according to claim 55, wherein the apparatus further includes a flow control device controlling flow between the third passage and the second wellbore.

68. The system according to claim 67, wherein the flow control device further controls flow between the first and second passages.

69. The system according to claim 68, wherein flow directly between the first and second passages is blocked while the flow control device controls flow between the second passage and a selected one of the first and third passages.

70. The system according to claim 55, wherein there are first and second ones of the apparatus interconnected in the casing string, and wherein the third passage extends between the first and second apparatuses.

71. The system according to claim 70, wherein the third passage extends through a tubular string interconnected between the first and second apparatuses.

72. The system according to claim 71, wherein the tubular string extends between the first and second apparatuses external to the casing string.

73. The system according to claim 71, wherein the third passage extends through an annulus formed between the tubular string and the casing string.

74. The system according to claim 55, wherein the apparatus has multiple third passages, and a flow control device controlling flow between the second passage and a selected one of the third passages.

75. The system according to claim 55, wherein the apparatus includes a flow control device controlling flow between the second and third passages.

76. The system according to claim 75, wherein the flow control device further controls flow between the first and second passages.

77. The system according to claim 55, wherein the apparatus includes first and second flow control devices, the first flow control device controlling flow between the first and second passages, and the second flow control device controlling flow between the second and third passages.

78. The system according to claim 55, wherein the apparatus has multiple third passages, and first and second flow control devices, the first flow control device controlling flow between the second passage and a first one of the third passages, and the second flow control device controlling flow between the second passage and a second one of the third passages.

79. The system according to claim 78, wherein at least one of the first and second flow control devices also controls flow between the first and second passages.

80. The system according to claim 78, wherein at least one of the first and second flow control devices also controls flow between the first passage and one of the third passages.

81. The system according to claim 55, wherein at least a portion of a flow control device of the apparatus is retrievable from the apparatus via a tubular string connected to the third passage and extending to a remote location.

82. The system according to claim 55, wherein the apparatus further includes a separator configured for separating hydrocarbons and water from fluid received into the apparatus.

83. The system according to claim 82, wherein the separator is positioned in the third passage.

84. The system according to claim 82, wherein the fluid is received into the apparatus through the third passage.

85. The system according to claim 82, wherein the fluid is received into the apparatus from another apparatus interconnected in the casing string.

86. The system according to claim 82, wherein the separator directs hydrocarbons to flow into the first passage, and directs water to flow into the second wellbore through the second passage.

87. The system according to claim 55, wherein first and second ones of the apparatus are interconnected in the casing string, the first apparatus receiving a fluid comprising a mixture of hydrocarbons and water, the fluid being flowed via the third passage of the first apparatus to the third passage of the second apparatus, the hydrocarbons being substantially separated from the water in the second apparatus, the hydrocarbons being produced via the first passage of the second apparatus, and the water being flowed out of the second apparatus via the second passage.

88. The system according to claim 55, wherein the apparatus further includes a three way flow control device which selectively permits fluid communication between the second passage and one of the first and third passages.

89. The system according to claim 88, wherein the third passage is in fluid communication with a separator configured for separating hydrocarbons and water from fluid flowed through the flow control device.

90. A method of completing a well having a first wellbore intersecting each of second and third wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting first and second apparatuses in a casing string, each of the apparatuses having a first passage formed therethrough which forms a portion of an internal flow passage of the casing string, and a second passage intersecting the first passage and extending laterally relative to the first passage;

positioning the casing string in the first wellbore; and

receiving fluid from one of the second and third wellbores into one of the first and second apparatuses;

separating hydrocarbons and water from the fluid received into the one of the first and second apparatuses; and

flowing one of the separated hydrocarbons and water to the other of the first and second apparatuses through a third passage interconnected between the first and second apparatuses.

91. The method according to claim 90, wherein in the receiving step, the fluid is received into the first apparatus, and wherein in the flowing step, the separated water is flowed to the second apparatus through the third passage.

92. The method according to claim 90, wherein in the receiving step, the fluid is received into the first apparatus, and wherein in the flowing step, the separated hydrocarbons are flowed to the second apparatus through the third passage.

93. The method according to claim 90, wherein the separating step further comprises separating the hydrocarbons from the water using a separator of the one of the first and second apparatuses.

94. The method according to claim 93, wherein in the separating step, the separator is a centrifugal separator.

95. The method according to claim 94, wherein in the separating step, the separator extends circumferentially about the first passage of the one of the first and second apparatuses.

96. The method according to claim 90, wherein the separating step further comprises directing the separated hydrocarbons to flow into the first passage of the one of the first and second apparatuses.

97. The method according to claim 90, wherein the separating step further comprises directing the separated water to flow to the other of the first and second apparatuses through the third passage.

98. The method according to claim 90, wherein the separating step is performed by a separator positioned within an annular space formed about the casing string flow passage.

99. The method according to claim 90, wherein the separating step is performed by a separator positioned within an annular space formed in the other of the first and second apparatuses.

100. The method according to claim 90, wherein the separating step is performed by a separator positioned within an annular space formed about the first passage.

101. The method according to claim 90, wherein the separating step is performed by a separator retrievable from within the casing string.