Method for making a well for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation

• US 6,932,168 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Corporation), Precision Energy Services Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: CNX Gas Company LLC (CNX Gas Corporation)
• Inventors: Kolkmeier, Robert, Varcoe, Brian, Toothman, Richard L., Aman, Joseph P., Stayton, Robert, Morgan, Claude, Fanning, Geoff W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsay, Frank
• Application Number:
  US10/438,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20040226719A1
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 166/50, 166/52, 166/245, 166/263, 175/61, 175/62, 175/69
• US Class Current: 175/62
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/085 Underbalanced techniques, i.e. where borehole fluid pressure is below formation pressure
• 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 43/305 comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well

Abstract

An improved method for making a well for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation. This invention provides for a method for making a well for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation having an interface zone. The interface zone is coupled to a main directional well bore that extends from a top surface at ground level into the desired subterranean formation. A lateral well bore is also coupled to the interface zone. A directional sump bore is also coupled to the interface zone and the directional sump bore extends from the interface zone to a point below the interface zone. There is also a means for moving fluid from the directional sump bore through the main directional well bore to the top surface.

Claims

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

(a) providing an interface zone;

(b) providing a main directional well bore that extends from a top surface at ground level into the desired subterranean formation and is coupled to the interface zone;

(c) providing a lateral well bore coupled to the interface zone;

(d) providing a directional sump bore that is coupled to the interface zone, the directional sump bore extends from the interface zone to a point below the interface zone; and

(e) providing means for moving fluid from the directional sump bore from the point below the interface zone through the main directional well bore to the top surface.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the interface zone is within the subterranean formation.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the main directional well bore as an intermediate casing.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 including inserting a slotted production liner that has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the intermediate casing an has a hanging assembly at a top end of the slotted production liner so that the slotted production liner can be inserted into the intermediate casing and is secured to the bottom of the intermediate casing by the hanging assembly and the slotted production liner extends into the directional sump bore.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the well has an intermediate casting that extends from the top surface through the main directional well bore into the directional sump bore.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the intermediate casing has a dow located in the interface zone.

7. A method for making a well for removing fluid from a desired subterranean formation comprising:

(a) providing a main directional well bore that extends from a top surface at ground level into the desired subterranean formation;

(b) inserting an intermediate casing having an attached external parasite tube that extends from the top surface to a point of intersection with the intermediate casing;

(c) inserting air pressure down the parasite tube;

(d) inserting drilling fluid down a drill string within the intermediate casing to create a hydrostatic pressure less than a desired subterranean zone breakdown pressure which provides an underbalanced drilling environment and facilitates the removal of cuttings and drilling fluid to be circulated to the top surface a ground level through the intermediate casing;

(e) drilling an interface zone that is coupled to the main directional well using the underbalanced drilling environment;

(f) drilling a lateral well bore that is coupled to the interface zone using the underbalanced drilling environment;

(g) drilling a directional sump bore that is coupled to the interface zone using the underbalanced drilling environment, the directional sump bore extends from the interface zone to a point below the interface zone; and

(h) providing means for moving fluid from the directional sump bore from the point below the interface zone through the main directional well bore to the top surface.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein the lateral well bore is drilled nor to drilling the directional sump bore.

9. A method as recited in claim 7 including inserting a slotted production liner that has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the intermediate casing and has a banging assembly at a top end of the slotted production liner so that the slotted production liner can be inserted into the intermediate casing and is secured to the bottom of the intermediate casing by the hanging assembly and the slotted production liner extends into the directional sump bore.

10. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the intermediate casing extends from the top surface into the directional sump bore.

11. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the intermediate casing has a window located in the interface zone.

12. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the subterranean formation is a coal seam.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the lateral well bore is drill prior to drilling the directional sump bore.

14. A method as recited in claim 12 including inserting a slotted production liner that has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the intermediate casing an has a hanging assembly at a top end of the slotted production liner so that the slotted production liner can be inserted into the intermediate casing and is secured to the bottom of the intermediate casing by the hanging assembly and the slotted production liner extends into the directional sump bore.

15. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the intermediate casing extend from the top surface to the directional sump bore.

16. A method as recited in claim 15 wherein the intermediate casing has a dow located in the interface zone.