Surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve

• US 6,951,252 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2002
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• 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): DANG, HOANG C
• Application Number:
  US10/253,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20040055752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 166/50, 166/313, 166/115, 166/242.1, 166/117.6
• US Class Current: 166/313
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/08 responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained E21B34/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• 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 43/14 Obtaining from a multiple-zone well

Abstract

A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.

Claims

1. A completion system for a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

an apparatus having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage providing fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the first wellbore, and the second passage providing guidance for drilling the second wellbore extending laterally from the first wellbore, the apparatus further including a flow control device selectively controlling fluid communication with the second passage, and wherein direct fluid communication between the first and second passages is prevented while the flow control device permits flow between the first and second passages via a third passage extending between the first and second passages.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a plug preventing direct fluid communication between the first and second passages.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a portion of an intelligent well completion.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system includes multiple ones of the apparatus, whereby fluid communication with each of the second passages is controllable using the respective flow control device of the corresponding apparatus.

5. A completion system for a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

an apparatus having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage providing fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the first wellbore, and the second passage providing guidance for drilling the second wellbore extending laterally from the first wellbore, the apparatus further including a flow control device selectively controlling fluid communication with the second passage, and a plug preventing direct fluid communication between the first and second passages, and

wherein the plug is installed in the second passage, and the flow control device remains in direct fluid communication with the second passage while the plug is installed.

6. A completion system for a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

an apparatus having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage providing fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the first wellbore, and the second passage providing guidance for drilling the second wellbore extending laterally from the first wellbore, the apparatus further including a flow control device selectively controlling fluid communication with the second passage, the apparatus being a portion of an intelligent well completion, and

wherein the flow control device is remotely controlled in the intelligent well completion.

7. A completion system for a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

an apparatus having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage providing fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the first wellbore, and the second passage providing guidance for drilling the second wellbore extending laterally from the first wellbore, the apparatus further including a flow control device selectively controlling fluid communication with the second passage, the apparatus being a portion of an intelligent well completion, and

wherein the intelligent well completion includes at least one sensor attached to the apparatus, the sensor sensing at least one fluid property and providing an indication of the fluid property, the fluid property indication being transmitted to a remote location.

8. A completion system for a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

an apparatus having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage providing fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the first wellbore, and the second passage providing guidance for drilling the second wellbore extending laterally from the first wellbore, the apparatus further including a flow control device selectively controlling fluid communication with the second passage, and a wear bushing installed in the second passage.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the wear bushing protects the second passage from wear due to cutting tools passing through the second passage.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the wear bushing protects a seal bore formed in the second passage.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the wear bushing protects an internal profile formed in the second passage.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the wear bushing isolates the second passage from a third passage formed in the apparatus.

13. A completion system for a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

an apparatus having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage providing fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the first wellbore, and the second passage providing guidance for drilling the second wellbore extending laterally from the first wellbore, the apparatus further including a flow control device selectively controlling fluid communication with the second passage, and a sensor which senses fluid properties external to the apparatus.

14. A completion system for a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the system comprising:

an apparatus having first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage providing fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the first wellbore, and the second passage providing guidance for drilling the second wellbore extending laterally from the first wellbore, the apparatus further including a flow control device selectively controlling fluid communication with the second passage, and

wherein the flow control device is automatically operated in response to indications of fluid properties sensed by at least one sensor of the apparatus.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein there are multiple ones of the apparatus, and wherein the flow control device of each of the apparatuses is used to control commingling of production from multiple reservoirs associated with the apparatuses.

16. A method of completing a well having an intersection between first and second wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:

interconnecting a mandrel as part of a casing string, a first longitudinal passage of the casing string extending through the mandrel;

positioning the mandrel in the well at the desired intersection of the first and second wellbores;

drilling the second wellbore by deflecting a cutting tool from the first passage and through a second passage formed in the mandrel; and

flowing fluid between the first and second wellbores through the mandrel, without flowing fluid directly between the first and second passages.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the flowing step further comprises flowing fluid through a flow control device interconnected between the first and second passages.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein in the flowing step, the flow control device is interconnected between third and fourth passages formed in the mandrel, the third passage being in communication with the first passage, and the fourth passage being in communication with the second passage.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein in the flowing step, the flow control device is positioned within the mandrel.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein in the flowing step, the flow control device is positioned external to the mandrel.

21. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of operating the flow control device automatically in response to indications received from at least one sensor sensing a fluid property in at least one of the first and second wellbores.

22. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of controlling operation of the flow control device from a remote location.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the controlling step further comprises controlling the flow control device operation via at least one line connected to the flow control device and extending to the remote location.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the controlling step, the line is a hydraulic line.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the controlling step, the line is an electric line.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein in the controlling step, the line is a fiber optic line.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein the controlling step further comprises controlling the flow control device operation via telemetry.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein in the controlling step, the telemetry is electromagnetic telemetry.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein in the controlling step, the telemetry is acoustic telemetry.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein in the controlling step, the telemetry is pressure pulse telemetry.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein in the controlling step, telemetry signals are transmitted to the flow control device from the remote location via at least one line connected to the flow control device.

32. The method according to claim 17, wherein the flow control device includes a closure member which is displaceable to selectively open and close the flow control device to flow therethrough, and further comprising the step of retrieving the closure member from the well.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the retrieving step further comprises conveying a kickover tool through the first passage and engaging the kickover tool with a profile formed in the mandrel.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the engaging step further comprises rotationally aligning the kickover tool with the closure member.

35. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of installing a plug in the mandrel prior to the flowing step.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the plug installing step further comprises blocking fluid flow directly between the first and second passages.

37. The method according to claim 16, wherein the drilling step further comprises installing a deflector in the mandrel, the mandrel deflecting the cutting tool from the first passage to the second passage.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the deflector installing step further comprises engaging the deflector with a profile formed in the mandrel.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the deflector engaging step further comprises rotationally aligning a deflection surface of the deflector with the second passage.

40. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of installing a liner string in the second wellbore through the second passage.

41. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a sensor sensing a fluid property in the first passage.

42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising the step of transmitting an indication of the fluid property from the sensor to a remote location.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the indication to a remote location via at least one line connected to the sensor.

44. The method according to claim 42, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the indication via telemetry.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is electromagnetic telemetry.

46. The method according to claim 44, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is acoustic telemetry.

47. The method according to claim 44, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is pressure pulse telemetry.

48. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a sensor sensing a fluid property in the second passage.

49. The method according to claim 48, further comprising the step of transmitting an indication of the fluid property from the sensor to a remote location.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the indication to a remote location via at least one line connected to the sensor.

51. The method according to claim 49, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the indication via telemetry.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is electromagnetic telemetry.

53. The method according to claim 51, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is acoustic telemetry.

54. The method according to claim 51, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is pressure pulse telemetry.

55. The method according to claim 48, wherein a flow control device is interconnected between the first and second passages, and wherein the sensor senses the fluid property in the second passage when the flow control device is closed.

56. The method according to claim 48, wherein a flow control device is interconnected between the first and second passages, and wherein the sensor senses the fluid property in the second passage when the flow control device is open.

57. The method according to claim 48, wherein a flow control device is interconnected between the first and second passages, and wherein the sensor senses the fluid property in the second passage through a closure member of the flow control device.

58. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a sensor sensing a fluid property external to the mandrel.

59. The method according to claim 58, further comprising the step of transmitting an indication of the fluid property from the sensor to a remote location.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the indication to a remote location via at least one line connected to the sensor.

61. The method according to claim 59, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the indication via telemetry.

62. The method according to claim 61, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is electromagnetic telemetry.

63. The method according to claim 61, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is acoustic telemetry.

64. The method according to claim 61, wherein in the transmitting step, the telemetry is pressure pulse telemetry.

65. The method according to claim 58, further comprising the step of cementing the mandrel in the first wellbore, and wherein the sensor senses the fluid property external to the mandrel after the cementing step.

66. The method according to claim 58, further comprising the step of using the sensor to detect a leak between the second wellbore and the first wellbore external to the mandrel.

67. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of drilling a third wellbore intersecting the first wellbore, the third wellbore being drilled via the first passage while fluid is produced from the second wellbore via the second passage.

68. An apparatus for use in completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated mandrel configured for interconnection in a casing string in the well, the mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage; and

a flow control device selectively permitting and preventing fluid communication with the second passage, and the flow control device selectively permitting and preventing flow between the first and second passages; and

a plug blocking flow directly between the first and second passages, the flow control device selectively permitting and preventing flow between the first and second passages via a third passage extending between the first and second passages.

69. The apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the flow control device is positioned internal to the mandrel.

70. The apparatus according to claim 68, further comprising a deflection device installed in the mandrel and engaged with an internal profile.

71. The apparatus according to claim 70, wherein engagement between the deflection device and the profile rotationally aligns the deflection device with the second passage.

72. The apparatus according to claim 70, wherein the deflection device is engaged with the profile in the first passage.

73. The apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the apparatus includes multiple ones of the mandrel, the mandrels being interconnected to each other so that the first passages of the mandrels are in fluid communication with each other.

74. The apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the apparatus includes multiple ones of the mandrel, the mandrel first passages forming portions of a casing string flow passage, and the flow control devices selectively permitting and preventing flow between the respective second passages and the casing string flow passage.

75. An apparatus for use in completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated mandrel configured for interconnection in a casing string in the well, the mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage;

a flow control device selectively permitting and preventing fluid communication with the second passage; and

a tool installed in the mandrel and operative to retrieve a portion of the flow control device from within the mandrel.

76. The apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the flow control device portion is a closure member.

77. The apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the tool is engaged with a profile formed in the mandrel.

78. The apparatus according to claim 77, wherein the tool is a kickover tool, and wherein engagement of the tool with the profile rotationally aligns the tool with the flow control device portion.

79. An apparatus for use in completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated mandrel configured for interconnection in a casing string in the well, the mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therethrough, the first passage extending longitudinally through the mandrel, and the second passage extending laterally relative to the first passage;

a flow control device selectively permitting and preventing fluid communication with the second passage; and

first and second sensors sensing fluid properties in the first and second passages, respectively.

80. The apparatus according to claim 79, wherein indications of fluid properties are transmitted from the first and second sensors to a remote location.

81. The apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the fluid property indications are transmitted via at least one line connected to the first and second sensors.

82. The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the line is an electric line.

83. The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the line is a hydraulic line.

84. The apparatus according to claim 81, wherein the line is a fiber optic line.

85. The apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the fluid property indications are transmitted to the remote location via telemetry.

86. The apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the telemetry is electromagnetic telemetry.

87. The apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the telemetry is acoustic telemetry.

88. The apparatus according to claim 85, wherein the telemetry is pressure pulse telemetry.