Method and system for accessing a subterranean zone from a limited surface area
First Claim
1. A system for accessing a target zone from a limited service area, comprising:
- a plurality of well bores extending from one or more surface locations to a target zone;
two or more of the well bores each including a well bore junction proximate to the target zone at which the two or more of the well bores intersect other of the plurality of well bores and the two or more of the well bores each including an extended drainage bore; and
wherein a first area bounded by the one or more surface locations is smaller than a second area bounded by the junctions, and wherein the second area is smaller than a third area containing the extended drainage bores.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for accessing subterranean resources from a limited surface area includes a first well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The first well bore includes an angled portion disposed between the target zone and the surface to provide an offset between a surface location of the first well bore and an intersection of the first well bore with the subterranean resource. The system also includes an articulated well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The articulated well bore is offset from the first well bore at the surface and intersects the first well bore proximate the target zone. The system further includes a well bore pattern extending from the intersection of the first well bore and the articulated well bore in the target zone to provide access to the target zone.
358 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A system for accessing a target zone from a limited service area, comprising:
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a plurality of well bores extending from one or more surface locations to a target zone;
two or more of the well bores each including a well bore junction proximate to the target zone at which the two or more of the well bores intersect other of the plurality of well bores and the two or more of the well bores each including an extended drainage bore; and
wherein a first area bounded by the one or more surface locations is smaller than a second area bounded by the junctions, and wherein the second area is smaller than a third area containing the extended drainage bores. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 27)
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11. A system for accessing a subterranean formation from a limited surface area, comprising:
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a plurality of diverging well bores extending from a surface, the diverging well bores having a footprint on the surface, the footprint having a first area;
at least one subterranean horizontal drainage pattern coupled to each of the diverging well bores, the diverging well bores extending below the subterranean horizontal drainage pattern;
the first area of the surface footprint being smaller than a second area bounded by the couplings of the subterranean horizontal drainage patterns with the diverging well bores; and
the second area being smaller than a third area bounding the subterranean horizontal drainage patterns. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 28)
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19. A method for accessing a subterranean formation from a limited surface area, comprising:
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forming a plurality of diverging well bores extending from a surface footprint, the surface footprint having a first area;
forming at least one subterranean horizontal drainage pattern coupled to each of the diverging well bores, the diverging well bores extending below the subterranean horizontal drainage pattern;
the first area of the surface footprint being smaller than a second area bounded by the couplings of the subterranean horizontal drainage patterns with the diverging well bores; and
the second area being smaller than a third area bounding the subterranean horizontal drainage patterns. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29)
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30. A system for producing gas from a coal seam, comprising:
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a surface footprint;
a plurality of well bores coupled to the surface footprint and extending to a coal seams, at least one of the plurality of well bores being slanted;
each well bore connected to a substantially horizontal well bore extending in the coal seam; and
wherein environmental impact is reduced as an area of the surface footprint is smaller than an area containing the substantially horizontal well bores. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification