Three-dimensional well system for accessing subterranean zones
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for accessing a plurality of subterranean zones from the surface, comprising:
- forming an entry well from the surface;
forming a central drainage well extending downwardly from the entry well in a substantially vertical orientation through the subterranean zones;
forming an enlarged cavity from the central drainage well and proximate a bottom of the central drainage well; and
forming two or more exterior drainage wells from the entry well through the subterranean zones, wherein each exterior drainage well;
extends outwardly and downwardly from the entry well for a first selected distance;
extends downwardly in a substantially vertical orientation for a second selected distance; and
extends inwardly towards the central drainage well for a third selected distance and intersects the enlarged cavity.
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Abstract
A drainage system for accessing multiple subterranean zones from the surface includes an entry well extending from the surface. The system also includes two or more exterior drainage wells extending from the entry well through the subterranean zones. The exterior drainage wells each extend outwardly and downwardly from the entry well for a first selected distance and then extend downwardly in a substantially vertical orientation for a second selected distance.
316 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for accessing a plurality of subterranean zones from the surface, comprising:
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forming an entry well from the surface;
forming a central drainage well extending downwardly from the entry well in a substantially vertical orientation through the subterranean zones;
forming an enlarged cavity from the central drainage well and proximate a bottom of the central drainage well; and
forming two or more exterior drainage wells from the entry well through the subterranean zones, wherein each exterior drainage well;
extends outwardly and downwardly from the entry well for a first selected distance;
extends downwardly in a substantially vertical orientation for a second selected distance; and
extends inwardly towards the central drainage well for a third selected distance and intersects the enlarged cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A drainage system for accessing a plurality of subterranean zones from the surface, comprising:
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an entry well extending from the surface;
a central drainage well extending downwardly from the entry well in a substantially vertical orientation through the subterranean zones;
an enlarged cavity formed from the central drainage well proximate a bottom of the central drainage well; and
two or more exterior drainage wells extending from the entry well through the subterranean zones, wherein each exterior drainage well;
extends outwardly and downwardly from the entry well for a first selected distance;
extends downwardly in a substantially vertical orientation for a second selected distance; and
extends inwardly towards the central drainage well for a third selected distance and intersects the enlarged cavity. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A drainage system for accessing one or more subterranean zones from the surface, comprising:
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a central drainage well extending from the surface to at least one subterranean zone; and
two or more exterior drainage wells extending from the surface and through the at least one subterranean zone, the exterior drainage wells each extending outwardly away from the central drainage well and downwardly;
the two or more exterior drainage wells further extending inwardly towards the central drainage well and intersecting the central drainage well proximate to or below the at least one subterranean zone; and
whereby fluids drain from the at least one subterranean zone through the two or more exterior drainage wells to the central drainage well for production to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for accessing one or more subterranean zones from the surface, comprising:
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forming a central drainage well from the surface to at least one subterranean zone;
forming two or more exterior drainage wells from the surface and extending through the at least one subterranean zone, the exterior drainage wells each extending outwardly away from the central drainage well and downwardly, the two or more exterior drainage wells further extending inwardly towards the central drainage well and intersecting the central drainage well proximate to or below the at least one subterranean zone; and
draining fluids from the at least one subterranean zone through the two or more exterior drainage wells to the central drainage well for production to the surface. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification