Slant entry well system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:
- forming an entry well bore from the surface;
forming two or more slanted well bores from the entry well bore to the subterranean zone;
forming a substantially horizontal drainage pattern from at least one of the slanted well bores into the subterranean zone; and
forming a rat hole associated with at least one of the slant well bores and extending below the substantially horizontal drainage pattern, the rat hole formed such that water and other fluids from the subterranean zone drain through the substantially horizontal drainage pattern and collect in the rat hole to facilitate removal of the fluids from the subterranean zone.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes an entry well bore extending down from the surface. A plurality of slanted well bores extend from the entry well bore to the subterranean zone. Drainage patterns extend from the slanted well bores into the subterranean zone.
333 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:
-
forming an entry well bore from the surface;
forming two or more slanted well bores from the entry well bore to the subterranean zone;
forming a substantially horizontal drainage pattern from at least one of the slanted well bores into the subterranean zone; and
forming a rat hole associated with at least one of the slant well bores and extending below the substantially horizontal drainage pattern, the rat hole formed such that water and other fluids from the subterranean zone drain through the substantially horizontal drainage pattern and collect in the rat hole to facilitate removal of the fluids from the subterranean zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:
-
an entry well bore extending from the surface;
two or more slanted well bores extending from the entry well bore to the subterranean zone;
a substantially horizontal drainage pattern extending from at least one of the slanted well bores into the subterranean zone; and
a rat hole associated with at least one of the slant well bores and extending below the substantially horizontal drainage pattern, the rat hole formed such that water and other fluids from the subterranean zone drain through the substantially horizontal drainage pattern and collect in the rat hole to facilitate removal of the fluids from the subterranean zone. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:
-
forming two or more slanted well bores extending to the subterranean zone, the two or more slanted well bores formed from a common surface area;
forming in the subterranean zone one or more substantially horizontal drainage patterns each intersecting at least one of the slanted well bores; and
forming a rat hole associated with each slant well bore and extending below the substantially horizontal drainage pattern, the rat hole formed such that water and other fluids from the subterranean zone drain through the substantially horizontal drainage pattern and collect in the rat hole to facilitate removal of the fluids from the subterranean zone. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
-
20. A method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:
-
forming an entry well bore from the surface;
forming two or more slanted well bores from the entry well bore to the subterranean zone;
forming in the subterranean zone one or more substantially horizontal drainage patterns each intersecting at least one of the slanted well bores; and
forming a rat hole associated with each slant well bore and extending below the substantially horizontal drainage pattern, the rat hole formed such that water and other fluids from the subterranean zone drain through the substantially horizontal drainage pattern and collect in the rat hole to facilitate removal of the fluids from the subterranean zone. - View Dependent Claims (21)
-
Specification