Adjustable window liner

• US 7,299,864 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Effective Exploration LLC
• Original Assignee: CDX Gas LLC (EnerVest Ltd.)
• Inventors: Walter, Bruno H., Pratt, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): WRIGHT, GIOVANNA COLLINS
• Application Number:
  US11/021,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20060131026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 166/313, 166/50, 166/242.5, 166/117.5, 166/117.6
• US Class Current: 166/50
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0042 characterised by sealing the junction between a lateral and a main bore
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/10 Setting of casings, screens, liners or the like in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/061 the tool shaft advancing relative to a guide, e.g. a curved tube or a whipstock

Abstract

A system for lining a junction between a main bore and an auxiliary bore includes a first tubing adapted to line at least a portion of the main bore. The first tubing has a lateral opening therein. A second tubing has a junction shield extending outward therefrom. The junction shield has a larger transverse dimension than the lateral opening and is adapted to contract to a smaller transverse dimension to pass through the lateral opening into the auxiliary bore.

Claims

1. A system for lining a junction between a main bore and an auxiliary bore, comprising:

a first tubing adapted to line at least a portion of the main bore, the first tubing having a lateral opening therein; and

a second tubing having a junction shield extending outward therefrom, the junction shield having a larger transverse dimension than the lateral opening and wherein the junction shield contracts to smaller transverse dimension to pass through the lateral opening into the auxiliary bore.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the junction shield contracts by flexing inwardly.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the junction shield is adapted to expand in the auxiliary bore to substantially cover the lateral opening.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the junction shield is adapted to expand in the auxiliary bore to a dimension that substantially prevents passage of the junction shield thorough the lateral opening.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the lateral opening is shaped similar to a projection of the auxiliary bore on the first tubing.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the junction shield comprises apertures therein adapted to allow for circumferential contraction of the junction shield.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the junction shield is adapted in substantially cover the lateral opening while allowing passage of specified size particulate between the junction shield and first tubing.

8. The system at claim 1 wherein the second tubing comprises 2-⅞

inch nominal sized tubing and wherein the first tubing comprises 5-½

inch nominal sized tubing.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a lateral opening cover on the first tubing changeable between a closed position coveting at least part of the lateral opening to an open position covering less of the lateral opening than in the closed position.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the lateral opening cover comprises a tubing received substantially concentrically about the first tubing and is adapted to translate substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first tubing.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein in the closed position, the lateral opening abuts the junction shield of the second tubing.

12. A method of lining a transition between a main bore and an auxiliary bore, comprising:

receiving a main liner in the main bore;

receiving an auxiliary liner in the auxiliary bore, the auxiliary bore at least partially coinciding with a coal seam; and

receiving a junction liner between the auxiliary liner and the main liner, the junction liner contracting from a first transverse dimension to a smaller transverse dimension to pass through a lateral opening into the auxiliary bore.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving an auxiliary liner in the auxiliary bore comprises receiving the auxiliary liner carried on a junction running tool;

and

wherein receiving the junction liner between the auxiliary liner and the main liner comprises receiving the junction liner on the junction running tool.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising directing the auxiliary liner and junction liner into the auxiliary bore with a whipstock;

and

further comprising withdrawing the whipstock from the main bore with the junction running tool.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising directing the auxiliary liner and junction liner into the auxiliary bore with a whipstock;

and

further comprising relocating the whipstock in the main liner with the junction running tool.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving a second auxiliary liner in a second auxiliary bore; and

receiving a second junction liner between the second auxiliary liner and the main liner.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising closing a cover at least partially over the lateral opening to substantially span a gap between the junction liner and the lateral opening.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein closing the cover comprises engaging the cover with a running tool carrying the junction liner and closing the cover with the running tool.