Ranging methods for developing wellbores in subsurface formations

• US 8,011,451 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2008
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: MacDonald, Duncan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bagnell; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hutchins; Cathleen
• Application Number:
  US12/250,273
• Publication Number:
  US 20090194333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 175/45, 175/62, 175/61
• US Class Current: 175/61
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/04 using electrical heaters
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/24 using heat, e.g. steam injection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/30 Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimising the spacing of wells
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/38 Auxiliary core members; Auxiliary coils or windings
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 29/04 having provision for tap-changing without interrupting the load current
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 37/32926 Software, data control or modelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 37/32935 Monitoring and controlling tubes by information coming from the object and/or discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49083 Heater type

Abstract

A method for forming two or more wellbores in a subsurface formation includes forming a first wellbore in the formation. A second wellbore is directionally drilled in a selected relationship relative to the first wellbore. At least one magnetic field is provided in the second wellbore using one or more magnets in the second wellbore located on a drilling string used to drill the second wellbore. At least one magnetic field is sensed in the first wellbore using at least two sensors in the first wellbore as the magnetic field passes by the at least two sensors while the second wellbore is being drilled. A position of the second wellbore is continuously assessed relative to the first wellbore using the sensed magnetic field. The direction of drilling of the second wellbore is adjusted so that the second wellbore remains in the selected relationship relative to the first wellbore.

Claims

1. A method for forming two or more wellbores in a subsurface formation, comprising:

forming a first wellbore in the formation;

directionally drilling a second wellbore in a selected relationship relative to the first wellbore;

transmitting a first electromagnetic wave from a first transceiver in the first wellbore and sensing the first electromagnetic wave using a second transceiver in the second wellbore;

transmitting a second electromagnetic wave from the second transceiver in the second wellbore and sensing the second electromagnetic wave using the first transceiver in the first wellbore;

continuously assessing a position of the second wellbore relative to the first wellbore using the sensed first electromagnetic wave and the sensed second electromagnetic wave; and

adjusting the direction of drilling of the second wellbore so that the second wellbore remains in the selected relationship relative to the first wellbore.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising assessing natural electromagnetic fields using a third transceiver positioned at a distal end of the first wellbore.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver is coupled to a surface of the formation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transceiver is directly coupled to a surface of the formation via a wire.

5. A method for forming two or more wellbores in a subsurface formation, comprising:

forming a plurality of first wellbores in the formation;

providing a plurality of electromagnetic waves in the first wellbores;

directionally drilling one or more second wellbores in a selected relationship relative to the first wellbores;

continuously sensing the electromagnetic waves in the first wellbores using at least one electromagnetic antenna in the second wellbores, wherein the antenna is located in a heater that is to be used to provide heat in at least one of the second wellbores;

continuously assessing a position of the second wellbores relative to the first wellbores using the sensed electromagnetic waves; and

adjusting the direction of drilling of at least one of the second wellbores so that the second wellbore remains in the selected relationship relative to the first wellbores.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein at least one of the second wellbores is formed substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first wellbores.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing the electromagnetic waves using electromagnetic sondes.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising continuously adjusting the direction of drilling of at least one of the second wellbores using the continuously assessed position of the at least one of the second wellbores relative to the first wellbores.

9. A method for forming two or more wellbores in a subsurface formation, comprising:

forming a first wellbore in the formation;

assessing a position of the first wellbore;

drilling a second wellbore in a selected relationship relative to the first wellbore;

continuously assessing a position of the second wellbore relative to the first wellbore;

adjusting the direction of drilling of the second wellbore so that the second wellbore remains in the selected relationship relative to the first wellbore;

drilling one or more additional wellbores in a selected relationship to the second wellbore;

continuously assessing a position of at least one of the additional wellbores relative to the first wellbore and/or the second wellbore; and

adjusting the direction of drilling of the at least one of the additional wellbores so that the at least one of the additional wellbores remains in the selected relationship relative to the second wellbore.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second wellbore is formed substantially perpendicular to the first wellbore.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one of the additional wellbores is formed substantially parallel to the second wellbore.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein continuously assessing the position of the second wellbore relative to the first wellbore, comprises:

transmitting a first electromagnetic wave from a first transceiver in the first wellbore and sensing the first electromagnetic wave using a second transceiver in the second wellbore;

transmitting a second electromagnetic wave from the second transceiver in the second wellbore and sensing the second electromagnetic wave using the first transceiver in the first wellbore; and

continuously assessing the position of the second wellbore relative to the first wellbore using the sensed first electromagnetic wave and the sensed second electromagnetic wave.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein continuously assessing the position of the at least one of the additional wellbores relative to the second wellbore, comprises:

transmitting a first electromagnetic wave from a first transceiver in the first wellbore and/or the second wellbore and sensing the first electromagnetic wave using a second transceiver in the at least one of the additional wellbores;

transmitting a second electromagnetic wave from the second transceiver in the at least one of the additional wellbores and sensing the second electromagnetic wave using the first transceiver in the first wellbore and/or the second wellbore; and

continuously assessing the position of the at least one of the additional wellbores relative to the second wellbore using the sensed first electromagnetic wave and the sensed second electromagnetic wave.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein continuously assessing the position of the second wellbore relative to the first wellbore, comprises:

providing a current path and voltage signal to the first wellbore;

continuously sensing the voltage signal in the second wellbore; and

continuously assessing the position of the second wellbore relative to the first wellbore using the sensed voltage signal.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein continuously assessing the position of the at least one of the additional wellbores relative to the second wellbore, comprises:

providing a current path and voltage signal to the first wellbore and/or the second wellbore;

continuously sensing the voltage signal in the at least one of the additional wellbores; and

continuously assessing the position of the at least one of the additional wellbores relative to the second wellbore using the sensed voltage signal.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising assessing a position of the first wellbore relative to at least one of the additional wellbores in the formation to verify the position of the first wellbore.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising assessing a position of the second wellbore relative to at least one of the additional wellbores in the formation to verify the position of the second wellbore.

18. A method for forming two or more wellbores in a subsurface formation, comprising:

forming a plurality of first wellbores in the formation;

providing a plurality of electromagnetic waves in the first wellbores;

directionally drilling one or more second wellbores in a selected relationship relative to the first wellbores, wherein at least one of the second wellbores is formed substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first wellbores;

continuously sensing the electromagnetic waves in the first wellbores using at least one electromagnetic antenna in the second wellbores;

continuously assessing a position of the second wellbores relative to the first wellbores using the sensed electromagnetic waves; and

adjusting the direction of drilling of at least one of the second wellbores so that the second wellbore remains in the selected relationship relative to the first wellbores.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing the electromagnetic waves using electromagnetic sondes.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising continuously adjusting the direction of drilling of at least one of the second wellbores using the continuously assessed position of the at least one of the second wellbores relative to the first wellbores.