Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface

• US 8,297,350 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 10/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Effective Exploration LLC
• Original Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLC (Vitruvian Exploration II Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Zupanick, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kreck, John
• Application Number:
  US11/982,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,826 Days
• Field of Search: 166/245, 166/50, 166/313, 166/52
• US Class Current: 166/245
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/006 Production of coal-bed methane E21B43/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/13 specially adapted to dewatering of wells of gas producing reservoirs, e.g. methane producing coal beds
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/305 comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/046 horizontal drilling drilling with mechanical conveying means E21B7/003
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 7/00 Methods or devices for drawing- off gases with or without subsequent use of the gas for any purpose

Abstract

Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.

Claims

1. A system for surface production of gas from a coal seam, comprising:

a well bore;

a substantially horizontal well bore formed through the well bore, the substantially horizontal well bore in a coal seam and operable to conduct water and gas from the coal seam to a well bore junction;

the well bore junction proximate to the coal seam and horizontally offset from the well bore, the well bore junction operable to collect water from the substantially horizontal well bore for production to the surface; and

a pump operable to pump water from the well bore junction to the surface.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein gas may be produced from the well bore junction to the surface.

3. The system of claim 1, the substantially horizontal well bore drilled through a well bore extending from the surface and including a radiused portion.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the substantially horizontal well bore is drilled underbalanced.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the substantially horizontal well bore is drilled underbalanced using foam.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the substantially horizontal well bore is sloped.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one lateral well bore extending from the substantially horizontal well bore, the at least one lateral well bore drilled through a well bore extending to the surface and including a radiused portion.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of lateral well bores extending from the substantially horizontal well bore, the plurality of lateral well bores drilled through a well bore extending to the surface and including a radiused portion.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the substantially horizontal well bore and the plurality of lateral well bores are drilled underbalanced.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the substantially horizontal well bore and the plurality of lateral well bores are drilled underbalanced using foam.

11. A method for surface production of gas from a coal seam, comprising:

forming a well bore;

forming a substantially horizontal well bore through the well bore, the substantially horizontal well bore in a coal seam and operable to conduct water and gas from the coal seam to a well bore junction horizontally offset from the well bore;

conducting water and gas from a coal seam through the substantially horizontal well bore to the well bore junction, the well bore junction coupled to a portion of a well bore at least partially disposed below the substantially horizontal well bore;

collecting water from the substantially horizontal well bore in the fluid collection area for production to the surface;

pumping water from the well bore junction to the surface; and

producing gas from the well bore junction to the surface.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising drilling the substantially horizontal well bore through a well bore extending to the surface and including a radiused portion.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising drilling the substantially horizontal well bore underbalanced.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising drilling the substantially horizontal well bore underbalanced using foam.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising drilling the substantially horizontal well bore at a slope in the coal seam.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

conducting water and gas from a plurality of lateral well bores extending from the substantially horizontal well bore to the well bore junction; and

collecting water from the substantially horizontal well bore and the plurality of lateral well bores at the well bore junction for production to the surface.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising drilling the substantially horizontal well bore and the plurality of lateral well bores underbalanced.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising drilling the substantially horizontal well bore and the plurality of lateral well bores underbalanced using foam.