Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor

• US 8,505,620 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• 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 J
• Application Number:
  US11/982,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20080060806A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,113 Days
• Field of Search: 166/50, 166/52, 166/245
• US Class Current: 166/52
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 5/00 Storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/085 Underbalanced techniques, i.e. where borehole fluid pressure is below formation pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0035 Apparatus or methods for multilateral well technology, e.g. for the completion of or workover on wells with one or more lateral branches
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/0057 Disposal of a fluid by injection into a subterranean formation
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/00 Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells applicable only to water E03B
• 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 43/14 Obtaining from a multiple-zone well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/30 Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimising the spacing of wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/305 comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/005 Below-ground automatic control systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/026 of penetrated ground layers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/48 Processing data

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:

drilling a first well bore from the surface;

drilling a second well bore extending from the first well bore into the subterranean zone;

drilling a third, segmented well bore from the first well bore, the third well bore intersecting the second well bore at a junction; and

drilling a drainage well bore extending from the junction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein drilling a third, segmented well bore comprises drilling an articulated well bore.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein drilling the second well bore comprises drilling a slanted well bore.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing resources from the subterranean zone through the second well bore.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising drilling a well bore drainage pattern from the junction.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein forming the well bore drainage pattern comprises forming the well bore drainage pattern through the third well bore.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein forming the well bore drainage pattern comprises forming the well bore drainage pattern through the second well bore.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming an enlarged cavity through the second well bore.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a pump inlet in the subterranean zone through the second well bore.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein forming the well bore pattern comprises forming a pinnate well bore pattern.

11. A system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:

a first well bore extending from the surface;

a second well bore extending from the first well bore into the subterranean zone;

a third, segmented well bore extending from the first well bore, the third well bore intersecting the second well bore at a junction; and

a substantially horizontal drainage well bore extending from the junction.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the third, segmented well bore comprises an articulated well bore.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second well bore comprises a slanted well bore.

14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of laterals extending from the drainage well bore.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising an enlarged cavity at the junction.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the junction is proximate the subterranean zone.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising a pump in the second well bore.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a pinnate well bore pattern.

19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of laterals coupled to the junction.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the subterranean zone comprises a coal seam.

21. A system for accessing a subterranean zone, comprising:

an entry well bore;

a first articulated well bore extending from the entry well bore;

a second articulated well bore extending from the entry well bore and coupled to the first articulated well bore at a junction proximate the subterranean zone; and

a drainage pattern extending from the junction.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the drainage pattern comprises a main well bore and plurality of lateral well bores extending from the main well bore.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising an enlarged cavity in the first articulated well bore.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the first articulated well bore comprises a slanted well bore.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein subterranean zone comprises a coal seam.