System and method for accessing subterranean deposits

• US 9,551,209 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2014
• Issued: 01/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Effective Exploration LLC
• Original Assignee: Effective Exploration LLC
• Inventors: Zupanick, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): KRECK, JOHN J
• Application Number:
  US14/298,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20140299311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 system for accessing one or more subterranean zones, the system comprising:

a drilling pad at a land surface;

a first well, located on the drilling pad, comprising a substantially vertical wellbore coupled to a first junction proximate a subterranean zone, a first horizontal drainage wellbore extending from the first junction with a horizontal portion that extends at least 2,440 feet;

a second well, located on the drilling pad, comprising a substantially vertical wellbore coupled to a second junction proximate the subterranean zone, a second horizontal drainage wellbore extending from the second junction with a horizontal portion that extends at least 2,440 feet;

wherein the wells are offset from each other by 2-100 feet at the surface;

wherein the first well horizontally extends into the subterranean zone in a first direction;

wherein the second well horizontally extends into the subterranean zone in a second direction;

wherein a drilling pad surface area is smaller than an area containing the first and second horizontal drainage wellbores;

wherein the subterranean zone is a low porosity zone; and

wherein both the first and second wells are cased at least in the substantially vertical wellbores and are configured to produce fluids to the surface.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one drainage wellbore extends into a second subterranean zone creating a multi-level drainage pattern that is rectangular in area with a length of 6,980 feet or more, and where the at least one drainage wellbore has a length extending into the second subterranean zone of at least 6,980 feet.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second wells form a drainage pattern that is substantially rectangular and where the length of the horizontal drainage wellbores of each well is at least 6,980 feet.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein there are 5 or more cavities caused by fracing in the first and second horizontal drainage wellbores and wherein the first and second horizontal drainage wellbores are configured to produce a fluid, selected from a group consisting of oil, gas, water, and combinations of the above-listed elements, to the surface;

wherein water and other additives are injected into the first and second horizontal drainage wellbores from the surface; and

wherein the first and second wells create a drainage pattern that is rectangular in area;

wherein each horizontal drainage wellbore has a length of at least 6,980 feet.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a pump, selected from a group consisting of an electrical submersible pump and a progressing cavity pump, disposed within one of the horizontal drainage wellbores; and

wherein the first and second wells are cased.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the substantially vertical wellbore of the first well is drilled first, the substantially vertical wellbore of the second well is drilled second, and the horizontal drainage wellbores of each well are drilled thereafter.