Abstract: A cavity positioning tool includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a downhole string. The cavity positioning tool includes at least one blunt arm pivotally coupled to the housing. Each blunt arm is configured to contact a surface of the cavity to position the tool in the cavity. The cavity positioning tool also includes a piston slidably disposed within the housing. The piston is operable to engage each blunt arm. The piston is also operable to receive an axial force operable to slide the piston relative to the housing. The sliding of the piston extends each blunt arm radially outward relative to the housing from a retracted position.

Abstract: A guide tube bundle includes two or more guide tubes. Each guide tube includes a first aperture at a first end and a second aperture at a second end. The longitudinal axis of the first aperture of each guide tube is offset from the longitudinal axis of the second aperture of the guide tube Furthermore, the guide tubes are configured longitudinally adjacent to each other and are twisted around one another.

Abstract: A method for recirculating fluid in a well system includes drilling a first well bore from a surface to a subterranean zone, and drilling an articulated well bore that is horizontally offset from the first well bore at the surface and that intersects the first well bore at a junction proximate the subterranean zone. The method also includes drilling a drainage bore from the junction into the subterranean zone, and receiving gas, water, and particles produced from the subterranean zone at the junction via the drainage bore. The gas, water, and particles are received from the junction at the surface, and the water is separated from the gas and the particles. The method also includes determining an amount of water to circulate, and recirculating a portion of the separated water according to this determination.

Abstract: A method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes drilling a substantially vertical well bore from the surface to the subterranean zone and forming a slot cavity in the substantially vertical well bore proximate to the subterranean zone. The slot cavity comprises a substantially non-cylindrical shape. The method also includes drilling an articulated well bore from the surface to the subterranean zone. The articulated well bore is horizontally offset from the substantially vertical well bore at the surface and intersects the substantially vertical well bore at a junction proximate to the subterranean zone. The method may include drilling the articulated well bore to intersect the slot cavity of the substantially vertical well bore and drilling a substantially horizontal drainage pattern from the slot cavity into the subterranean zone. The subterranean zone may comprise a coal seam.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for accessing a plurality of subterranean zones from the surface. The method includes forming an entry well from the surface and forming two or more exterior drainage wells from the entry well through the subterranean zones. The exterior drainage wells each extend outwardly and downwardly from the entry well for a first distance and then extend downwardly for a second distance. Each exterior drainage well passes through a plurality of the subterranean zones and is operable to drain fluid from the plurality of the subterranean zones.

Abstract: A guide tube bundle includes two or more guide tubes. Each guide tube includes a first aperture at a first end and a second aperture at a second end. The longitudinal axis of the first aperture of each guide tube is offset from the longitudinal axis of the second aperture of the guide tube Furthermore, the guide tubes are configured longitudinally adjacent to each other and are twisted around one another.

Abstract: A system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes an entry well bore extending down from the surface. A plurality of slanted well bores extend from the entry well bore to the subterranean zone. Drainage patterns extend from the slanted well bores into the subterranean zone.

Abstract: A cavity positioning tool includes a housing adapted to be coupled to a downhole string. The cavity positioning tool includes at least one blunt arm pivotally coupled to the housing. Each blunt arm is configured to contact a surface of the cavity to position the tool in the cavity. The cavity positioning tool also includes a piston slidably disposed within the housing. The piston is operable to engage each blunt arm. The piston is also operable to receive an axial force operable to slide the piston relative to the housing. The sliding of the piston extends each blunt arm radially outward relative to the housing from a retracted position.

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.

Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity from within a well bore includes a housing adapted to be disposed within the well bore. The underreamer includes at least one cutter, wherein each cutter has a first end and a second end. The first end of each cutter is pivotally coupled to the housing. The underreamer also includes an actuator slidably positioned in the housing, wherein the actuator has a first end and a second end. The underreamer includes an enlarged portion of the actuator proximate the second end of the actuator. A first axial force applied to the actuator is operable to slide the actuator relative to the housing causing the enlarged portion to contact each cutter and extend the second end of each cutter radially outward relative to the housing from a retracted position to a first position. A second axial force applied to the underreamer may be operable to further extend the second end of each cutter radially outward relative to the housing from the first position to a second position.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a subterranean drainage pattern for accessing a subterranean zone includes a main well bore extending from a surface well bore, located at a first end of the area, to a second end of the area. A first plurality of lateral well bores extend in spaced apart relation to each other from the main well bore to the periphery of the area on a first side portion of the main well bore. A second plurality of lateral well bores extend in spaced apart relation to each other from the main well bore to a periphery of the area on a second, opposite side portion of the main well bore. A first plurality of ramping well bores extend in spaced apart relation to each other from the main well bore toward a boundary of the subterranean zone.

Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity within a well bore includes a housing adapted to be rotatably disposed within the well bore and a piston slidably coupled to the housing. The underreamer also includes a first cutter having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first cutter is pivotally coupled to the housing. The underreamer further includes a second cutter having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second cutter is coupled to the piston. The second end of the first cutter is coupled to the second cutter such that an axial force applied to the piston is operable to slide the piston relative to the housing and extend the second end of the second cutter radially outward relative to the housing from a retracted position to form the cavity when the housing is rotated relative to the well bore.

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.

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.

Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity from within a well bore includes a housing adapted to be disposed within the well bore. The underreamer includes an actuator partially slidably positioned in the housing. The actuator comprises a first portion and a second portion. A cross-sectional area of the second portion is larger than a cross-sectional area of the first portion. The underreamer includes at least one cutter set, wherein each cutter set has a first end and a second end. The first end of each cutter set is pivotally coupled to the housing. The second end of each cutter set is pivotally coupled to a connector. An axial force applied to the actuator is operable to slide the actuator relative to the housing causing the second portion of the actuator to contact each cutter set and extend each cutter set radially outward relative to the housing from a retracted position to a first position. The actuator may also include a stop member proximate an end of the actuator.

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.

Abstract: A fluid controlled pumping system includes a pumping unit disposed within a fluid cavity. The pumping unit includes a passage extending to a suction end of the pumping unit. The system also includes a pressure source coupled to the passage and operable to force a fluid outwardly from the passage proximate to the suction end of the pumping unit. The system includes a pressure sensor coupled to the passage and operable to determine a fluid pressure within the passage. The system further includes a controller coupled to the pumping unit and operable to regulate an operating parameter of the pumping unit using the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing subterranean zones from the surface includes a substantially vertical well bore extending from the surface to a target zone, and an articulated well bore extending from the substantially vertical well bore to the target zone. The articulated well bore diverges from the substantially vertical well bore between the surface and the target zone. The system also includes a well bore pattern extending from the articulated well bore in the target zone operable to collect resources from the target zone. The system also includes a subsurface channel operable to communicate resources from the well bore pattern to the substantially vertical well bore. The system further includes a vertical pump disposed in the substantially vertical well bore and operable to lift resources collected in the substantially vertical well bore to the surface.

Abstract: A system for enhanced access to subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore pattern having a first well bore extending from a surface well bore substantially defining a first end of the area in the subterranean zone to a distant end of the area. The pattern also includes a plurality of lateral well bores extending outwardly from the first well bore. The distance from an end of a lateral well bore to the surface well bore may be configured to be substantially equal for each of the lateral well bores to facilitate forming the lateral well bores. The system and method may also include nesting two or more well bore patterns within the subterranean zone to provide uniform coverage of the zone. Additionally, the system and method may include multiple well bore patterns in communication with a common surface well bore to reduce the surface area required for accessing the subterranean zone.

Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity within a well bore includes a housing rotatably disposed within the well bore. The underreamer also includes a plurality of cutting blades pivotally coupled to the housing. The underreamer further includes a piston slidably disposed within the housing and adapted to engage the cutting blades. The piston is operable to receive a downwardly disposed force operable slide the piston relative to the housing. The sliding movement of the piston extends the cutting blades outwardly from a retracted position relative to the housing. The underreamer also includes a passage disposed within the piston and operable to communicate a fluid received via an annulus of the housing to the cutting blades.