Abstract: A method for completing multi-lateral wells and maintaining selective re-entry into laterals is presented. In accordance with the present invention, a first lateral well is drilled from a primary well bore and a string of external casing packers and a packer bore receptacle are run therein. Once the orientation of the packer bore receptacle is determined, an orientation anchor of a retrievable whipstock assembly is mounted thereto. Thereafter, a second lateral well may be drilled. Once the second lateral well is drilled, the whipstock assembly may be retrieved and replaced with a scoophead diverter assembly which also includes an orientation anchor for mating with the packer bore receptacle. At this time, a string of external casing packers may be run into the second lateral well through the scoophead diverter assembly. Finally, a selective reentry tool is run into the scoophead assembly. The selective re-entry tool includes a diversion flapper for selecting either the first or second lateral well bore.

Abstract: A method for completing multi-lateral wells and maintaining selective re-entry into laterals is presented. In accordance with the present invention, a first lateral well is drilled from a primary well bore and a string of external casing packers and a packer bore receptacle are run therein. Once the orientation of the packer bore receptacle is determined, an orientation anchor of a retrievable whipstock assembly is mounted thereto. Thereafter, a second lateral well may be drilled. Once the second lateral well is drilled, the whipstock assembly may be retrieved and replaced with a scoophead diverter assembly which also includes an orientation anchor for mating with the packer bore receptacle. At this time, a string of external casing packers may be run into the second lateral well through the scoophead diverter assembly. Finally, a selective reentry tool is run into the scoophead assembly. The selective re-entry tool includes a diversion flapper for selecting either the first or second lateral well bore.

Abstract: A scoophead/diverter assembly functions to orient and anchor multiple tubing strings at the Y-juncture in an oil or gas well with multiple lateral wellbores. An important advantage of this arrangement is to provide communication to multiple reservoirs or tap different locations within the same reservoir, and enable re-entry to these wellbores for remediation and stimulation. The large bore of the scoophead enables a secondary wellbore's production tubing (liner) to pass through until the top of the liner is in the scoophead. In order to effect a seal inside the scoophead, a novel offset parallel seal assembly with centralizer is utilized. This parallel seal assembly carries compressive loads on the primary wellbore side, and has a shear out mechanism on the secondary wellbore side. This seal assembly also may constitute the connection between the scoophead and a selective re-entry tool (SRT).

Abstract: A novel scoophead/diverter assembly is presented which is installed at the juncture between a primary wellbore and a lateral branch and which allows the production tubing of each to be oriented and anchored. This scoophead/diverter assembly further provides dual seal bores for tying back to the surface with either a dual packer completion or a single tubing string completion utilizing a selective re-entry tool. The scoophead/diverter assembly comprises a scoophead, a diverter sub, two struts as connecting members between the scoophead and diverter sub and a joint of tubing communicating from the scoophead, thru the diverter sub, and to the primary wellbore. The scoophead has a large and small bore. The large bore is a receptacle for a tie back sleeve run on top of the lateral wellbore string, and the small bore is a seal bore to tie the primary wellbore back to surface. Below the scoophead, a joint of tubing is threaded to the small bore.

Abstract: A novel lateral connector receptacle or LCR is provided which functions to (1) provide means for running a lower completion into a well; (2) provide means for orienting a retrievable whipstock assembly and/or scoophead diverter; and (3) provides means for attaching an upper completion to a lower completion. The LCR includes an upper section having a latch thread and smooth seal bore which respectively threadably attaches to, and mates with seals from, an orientation anchor. A middle section of the LCR includes an orientation lug for mating with the orientation anchor and providing a fixed reference point to the retrievable whip stock and/or scoophead/diverter assembly; and a lower section includes an inner mating (e.g., profiled) surface for attachment to an appropriate run-in tool.

Abstract: A scoophead/diverter assembly functions to orient and anchor multiple tubing strings at the Y-juncture in an oil or gas well with multiple lateral wellbores. An important advantage of this arrangement is to provide communication to multiple reservoirs or tap different locations within the same reservoir and enable re-entry to these wellbores for remediation and stimulation. The large bore of the scoophead enables a secondary wellbore's production tubing (liner) to pass through until the top of the liner is in the scoophead. In accordance with an important feature of this invention, a novel liner tie-back sleeve is used to thread onto the top of a lateral liner, and locate, latch and provide a seal receptacle to isolate the secondary wellbore's production fluids. The liner tie-back sleeve also includes a running profile for a suitable running tool. The liner tie-back sleeve comprises two cylindrical parts that, when assembled, provide a running tool profile for running the liner in the wellbore.

Abstract: A scoophead/diverter system is run into a wellbore using a novel scoophead running tool. The running tool allows circulation through its inside diameter, and has internal pressure integrity to test any seals below the running tool prior to releasing the scoophead. This also allows circulation while running in order to apply MWD techniques. This run-in tool includes a mounting head from which extends a running stump and a housing (or connecting mandrel) parallel to the running stump. The running stump and housing are sized and configured to be respectively received in large and small diameter bores in the scoophead. The scoophead running tool thus allows torque to be transmitted about the centerline of the scoophead assembly in spite of being attached into one of the offset bore. This torque transmission is accomplished by connecting the connecting mandrel between the running tool and scoophead at the same offset as the large bore of the scoophead.

Abstract: The invention reduces cracking catalyst fines in decanted oil by mixing the decanted oil (DCO) containing cracking catalyst fines with a resid oil and then treating the DCO-resid mixture with a non-aromatic hydrocarbon solvent in an extraction unit or in a multi-stage deasphalting unit.