Abstract: A method for accessing a subterranean zone includes forming a subterranean cavity coupled to a land surface and forming a plurality of substantially horizontal bores extending at least partially into the subterranean zone and intersecting the cavity.

Abstract: A well bore liner is carried on a working string into a main bore of a well. A well bore liner is directed from the main bore into an auxiliary bore of the well with a whipstock. The whipstock is coupled to a working string without withdrawing the working string from the main bore. The whipstock is then relocated in the well using the working string.

Abstract: A system for lining a junction between a main bore and an auxiliary bore includes a first tubing adapted to line at least a portion of the main bore. The first tubing has a lateral opening therein. A second tubing has a junction shield extending outward therefrom. The junction shield has a larger transverse dimension than the lateral opening and is adapted to contract to a smaller transverse dimension to pass through the lateral opening into the auxiliary bore.

Abstract: A liner system has a setting collar at one end and is adapted for insertion into a well bore. The setting collar is adapted to couple with a liner running tool. A whipstock surface is provided on the setting collar and adapted to deflect a drilling string in drilling a lateral well bore off of the first well bore. A method of forming a well system includes forming a first well bore; installing a first liner in the first well bore, the first liner having a first whipstock surface adapted to deflect a drilling string; and then forming a second well bore extending from the first well bore by deflecting a drilling string through contact with the first whipstock surface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a downhole separation method includes forming a main wellbore extending from a surface to a subterranean zone, disposing a production liner into the main wellbore proximate the subterranean zone, coupling a first end of a first tube to the production liner, coupling an entrance portion of a second tube to an outside surface of and adjacent a second end of the first tube such that an entrance of the second tube is at a lower elevation than the second end of the first tube, and causing a flow of a mixture through the production liner and the first tube. The mixture includes a gas, a liquid, and a plurality of coal fines. The method further includes retrieving the gas via the main wellbore after the mixture exits the second end of the first tube and retrieving at least the liquid through the second tube.

Abstract: A method for accessing a subterranean zone includes forming a subterranean cavity coupled to a land surface and forming a plurality of substantially horizontal bores extending at least partially into the subterranean zone and intersecting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drilling a substantially horizontal well bore in a normally to sub-normally pressured formation. The normally to sub-normally pressured formation is an unconventional reservoir. The well bore is drilled over-balanced with a drilling fluid including a fluid loss agent. The fluid loss agent is operable to form a filter cake on the well bore during drilling.

Abstract: A system and method for drilling a substantially horizontal well bore in a normally to sub-normally pressured formation. The normally to sub-normally pressured formation is an unconventional reservoir. The well bore is drilled over-balanced with a drilling fluid having a density at least about the density of the cuttings produced by drilling the well bore.

Abstract: A well bore liner is carried on a working string into a main bore of a well. A well bore liner is directed from the main bore into an auxiliary bore of the well with a whipstock. The whipstock is coupled to a working string without withdrawing the working string from the main bore. The whipstock is then relocated in the well using the working string.

Abstract: A system for lining a junction between a main bore and an auxiliary bore includes a first tubing adapted to line at least a portion of the main bore. The first tubing has a lateral opening therein. A second tubing has a junction shield extending outward therefrom. The junction shield has a larger transverse dimension than the lateral opening and is adapted to contract to a smaller transverse dimension to pass through the lateral opening into the auxiliary bore.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a downhole separation method includes forming a main wellbore extending from a surface to a subterranean zone, disposing a production liner into the main wellbore proximate the subterranean zone, coupling a first end of a first tube to the production liner, coupling an entrance portion of a second tube to an outside surface of and adjacent a second end of the first tube such that an entrance of the second tube is at a lower elevation than the second end of the first tube, and causing a flow of a mixture through the production liner and the first tube. The mixture includes a gas, a liquid, and a plurality of coal fines. The method further includes retrieving the gas via the main wellbore after the mixture exits the second end of the first tube and retrieving at least the liquid through the second tube.

Abstract: This invention is the production of a plain bearing having an aluminum interlayer and a metal overlay on the interlayer. The overlayer is for example cast on the interlayer so that it can constitute substantially the final bearing surface without machining after casting or roll-bonding. In order to enable the overlay to be cast on, the interlayer is abraded while below the surface of a tinning or other coating material in a material so that oxides can be removed from the aluminium surface and the coating applied to it without its becoming re-oxidised, and then the overlay can be applied to the coating.