Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for treating a wellbore using a loop system to heat oil in a subterranean formation contacted by the wellbore. The loop system comprises a loop that conveys a fluid (e.g., steam) down the wellbore via a injection conduit and returns fluid (e.g., condensate) from the wellbore via a return conduit. A portion of the fluid in the loop system may be injected into the subterranean formation using one or more valves disposed in the loop system. Alternatively, only heat and not fluid may be transferred from the loop system into the subterranean formation. The fluid returned from the wellbore may be re-heated and re-conveyed by the loop system into the wellbore. Heating the oil residing in the subterranean formation reduces the viscosity of the oil so that it may be recovered more easily.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for anchoring and orienting equipment in a well provide a latch assembly having a substantially unobstructed bore, thereby increasing access and flow therethrough while the latch assembly is operatively engaged with an anchoring and orienting profile in the well. The latch assembly may include a generally tubular collet structure having multiple collets integrally formed thereon.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.

Abstract: A reduced debris milled multilateral window. In a described embodiment, a window joint is constructed in a manner which reduces debris created when a window is milled therethrough. The window joint includes a generally tubular body having a sidewall, a window portion of the sidewall being configured for forming a window therethrough, and a thickness of the sidewall being reduced in the window portion.

Abstract: Alternate path multilateral production/injection. In a described embodiment, a system for drilling and completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores comprises a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string. The apparatus includes a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein. The first passage extends longitudinally through the mandrel and is in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string. The second passage extends laterally relative to the first passage and is configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough. The mandrel further includes at least one third passage or alternate path extending longitudinally in the mandrel.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: A multilateral injection/production/storage completion system. In a described embodiment, a method of completing a well having a first wellbore intersecting each of second, third and fourth wellbores includes the steps of: injecting a first fluid into a first zone intersected by the second wellbore; receiving a second fluid into the third wellbore in response to the first fluid injecting step; flowing the second fluid from the third wellbore to the fourth wellbore; storing the second fluid in a second zone intersected by the fourth wellbore; and then producing the second fluid from the second zone to a remote location.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.

Abstract: A reduced debris milled multilateral window. In a described embodiment, a window joint is constructed in a manner which reduces debris created when a window is milled therethrough. The window joint includes a generally tubular body having a sidewall, a window portion of the sidewall being configured for forming a window therethrough, and a thickness of the sidewall being reduced in the window portion.

Abstract: A multilateral injection/production/storage completion system. In a described embodiment, a method of completing a well having a first wellbore intersecting each of second, third and fourth wellbores includes the steps of: injecting a first fluid into a first zone intersected by the second wellbore; receiving a second fluid into the third wellbore in response to the first fluid injecting step; flowing the second fluid from the third wellbore to the fourth wellbore; storing the second fluid in a second zone intersected by the fourth wellbore; and then producing the second fluid from the second zone to a remote location.

Abstract: Alternate path multilateral production/injection. In a described embodiment, a system for drilling and completing a well having intersecting first and second wellbores comprises a casing string positioned in the first wellbore; and at least one apparatus interconnected in the casing string. The apparatus includes a mandrel having intersecting first and second passages formed therein. The first passage extends longitudinally through the mandrel and is in fluid communication with an interior of the casing string. The second passage extends laterally relative to the first passage and is configured for drilling the second wellbore therethrough. The mandrel further includes at least one third passage or alternate path extending longitudinally in the mandrel.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface lateral branch safety valve provides flow control for each branch wellbore in a multilateral well. In a described embodiment, a completion system for a well having an intersection between parent and branch wellbores includes an apparatus having multiple passages formed therethrough. One passage provides fluid communication between opposite ends of the apparatus in the parent wellbore, and another passage provides guidance for drilling the branch wellbore. The apparatus further includes a flow control device, such as a surface controlled subsurface safety valve, which selectively controls fluid communication with the branch wellbore.

Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for anchoring and orienting equipment in a well provide enhanced economy, convenience and utility. In a described embodiment, a latch assembly has a substantially unobstructed bore, thereby increasing access and flow therethrough while the latch assembly is operatively engaged with an anchoring and orienting profile in the well. The latch assembly may include a generally tubular collet structure having multiple collets integrally formed thereon.

Abstract: An expanding wellbore junction system, apparatus and methods are provided for forming a sealed wellbore intersection in a subterranean well. In one. described method, an expandable wellbore junction is expanded within an under-reamed cavity in a wellbore. Intersecting tubular legs of the wellbore junction are then drifted using a drifting apparatus. A deflection device may be used to direct a drift of the drifting apparatus into a selected one of the wellbore junction legs.