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: In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for clearing the inside of a wellbore including inserting a wellbore clearing system into the wellbore. The wellbore clearing system includes an anchor adapted to be positioned within the wellbore, an agitator operable to be moved relative to the interior surface of the wellbore, and a linkage coupling the agitator to the anchor. The method further includes securing the anchor within the wellbore and moving the agitator relative to the interior surface of the wellbore. The movement of the agitator is operable to at least partially eliminate a restriction to a flow of minerals or other resources in the wellbore.

Abstract: An acoustic position measurement system and method includes an acoustic transmitter operable to transmit a sound wave into an underground well bore in a target formation. The sound wave is configured to reflect from a boundary formation proximate the target formation. The system includes an acoustic receiver operable to receive a reflected sound wave. The reflected sound wave comprises a reflection of the sound wave from the boundary formation. The system also includes an electronics portion electrically coupled to the acoustic receiver. The electronics portion is operable to process the reflected sound wave and produce, based upon a characteristic of the reflected sound wave, data output indicative of a position of the acoustic position measurement system in the target formation.

Abstract: A method for underground treatment of subsurface materials comprises providing an injection pattern and a recovery pattern, the injection pattern and the recovery pattern located proximate to a subsurface treatment zone and at least one of the injection pattern and the recovery pattern comprising a plurality of lateral bores extending from a main bore. A treatment solution is injected through the injection pattern and recovered through the recovery pattern.

Abstract: A fluid level controlled pumping system includes a pumping unit disposed within a fluid cavity. The pumping unit includes an inlet operable to receive a fluid to be pumped from the fluid cavity. The system also includes a valve slidably coupled to the pumping unit. The valve includes a passage for receiving pumped fluid from an outlet of the pumping unit. In response to a decreasing fluid level within the fluid cavity, movement of the valve relative to the pumping unit aligns the passage with a port of the pumping unit to recirculate the pumped fluid from the outlet to the inlet.

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.