Segregated deployment of downhole valves for monitoring and control of multilateral wells
Segregated deployment of downhole valves for monitoring and control of multilateral wells. In a described embodiment, a well completion system includes at least two tubular strings. One tubular string includes a flow control device and sensor controlling and monitoring fluid flow into the tubular string from a zone intersected by a wellbore. Another tubular string with another flow control device and sensor controls and monitors fluid flow into that tubular string from another zone intersected by another wellbore. The two wellbores intersect. Each of the flow control devices is positioned in a respective one of the wellbores and has at least one line connected to the flow control device. The lines are installed in the wellbores without interruptions in the lines and without requiring connections to be made in the lines downhole.
The present invention relates generally to operations performed and equipment utilized in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a well completion, system and method for controlling and monitoring fluid flow in multilateral wells.
It is typical practice when controlling and/or monitoring production flow from a lateral or branch wellbore, and from a portion of a main or parent wellbore below an intersection between the main and branch wellbores, to use one or more flow control devices and/or sensors positioned in the main wellbore. Unfortunately, this means that a flow control device/sensor used to control/monitor production from the branch wellbore may be positioned a relatively large distance from a zone in which the production originates.
Even a flow control device/sensor used to control/monitor production from a lower portion of the main wellbore may be positioned a relatively large distance from a zone in which the production originates, for example, when the flow control device/sensor is positioned above an intersection between the main and branch wellbores. Flow between a wellbore and a zone intersected by the wellbore is more conveniently and accurately monitored and controlled when a device used to monitor/control such flow is positioned in the wellbore in closer proximity to the zone.
Lines, such as hydraulic, electric, fiber optic, etc. lines, which are used to remotely operate and communicate with the flow control devices and sensors may be attached to a tubing string on which the flow control devices and sensors are conveyed into a well. If flow control devices and sensors are to be positioned in branch wellbores as well as in the main wellbore, there exists a need to conveniently and reliably provide for the lines extending into the branch wellbore(s), without requiring interruptions (breaks or disconnections) in the lines or requiring lines to be “wet” connected while downhole.
Therefore, it will be readily appreciated that there exists a need for improved well completions, systems and methods to address these problems and/or other problems in the art of completing multilateral wells. These improvements will also be useful in other applications.
SUMMARYIn carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, a well completion, completion system and method are provided which alleviate the above problems in the art.
In one aspect of the invention, a well completion system is provided. The well completion system includes at least one line extending to a remote location and into at least first and second intersecting wellbores. The line is positioned in the first and second wellbores without making a connection in the line downhole.
In another aspect of the invention, a well completion system includes two or more tubular strings. One of the tubular strings extends in a wellbore, and another tubular string extends in another wellbore intersecting the first wellbore. Lines are attached to the tubular strings. At least one of the lines extends with the first tubular string in the first wellbore, and at least one of the lines extends with the other tubular string in the other wellbore.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of completing a well including intersecting wellbores is provided. The method includes the steps of: conveying at least one line into each of the wellbores; and performing the conveying step without making any connections in the line in the well.
These and other features, advantages, benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of representative embodiments of the invention hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Representatively illustrated in
As depicted in
Another branch or lateral wellbore 22 intersects the main wellbore 18 at an intersection 24. The branch wellbore 22 may be lined with a liner 26, or any portion of the branch wellbore may be completed open hole, if desired.
A whipstock or deflector 28 is positioned in the main wellbore 18 adjacent and just below the intersection 24. As used herein, the term “below” means relatively farther along a wellbore from the earth's surface. Conversely, the term “above” means relatively closer to the earth's surface along a wellbore. Thus, the terms “above” and “below” may accurately describe a relative position in a wellbore, even if the wellbore is horizontal.
The deflector 28 may have been used to drill the branch wellbore 22, or it may have been positioned in the main wellbore 18 after drilling the branch wellbore. The deflector 28 includes a bore 30 extending longitudinally therethrough. An upper inclined surface 32 of the deflector 28 is oriented so that it faces toward the branch wellbore 22.
An assembly 34 is positioned in the main wellbore 18 below the deflector 28, and a similar assembly 36 is positioned in the branch wellbore 22. Each of the assemblies 34, 36 includes a seal bore 38 attached to, or otherwise associated with, a sealing and anchoring device 40, such as a packer or liner hanger, etc.
Each of the tubular strings 14, 16 includes a sealing device 42, such as seals, packing, etc., for sealing engagement in a respective one of the seal bores 38. Alternatively, the sealing device 42 on the tubular string 16 could sealingly engage the bore 30 of the deflector 28. Any manner or location of sealing engagement between the tubular strings 14, 16 and the wellbores 18, 22 may be used, in keeping with the principles of the invention.
Also included in each of the tubular strings 14, 16 is a flow control device 44, such as a valve or choke, etc., and a sensor 58. Preferably, the flow control devices 44 are remotely controlled, for example, via one or more lines 46 extending to a remote location, such as the earth's surface or another position in the well. The sensors 58 also communicate with the remote location via the lines 46.
The lines 46 may be hydraulic, electric, fiber optic, or another type of line. Alternatively, or in addition, the flow control devices 44 and/or sensors 58 may be controlled and/or monitored remotely via telemetry without use of the lines 46. For example, the flow control devices 44 and sensors 58 could be controlled and/or monitored remotely using acoustic, pressure pulse, electromagnetic, or any other type of telemetry.
The flow control devices 44 may be Interval Control Valves commercially available from WellDynamics, Inc. of Spring, Tex. These Interval Control Valves not only control flow between a tubular string and a zone intersected by a wellbore, they may also include the ability to monitor certain well parameters. For example, an optical fiber in one of the lines 46 connected to the flow control devices 44 may be used in distributed temperature sensing.
If desired, the relative longitudinal positions of the flow control devices 44 and sealing devices 42 as depicted in
The sensors 58 may include pressure, temperature, flow rate, resistivity, fluid identification, water cut, or any other type of sensors. As with the flow control devices 44, the relative position of the sensors 58 in the tubular strings 14, 16 may be changed, if desired. The sensors 58 may be positioned internal or external to the tubular strings 14, 16, and may detect properties of substances internal or external to the tubular strings.
A junction 48 is provided between the tubular strings 12, 14, 16. Via the junction 48, each of the tubular strings 12, 14, 16 is in communication with each of the other tubular strings. This is similar in many respects to the Isolated Tie-Back System commercially available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. of Houston, Tex. However, it should be clearly understood that such communication between the tubular strings 12, 14, 16 is not necessary in keeping with the principles of the invention.
The tubular string 14 includes a bull nose 50 at a lower end thereof, in order to deflect the tubular string into the branch wellbore 22. That is, the deflector 28 is configured so that it is selective, deflecting the tubular string 14 off of the surface 32 into the branch wellbore 22, but permitting the tubular string 16 to pass through the bore 30 and into a lower portion 52 of the main wellbore 18. For example, the bull nose 50 may have a larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the bore 30, the bull nose may be shaped in a manner otherwise preventing it from passing into the bore, etc.
Alternatively, the tubular string 16 could be longer than the tubular string 14, so that the tubular string 16 enters the bore 30 first. Then, as the tubular string 12 is lowered further, the presence of the tubular string 16 in the bore 30 prevents the tubular string 14 from entering the bore, and so the tubular string 14 is deflected by the surface 32 into the branch wellbore 22. An illustration of this alternative is provided in
Referring additionally now to
The flow control devices 44 on the tubular strings 14, 16 may now be used to control fluid flow between the respective tubular string and the branch wellbore 22 or the lower portion 52 of the main wellbore 18. The flow control device 44 on the tubular string 14 may now be used to control flow (production or injection) between the tubular string and a formation or zone 54 intersected by the branch wellbore 22, and the flow control device on the tubular string 16 may now be used to control flow (production or injection) between the tubular string 16 and a formation or zone 56 intersected by the lower portion 52 of the main wellbore 18. Note that the zones 54, 56 may be separate portions of the same zone or formation, and one of the tubular strings 14, 16 may be used for injection while the other is used for production, etc.
Note that the flow control devices 44 are positioned in close proximity to the respective zones 54, 56, enhancing the proper and accurate operation of the flow control devices to achieve a desired rate or quantity of flow therethrough. Monitoring parameters of the well completion using the sensors 58 is also performed in close proximity to the zones 54, 56, thereby enhancing the accuracy of these measurements. The ability to remotely control the flow control devices 44 and monitor the sensors 58 via the lines 46, coupled with the enhanced accuracy provided by the positioning of the flow control devices and sensors, permits precise control and monitoring of production and/or injection operations in the well.
Furthermore, note that the lines 46 attached to the tubular strings 12, 14, 16 are installed in a manner that does not require interruptions in the lines and does not require any “wet” connections between lines while downhole. Instead, the lines 46 continue to be operably connected to the flow control devices 44 and sensors 58, and extend unbroken to the remote location, during the installation of the tubular strings.
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
The deflector 66 has a bore 70 extending therethrough which is large enough for the tubular strings 14, 16 to pass through side-by-side. Thus, as the tubular strings 12, 14, 16 are further lowered in the main wellbore 18, the tubular strings 14, 16 will both enter the bore 70 and pass through the deflector 66.
Referring additionally now to
Another tubular string 72 is connected to the tubular string 12 by means of another junction 48. The tubular string 72 is similar to the tubular string 14, in that it includes a sealing device 42, a flow control device 44 and a sensor 58. The lines 46 extend to the flow control device 44 and sensor 58 on the tubular string 72.
The junction 48 provides communication between the tubular strings 12, 72 and another tubular string 74 connected thereabove and extending to a remote location. The tubular string 74 is, thus, used to convey the other tubular strings 12, 14, 16, 72 into the main wellbore 18.
As the tubular string 74 conveys the other tubular strings 12, 14, 16, 72 into the main wellbore 18, the tubular strings 14, 16 pass through the deflector 66, as described above. The tubular string 12 also enters the bore 70 of the deflector 66 after the lower junction 48 enters the bore 70. Thus, when the lower end of the tubular string 72 reaches the deflector 66, the tubular string 12 is already in the bore 70.
The tubular string 72 includes a bull plug 76 or other device at its lower end which prevents the tubular string 72 from entering the bore 70 while the tubular string 12 is in the bore. For example, the bull plug 76 may be sized or otherwise configured so that it cannot fit into the bore 70 while the tubular string 12 is in the bore. Instead, the tubular string 72 is deflected by the surface 68 into the branch wellbore 62.
The tubular string 72 may be deflected into the branch wellbore 62 at about the same time as the tubular string 14 is deflected into the branch wellbore 22. Of course, depending upon the relative lengths of the tubular strings 12, 14, 16, 72 and relative positions of the deflectors 28, 66, the tubular string 72 may be deflected into the branch wellbore 62 before or after the tubular string 14 is deflected into the branch wellbore 22.
With the tubular strings 12, 14, 16, 72, 74 positioned as depicted in
In a producing well, the flow control device 44 on the tubular string 14 can now control fluid flow from the zone 54, the flow control device 44 on the tubular string 16 can now control flow from the zone 56, and the flow control device 44 on the tubular string 72 can now control fluid flow from a formation or zone 80 intersected by the wellbore 62. The sensors 58 can be used to monitor these respective fluid flows, or to detect other parameters in the well.
The lower junction 48 commingles the flows from the tubular strings 14, 16 into the tubular string 12. The upper junction 48 commingles the flows from the tubular strings 12, 72 into the tubular string 74 for production to the surface. For an injection well, these flow directions may be reversed.
Note that, in the system 60, the lines 46 are extended into multiple branch wellbores 22, 62, while also extending in the main wellbore 18. This positioning of the lines 46 is accomplished in the system 60 without interruptions in the lines and without requiring any “wet” connections between lines downhole. Instead, the lines 46 extend continuously from the sensors 58 and flow control devices 44 to the remote location. This enhances the reliability and performance of the lines 46, while reducing the complexity of the completion operation.
In
Although only two branch wellbores 22, 62 are depicted in
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
The tubular string 94 is sealingly engaged in the bore 30 of the deflector 28. Attached below the deflector 28 is another tubular string 98 positioned in the lower portion 52 of the main wellbore 18. The tubular string 98 is installed with the deflector 28 and anchoring device 40 prior to conveying the tubular strings 92, 94 into the well using the tubular string 12.
The tubular string 98 has the flow control device 44, lines 46 and sensor 58 interconnected therein when it is installed. In order to connect the lines 46 on the tubular string 98 to the lines 46 on the tubular string 94, a “wet” connection 100 is made when the tubular string 94 is engaged with the deflector 28. For example, one connector may be attached to the deflector 28 and operably coupled to the lines 46 on the tubular string 98, while another connector may be attached to the tubular string 94 and operably coupled to the lines on the tubular string 94. When the tubular string 94 is inserted into the bore 30, the connectors mate to form the connection 100.
Although the system go does include the “wet” connection 100, it is positioned in the main wellbore 18 where it is more conveniently accessible in the event of a malfunction. Note that the lines 46 on the tubular string 92 extending into the branch wellbore 22 extend continuously from the flow control device 44 and sensor 58 to the remote location, without requiring any “wet” connections to be made downhole.
Referring additionally now to
As depicted in
An upper end of the tubular string 112 remains in the main wellbore 18 and is connected to a junction 114 secured in the main wellbore by an anchoring device 116, such as a packer. The junction 114 has an inner passage 118 which provides fluid communication between the tubular string 112 and an annulus 120 formed between the tubular string 12 and the main wellbore 18 above the junction. An opening 122 in the tubular string 12 permits fluid communication between the annulus 120 and the interior of the tubular string.
Another tubular string 124 extends downwardly from the junction 114 and is sealingly engaged in the bore 30 of the deflector 28. Similar to the system 90 depicted in
The tubular string 124 is in fluid communication with another passage 126 formed through the junction 114. The passage 126 is, in turn, in fluid communication with the tubular string 12. Thus, fluids from the tubular strings 124, 112 are commingled in the tubular string 12. The tubular string 12 is sealingly engaged with the junction 114 by means of seals 128 carried on the tubular string, which are inserted into the passage 126, or into a seal bore at an upper end of the passage.
When the tubular string 12 engages the junction 114, another “wet” connection 100 is formed between the lines 46 attached to the tubular string 12 and the lines 46 attached to the junction 114. As with the connection 100 between the lines 46 attached to the tubular string 124 and the lines 46 attached to the deflector 28, the connection between the lines 46 attached to the tubular string 12 and the lines 46 attached to the junction 114 is made in the main wellbore 18 where it is most conveniently accessible in case of a malfunction.
Note that the lines 46 extending into the branch wellbore 22 do not require a “wet” connection in the branch wellbore or at the intersection 24. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the connection 100 between the lines 46 attached to the tubular string 12 and the lines 46 attached to the junction 114 to be made in the wellbore 18, since the junction 114 and the tubular strings 112, 124 could be conveyed together into the well, instead of installing the junction and tubular strings 112, 124 in the well prior to running in the tubular string 12.
One advantage to using the junction 114 is that it includes another passage 130 which provides access from the passage 126 to the passage 118 when a sleeve 132 is retrieved from, or shifted in, the junction. As depicted in
Of course, a person skilled in the art would, upon a careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, deletions, and other changes may be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes are contemplated by the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as being given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited solely by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A well completion system comprising:
- at least one line extending to a remote location and into at least first and second intersecting wellbores, the at least one line being positioned in the first and second wellbores without making a connection in the line downhole.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein there are multiple lines, a first at least one of the lines being attached to a first tubular string positioned in the first wellbore, and a second at least one of the lines being attached to a second tubular string positioned in the second wellbore.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first tubular string provides access to the first wellbore below an intersection between the first and second wellbores, and wherein the second tubular string provides access to the second wellbore from the first wellbore above the intersection.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first line is connected to a first sensor of the first tubular string, and wherein the second line is connected to a second sensor of the second tubular string.
5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the first line is connected to a first flow control device of the first tubular string, and wherein the second line is connected to a second flow control device of the second tubular string.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first flow control device is positioned in the first wellbore below an intersection between the first and second wellbores, and wherein the second flow control device is positioned in the second wellbore.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the line is positioned in the first and second wellbores without any interruptions in the line.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the line further extends into a third wellbore which intersects the first wellbore, without making a connection in the line downhole.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the line is positioned in the first, second and third wellbores without any interruptions in the line.
10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the line is attached to a first tubular string extending into a deflector positioned in the first wellbore.
11. The system according to claim 10, wherein there are multiple lines, and wherein at least one of the lines is attached to a second tubular string deflected by the deflector into the second wellbore.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first tubular string is positioned in the deflector when the second tubular string is deflected by the deflector into the second wellbore.
13. A well completion system, comprising:
- first and second tubular strings, the first tubular string extending in a first wellbore, and the second tubular string extending in a second wellbore intersecting the first wellbore; and
- lines attached to each of the first and second tubular strings, at least one of the lines extending with the first tubular string in the first wellbore, and at least one of the lines extending with the second tubular string in the second wellbore.
14. The system according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the lines extends between a remote location and a first flow control device interconnected in the first tubular string and positioned in the first wellbore.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the lines extends between the remote location and a second flow control device interconnected in the second tubular string and positioned in the second wellbore.
16. The system according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the lines extends between a remote location and a first sensor interconnected in the first tubular string and positioned in the first wellbore.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the lines extends between the remote location and a second sensor interconnected in the second tubular string and positioned in the second wellbore.
18. The system according to claim 13, further comprising a deflector positioned in the first wellbore, and wherein the first tubular string and at least one of the lines extend through the deflector.
19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the deflector deflects the second tubular string from the first wellbore into the second wellbore.
20. The system according to claim 13, wherein a third tubular string extends in a third wellbore intersecting the first wellbore, and wherein at least one of the lines extends with the third tubular string in the third wellbore.
21. The system according to claim 13, wherein the lines are positioned in the first and second wellbores without making a connection in the line downhole.
22. The system according to claim 13, wherein the lines are positioned in the first and second wellbores without any interruptions in the lines.
23. The system according to claim 13, wherein a connection is made in the first wellbore in the lines extending with the first tubular string.
24. The system according to claim 13, wherein a connection is made in the first wellbore in the lines extending with the second tubular string.
25. The system according to claim 13, wherein the first tubular string provides access to the first wellbore below an intersection between the first and second wellbores.
26. The system according to claim 13, wherein the second tubular string provides access to the second wellbore below an intersection between the first and second wellbores.
27. A method of completing a well including intersecting first and second wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:
- conveying at least one line into the first and second wellbores; and
- performing the conveying step without making any connections in the line in the well.
28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the conveying step further comprises conveying each of first and second tubular strings into a respective one of the first and second wellbores.
29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the step of interconnecting a first line to a first flow control device in the first tubular string, and wherein the conveying step further comprises positioning the first flow control device in the first wellbore.
30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of interconnecting a second line to a second flow control device in the second tubular string, and wherein the conveying step further comprises positioning the second flow control device in the second wellbore.
31. The method according to claim 28, further comprising the step of interconnecting a first line to a first sensor in the first tubular string, and wherein the conveying step further comprises positioning the first sensor in the first wellbore.
32. The method according to claim 31, further comprising the step of interconnecting a second line to a second sensor in the second tubular string, and wherein the conveying step further comprises positioning the second sensor in the second wellbore.
33. The method according to claim 28, wherein the conveying step further comprises passing the first tubular string through a deflector bore.
34. The method according to claim 27, wherein the conveying step further comprises conveying the at least one line into a third wellbore intersecting the first wellbore.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 8, 2003
Publication Date: Jun 9, 2005
Inventors: James Oberkircher (Spring, TX), Terry Schroter (Edmonton)
Application Number: 10/730,470