Wellbore system
US10408032B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2016 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/385
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system and method of producing a deposit of gas and liquid hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, where a pressure of the gas hydrocarbons is regulated. Strategically regulating a pressure of the gas hydrocarbons prevents the gas hydrocarbons from expanding into a path of the liquid hydrocarbons flowing to a wellbore. The liquid hydrocarbons are produced through a production well that is drilled from surface and into a zone within the subterranean formation containing the deposit. A gas expansion circuit is also drilled through the formation, and has a portion that terminates proximate an interface between the gas and liquid hydrocarbons. Thus as the gas hydrocarbons expand into spaces left empty by draining the liquid hydrocarbons, the expanding gas is diverted into the gas expansion circuit rather than into the path of liquid hydrocarbons still in the zone. The gas expansion circuit can have a “fish-bone” configuration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.