Producing fluids from subterranean formations through lateral wells
US5960873A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B29/06
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Method and apparatus for producing fluids from a production zone(s) by drilling and completing multiple laterals from primary wellbore. One or more pre-formed window units are provided in a casing string before it is cemented in the well. Each unit is comprised of a housing having an inlet and two outlets, one of which forms the pre-formed window. The axes of the two outlets forms a relatively small angle (e.g. from 1.degree. to about 10.degree., preferably 3.degree.) whereby a well string will follow a gently curved path as it exits through the window. A re-entry line from the surface can be attached to the housing so that a work-over string can be lowered into a selective lateral without having to shut-in production from the other laterals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.