Patent · US Expired

Method for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface

US6688388B2 · kind B2 · utility

54Cited by
194References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 7, 2002
Grant dateFeb 10, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 7, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21F7/00
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.