U.S. patent application number 13/944481 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for borehole selector assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Halli burton Energy Services, Inc.. Invention is credited to Borisa Lajesic.
Application Number | 20140116784 13/944481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50627844 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140116784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lajesic; Borisa |
May 1, 2014 |
BOREHOLE SELECTOR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A deflector assembly includes two deflectors that can cooperate
for directing a bullnose assembly toward an intended bore in a
multi-bore well based on a configuration of the bullnose assembly
without requiring use of gravitational forces or requiring the
assembly to be oriented in a certain manner. The deflectors can
cooperate by being spaced by a certain amount that, depending on if
the amount is less than or greater than a longitudinal length and
diameter of a bullnose of the bullnose assembly, can allow the
bullnose assembly to be diverted toward the intended bore.
Inventors: |
Lajesic; Borisa; (Addison,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Halli burton Energy Services, Inc. |
Houston |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Halliburton Energy Services,
Inc.
Houston
TX
|
Family ID: |
50627844 |
Appl. No.: |
13/944481 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/US2012/062569 |
Oct 30, 2012 |
|
|
|
13944481 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
175/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 23/12 20200501;
E21B 17/18 20130101; E21B 7/061 20130101; E21B 41/0035
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/73 |
International
Class: |
E21B 7/06 20060101
E21B007/06 |
Claims
1. A deflector assembly, comprising: a first deflector comprising
an opening having a first channel and a second channel, wherein the
first channel has a diameter that is less than the second channel;
a second deflector spaced from the first deflector and configured
for directing a bullnose assembly into one of a plurality of
wellbores by cooperating with the first deflector based on a size
of a bullnose of the bullnose assembly, wherein the second
deflector comprises a first deflector channel and a second
deflector channel having a diameter that is less than the first
deflector channel, wherein the second deflector is configured for
directing the bullnose assembly into one of the plurality of
wellbores subsequent to receiving the bullnose assembly deflected
by the first deflector.
2. The deflector assembly of claim 1, wherein the second deflector
is spaced from the first deflector by a distance that is less than
a longitudinal length of the bullnose.
3. The deflector assembly of claim 2, wherein the first deflector
is configured for supporting the bullnose assembly by preventing
the bullnose assembly from moving laterally when the bullnose is
received by the second deflector.
4. The deflector assembly of claim 2, wherein the distance is more
than the longitudinal length of a second bullnose of a second
bullnose assembly, wherein the first deflector is configured to
allow the second bullnose assembly to move laterally within the
deflector assembly subsequent to the second bullnose being
deflected by the second deflector.
5. A deflector assembly, comprising: a first deflector comprising
an opening having a first channel and a second channel, the first
channel having a diameter that is less than the second channel; and
a second deflector spaced from the first deflector for receiving a
bullnose assembly deflected by the first deflector prior to
deflecting the bullnose assembly towards one of at least two
wellbores, the second deflector comprising a first deflector
channel and a second deflector channel having a diameter that is
less than the first deflector channel.
6. The deflector assembly of claim 5, wherein the second deflector
is spaced from the first deflector by a distance that is less than
a longitudinal length of a bullnose of the bullnose assembly
configured for being received by the second deflector channel.
7. The deflector assembly of claim 6, wherein the distance is more
than the longitudinal length of a second bullnose of a second
bullnose assembly configured for being received by the first
deflector channel and prevented from being received by the second
deflector channel.
8. The deflector assembly of claim 7, wherein the first deflector
is configured to allow a body of the second bullnose assembly to
move between the first channel and the second channel subsequent to
the second bullnose being deflected by the second deflector.
9. The deflector assembly of claim 8, wherein the diameter of the
body of the second bullnose is less than the diameter of the first
channel.
10. The deflector assembly of claim 7, wherein the diameter of the
first channel and the diameter of the second deflector channel are
less than the diameter of the second bullnose.
11. The deflector assembly of claim 10, wherein the diameter of the
second bullnose is less than the diameter of the first deflector
channel.
12. The deflector assembly of claim 6, wherein the first deflector
is configured for supporting the bullnose when the bullnose is
received by the second deflector channel and for preventing the
bullnose from being received by the first deflector channel.
13. The deflector assembly of claim 5, wherein the bullnose
assembly comprises a bullnose and a body coupled to the bullnose,
wherein the diameter of the body is less than the diameter of the
second deflector channel.
14. The deflector assembly of claim 5, wherein the diameter of the
first channel is less than the diameter of a bullnose of the
bullnose assembly, wherein the diameter of the bullnose is less
than the diameter of the second deflector channel.
15. A wellbore assembly, comprising: a first deflector; and a
second deflector comprising a first channel and a second channel,
the second deflector being spaced from the first deflector by an
amount that is less than a longitudinal length of a bullnose of a
bullnose assembly, the first deflector being configured for
supporting the bullnose subsequent to the first deflector diverting
the bullnose and for preventing the bullnose from moving laterally
within the wellbore assembly toward the first channel.
16. The wellbore assembly of claim 15, wherein the first deflector
comprises an opening having a first deflector channel and a second
deflector channel, the first deflector channel having a diameter
that is less than the second deflector channel, wherein a bullnose
assembly body is allowed to move laterally between the first
deflector channel and the second deflector channel.
17. The wellbore assembly of claim 16, wherein the diameter of the
first deflector channel is less than a width of the bullnose.
18. The wellbore assembly of claim 15, wherein the amount is more
than the longitudinal length of a second bullnose of a second
bullnose assembly configured for being received by the first
channel and prevented from being received by the second channel by
the second channel being smaller than a width of the second
bullnose.
19. The wellbore assembly of claim 15, wherein the second deflector
is configured for diverting the bullnose assembly into one of a
plurality of wellbores that is selected based on the longitudinal
length of the bullnose being longer than the amount by which the
second deflector is spaced from the first deflector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of PCT/US2012/062569, filed Oct. 30,
2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a selector
assembly to be located in a wellbore and, more particularly
(although not necessarily exclusively), to a multi-deflector
assembly for guiding a bullnose assembly into a selected borehole
within the wellbore.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various devices can be installed in a well traversing a
hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation. Some devices direct
assemblies in the well towards a bore in the well. For example, the
well may be a multi-bore well including a main bore and one or more
lateral bores extending from the main bore. A deflector is a device
that can be positioned in the well, for example at a junction, and
configured to direct, toward the main bore or a lateral bore, an
assembly that is run downhole.
[0004] Selecting the appropriate bore between the main bore and the
lateral bore to which to direct the assembly can be difficult.
Often, accurate selection requires that both the deflector and the
assembly be orientated within the well correctly and requires
assistance from known gravitational forces. Even with correct
orientation and known gravitational forces, causing the assembly to
be deflected or directed toward the proper bore can be challenging.
Furthermore, in significantly deviated wells, gravitational forces
may not be known or otherwise may not be usable in assembly
deflection.
[0005] Accordingly, assemblies and devices are desirable that can
facilitate delivery of an assembly to the correct and intended bore
without requiring use of gravitational forces for assistance and
not necessarily requiring correct orientation of the assembly.
SUMMARY
[0006] Certain aspects of the present invention are directed to a
deflector assembly that includes two deflectors that can direct a
bullnose assembly into an intended wellbore based on the distance
between the two deflectors and a configuration of the bullnose
assembly.
[0007] One aspect relates to a deflector assembly that includes a
first deflector and a second deflector. The second deflector is
spaced from the first deflector and can direct a bullnose assembly
into one of a plurality of wellbores by cooperating with the first
deflector based on a size of a bullnose of the bullnose
assembly.
[0008] Another aspect relates to a deflector assembly that includes
a first deflector and a second deflector. The first deflector
includes an opening. The opening has a first channel and a second
channel. The first channel has a diameter that is less than the
second channel. The second deflector is spaced from the first
deflector and can receive a bullnose assembly deflected by the
first deflector prior to deflecting the bullnose assembly towards a
main wellbore or a lateral wellbore. The second deflector includes
a first deflector channel and a second deflector channel that has a
diameter that is less than the first deflector channel.
[0009] Another aspect relates to a wellbore assembly that includes
a first deflector and a second deflector. The second deflector
includes a first channel and a second channel. The second deflector
is spaced from the first deflector by an amount that is less than a
longitudinal length of a bullnose of a bullnose assembly. The first
deflector can support the bullnose subsequent to the first
deflector diverting the bullnose and can prevent the bullnose from
moving laterally within the deflector assembly toward the first
channel.
[0010] These illustrative aspects and features are mentioned not to
limit or define the invention, but to provide examples to aid
understanding of the inventive concepts disclosed in this
disclosure. Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present
invention will become apparent after review of the entire
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a well system having a
deflector assembly according to one aspect of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of part of the well
system in FIG. 1 including the deflector assembly according to one
aspect of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional bottom view of part of the well
system in FIG. 1 including the deflector assembly according to one
aspect of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional top view of part of the well
system in FIG. 1 including the deflector assembly according to one
aspect of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a first
deflector of the deflector assembly according to one aspect of the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view of a second
deflector of the deflector assembly according to one aspect of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of a first configuration of a bullnose
assembly according to one aspect of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a side view of a second configuration of a
bullnose assembly according to one aspect of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the deflector
assembly in which the first configuration of the bullnose assembly
is received according to one aspect of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the defector
assembly in which the first configuration of the bullnose assembly
is located through a channel of the first deflector according to
one aspect of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the deflector
assembly in which the first configuration of the bullnose assembly
is received by a channel of the second deflector and is supported
by the first deflector according to one aspect of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the deflector
assembly in which the second configuration of the bullnose assembly
is received according to one aspect of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of the deflector
assembly in which a bullnose of the second configuration of the
bullnose assembly is in a channel of the first deflector according
to one aspect of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the deflector
assembly in which a body of the second configuration of the
bullnose assembly is in the channel of the first deflector and the
bullnose is between the first deflector and the second deflector
according to one aspect of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a lateral cross-sectional view the deflector
assembly in which the second configuration of the bullnose assembly
is allowed to move laterally according to one aspect of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional side view of the deflector
assembly in which the second configuration of the bullnose assembly
is allowed to move laterally according to one aspect of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional top view of the deflector
assembly in which the second configuration of the bullnose assembly
is allowed to move laterally according to one aspect of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the deflector
assembly in which the bullnose is in a second channel of the second
deflector and the body is in a second channel of the first
deflector according to one aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Certain aspects and features relate to a deflector assembly
that includes two deflectors that can cooperate for directing an
assembly toward an intended bore in a multi-bore well based on a
configuration of the assembly without requiring use of
gravitational forces or requiring the assembly to be oriented in a
certain manner.
[0030] In some aspects, the deflector assembly includes two
deflectors that are spaced from each other by a certain distance.
The deflector closer to the surface can support a bullnose of a
bullnose assembly having a length that is greater than the distance
such that the deflector closer to the surface can cause the
bullnose to be received by a selected channel of the second
deflector. By receiving the bullnose through the selected channel,
the second deflector can guide the bullnose toward the intended
bore. The deflector closer to the surface can allow a bullnose
having a length that is less than the distance to move in such a
manner as to allow that bullnose to be received by a different
channel of the second deflector having a large enough diameter to
receive the bullnose and through which the second deflector can
guide the bullnose toward a different, intended bore.
[0031] In some aspects, the two deflectors are separate devices of
the assembly. In other aspects, the two deflectors are formed by
one integral piece.
[0032] A well according to some aspects may contain multiple
junctions at each of which is a deflector assembly that includes
two or more deflectors. The deflectors in each deflector assembly
can deflect a bullnose assembly to a selected bore of more than one
bore according to the configuration of the bullnose of the bullnose
assembly. A well according to other aspects includes a dual
completion including multiple bores, but no junctions. A deflector
assembly can be used to guide a bullnose assembly or other
component to the proper bore.
[0033] These illustrative aspects and examples are given to
introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed here
and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts.
The following sections describe various additional features and
examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals
indicate like elements, and directional descriptions are used to
describe the illustrative aspects but, like the illustrative
aspects, should not be used to limit the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 1 depicts a well system with a deflector assembly 102
according to certain aspects of the present invention. The well
system includes an initial bore 104 and two additional bores 106
and 108 extending from the initial bore 104 at a junction 110. The
initial bore 104 and the additional bores 106 and 108 include a
casing string 112 that can be cemented in the well. A tubing string
can extend within the well system.
[0035] Included in the tubing string at or close to the junction
110 is the deflector assembly 102. The deflector assembly 102
includes two deflectors 116 and 118. Deflector 116 is closer to the
surface (not shown) than deflector 118. The deflectors 116 and 118
can cooperate based on a configuration of a bullnose assembly
subsequently ran downhole to deflect the bullnose assembly to a
selected one of the additional bores 106 and 108.
[0036] FIG. 1 depicts the deflector assembly 102 positioned in a
substantially vertical section of the well, in part because
deflector assemblies according to some aspects do not require
gravitational forces to select a proper bore to which to deflect a
bullnose assembly. Deflector assemblies according to other aspects
can be positioned in substantially horizontal sections of wells. In
a horizontal application in which a deflector assembly is oriented
correctly, gravity may assist in guiding a bullnose assembly into a
lower bore.
[0037] Furthermore, deflector assemblies according to some aspects
can be used with well system features other than junctions, such as
multistring completions and multi-bore completions.
[0038] FIGS. 2A-C depict by longitudinal cross-sections the
deflector assembly 102 according to one aspect. The deflector
assembly 102 includes deflector 116 and deflector 118. Deflector
118 is spaced from deflector 116, as shown in FIG. 2A, by a first
distance 202 measured from a cross-sectional center of the second
deflector 118, and by a second distance 204 measured from an end of
the second deflector 118. A non-limiting example of the first
distance 202 is four inches or longer, such as twenty-six inches. A
non-limiting example of the second distance 204 is two or more
inches, such as fifteen and one-half inches.
[0039] The first deflector 116 includes two channels 206 and 208.
The second deflector 118 also includes two channels 210 and 212.
The two channels 210 and 212 are separated from each other and can
direct assemblies such as bullnose assemblies to additional bores
106 and 108. In other aspects, a second deflector includes two
channels that are not separated. Instead, the second deflector
includes an opening between the two channels that is sized to
prevent a bullnose assembly to move between the two channels.
[0040] FIG. 2B is a cross-section of the deflector assembly
depicting channel 208 of the first deflector 116 and channel 212 of
the second deflector 118. FIG. 2C is a cross-section of the
deflector assembly depicting channel 206 of the first deflector 116
and channel 210 of the second deflector 118.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-section of the first deflector
116. Shown in FIG. 3 is an opening 302 that includes the channels
206 and 208. The opening 302 allows movement by a bullnose assembly
between the channels 206 and 208. Channel 206 has a diameter that
is less than the diameter of the channel 208. As a non-limiting
example, the diameter of channel 206 may be three inches, while the
diameter of channel 208 may be four inches.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a lateral cross-section of the second deflector
118 depicting channels 210 and 212. Channel 212 has a diameter that
is less than the diameter of channel 210. A non-limiting example of
the diameter of channel 212 may be three and one-half inches and a
non-limiting example of the diameter of channel 210 is four
inches.
[0043] Although the channels 206, 208, 210 and 212 are shown and
described as each having a diameter, channels according to other
aspects may not have diameters and instead include cross-sectional
lengths having relative sizes with each other described above in
connection with diameters in FIGS. 3-4.
[0044] Deflector assemblies according to various embodiments can
deflect other assemblies ran downhole to a selected bore, depending
on a configuration of the other assemblies. FIGS. 5-6 depict
examples of these types of assemblies as bullnose assemblies.
[0045] FIG. 5 depicts by side view a bullnose assembly 502 that
includes a body 504 and a bullnose 506 extending from the body 504.
A "bullnose" may be a rounded off portion of an end of an assembly
that can assist in allowing the assembly to be guided downhole. The
bullnose 506 has a longitudinal length 508, measured from an end of
the bullnose 506 that is coupled to the body 504 to a position at
or close to a guiding end of the bullnose 506. The body 504 has a
smaller width than the width of bullnose 506. In other aspects, the
body 504 does not have a smaller width than the width of the
bullnose 506. Regardless, the body 504 can be sized such that the
body 504 can be received by channel 212.
[0046] FIG. 6 depicts by side view a bullnose assembly 602 that
includes a body 604 and a bullnose 606 extending from the body 604.
The bullnose 606 has a longitudinal length 608 that is less than
the longitudinal length 508 of the bullnose assembly 502 in FIG. 5.
The body 604 has a smaller width than the width of the bullnose
606.
[0047] The remaining figures depict examples of deflector assembly
102 deflecting the bullnose assemblies shown in FIGS. 5-6.
[0048] FIGS. 7-9 show the deflector assembly 102 deflecting
bullnose assembly 502. In FIG. 7, the bullnose assembly 502 is
depicted as contacting a surface of the first deflector 116. The
width of the bullnose 506 is greater than the diameter of the
channel 206 such that the bullnose assembly 502 is guided to
channel 208, which has a diameter that is greater than the width of
the bullnose 506. The bullnose 506 is received through channel 208,
as shown in FIG. 8, as the width of bullnose 506 is less than the
diameter of channel 208.
[0049] The bullnose assembly 502 is allowed to travel toward the
second deflector 118 and is guided to channel 212 of the second
deflector 118 by the first deflector 116. For example, because the
diameter of channel 206 of the first deflector 116 is less than the
width of the bullnose 506 and because the distance 202 is less than
the longitudinal length of the bullnose 506, the bullnose 506 is
prevented from moving laterally and toward the channel 210 of the
second deflector 118 and is instead received by the channel 212
while part of the bullnose 506 is in the channel 208 of the first
deflector 116, as shown in FIG. 9. The channel 212 has a diameter
that is greater than the width of the bullnose 506 and can guide
the bullnose 506 toward bore 106, which can be the bore to which
the bullnose assembly 502 is intended to enter.
[0050] FIGS. 10-15 show the deflector assembly 102 deflecting
bullnose assembly 602. FIG. 10 depicts the bullnose assembly 602
contacting a deflector surface of the deflector assembly 102.
Because the width of the bullnose 606 is greater than channel 206,
the deflector assembly 102 guides the bullnose 606 toward the
channel 208 through which the bullnose 606 is received, as shown in
FIG. 11.
[0051] The bullnose 606 can travel through the channel 208 toward
the second deflector 118. Because the longitudinal length of the
bullnose 606 is less than the distance 204, the bullnose 606 is not
supported by or in the first deflector 116 when the bullnose 606
contacts the second deflector 118, as shown in FIG. 12. Because the
diameter of channel 212 in the second deflector 118 is less than
the width of the bullnose 606, the second deflector 118 guides the
bullnose assembly 602 toward channel 210. The diameter of the
channel 206 is less than the width of the body 604 and can allow
the body 604 to move laterally within the first deflector 116 from
channel 208 to channel 206, as shown in FIG. 13, which is a view of
an end of the deflector assembly 102. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional
side view and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional top view of the
deflector assembly 102 in which the body 604 of the bullnose
assembly 602 is allowed to move from channel 208 to channel 206 as
the bullnose 606 is guided toward channel 210 of the second
deflector 118. The bullnose 606 can be received by the channel 210
and guided toward bore 108--the intended bore for bullnose assembly
602--as shown in FIG. 15, because the diameter of channel 210 is
greater than the width of bullnose 606.
[0052] The foregoing description of the aspects, including
illustrated aspects, of the invention has been presented only for
the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof
will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from
the scope of this invention. For example, deflector assemblies
according to various aspects can deflect assemblies other than
bullnose assemblies that have suitable geometric configuration for
desired deflection performance.
* * * * *