Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface

a technology of subterranean deposits and access methods, which is applied in the direction of survey, directional drilling, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of affecting the development and use of methane gas deposits, the distance between vertical wells drilled into coal deposits for obtaining methane gas is relatively small, and the horizontal drainage pattern is not easy to improve, so as to maximize access and maximize the length of laterals.

US20060096755A1Inactive Publication Date: 2006-05-11CDX GAS +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2006-05-11
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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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.
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Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 256,412, filed Sep. 26, 2002 by Joseph A. Zupanick and entitled “Method and System for Accessing Subterranean Deposits From the Surface”, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 885,219, filed Jun. 20, 2001 by Joseph A. Zupanick and entitled “Method and System for Accessing Subterranean Deposits from the Surface”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,288, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 444,029 filed Nov. 19, 1999 by Joseph A. Zupanick and entitled “Drainage Pattern with Intersecting Wells Drilled from Surface”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,523, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 197,687 filed Nov. 20, 1998 by Joseph A. Zupanick and entitled “Method for Production of Gas From a Coal Seam”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,000.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the recovery of subterranean deposits, an...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0028]FIG. 1 illustrates a cavity and articulated well combination for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the subterranean zone is a coal seam. It will be understood that other low pressure, ultra-low pressure, and low porosity subterranean zones can be similarly accessed using the dual well system of the present invention to remove and / or produce water, hydrocarbons and other fluids in the zone and to treat minerals in the zone prior to mining operations.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a substantially vertical well bore 12 extends from the surface 14 to a target coal seam 15. The substantially vertical well bore 12 intersects, penetrates and continues below the coal seam 15. The substantially vertical well bore is lined with a suitable well casing 16 that terminates at or above the level of the coal seam 15.

[0030] The substantially vertical well bore 12 is logged either during or after drillin...