Detachable Whipstock Sealing for Single-Trip Multilateral Junctions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multilateral well systems require multiple trips and additional downhole tools for forming and accessing lateral wellbores, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A detachable whipstock with sealing capabilities and a hydraflex lateral locating assembly that allows for the formation and access of lateral wellbores without the need for traditional deflectors, enabling a single trip to install a multilateral junction and providing sealing and debris management during milling and drilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional deflectors and multiple downhole tools are used for forming and accessing lateral wellbores, then the well system can complete the multilateral configuration, but the number of trips increases and operational time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultilateral configuration completionVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the whipstock assembly with sealing capabilities and the lateral locating assembly into a single integrated tool that performs multiple functions: forming the window through the casing, locating the lateral wellbore, and providing sealing. This merging of functions into one tool allows completion of the multilateral configuration in a single trip, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools and trips required by traditional systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If traditional deflectors are used for lateral wellbore access, then the lateral wellbore can be formed, but additional downhole tools and multiple trips are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral wellbore formationVSAvoidnumber of downhole tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The whipstock assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a window-forming tool and a sealing device, while the lateral locating assembly provides both positioning and access functions. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools (deflectors, seals, locators) that would traditionally be required, simplifying the overall system while maintaining ease of lateral wellbore formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a detachable whipstock with sealing capabilities is used, then the number of trips is reduced and operational efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidwhipstock assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The whipstock assembly is designed with a detachable whipface that can be separated from the main assembly after window formation. This segmentation allows the whipface to be retrieved separately while leaving the sealing capabilities in place, enabling the system to perform multiple functions (window formation, sealing) with a single deployed tool while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250361797A1Whipstock with detachable whipface and sealing capabilities for multilateral systems

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Provided is a whipstock, a well system, and a method. The whipstock, in at least one aspect, includes a whipface having an angled casing string exit surface, a sub detachably coupled to the whipface, and a bottom hole assembly fixedly coupled to the sub, the bottom hole assembly having one or more seals along an inner surface thereof.