Mill Guiding Device for Precise Well Bore Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for intersecting and plugging cased well bores are inefficient, particularly in controlling the mill's movement and ensuring precise connection between well bores, and may not effectively limit fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving a milling assembly with a mill guiding device, such as a wedge-like member or grooved rails, to direct the mill into the casing of the first well bore, and the use of a laser tool assembly for controlled material removal, followed by plugging with materials like cement to obstruct fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a mill is used to cut through the casing of the first well bore, then the well bores can be intersected and fluidly connected, but the mill may experience lateral movement during cutting which reduces precision and control
Solution Approach 1:
A whipstock is introduced as an intermediary device between the mill and the well bore wall. The whipstock is positioned against the well bore wall and provides a guided surface that directs the mill along the desired trajectory, preventing lateral movement and ensuring precise intersection of the well bores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces uncontrolled free-moving mill operation with a mechanically guided system. The whipstock creates a constrained mechanical path that substitutes for manual control efforts, ensuring the mill follows the intended cutting path without lateral deviation.
2Reliability
If cement plugs are inserted to plug the first well bore, then fluid flow can be limited, but the method becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The whipstock and mill assembly are positioned and the cutting path is established before the actual intersection and plugging operations. This preliminary positioning ensures that when plugging materials are introduced, they follow the pre-established path through the intersected well bore, streamlining the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The whipstock serves multiple functions: it guides the mill during cutting, maintains positioning during subsequent operations, and provides a reference for introducing plugging materials. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and operations, improving productivity while maintaining reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The approach allows for controlled and efficient intersection of cased well bores, reducing the likelihood of lateral movement during cutting and enabling effective fluid connection and obstruction, thereby facilitating safer and more regulated well bore abandonment.
Implementation Method 1
operating the mill and guiding the mill along the mill guide and into a casing of the first well bore, and removing material from the casing
Implementation Method 2
operating the laser tool assembly and forming an opening in a casing of the first well bore
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
In some general aspects, methods for intersecting a first, cased well bore include drilling a second well bore that has a distal end proximal to the first, cased well bore to be intersected, disposing a mill guiding device in the second well bore near a casing of the first, cased well bore, the mill guiding device being configured to direct a mill of a milling assembly away from a central axis of the second well bore and towards the first, cased well bore, inserting the milling assembly into the second well bore, operating the mill of the mill assembly and guiding the milling assembly along the mill guide and into the casing of the first well bore, and removing material from the casing of the first well bore until the first, cased well bore and the second well bore are fluidly connected.