Multilateral Well Directional Guide for Selective Lateral Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multilateral well intervention systems face challenges in efficiently accessing and performing operations on multiple lateral sections without the need for complex and costly re-entry guide tools or completion hardware, particularly in ensuring precise targeting and minimizing surface location requirements.
Innovation Solution
A multilateral well access system featuring multiple directional guides with complementary surface profiles and bypass ports, allowing selective access to target lateral sections through guided intervention tools, while preventing access to non-target branches, and utilizing attraction and detection devices for precise positioning and fluid isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional re-entry guide tools and completion hardware are used for multilateral well intervention, then precise targeting of lateral sections can be achieved, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The directional guide is divided into functional segments: an outer surface profile for positioning, a guide surface for tool deflection, and a bypass port for tool passage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional guide serves multiple functions: it provides precise positioning through the complementary surface profile engagement, directs intervention tools into target laterals via the guide surface, and controls tool passage through the bypass port. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate re-entry guide tools and completion hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If directional guides with bypass ports are used to allow tool passage to lower branches, then access to multiple lateral sections is enabled, but control over tool routing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass port's functionality is made dynamic through the use of a plug that can be set or removed. When the plug is set, the bypass port is closed and tools are deflected into the target lateral. When the plug is removed, tools can pass through to access lower branches. This dynamic control simplifies tool routing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is pre-installed in the bypass port before intervention operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that tools are initially directed into the correct target lateral without requiring complex real-time routing decisions. The plug can be removed later if access to lower branches is needed.
3Area of stationary object
If through-tubing intervention is performed in multilateral wells, then surface location requirements are reduced, but the ability to isolate and access specific lateral sections becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The directional guide acts as an intermediary device installed within the wellbore that provides localized control over tool routing to specific lateral sections. This eliminates the need for complex surface location requirements while maintaining the ability to isolate and access individual laterals through the guide surface deflection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional guide is nested within the existing wellbore structure and casing, utilizing the existing tubular environment. This nesting approach allows through-tubing intervention without requiring additional surface infrastructure, while the guide surface and bypass port provide the necessary control for lateral section isolation and access.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective through-tubing intervention in multilateral wells by allowing selective access to target lateral sections without the need for removal of directional guides, reducing operational costs and enhancing production efficiency through precise targeting and fluid isolation.
Implementation Method 1
a guide surface oriented non-parallelly to an elongate axis of the main body... deflecting an intervention assembly along a guide surface of the main body into the lateral section
Implementation Method 2
the attraction device includes one or both of a magnet and an electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing an intervention operation at a multilateral well includes deploying a directional guide to an axial position within the multilateral well at which a lateral section of the multilateral well is located. The method further includes installing a main body of the directional guide to an inner surface profile arranged along a casing that surrounds the directional guide at the axial position. The method further includes closing a bore that passes through the main body along an elongate axis of the main body. The method further includes deflecting an intervention assembly along a guide surface of the main body into the lateral section. The method further includes controlling the intervention assembly to perform the intervention operation within the lateral section.