Multilateral Well Access System with Diverter Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multilateral well construction and intervention methods require frequent repositioning of the whipstock and workstring, leading to significant rig time and costs due to the need for reinstalling the whipstock for each lateral well bore access, which is inefficient and economically prohibitive in many oil and gas fields.
Innovation Solution
A multilateral access system that includes a tubular workstring with an inner and outer string, where the outer string features a diverter body with a cylindrical housing and spring device to guide the inner string into lateral well bores without removing the workstring, eliminating the need for whipstock reinstallation and reducing the requirement for ancillary services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the whipstock is repositioned for each lateral well bore access, then access to different lateral well bores is achieved, but rig time and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the workstring into inner and outer strings, with the inner string serving as a permanent guide within the lateral well bores. This segmentation allows the outer string to be repositioned while the inner string remains in place, enabling quick access to different laterals without complete whipstock reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner string is pre-positioned in each lateral well bore during the initial drilling operation. This preliminary action creates ready-made access pathways that can be quickly utilized during intervention operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming whipstock repositioning and reinstallation.
2Reliability
If the whipstock is reinstalled for each lateral well bore, then proper direction and alignment are achieved, but device complexity and rental costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment and direction-control function is extracted from the temporary whipstock and transferred to the permanent inner string that remains in place. The inner string's fixed position provides consistent alignment references, eliminating the need to repeatedly install and align whipstocks while maintaining directional accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner string serves multiple functions: it acts as a permanent guide for accessing different lateral well bores, provides alignment references, and enables quick repositioning of the outer string. This multi-functionality replaces the single-purpose whipstock that required repeated installation.
3Reliability
If ancillary services stand by during whipstock repositioning, then support is available, but idle time and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inner string provides continuous guidance and alignment capability throughout the intervention process. This allows the outer string and ancillary services to maintain continuous productive action when accessing different lateral well bores, eliminating idle waiting time while support services remain available.
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
This system dramatically reduces rig time and costs by allowing direct access to main and lateral well bores without removing the workstring, eliminating whipstock rental, and reducing idle time for support services, thereby enhancing the economic viability of multilateral well construction and intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The spring device is composed of a series of leaf springs which, as the inner string passes therethrough, function to urge the inner string outward towards and through the lateral window and into the lateral well bore.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilateral access system for a multilateral well including a main well bore and at least one lateral well bore includes a tubular workstring having an inner string and an outer string. The outer string includes a diverter body having a cylindrical housing with a lateral window, the diverter body being shaped and dimensioned to direct the inner string the lateral window and into the at least one lateral well bore. The system is used by positioning the tubular workstring within a multilateral bore. The method further includes positioning the diverter body such that the window of the diverter body faces a milled casing window of the lateral well bore and moving the inner string upwardly above the diverter body. Subsequently, the inner string is lowered back though the diverter body, wherein the diverter body exerts a lateral force on a lower end of the inner string urging the lower end of the inner string toward the milled casing window.