Multilateral Junction Sand Control via Positive Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multilateral borehole systems, particulate matter such as sand infiltrates the wellbore system at junctions due to imprecise window sizes and shapes created by milling tools, leading to sand production and equipment erosion, which complicates fluid production and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A multilateral sand management system is introduced, featuring a multilateral junction device with an electric submersible pump that applies positive pressure to the junction area, combined with a sand control liner equipped with filter pucks and telescoping modules to prevent sand entry, ensuring effective sealing and stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a milling tool is used to create a window in the casing at the multilateral junction, then access to the primary borehole is enabled, but the window size and shape become imprecise leading to sand infiltration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to primary boreholeVSAvoidwindow size and shape precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A pre-machined window is created in the liner before insertion, ensuring precise geometry is established in advance. This preliminary precision eliminates the need for post-installation adjustments and ensures proper sealing at the multilateral junction despite the imprecise milling operation performed earlier during tool insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The liner acts as an intermediary element between the imprecise milled window and the required precise seal. The liner's pre-machined window provides the precision sealing surface, mediating between the rough milling operation and the need for accurate sand control at the junction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If lateral liners are run in the primary borehole to extend through a milled window, then the lateral borehole is sealed, but gaps remain between the liner and milled casing allowing particulate infiltration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidparticulate matter infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liner is pre-machined with a window before insertion, establishing precise geometry in advance. This preliminary precision ensures that when the liner is inserted through the milled window, proper sealing is achieved without gaps, eliminating the harmful effect of particulate infiltration while maintaining seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The window geometry parameters are controlled and standardized in the pre-machined liner, transforming the variable, imprecise milled window into a consistent, precise sealing interface. This parameter control ensures reliable sealing despite variations in the original milling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If scaling materials or pre-machined window sleeves are used at the multilateral junction, then sand production is controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand controlVSAvoidjunction device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liner serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the lateral borehole, creates the sealing interface at the multilateral junction through its pre-machined window, and enables sand control without requiring separate scaling materials or additional window sleeves. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable sand control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function and sand control function are merged into a single liner component with a pre-machined window. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate scaling materials or window sleeves, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall junction device structure while maintaining effective sand control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system significantly reduces sand infiltration and production delays by maintaining a positive pressure at the junction area, preventing sand migration and ensuring efficient fluid flow while protecting equipment from erosion.

Implementation Method 1

an electric submersible pump disposed within the lateral leg of the multilateral junction device, the pump when operating placing the multilateral junction area under a positive pressure compared to a pressure in the lateral borehole and in the primary borehole downhole of the multilateral junction area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9677388B2Multilateral sand management system and method

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A multilateral sand management system including a multilateral junction device disposed at a multilateral junction area of a primary borehole and a lateral borehole. The multilateral junction device including a lateral leg disposed within an upholemost portion of the lateral borehole. An electric submersible pump disposed within the lateral leg of the multilateral junction device. The pump when operating placing the multilateral junction area under a positive pressure compared to a pressure in the lateral borehole and in the primary borehole downhole of the multilateral junction area. A method of controlling sand at a multilateral junction area of a primary borehole and a lateral borehole.