One-Trip Multilateral Tool for Lateral Wellbore Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oil and gas industry faces inefficiencies and high costs in drilling and completing multilateral wellbores due to the need for multiple trips downhole, which increases rig time and expenses.
Innovation Solution
A one-trip multilateral tool that includes a whipstock, drill bit, MWD tool, motor, and well screens, allowing for the drilling and completion of lateral wellbores in a single trip by securing the tool within the parent wellbore and using a shear bolt to divert the drill bit for window milling and lateral wellbore formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multilateral well completion methods are used requiring multiple trips downhole, then each operation (whipstock installation, window milling, lateral drilling, completion) can be performed with dedicated equipment, but rig time and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines whipstock, window mill, lateral drill bit, and completion tools into a single integrated multilateral well tool assembly that can perform multiple operations in one trip. The tool assembly includes a whipstock body with a window mill that can mill through casing, and a lateral drill bit that can drill lateral wellbores, all integrated into one device that is installed once in the parent wellbore.
Solution Approach 2:
The multilateral well tool assembly is designed as a universal device capable of performing multiple functions: it can mill windows through casing at different locations, drill lateral wellbores to various depths and orientations, and complete lateral wells. The tool assembly can be used in different parent wellbores and for different lateral well configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized trips.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple trips downhole are made for whipstock installation, window milling, and lateral drilling, then each operation can be optimized with specialized equipment, but operational costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges whipstock installation, window milling, and lateral drilling operations into a single tool assembly that performs all functions in one trip. The integrated design includes a whipstock body with integrated window mill and lateral drill bit, eliminating the need for separate equipment installations and reducing operational complexity despite the advanced functionality.
3Ease of operation
If separate operations are performed for window milling and lateral drilling, then each operation can be controlled independently, but the number of trips and associated costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines window milling and lateral drilling operations into a single sequential process using one tool assembly. The window mill mills through the casing to create an opening, and then the lateral drill bit drills the lateral wellbore through the same tool assembly without requiring retrieval or reinstallation, thereby maintaining operational control while dramatically improving productivity.
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 approach reduces downhole trip requirements, significantly lowering costs and increasing efficiency by eliminating one to four trips, resulting in substantial financial savings and reduced rig time while ensuring safer operations.
Implementation Method 1
using a shear bolt to divert the drill bit for window milling and lateral wellbore formation
Data Source
AI summary
A multilateral tool and methods and systems related thereto, the multilateral tool conveyable into a parent wellbore and a lateral wellbore and having a plurality of components operatively coupled together such that movement of a component correspondingly moves the adjacent component. The plurality of components comprise a whipstock having a latch anchor, a drill bit, a measurement while drilling (MWD) tool, a motor, at least one well screen, and a multilateral junction having a primary leg and a lateral leg.