Removable Whipstock Downhole Tool for One-Trip Multilateral Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of multilateral wells is costly due to the time-consuming number of trips required to drill and complete the well, particularly when forming lateral junctions.
Innovation Solution
A new multilateral system incorporating a latch collet design with anti-preset features and a running tool that automatically releases upon correct engagement, allowing for a combined milling/running tool and reducing the number of trips needed to construct a multilateral junction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional multilateral well construction methods are used with separate running tools and deflector assemblies, then the well can be constructed with multiple trips, but the construction time and rig time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the running tool and deflector assembly into a single integrated tool that can be run in one trip. The deflector assembly is positioned and set within the running tool, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously during one well construction trip, thereby reducing the number of trips and rig time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The running tool is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a running tool for positioning and as a deflector assembly for creating lateral wells. This universal tool performs multiple functions that traditionally required separate tools, improving productivity and reducing time loss.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple trips are used to position deflector assemblies and complete well construction, then each trip can be optimized for specific tasks, but the overall construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the running tool and deflector assembly into one integrated tool, the patent enables completion of multiple construction tasks in a single trip, reducing the total number of trips required and thereby reducing overall construction time and cost.
3Reliability
If a fixed whipstock assembly is used that cannot be removed, then the lateral wellbore can be formed reliably, but the main wellbore cannot be reconfigured or completed without removing the whipstock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the whipstock assembly removable rather than fixed, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one. The whipstock can be inserted and removed through the completion assembly, allowing the main wellbore to be reconfigured or completed without permanent modification, thereby providing both reliability during formation and adaptability for future operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the well construction system into separable components: the whipstock assembly, the completion assembly, and the main wellbore. This segmentation allows the whipstock to be independently removed after serving its purpose, enabling reconfiguration of the main wellbore while maintaining the reliability of the lateral wellbore formation during the drilling operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a downhole tool, and a method for forming a well system. The downhole tool, in one aspect, includes a whipstock assembly, a packer assembly removably coupled to the to the whipstock assembly, and an anchor assembly coupled to the packer assembly. The downhole tool, according to this aspect, further includes a completion assembly coupled to the anchor assembly, the whipstock assembly, packer assembly, anchor assembly and the completion assembly configured to be run-in-hole in a single trip.