Baker Hughes Corporation

Christopher L Gann

Michael H Johnson

Gerald D Lynde

John Lindley Baugh

Douglas James Murray

Joseph F Donovan

Mark W Brockman

Arne Gunnar Larsen

Steven L Jennings

Darrin F Willauer

David G Forsyth

Roger P Herbert

Brian C Wood

William K Brown

James K Jackson

Edwin Schubrick

James Kenneth Whanger

The present invention provides methods for forming multiple wellbores from a single location. A relatively large diameter main wellbore is drilled to a known depth. A plurality of spaced apart wellbores are formed from the bottom of the main wellbore, wherein at least one such wellbore is a production wellbore for producing hydrocarbons from subsurface formations. Wellhead equipment for each production wellbore is installed at main wellbore bottom. Additional devices or equipment are also placed in the main wellbore, preferably near the bottom. Such equipment may include a fluid processing apparatus, chemical injection equipment for injecting chemicals or additives into the wellbores, compressors for injecting compressed gas into one or more of the production wellbores or for transporting a gas to the surface, robotics devices for placing and/or removing devices or materials from the wellbores, a control unit for monitoring and controlling apparatus and devices in the main wellbore and the production wellbore, and any other desired equipment for performing a useful function relating any of the wellbores. A secondary access wellbore may be formed from the main wellbore or the surface for storing apparatus that is used to monitor and/or control the operation of devises in the production wellbores during the various stages in the life of such wellbores. Some of the equipment deployed in the main wellbore is prefabricated and may be retrieved. selective redundant equipment is provided to allow uninterrupted production from the various wellbores.

Method of forming and servicing wellbores from a main wellbore

Junctions in multilateral well structures are sealed by employing a variety of degrees of premachined components and a variety of sealing embodiments, including casing segments having premachined windows, side pocket members which are adapted to reside within the string during run in and move laterally to the deployed position, woven members, cement filled ECPs, etc. Also disclosed is a downhole milling device which cuts a window in a casing segment or other material based upon a predetermined geometric pattern imposed upon the cutting tool by an integral template.

Method for sealing the junctions in multilateral wells

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The Woodlands, TX, United States of America

Christopher L Gann