Baker Hughes Corporation

Marathon Oil Company

Kevin O Trahan

John Lindley Baugh

Gary J Collins

George J Melenyzer

J Lindley Baugh

Rodney D Bennett

Christiaan D Krauss

An apparatus and process are provided for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells from a template which is secured within a cased well bore extending to the surface. An orienting cam having a bore therethrough is positioned above the template such that the bore through the orienting cam is automatically aligned with one of at least two bores through the template. Fluid tight seals are provided between the orienting cam and the casing and between the orienting cam and one of the at least two bores through the template. Thereafter, a drill string including a drill bit is lowered from the surface of the earth through the casing, the bore through the orienting cam and the one bore through said template to drill a first subterranean well bore. Drilling fluid and cuttings resulting from drilling a subterranean formation are circulated back to the surface via first subterranean well bore, one of the at least two bores through the template and the bore through the orienting cam and through the casing such that the drilling mud contacts the internal wall of the casing. The orienting cam is repositioned above the template such that the bore through the orienting cam is aligned with another of the at least two bores through the template. Thereafter, a second subterranean well bore is drilled via another of the bores through the template in a manner similar to that described for the first well bore.

Assembly and process for drilling and completing multiple wells

The invention relates to actuation of a downhole tool by hydraulic forces in a structure that does not employ lateral openings through the wall of the tool. By a variety of mechanisms, the tool wall is urged to flex preferably within its elastic limits. The wall flexing either signals a sensor which senses such motion to create a corresponding signal which can unlock a piston. Thereafter, hydraulic pressure differences are employed to move the piston to operate the downhole tool.

Downhole tool actuating mechanism

The present invention relates to art improved method for multilateral completion and cementing (e.g. sealing) the juncture between primary and lateral wellbores. The completion method of the present invention addresses the issue of cementation and sealing of junctures between vertical and lateral wellbores. It is desirable to have the ability to re-enter each lateral wellbore as well as maintain the option to perform any function that could be done in a single wellbore. For this reason, cemented and sealed lateral wellbores are desirable so that normal isolation, stimulation or any other operation can be achieved. The method allows sealing and reworking of either wellbores with single laterals or multiple laterals and provides safe durable junctions therebetween. The method of this invention utilizes a 'hook' liner hanger system.

Method for multi-lateral completion and cementing the juncture with

An anchor assembly may be used for interconnecting a downhole tubular member with a packer affixed within a well bore. The anchor assembly may include a mandrel fixedly secured to production tubing, and a collet mechanism axially movable relative to the mandrel. The collet mechanism may have a plurality of axially extending collet fingers each having a first plurality of threads for mating engagement with the packer mandrel threads and a second plurality of threads for mating engagement with the anchor assembly mandrel threads. A sealed member is provided for sealing engagement between the mandrel and the downhole packer. The anchor assembly of the present invention allows substantial axial forces to be transmitted between the production tubing and the set packer without risking collapse of the packer mandrel or failure of the bearing surfaces between the production tubing mandrel and the collet mechanism.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Kevin O Trahan