US 12,129,741 B2
Method and apparatus for making a lateral well
Jan Ove Soerheim, Tananger (NO); and Tollef Svenum, Tananger (NO)
Assigned to CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Feb. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/668,562.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/152,149, filed on Feb. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0268128 A1, Aug. 25, 2022
Int. Cl. E21B 41/00 (2006.01); E21B 7/06 (2006.01); E21B 34/06 (2006.01); E21B 43/10 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 41/0035 (2013.01) [E21B 7/06 (2013.01); E21B 7/061 (2013.01); E21B 34/06 (2013.01); E21B 43/10 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for drilling a multi-lateral well, where the process comprises:
a) drilling a first bore of a first bore diameter through overburden rock above a reservoir and installing casing in the bore;
b) drilling a single diameter second bore of a second, smaller, bore diameter through the first bore and into the reservoir all the way to a desired end point of a first lateral well;
c) running into the bores, in a single run, an assembly comprising:
i) a tapered liner having a first, proximal, section with a first outer diameter and a second, distal, section with a second, smaller outer diameter;
ii) a liner hanger to which a proximal end of the first section of the tapered liner is mounted, said liner hanger being installed in overburden rock of the first bore;
iii) a whipstock nipple and valve in the first section of the tapered liner, at a distal end thereof;
iv) completion equipment installed in the second section of the tapered liner; whereby the liner hanger is anchored in the first bore and the first and second sections of the tapered liner extend into the second bore and no liner hanger is required in the reservoir for the second bore;
d) performing a completion operation in the second section of the tapered liner;
e) running a whipstock into the first section of the tapered liner and milling a window in the first section of the tapered liner, adjacent the whipstock;
f) drilling a branched, third bore through the window, running into the third bore a second liner and performing a completion operation in the second liner.