Method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface and tools therefor
View Patent ↗According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.
1. A method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:
drilling a first well bore from the surface;
drilling a second well bore extending from the first well bore into the subterranean zone;
drilling a third, segmented well bore from the first well bore, the third well bore intersecting the second well bore at a junction; and
drilling a drainage well bore extending from the junction.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein drilling a third, segmented well bore comprises drilling an articulated well bore.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein drilling the second well bore comprises drilling a slanted well bore.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising removing resources from the subterranean zone through the second well bore.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising drilling a well bore drainage pattern from the junction.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein forming the well bore drainage pattern comprises forming the well bore drainage pattern through the third well bore.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein forming the well bore drainage pattern comprises forming the well bore drainage pattern through the second well bore.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming an enlarged cavity through the second well bore.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning a pump inlet in the subterranean zone through the second well bore.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the well bore pattern comprises forming a pinnate well bore pattern.
11. A system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface, comprising:
a first well bore extending from the surface;
a second well bore extending from the first well bore into the subterranean zone;
a third, segmented well bore extending from the first well bore, the third well bore intersecting the second well bore at a junction; and
a substantially horizontal drainage well bore extending from the junction.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the third, segmented well bore comprises an articulated well bore.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second well bore comprises a slanted well bore.
14. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of laterals extending from the drainage well bore.
15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising an enlarged cavity at the junction.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the junction is proximate the subterranean zone.
17. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a pump in the second well bore.
18. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a pinnate well bore pattern.
19. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of laterals coupled to the junction.
20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the subterranean zone comprises a coal seam.
21. A system for accessing a subterranean zone, comprising:
an entry well bore;
a first articulated well bore extending from the entry well bore;
a second articulated well bore extending from the entry well bore and coupled to the first articulated well bore at a junction proximate the subterranean zone; and
a drainage pattern extending from the junction.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the drainage pattern comprises a main well bore and plurality of lateral well bores extending from the main well bore.
23. The system of claim 21 , further comprising an enlarged cavity in the first articulated well bore.
24. The system of claim 21 , wherein the first articulated well bore comprises a slanted well bore.
25. The system of claim 21 , wherein subterranean zone comprises a coal seam.