Sealed branch wellbore transition joint
A sealed branch wellbore transition joint. A method of completing a well having intersecting wellbores includes the steps of: positioning a diverter in a wellbore; diverting an assembly from the wellbore into another wellbore; and swelling a sealing material on the assembly, so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter. A completion system for a well having intersecting wellbores includes a diverter positioned in a wellbore, an assembly extending laterally across the wellbore, and a sealing material on the assembly. The sealing material is swollen so that a seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter.
1. A method of completing a well having first and second intersecting wellbores, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning a diverter in the first wellbore;
diverting an assembly from the first wellbore into the second wellbore; and
swelling a sealing material on the assembly, so that a first seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises increasing a volume of the sealing material.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the diverting step further comprises positioning the assembly at least partially in the first wellbore and at least partially in the second wellbore.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of expanding the assembly.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the expanding step is performed prior to the swelling step.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing fluid communication between an interior of the assembly and the first wellbore via an opening formed through a sidewall of the assembly.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises forming a second seal between the assembly and the first wellbore.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises forming a second seal between the assembly and a window from the first wellbore to the second wellbore.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of swelling a second seal between the diverter and the first wellbore.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises swelling the sealing material in response to exposing the sealing material to hydrocarbon fluid in the well.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swelling step further comprises swelling the sealing material in response to exposing the sealing material to water in the well.
12. A completion system for a well having intersecting first and second wellbores, the system comprising:
a diverter positioned in the first wellbore;
an assembly extending laterally across the first wellbore; and
a sealing material on the assembly, the sealing material being swollen so that a first seal is formed between the assembly and the diverter.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the sealing material is swollen by increasing a volume of the sealing material.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the assembly is positioned at least partially in the first wellbore and at least partially in the second wellbore.
15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the assembly is expanded radially outward in the well.
16. The system of claim 12 , wherein an opening provides fluid communication between an interior of the assembly and the first wellbore through a sidewall of the assembly.
17. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a second seal formed by the swollen sealing material between the assembly and the first wellbore.
18. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a second seal formed by the swollen sealing material between the assembly and a window from the first wellbore to the second wellbore.
19. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a second seal formed by the swollen sealing material between the diverter and the first wellbore.
20. The system of claim 12 , wherein the sealing material is swollen in response to exposing the sealing material to at least one of hydrocarbon fluid and water in the well.