METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING THE JUNCTURE BETWEEN A VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL WELL

摘要

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of methods and devices are provided for solving important and serious problems posed by lateral (18) (and especially multilateral) completion in a wellbore (10) including methods and devices for sealing the junction between a vertical (10) and lateral (23) well. Methods are disclosed wherein deformable devices (35) are utilized to selectively seal the juncture between the vertical (10) and lateral (23) wells. Such deformable devices (35) may comprise (1) an inflatable mold which utilizes a hardenable lqiuid (e.g., epoxy or cementious material slurry) to form the seal; (2) expandable memory metal devices; and (3) swaging devices for plastically deforming a sealing material.