Method of interconnecting subterranean boreholes

Abstract

A method is disclosed of connecting a first borehole to a second borehole, the boreholes being formed in an earth formation and extending at a mutual distance. The method comprises inserting a volume of hardenable fluidic material into a space in the earth formation extending between the first and second boreholes, and allowing the hardenable fluidic material to harden so as to form a body of hardened material between the first and second boreholes. At least one fluid channel is created in the body of hardened material, each fluid channel providing fluid communication between the first borehole and the second borehole.

1 . A method of connecting a first borehole to a second borehole, said boreholes being formed in an earth formation and extending at a mutual distance, the method comprising:
 inserting a volume of hardenable fluidic material into a space in the earth formation extending between the first and second boreholes, and allowing the hardenable fluidic material to harden so as to form a body of hardened material between the first and second boreholes; and   creating at least one fluid channel in said body of hardened material, each fluid channel providing fluid communication between the first borehole and the second borehole.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said space provides fluid communication between the first borehole and the second borehole. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said space includes a plurality of pores of the earth formation. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising creating a cavity in the earth formation, said cavity forming at least a part of said space. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the cavity extends between a selected location of the first borehole and a selected location of the second borehole, and wherein said mutual distance of the boreholes is minimal from the selected location of the first borehole to the selected location of the second borehole. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of creating said cavity in the earth formation comprises creating at least one flow passage in the earth formation, each flow passage providing fluid communication between the first borehole and the second borehole. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of creating said at least one flow passage comprises perforating the earth formation. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising inducing fluid to flow through each flow passage so as to erode the earth formation surrounding the flow passage to form the cavity. 
   
   
       9 . The method  claim 1 , wherein said hardenable material is selected from cement and resin. 
   
   
       10 . The method  claim 1 , wherein the step of creating said at least one fluid channel comprises perforating the body of hardened material. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first borehole extends into a reservoir zone of the earth formation containing hydrocarbon fluid. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the reservoir zone has a boundary, and wherein the first borehole extends substantially parallel to said boundary. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second borehole extends to the earth surface. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising arranging a liner in the first borehole, the liner passing from outside the body of hardened material to within the body of hardened material. 
   
   
       15 . A wellbore system comprising first and second boreholes formed in an earth formation, said boreholes being connected to each other using the method of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       16 . (canceled)