Isolating a multi-lateral well with a barrier

Abstract

A completion apparatus is coupled to a first lateral well extending from a borehole. The first lateral well is completed. The completed first lateral well is isolated from the borehole with a first barrier that prevents fluids from flowing from the first lateral well into the borehole. The completion apparatus is decoupled from the first lateral well. The completion apparatus is coupled to a second lateral well extending from the borehole. The second lateral well is completed. The first barrier is opened to allow fluids to flow from the first lateral well into the borehole.

1 . A method comprising:
 coupling a completion apparatus to a first lateral well extending from a borehole;   completing the first lateral well;   isolating the completed first lateral well from the borehole with a first barrier that prevents fluids from flowing from the first lateral well into the borehole;   decoupling the completion apparatus from the first lateral well;   coupling the completion apparatus to a second lateral well extending from the borehole;   completing the second lateral well; and   opening the first barrier to allow fluids to flow from the first lateral well into the borehole.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first barrier comprises a negotiable barrier. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 opening the first barrier comprises applying pressure to the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the first lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 opening the first barrier comprises mechanically opening the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the first lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 opening the first barrier comprises dissolving a dissolvable device in the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the first lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 opening the first barrier comprises breaching a breachable device in the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the first lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first barrier comprises a removable plug. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 producing fluids from the second lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 plugging the second lateral well with a second barrier after completing the second lateral well. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the second barrier comprises a negotiable barrier. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein:
 opening the second barrier comprises applying pressure to the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the second lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein:
 opening the second barrier comprises mechanically opening the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the second lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein:
 opening the second barrier comprises dissolving a dissolvable device in the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the second lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein:
 opening the second barrier comprises breaching a breachable device in the negotiable barrier to allow fluids to flow from the second lateral well into the borehole. 
 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising:
 opening the second barrier after opening the first barrier. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the second barrier is opened after pressure of fluids in the second lateral well match the pressure of fluids in the first lateral well. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)