Borehole Alteration of Tubular String to Create and Close Off Openings

Abstract

Plain casing is run for a completion and openings in a desired pattern are added in the borehole. Gamma ray tools or other orientation tools are used to determine depth and orientation of a tool that makes the openings. The openings are created in the borehole in the location and pattern that is desired. The openings can be closed at a later time with a powered tool that inserts an object into the opening and fixates it to the casing to prevent production of undesired fluids. Even after production has started additional openings can be made in the same or connected lateral boreholes to enhance continued production.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A borehole method, comprising:
 making a first opening though a surrounding tubular and into an adjacent formation with a tool;   making a second opening spaced apart from said first opening through the surrounding tubular and into the adjacent formation with the tool in a single trip;   moving fluid between the formation and a remote location through at least one of said openings.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 making said second opening without moving said tool.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 making said second opening after making said first opening by moving said tool.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising:
 providing multiple opening creating devices on said tool configured for making openings while said tool remains stationary.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 locating, with said tool, said first or said second opening in a separate trip into the borehole;   positioning a plug delivery device on said tool adjacent said first or said second opening;   inserting a plug from said plug delivery device of said tool into said first or said second opening.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 configuring said first and second openings to retain said plug.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 determining in a separate trip with said tool which of said first or second openings are producing undesirable fluids from the formation;   orienting a plug delivery device on said tool with a said opening determined to be producing undesirable fluids for insertion of a plug;   inserting said plug in said opening.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 providing an orientation device with said tool so that at least one pre-existing opening in the borehole can be located for insertion of a plug from said tool and said first and second said openings can be created in the same trip.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 making new openings with a retractable mill selectively extendable from said tool.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 using casing collar locators for locating the predetermined region.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 measuring the effect of making new openings with a tractor and said tool still in the hole.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 making said new openings with a fluid jet, a laser, a punch or a penetrating tool.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 making further openings or plugging existing openings, other than said first or said second openings, as a result of said measuring.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising:
 performing said delivering with a tractor or by pumping down said tool.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 creating said openings in an identical shape.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 creating said openings in different shapes.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 creating said openings in a repeating pattern.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 creating said openings in a random order.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising:
 making at least said first and second openings at the same time with more than one hole making device on said tool.   
     
     
         31 . A borehole method, comprising:
 locating the depth and orientation of at least one existing wall opening in a borehole with a tool;   positioning a plug delivery device of said tool in alignment with said at least one wall opening in the borehole;   plugging said at least one wall opening with a plug from said delivery device in a single trip.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , comprising:
 sensing with said tool that said at least one opening is producing undesired fluids.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , comprising:
 performing said locating of said at least one opening for multiple openings for plugging with said tool.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , comprising:
 shaping said at least one opening to retain said plug.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , comprising:
 making new openings in said one trip with said tool.