Patent ID: 8967266
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A well system subassembly, comprising: a casing joint coupled to a casing string and defining a lowside therein, the casing joint being made of a first material that is softer than that of the casing string; a whipstock assembly arranged within the casing joint and having a deflector surface operable to direct a drilling assembly into a sidewall of the casing joint to create a casing exit; and a wear sleeve coupled to and extending axially from the whipstock assembly, the wear sleeve defining a throat that extends along an axial length of the wear sleeve and transitions into the deflector surface, wherein the axial length of the wear sleeve extends across a point of contact where the drilling assembly would otherwise engage the lowside of the casing joint, whereby the wear sleeve protects the lowside of the casing joint from wear caused by the drilling assembly.