Patent ID: 8230920
Filing Date: 2012-07-31
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A whipstock assembly useful for guiding a tubular member to a location proximate to an existing subsea well bore, the whipstock assembly including an elongated body having an internal space, a longitudinal axis extending from its upper end to its lower end and an outer slide surface extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis, the outer slide surface being inclined at least partially between the upper and lower ends of the elongated body and useful to slideably engage and guide the tubular member as it moves downwardly along the elongated body from the upper end thereof, the whipstock assembly comprising; at least one cut-out formed in the elongated body proximate to the outer slide surface; an extendable deflector disposed at least partially within the internal space of the elongated body in a retracted position and configured to be movable at least partially through said cut-out to a deployed position, wherein said extendable deflector in said retracted position allows passage of the whipstock assembly through at least one pipe guide during deployment thereof to the existing well bore and said extendable deflector in said deployed position protrudes at least partially out of the elongated body through said cut-out, said extendable deflector having a deflector surface, wherein when said extendable deflector is in said deployed position, said deflector surface is longitudinally aligned with the outer slide surface of the elongated body, at least partially inclined at an outwardly sloping angle that is greater than the incline angle of the outer slide surface of the elongated body and slideably engageable with the tubular member, whereby said extendable deflector in said deployed position is configured to guide the tubular member farther away from the existing well bore than the outer slide surface as the tubular member passes downwardly along the elongated body, wherein the whipstock assembly is configured to be landed in an anchor associated with the existing well bore, wherein said extendable deflector is configured to move into said deployed position upon landing the whipstock assembly in the anchor, wherein the anchor is a stump disposed proximate to the sea floor, the stump having an upper end; an elongated nose extending below the elongated body and being configured to be inserted into the stump; and a setting ring slideably movable over an upper portion of said elongated nose and engageable with said extendable deflector, said setting ring being configured to land upon the upper end of the stump and cause said extendable deflector to move from said retracted position to said deployed position as said elongated nose is inserted into the stump.