Patent Publication Number: US-9835011-B2

Title: Multi-window lateral well locator/reentry apparatus and method

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/750,011, entitled “Multi-Window Well Locator/Reentry Apparatus and Method” filed on 8 Jan. 2013 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus and method used to locate a window in a wellbore. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to an apparatus and method to locate multiple windows in a wellbore. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In today&#39;s oil and gas industry, operators are drilling multiple lateral wells from a single wellbore. The technique of drilling multiple lateral wells generally results in increased production and increased reservoir depletion. The technique may include drilling the wellbore, setting a whipstock in the wellbore, drilling a window and drilling the lateral well. Multiple lateral wells may be drilled. 
     After drilling a wellbore containing multiple lateral wells that extend therefrom, an operator may find it necessary to reenter the individual lateral wells to perform remedial well work such as completing, gravel packing, acidizing, fracturing, etc. A window locator and reentry apparatus was described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,316,937 issued on 27 Nov. 2012 and entitled “Multi-Window Lateral Well Locator/Reentry Apparatus and Method” and is incorporated herein in its entirety by express reference. Additionally, a prior art running tool assembly for a lateral well locator are commercially available from Knight Oil Tools under the name “X-Finder”. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus for locating a top and bottom of lateral well windows in a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus includes a running tool assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the running tool is connected to a work string at the proximal end, wherein the running tool assembly an inner bore being located at the distal end of the running tool, with the running tool assembly having a cavity having a first portion adjacent the proximal end of the running tool and a second portion adjacent the distal end of said running tool, and wherein the inner bore is communicated with the second portion of the cavity. The apparatus further comprises a swing arm including a locating head profile, with the swing arm having a proximal end pivotally attached to the running tool and a distal end adjacent the inner bore, wherein the swing arm has a retracted position within the cavity and an extended position from the cavity, and wherein the distal end of the swing arm contains a shearing surface. The apparatus may further include a biasing member partially disposed within the inner bore; a shear rod having a plurality of individual shear groove segments, with the shear rod being partially disposed within the inner bore, with the shear rod operatively associated with the biasing member, wherein the biasing member biases the shear rod into the direction of the cavity, and wherein the shearing surface is configured to engage and shear the individual shear groove segments during pivoting of the swing arm from the extended position to the retracted position thereby locating the top and bottom of the lateral well windows. 
     The locating head profile, in this embodiment, comprises a protuberance on an outer section of the swing arm and wherein the protuberance is responsive to the lateral well windows so that the swing arm extends when the top of the lateral well window is encountered and wherein the swing arm retracts when the bottom of the lateral well window is encountered and wherein the extension of the swing arm allows the shearing rod to extend a predetermined distance and the retraction of the swing arm engages the shearing surface with the individual shear groove segments so that the shearing rod is sheared at the individual shear groove segments when the bottom of the lateral well window is encountered. 
     In one embodiment, the individual shear groove segments comprise circumferential shear grooves placed about the shear rod in a series which allows the advancing and shearing of the individual shearing groove segments in separate, multiple cycles. The shear rod may contain six circumferential shear grooves so that the apparatus can locate six lateral well windows. The shearing surface may comprise a first surface extending perpendicular from a second surface. Also, the shearing rod may contain a loading groove, and the running tool may have an opening, and the apparatus further includes a fastener member fitted within the opening in the running tool and operatively associated with the loading groove to position and bias the shearing rod in position relative to the swing arm. In one embodiment, the fastener member comprises a wing nut having a shaft disposed within the opening, and wherein the shaft engages the loading groove. 
     A method for locating multiple lateral well windows in a wellbore is also disclosed. The method includes placing a running tool assembly in the wellbore, with the running tool connected to a work string at a proximal end, wherein the running tool contains an inner bore being configured on a lower portion of the running tool, with the running tool having a cavity portion therein, encountering a top of a first lateral well window and allowing a spring positioned within the cavity to act against a swing arm pivotally contained within the cavity to bias the swing arm in an extended position. The method may also comprise biasing a shear rod into the cavity portion with a shear rod biasing member, wherein the shear rod biasing member is partially disposed within the inner bore; abutting a first individual groove segment contained on the shear rod against a shearing surface located on a distal end of the swing arm. encountering a bottom of the first lateral well window. and contacting a locator head profile formed on the swing arm with the bottom of the window of the first lateral well. The method may also include creating a force against the first individual groove segment by the shearing surface, shearing-off the first individual groove segment and retracting the swing arm into the cavity portion. In one embodiment, the method further comprises encountering a top of a second lateral well window, allowing the spring within the cavity to act against the swing arm to bias the swing arm to the extended position, biasing the shear rod into the cavity portion with the shear rod biasing member, abutting a second individual groove segment contained on the shear rod against the shearing surface and encountering a bottom of the second lateral well window. The method may further include contacting the locator head profile on the bottom of the second lateral well window, creating a force against the second individual groove segment by the shearing surface, shearing-off the second individual groove segment, and retracting the swing arm into the cavity. 
     In one embodiment, the shear rod contains a loading groove and the method further includes fitting a fastener member within an opening in the running tool operatively associated with the loading groove, and wherein the step of placing the running tool and the guide member in the wellbore includes utilizing the fastener member at the surface of the wellbore to load the shear rod within the inner bore of the running tool. The method may also include encountering a top of a third lateral well window, allowing the spring within the cavity to act against the swing arm contained within the cavity to bias the swing arm in the extended position, biasing the shear rod into the cavity with the shear rod biasing member, abutting a third individual groove segment contained on the shear rod against the shearing surface, encountering a bottom of the third lateral well window, and contacting the locator head profile on the bottom of the third lateral well window. Next, the method comprises creating a force against the third individual groove segment by the shearing surface, shearing-off the third individual groove segment, and retracting the swing arm into the cavity. In one embodiment, the shear rod biasing member is a coiled spring. In another disclosed embodiment, the shear rod biasing member is a pressurized well fluid communicated from the wellbore via a port in the running tool. In yet another disclosed embodiment, the shear rod biasing member is a pressurized cylinder operatively positioned with the inner bore and configure to deliver pressure to the shear rod thereby biasing the shear rod. Also, as per the teachings of this disclosure, in one embodiment, the step of allowing the spring positioned within the cavity to act against the swing arm and extending the swing arm includes locating the sides of the lateral well by turning the work string by rotating the work string and contacting the extended locator head profile with the sides of the first lateral window. 
     In yet another disclosed embodiment, an apparatus for locating multiple windows in a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus is run into the wellbore on a work string, wherein the windows are associated with lateral wells. The apparatus may comprise: a convex running tool connected to the work string, wherein the running tool contains an inner bore being located at a distal end of the running tool; a concave guide member connected to a segment of the distal end of the running tool, the guide member containing an angled concave surface, wherein the guide member is configured to allow operations within the lateral well; a swing arm having at one end a locating head, the swing arm being pivotally attached within an inner cavity of the running tool, wherein the locating head having a first retracted position within the running tool and a second extended position extending from the running tool, and wherein the locating head contains a shearing surface at an aft end; a biasing member disposed within the inner bore, with the biasing member configured to create a force in the direction of the locating head; a shearing rod operatively positioned within the inner bore and engaging a first end of the biasing member so that the shearing rod extends from the inner bore in the direction out of the inner bore towards the locating head, wherein the shearing rod contains a series of circumferential, individual grooves; and wherein the shearing surface is configured to engage and shear the individual grooves of the shearing rod at a predetermined force in multiple, individual cycles. 
     In one embodiment, the locating head is responsive to the window associated with a lateral well within the wellbore so that the locating head extends when the opening portion of the window is encountered and wherein the locating head retracts when the closing portion of the window is encountered and wherein the extension of the head allows the shearing rod to extend a predetermined distance and the retraction of the locating head engages the shearing surface with individual grooves of the shearing rod. Hence, the shearing rod is sheared at the individual groove thereby allowing the locating of the window and positioning the head back into the retracted position within the cavity of the running tool. The biasing member may be a conical spring. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the shearing rod contains a loading groove, and the running tool has disposed there through an opening operatively associated with the loading groove, and the apparatus further includes a wing nut fitted within the opening in the running tool to position and load the shearing rod in position relative to the locating head. The shearing surface may be configured to allow the advancing and shearing of individual grooves in separate, multiple cycles. 
     The present disclosure provides for a reliable, cost-effective means to locate and reenter multiple lateral wells contained within a single, main wellbore. Additionally, the disclosure allows an operator to find multiple windows in a single wellbore without having to pull out of the hole with the work string between the identification of each window. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the window finder apparatus disposed within a subterranean zone. 
         FIG. 1B  is an illustration of multiple windows extending from a well casing. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the window finder apparatus herein disclosed. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the concave/convex dovetail portion of the window finder apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the hydraulic means of the window finder apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the window finder apparatus depicting the shear pin sequence arrangement. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the head with attached swing arm entering a window. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the shear rod assembly of the present disclosure in the loading position. 
         FIG. 8A  is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the shear rod assembly of  FIG. 7  in the first cycle of the loaded position. 
         FIG. 8B  is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the shear rod assembly in the loaded position of the first cycle. 
         FIG. 8C  is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the shear rod assembly in the loaded position of the first cycle 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of the shear rod assembly of  FIG. 7  in the first shearing cycle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , a perspective view of the window finder apparatus  2  of the present disclosure disposed within a subterranean zone  3  will now be described.  FIG. 1  illustrates the well casing  4 , which may be in one exemplary embodiment 5½″ casing, and includes the apparatus  2  disposed therein. The apparatus  2  is lowered into the well casing  4  on a work string such as drill pipe  5 , wherein the apparatus  2  is attached to the diverter sub  6 , which allows for a ball, such as a ⅞″ ball, to be dropped into the ball seat to activate the setting of a hydraulic anchor  7 . The apparatus  2  includes the convex running tool  8  which has operatively attached a pivoting swing arm  9  having a locator head profile  10  (also referred to as locating head  10 ). As seen in  FIG. 1A , the head  10  has extended into, and thus located, a first window  12 . In one embodiment, the first window  12  may be a 4¾″ diameter well.  FIGS. 1 through 6  depict the general apparatus  2  as well as the general operation of the apparatus  2  while the  FIGS. 7 through 9  depict the preferred embodiments of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts the running tool  8  being operatively attached, such as by shear bolt means, to the concave guide member  14 , such as a 4½″ outer diameter guide member which in turn is operatively attached to the debris sub and cup means  16 . As seen in  FIG. 1A , the hydraulic anchor  7  is attached to the debris sub and cup means  16  which in turn is operatively connected to the anchor slips  20  of the hydraulic anchor  7 . As used in this description, the running tool  8  and guide member  14  may be referred collectively as the running tool assembly.  FIG. 1B  depicts an embodiment wherein multiple windows extending from the well casing  4 , such as windows  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d , and  12   e.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of one embodiment of the window finder apparatus  2  which will be attached to the work string (work string not shown in this view), and in particular the running tool  8  and the guide member  14  is illustrated.  FIG. 2  depicts the box end  21  which will be attached to the work string and may be a 2⅞″ box end  21 , the bolt  22  that holds the swing arm hinge pin in the running tool  8  and the bolt  24  that holds the head travel pin in place (the pins will be described later in the disclosure).  FIG. 2  also depicts the shear bolt  26  (which holds the running tool  8  to the guide member  14 ), wherein the shear bolt  26  is set at a predetermined shear force which in one embodiment is between 15,000 to 28,000 pounds; it should be noted that in some tools, such as smaller diameter tools, the shear bolt may be sized to shear at about 10,000 pounds, while in other tools, the shear bolt may be sized to shear as high as 45,000 pounds or more, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. It should also be noted that after the windows are located, and anchors set, the operator will detach the running tool  8  from the guide member  14  via shearing and the operator will pull out of the well with the work string and running tool  8 .  FIG. 2  further depicts the retrieval slot  28  for retrieval of the guide member  14  from the well, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The guide member  14  may have a 4½″ outer diameter and a 2⅞″ pin end  29  for make-up to the remainder of the bottom hole assembly which includes the debris sub, hydraulic anchor and anchor slips, which are not seen in this view. 
       FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the concave/convex dovetail portion of the window finder apparatus  2 . More specifically,  FIG. 3  illustrates the running tool  8  which is pinned to the guide member  14  via shear bolt  26  in a dovetail manner. The dovetail connection between the guide member  14  and the running tool  8  will prevent: the running tool  8  from going into the window after the shear bolt  26  has sheared; wedging between concave guide member  14  and the running tool  8  which will keep the anchor  7  from being pulled/released prematurely; and, the stinger from coming out of line with the seal bore in the concave guide member  14 . Note that it is possible to reduce shear when the apparatus  2  is run in a well with coiled tubing, since coiled tubing may require an upward shear force, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the hydraulic means of the window finder apparatus  2 . The diverter sub  6  with a port, which in one embodiment is a ⅝″ port, will be mounted above the running tool  8 , which above that may be mounted a RT indexing tool for use with a coiled tubing if coiled tubing is utilized. The purpose of the RT indexing tool is for rotational orientation. The RT indexing tool is commercially available from RT Manufacturing under the name RT Indexing Tool. The line  32  is used to divert hydraulic fluid around the swing arm  9  and the window locating head  10 . For exemplary purposes only, a ½″ outer diameter×⅜″ inner diameter hydraulic tubing may be used as line  32 . The 1″ NPT stinger pipe  33  with an O-ring nose segment  35   a  is shown, and wherein the stinger  33  will supply hydraulic fluid to operate the anchor  7  (not shown in this figure) positioned at the bottom end of the apparatus  2 . An O-ring nose  35   b  will seal to the bore in the guide member  14 . The stinger  33  is connected to the running tool  8  and will slip out of the seal bore when the running tool  8  is pulled from the well.  FIG. 4  also depicts the spring loaded swing arm  9  with window locating head  10 . Although not shown in  FIG. 4 , the debris sub  16  and anchor  7  will be connected as previously discussed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a partial illustration view of the window finder apparatus  2  depicting the shear pin sequence arrangement will be discussed. The hinge pin and hole, seen generally at  36 , for the pivotally mounted swing arm  9  is shown, along with the head travel pin and pin hole, seen generally at  38 , wherein the head travel pin  38  limits how far the swing arm  9  and the window locating head  10  can travel out of body of the running tool  8  as will be further explained below.  FIG. 5  also depicts the special swivel hydraulic fitting  40 , wherein all fittings and tubing will be covered by a cover plate  42 . In one exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 5  depicts the head  10  coming out 1½″ out of the 4½″ outer diameter running tool  8  giving a 6″ cross-section. In this exemplary embodiment, the shear pin  37  holds the head at 5½″ cross-section while traveling to the 5½″ casing. Once the head  10  comes into contact with the 5½″ casing inner diameter (which is smaller than the 5½″ cross-sectional area of the running tool  8 ), the shear pin  37  will shear and allow the swing arm  9  and head  10  to collapse into the cavity, seen generally at  44 , of the running tool  8  and travel down the well to the window. When the head  10  locates the window, the head  10  will be forced out by the lateral springs located in the swing arm  9 . The lateral springs are operatively associated with the spring arm  9  and will be described later in the disclosure. At this point, the head  10  will be opened to a 6″ cross-section. Once the swing arm  9  with the head  10  travels into the window, a spring loaded shear pin  46  will extend and prevent the head  10  from being able to close. The head  10  will be located out in the window until a force greater than the spring loaded shear pin  46  is applied (which in one embodiment is 10,000 pounds). Once the head  10  contacts the bottom of the window, and a predetermined amount of weight is applied (i.e. over 10,000 pounds), the spring loaded shear pin  46  will shear and the swing arm  9  and head  10  can retract. In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the 1″ NPT stinger pipe  33  will be exposed within the well i.e. no cover plate is included in this embodiment. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the head  10  with attached swing arm  9  entering a first window  12 . Note that in  FIG. 6  the start of the window is at W 1 . The lateral springs  48   a  and  48   b  will be installed in the holes  50  and  52 . In one embodiment, the springs  48   a  and  48   b  are coiled springs. The springs  48   a  and  48   b  will act against the inner portion  54  of the running tool  8  which in turn will force the head  10  into the window  12 . The spring loaded shear pin  46  (preloaded at 10,000 pounds in one embodiment) will extend and move into place when the head  10  reaches the 6″ cross-section measurement. In one embodiment, the shear pin  46  will expand approximately ⅜″ and abut the side of the swing arm  9 . In the position noted in  FIG. 6 , the head  10  is at a 6″ outer diameter cross-section, and therefore, the spring loaded shear pin  46  has extended into the position seen in  FIG. 6 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a partial cross-sectional view of the shear rod assembly, seen generally at  56 , of the present disclosure is shown. More specifically, the shearing rod  58  is loaded into the running tool  8  by the operator at the surface. The running tool  8  is shown wherein the locating head  10  is in the extended position. Note the locating head  10  is extended from the cavity  44 . The spring loaded shear pin  46  has not yet been loaded within the running tool  8 . It should be noted that in the run in the well position, the swing arm  9  with locating head  10  is in the retracted position, with the swing arm  9  within the cavity  44  (the retracted position not shown here). The swing arm  9  has contained thereon a shearing surface  59 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the shearing surface  59  has two surfaces  60   a ,  60   b  that meet at a right angle in the most preferred embodiment. The individual segments of the shearing rod  58 , formed by individual, circumferential grooves, will be sheared by the shearing surface  59  in individual cycles as will be more fully explained below. 
     The shearing rod  58  is disposed within the inner bore  62  (also referred to as the shear rod bore  62 ) of the running tool  8 . The inner bore  62  extends from the bottom portion of the cavity  44 . It should be noted that as used in this disclosure, the top and bottom are relative terms for a tool used in a well, and the top refers to the position closer to the surface and the bottom refers to the position farther from the surface.  FIG. 7  also depicts the biasing member  64  that will engage with the collar end  66  of the shearing rod  58 , wherein the biasing member  64  is disposed within the inner bore  62 . Hence, the biasing member  64 , which may be a coiled spring  64  in one embodiment seen in  FIG. 7 , engages and biases the collar end  66  of the shearing rod  58 . In one embodiment, the shearing rod  58  will have a series of individual, circumferential grooves, seen for instance at groove  68   a . A total of six (6) grooves are provided in the shearing rod  58  of  FIG. 7 . More particularly, grooves  68   a ,  68   b ,  68   c ,  68   d ,  68   e ,  68   f  are depicted. It should be noted that the number of grooves can vary depending on several factors including, but not limited to, the size of the running tool assembly. 
     Also, the shearing rod  58  will have a loading groove  70  for cooperation and engagement with the wing nut means  72 . The wing nut means  72  will be utilized by the operator at the surface. The operator will compress the spring  64  into the inner bore  62  with the shearing rod  58  also being disposed within the inner bore  62 . The operator can then can insert the wing nut means  72  into engagement with the loading groove  70 . The wing nut means  72  includes a threaded shaft  74  that engages a threaded opening  76  in the side wall and in communication with the inner bore  62  of the running tool  8 , wherein the shaft  74  will in turn engage the loading groove  70  as seen in  FIG. 7 . In this way, the shearing rod  58  is held down against the force of the spring  64 . When the operator rigs-up the shearing rod  58  at the surface, the spring  64  has been compressed and the shaft&#39;s  74  engagement with the loading groove  70  holds the spring  64  and shearing rod  58  in the loaded position as seen in  FIG. 7 . The operator can then pivot the swing arm  9  (and head  10 ) back into the cavity  44 . Hence,  FIG. 8A  depicts the partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the shear rod assembly  58  of  FIG. 7  in the first cycle of the loaded position, and  FIG. 8  represents the run in the well position of the apparatus  2 . The shear rod assembly  56  includes the shear rod, grooves, biasing member, collar end, and loading groove. The swing arm  9  and locating head  10  may be held in this contracted position by shear bolt/pin means, or alternatively, by the inner diameter of the casing string. More specifically, and as previously mentioned, one set of shear pins (pin  37  seen in  FIG. 5 ) holds the swing arm out at about 5½″ outer diameter cross-section and when encountering 5½″ casing, the pin  37  will shear because of the smaller inner diameter; and another set (the head travel shear pin  38  also seen in  FIG. 5 ) limits the swing arm  9  from expanding more than a 6″ outer diameter cross-section. Note that the spring loaded shear pin  46  has not extended as depicted in  FIG. 8  because the swing arm  9  is holding the spring loaded shear pin  46  in the retracted position. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A , the swing arm  9  is shown with hinge pin  36 . The swing arm  9  extends on a first angled surface  100  which in turn extends to a second angled surface  102  and then stretches to a vertical surface  104 . The surface  104  then stretches to another angled surface  106  which in turn terminates at flat surface  108 . The profile of the surfaces  102 ,  104  and  106  may be referred to as a protuberance. The surface  108  extends to the shearing surfaces  60   a ,  60   b , which in turn extend to the vertical surface  110 . In operation, the angled surface  106  of the locator head  10  will contact the lower end of the window  12 , as will be more fully described later. The bottom end  108  of the swing arm  9  will act against a groove (such as groove  68   a ), and the shearing surfaces  60   a ,  60   b  will shear the individual groove segment, such as groove  68   a  seen in  FIG. 8A . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8B , a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the shear rod assembly in the loaded position is shown. More particularly, this view depicts the biasing member as a cylinder “C” (also referred to as a canister) of pressurized gas, such as air, to act on the collar end  66  which will provide means for biasing the shear rod  58  into the cavity  44 . In  FIG. 8C , which is a partial cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the shear rod assembly in the loaded position, the biasing member includes a port “P” in the running tool and in communication with the inner bore  62  which provides a pressure path for wellbore fluids/gas to act on the shear rod  58 , and in particular on the collar end  66  of the shear rod  58 , which will provide means for biasing the shear rod  58  into the cavity  44 . 
     Referring now  FIG. 9 , a partial cross-sectional view of the shear rod assembly  56  of  FIG. 7  in a down hole environment during the first down hole shearing cycle is shown. Thus, the locating head  10  has been allowed to expand to the position seen in  FIG. 9  by the lateral springs  48   a ,  48   b  (seen in  FIG. 6 ) on an inner portion  54  of the running tool  8 . The spring  64 , which is urging the shear rod  58  into the cavity  44  (i.e. upward into the cavity  44 ), advances the shear rod  58 , and in particular the segment  62  into the shearing surfaces  60   a ,  60   b  as seen in  FIG. 9 . However, in accordance with the present disclosure, as the locating head  10  contacts an interface such as the lower end W 2  of the window  12 , the locating head  10  will then begin to close (i.e. the head  10  begins to retract). The retraction causes the shearing surfaces  60   a ,  60   b  to move into shearing contact and shear an individual segment of the shearing rod, seen generally at  62 . The shearing will occur at a predetermined force based on the shearing rod  58  and the depth of the individual groove, with the amount of the force being selected by the operator. The sheared off segment  62  will fall into the cavity  44 . 
     Once the segment  62  is sheared off, the locating head  10  will continue to retract into the cavity  44  as seen in  FIG. 8 . In other words, the first cycle has now been completed which has allowed the operator to find the beginning of the window and the ending of the window. As per the teaching of this disclosure, another shearing cycle can begin. In the embodiment shown, the shearing rod  58  has a total of six cycles which corresponds to the six grooves  68   a ,  68   b ,  68   c ,  68   d ,  68   e ,  68   f . Therefore, with the embodiment shown, a total of six windows could be located or the conformation of the depth of the top or bottom of the windows. 
     Also, the sides of the lateral window may be located, as per the teachings of this disclosure. Thus, the sides of the lateral window may be located by turning the locator head  10  (once the head has expanded in a window) by rotating the work string. More particularly, the work string can be turned at the surface, by a wrench for instance, and the head  10  will contact the sides of the lateral well window thereby providing the operator with the size of the window. In other words, by turning the work string to the right or left, the width of the window can be determined. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.