Patent Publication Number: US-6336507-B1

Title: Deformed multiple well template and process of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/508,635, filed on Jul. 26, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,602, and U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 08/548,565, filed on Oct. 26, 1995, now U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 5,685,373. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a multiple well template and process of drilling multiple subterranean wells utilizing the template, and more particularly, to such a template and process wherein the template is deformed, positioned within a subterranean well bore and expanded for use in drilling multiple wells. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Increasingly, well bores are being drilled into subterranean formations at an orientation which is purposely deviated from true vertical by means of conventional whipstock technology or a mud motor secured in the drill string adjacent the drill bit. In fractured subterranean formations, deviated wells are utilized to increase the area of drainage defined by the well within the subterranean formation, and thus, increase production of hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation. An inherent problem in utilizing a conventional whipstock to drill a deviated well is that both the depth and radial orientation of the whipstock is set when the whipstock is positioned in the well bore and cannot be changed without retrieving the whipstock from the well bore and changing the depth and/or radial orientation thereof. 
     In addition, wells drilled from offshore drilling platforms are usually deviated to increase the number of wells which can be drilled and completed from a single platform. Offshore drilling platforms which are utilized in deep water to drill and complete wells in a subterranean formation vary in size, structure, and cost depending upon the water depth and the loads in which the platform will be set. For example, a platform may be constructed to be supported in part by one leg or caisson which extends to the ocean floor or by as many as eight such legs or caissons. Costs of such offshore drilling platforms vary from approximately $5,000,000 to $500,000,000. Each offshore drilling platform is equipped with a set number of slots via which deviated wells can be drilled and completed through surface casing which is secured at the mudline by conventional techniques. 
     Due to the significant capital expenditure required for these offshore platforms, templates and processes for drilling and completing multiple wells via a single conductor, surface or intermediate casing have been developed. Although the templates which have been developed can be utilized to drill and complete wells into subterranean formations or zones of the same or varying depths, these templates are not designed to drill and complete conventional sized bores, e.g. 7 inches, from a well bore of a similar conventional size so as to maximize the production rate of fluid from the subterranean formation(s) and/or zone(s) and provide mechanical integrity and a hydraulic seal at the template. Thus, a need exists for apparatus and processes to drill and complete multiple subterranean wells of a conventional size from a well bore of a similar conventional size into a plurality of subterranean formations or zones. A further need exists for an apparatus and process to drill and complete multiple subterranean well bores at greater degrees of separation from each other thereby significantly increasing the area of drainage and thus enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from the well. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a deformed template and process for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells having bore sizes which substantially correspond to the size of the bore from which the multiple wells are being drilled utilizing such template. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for expanding a multi well deformed template in situ. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a deformed template and process for drilling and completing multiple wells from an already existing well bore once such template is expanded which is cost effective. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a deformed template and process for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells using such template wherein mechanical integrity and a hydraulic seal at the template are provided. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, one characterization of the present invention may comprise a deformed template for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells from a first casing which is positioned in a subterranean well bore. The template comprises a body having at least two tubulars, each of which are deformed to permit passage within the subterranean well bore but capable of being expanded upon application of suitable force, and means for securing the body to the first casing. 
     In another characterization of the present invention, a template is provided for drilling and completing multiple subterranean wells from a first casing which is positioned within a subterranean well bore. The template comprises a body and means for securing the body to the first casing. The body has a first end face and a plurality of axially extending bores therethrough which intersect the first end face. At least one of the axially extending bores being deformed for positioning within the subterranean well bore and capable of being expanded. 
     In yet another characterization of the present invention, a process is provided for drilling wells via a first casing which extends from the surface of the earth into a first subterranean well bore. The process comprises securing a deformed template having at least two tubulars which are deformed to the first casing, expanding each of the at least two tubulars, and drilling a second subterranean well bore through one of the at least two tubulars into a first subterranean formation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a template of the present invention in an expanded form; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention of FIG. 1 in a deformed state for positioning in a subterranean well bore; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a sectional view of one embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  3   a — 3   a  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a sectional view of one embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  3   b — 3   b  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 a  is a sectional view of one embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  4   a — 4   a  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 b  is a sectional view of one embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  4   b — 4   b  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 a  is a sectional view of another embodiment of the body of the template of the present invention in an expanded state; 
     FIG. 5 b  is a sectional view of another embodiment of the body of the template of the present invention in a deformed state; 
     FIG. 6 a  is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the body of the template of the present invention in an expanded state; 
     FIG. 6 b  is a sectional view of further embodiment of the body of the template of the present invention in a deformed state; 
     FIG. 7 a  is a sectional view of a still another embodiment of the body of the template of the present invention in an expanded state; 
     FIG. 7 b  is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the body of the template of the present invention in a deformed state; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a template of the present invention in an expanded form; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention of FIG. 8 in a deformed state for positioning in a subterranean well bore; 
     FIG. 10 a  a is a sectional view of another embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  10   a — 10   a  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 b  is a sectional view of another embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  10   b — 10   b  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 a  is a sectional view of another embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  11   a — 11   a  of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 b  is a sectional view of another embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  11   b — 11   b  of FIG. 9; 
     FIGS. 12 a - 12   g  are schematic views of the downhole template of the present invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 as utilized to drill and complete multiple subterranean wells in accordance with the process of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of still another embodiment of a template of the present invention in an expanded form; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention of FIG. 13 in a deformed state for positioning in a subterranean well bore; 
     FIG. 15 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  15   a — 15   a  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 b  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  15   b — 15   b  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  16   a — 16   a  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 16 b  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  16   b — 16   b  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 17 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  17   a — 17   a  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 17 b  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  17   b — 17   b  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 18 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  18   a — 18   a  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 18 b  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  18   b — 18   b  of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of a further embodiment of a template of the present invention in an expanded form; 
     FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention of FIG. 19 in a deformed state for positioning in a subterranean well bore; 
     FIG. 21 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  21   a — 21   a  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 b  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  21   b — 21   b  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  22   a — 22   a  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 22 b  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  22   b — 22   b  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 23 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  23   a — 23   a  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 23 b  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  23   b — 23   b  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 24 a  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  24   a — 24   a  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 24 b  is a sectional view of the embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  24   b — 24   b  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 25 a  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  21   a — 21   a  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 25 b  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  21   b — 21   b  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 26 a  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  22   a — 22   a  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 26 b  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  22   b — 22   b  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 27 a  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  23   a — 23   a  of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 27 b  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  23   b — 23   b  of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 28 a  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  24   a — 24   a  of FIG. 19; and 
     FIG. 28 b  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the template of the present invention taken along the line  24   b — 24   b  of FIG.  20 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a multiple well template or guide is illustrated generally as  10  and has a generally tubular upper section  11 , an intermediate body section  13 , and a plurality of tubular members  16 . Body section  13  is provided with two bores  14  and  15  therethrough. As secured together with the upper section, bores  14  and  15  communicate with bore  12  through tubular upper section  11  thereby defining a generally Y-shaped junction having one inlet, i.e. bore  12 , and two outlets, i.e. bores  14  and  15 . The upper end of body  13  defines an upper end face  19  which both bores  14  and  15  intersect. One or more tubular members  16  are secured together, aligned with bore  14  or  15  and secured to body section  13 . In a like manner, one or more tubular members  16  are secured to the other bore  14  or  15 . The components of the multiple well template or guide of FIG. 1 may be secured together by any suitable means as will be evident to a skilled artisan, such as by welds. One set of tubular members  16  are provided with screw threads  17  at the lower end thereof for attachment to a suitable float valve (not illustrated) while the other set of tubular members  16  are provided with a bull plug or welded cap  18 . Although the tubulars  16  which are aligned with each bore  14  and  15  are generally parallel, the tubulars may be arranged so as to diverge from each other toward the bottom of the template as arranged in a well bore. If arranged to diverge, the degree of such divergence usually should not exceed 2° over the entire length of template  10 , and is preferably less than 1°. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one set of tubular members  16  is shorter than the other set so as to provide a portion of subterranean formation between the ends of each set of tubular members within which a drill string emanating from the shorter set may be deviated so as to minimize the possibility of interference between well bores which are drilled and completed in accordance with the present invention. The sets of tubular members may also be substantially identical in length. In either embodiment, one or both sets of tubular members  16  may be provided with a whipstock(s) secured thereto to further assist in minimizing interference between the well bores drilled utilizing template  10  of the present invention. 
     The embodiment of the multiwell template illustrated in FIG.  1  and described above is crushed or deformed (FIG. 2) to permit passage through a subterranean well bore. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the multiwell template  10  of FIG. 2 has one side thereof, i.e. one side of upper section  11  (FIG. 3 b ), bore  15  through body section  13  (FIG. 4 b ) and the tubular members  16  having a bull plug or welded cap  18  secured to the lower end thereof crushed or deformed, while the other side remains in an expanded form. As illustrated in FIGS.  5 — 7   a  and  b,  the body section of the template of the present invention may have several different shapes or configurations as both constructed and deformed. The template  10  may be crushed by any suitable means, such as by using a mechanical press in conjunction with hydraulic pressure. Template  10  is constructed of metal, for example steel. Template  10  may be utilized at any point during the construction of a well, and as such, is secured to the bottom of drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner by any suitable means, such as welds or screw threads, for positioning in a subterranean well bore as hereafter described. Once positioned at a desired subterranean location, template  10  (FIG. 2) is initially expanded by means of hydraulic pressure and thereafter fully expanded into the form illustrated in FIG. 1 by means of mechanical swedges and/or casing rollers which may be run on drill pipe to ream the crushed side of template  10  to its original configuration as will be evident to a skilled artisan. The template of the present invention may then be employed to drill and complete multiple subterranean wells in a manner as hereinafter described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, template  10  is symmetrical as expanded, i.e. bore  12  through first section  11 , bores  14  and  15  through body section  13  and the corresponding tubulars  16  depending therefrom are axially symmetrical with respect to the bore through the drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner from which template  10  depends. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the template of the present invention is illustrated generally as  20  and is generally configured as template  10  with generally tubular upper section  21  corresponding to  11 , intermediate body section  23  and bores  24  and  25  to  13 ,  14  and  15 , and a plurality of tubular members  26  to  16  of template  10 . The upper end of body  23  defines an upper end face  29  which both bores  24  and  25  intersect. However, bore  25  and the portion of bore  22  through upper tubular  21  and the members  26  aligned with and depending from bore  25  are all axially offset as expanded (FIGS. 8,  10   a,  and  11   a ). This axially offset portion of template  20  is deformed or crushed (FIGS. 9,  10   b  and  11   b ) for positioning template  20  within a subterranean well bore as hereafter described. 
     In operation, a well bore  33  is under reamed by means of an under reamer to form an enlarged section  35  into which template  20  may be subsequently positioned and expanded (FIG. 12 a ). Template  20  is deformed to the configuration illustrated in FIG.  9  and is secured to the bottom of surface or intermediate casing  30  by any suitable means, such as welds or screw threads. As illustrated in FIG. 12 b,  surface or intermediate casing  30  with template  20  secured to the bottom thereof is positioned within a well bore  33  and  35 . Well bore  33  can be generally vertical or deviated. Surface or intermediate casing  30  extends to the surface of the earth  31  thereby defining a well head. In accordance with the present invention, template  20  is expanded (FIG. 12 c ) by means of hydraulic pressure and a mechanical swedge(s) and/or casing roller(s) to the form illustrated in FIG.  9 . Once expanded the template and casing can be cemented in place. A whipstock or orienting cam  37  is sealingly positioned within bore  24  of body section  23  of template  20  and automatically oriented such as by a lug or key arrangement as will be evident to a skilled artisan so that the inclination of the whipstock or orienting cam functions to guide a drill string into bore  25 . 
     A conventional drill string  40  including a drill bit and mud motor (FIG. 12 d ) is transported within casing  30  and into bore  25  of template  20  whereupon plug  28  and cement, if any, is drilled out of tubulars  26 . Thereafter, a first well bore  60  is drilled by the drill string in a conventional manner as will be evident to the skilled artisan with drilling mud and formation cuttings being circulated out of well bore  60  to surface  31  and through tubulars  26  and bores  25  and  22  in the template and casing  30  to the surface. Although illustrated in FIG. 12 d  as deviated, first well bore  60  can also be drilled in a generally vertical orientation. Thereafter, the drill string is withdrawn from casing  30  and liner  62  is lowered through casing  30  and is secured to template  20  (FIG. 12 e ) by means of conventional liner hanger. The liner hanger may also be seated upon and supported by a profile, e.g. annular shoulder, formed within bore  25  or tubulars  26 . The liner hanger includes an expandable packer to seal the annulus between the liner hanger and bore  25  or tubulars  26  and expandable slips to assist in securing the hanger within bore  25  or tubulars  26 . Depending upon the total load supported by a profile within bore  25 , slips may not be needed to assist in supporting such load. Liner  62  can be cemented within first well bore  60 . The whipstock  37  is then withdrawn from bore  24 . Since template  20  is asymmetrical as expanded, bore  24  is essentially aligned with casing  30  so that a whipstock or orienting cam is not necessary to divert a drill string therein. In the instance where the template of the present invention is symmetrical as expanded, it will be necessary to rotate and insert the whipstock or orienting cam  37  into bore  25  of template  20 . A drill string  40  is then transported via casing  30  into bore  24  and the float equipment which is secured to the lower end of tubulars  26  is drilled out. The drill string is passed through bore  24  and a second well bore  70  is drilled. Although illustrated in FIG. 12 f  as deviated, second well bore  70  can also be drilled in a generally vertical orientation, usually if first well bore  60  was deviated. Thereafter, the drill string is withdrawn from casing  30  and liner  72  is lowered through casing  30  and is secured to template  20  (FIG. 12 g ) by means of conventional liner hanger as described above. Liner  72  can be cemented within second well bore  70  as will be evident to the skilled artisan. The template of the present invention can be utilized during drilling of wells from onshore drilling rigs and/or offshore drilling platforms. As thus completed in accordance with the present invention, fluids, such as hydrocarbons, are simultaneously produced from both wells  60  and  70  via liners  62  and  72 , respectively, and commingled for production to the surface via casing  30  or tubing positioned within the casing  30  or separately produced to the surface using dual tubing strings as will be evident to a skilled artisan. 
     Although the template of the present invention has been described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-12 as having only one side or portion thereof deformed or crushed, the template may have both sides including tubular members deformed or crushed. In FIG. 13, a multiple well template or guide is illustrated generally as  110  and has a generally tubular upper section  111 , an intermediate body section  113 , and a plurality of tubular members  116 . Body section  113  is provided with two bores  114  and  115  therethrough and has an upper end face  119  which both bores intersect. As secured together with the upper section bores  114  and  115  communicate with bore  112  through tubular upper section  111  thereby defining a generally Y-shaped junction having one inlet, i.e. bore  112 , and two outlets, i.e. bores  114  and  115 . One or more tubular members  116  are secured together, aligned with bore  114  or  115  and secured to body section  113 . In a like manner, one or more tubular members  116  are secured to the other bore  114  or  115 . The components of the multiple well template or guide of FIG. 13 may be secured together by any suitable means as will be evident to a skilled artisan, such as by welds or screw threads. One set of tubular members  116  is provided with a float valve (not illustrated) while the other set of tubular members  116  are provided with a bull plug or welded cap  118 . If arranged to diverge, the degree of such divergence of the sets of tubular members  116  usually should not exceed 2° over the entire length of template  110 , and is preferably less than 1°. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, one set of tubular members  116  is shorter than the other set so as to provide a portion of subterranean formation between the ends of each set of tubular members within which a drill string emanating from the shorter set may be deviated so as to minimize the possibility of interference between well bores which are drilled and completed in accordance with the present invention. The sets of tubular members may also be substantially identical in length. In either embodiment, one or both sets of tubular members  116  may be provided with a whipstock(s) secured thereto to further assist in minimizing interference between the well bores drilled utilizing template  110  of the present invention. 
     The embodiment of the multiwell template illustrated in FIG.  13  and described above is crushed or deformed (FIG. 14) to permit passage through a subterranean well bore. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the multiwell template  110  of FIG. 13 has both sides thereof crushed or deformed, i.e. both sides of upper section  111  (FIGS. 15 b  and  16   b ), bores  114  and  115  through body section  113  (FIG. 17 b ) and the tubular members  116  (FIG. 18 b ). As illustrated in FIGS. 14,  15   b,    16   b,    17   b  and  18   b,  that portion of the deformed multiwell template  110  which is crushed or deformed has a diameter which is larger than the diameters of either the remaining portion of the template which is not crushed or deformed or the casing or other tubular to which it is secured. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 a  and  b,  the body section  113  of template  110  of the present invention may have several different shapes or configurations as both constructed and deformed. The template  10  may be crushed by any suitable means, such as by using a mechanical press in conjunction with hydraulic pressure. Template  110  is constructed of metal, for example steel. Template  110  may be utilized at any point during the construction of a well, and as such, is secured to the bottom of drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner by any suitable means, such as welds, for positioning in a subterranean well bore as hereafter described. Once positioned at a desired subterranean location, template  110  (FIG. 14) is initially expanded by means of hydraulic pressure and thereafter fully expanded into the form illustrated in FIG. 13 by means of mechanical swedges and/or casing rollers which may be run on drill pipe to ream the crushed side of template  10  to its original configuration as will be evident to a skilled artisan. The template  110  of the present invention may then be employed to drill and complete multiple subterranean wells in a manner as described above and illustrated in FIGS. 12 a-g  with respect to template  20  (FIGS.  8  and  9 ). As illustrated in FIG. 14, template  110  is asymmetrical as expanded, i.e. bore  112  through first section  111 , bore  115  through body section  113  and the corresponding tubulars  116  depending therefrom are axially offset with respect to the bore through the drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner from which template  110  depends. 
     Another embodiment of the multiple well template or guide is illustrated in FIG. 19 generally as  210  and has a generally tubular upper section  211 , an intermediate body section  213 , and a plurality of tubular members  216 . Body section  213  is provided with two bores  214  and  215  therethrough and has an upper end face  219  which both bores intersect. As secured together with the upper section bores  214  and  215  communicate with bore  212  through tubular upper section  211  thereby defining a generally Y-shaped junction having one inlet, i.e. bore  212 , and two outlets, i.e. bores  214  and  215 . One or more tubular members  216  are secured together, aligned with bore  214  or  215  and secured to body section  213 . In a like manner, one or more tubular members  216  are secured to the other bore  214  or  215 . The components of the multiple well template or guide of FIG. 19 may be secured together by any suitable means as will be evident to a skilled artisan, such as by welds. One set of tubular members  216  is provided with a float valve (not illustrated) while the other set of tubular members  216  are provided with a bull plug or welded cap  218 . If arranged to diverge, the degree of such divergence of the sets of tubular members  216  usually should not exceed 2° over the entire length of template  210 , and is preferably less than 1°. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, one set of tubular members  216  is shorter than the other set so as to provide a portion of subterranean formation between the ends of each set of tubular members within which a drill string emanating from the shorter set may be deviated so as to minimize the possibility of interference between well bores which are drilled and completed in accordance with the present invention. The sets of tubular members may also be substantially identical in length. In either embodiment, one or both sets of tubular members  216  may be provided with a whipstock(s) secured thereto to further assist in minimizing interference between the well bores drilled utilizing template  210  of the present invention. 
     The embodiment of the multiwell template illustrated in FIG.  19  and described above is crushed or deformed (FIG. 20) to permit passage through a subterranean well bore. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the multiwell template  210  of FIG. 19 has both sides thereof crushed or deformed, i.e. both sides of upper section  211  (FIGS. 21 b  and  22   b ), bores  214  and  215  through body section  213  (FIG. 23 b ) and the tubular members  216  (FIG. 24 b ). As illustrated in FIGS. 25-28 a  and  b,  the body section  213  of template  210  of the present invention may have several different shapes or configurations as both constructed and deformed. As illustrated in FIGS. 20,  21   b,    22   b,    23   b  and  24   b  and FIGS. 25 b,    26   b,    27   b  and  28   b  , that portion of the deformed multiwell template  210  which is crushed or deformed has a diameter which is larger than the diameters of either the remaining portion of the template which is not crushed or deformed or the casing or other tubular to which it is secured. The template  210  may be crushed by any suitable means, such as by using a mechanical press in conjunction with hydraulic pressure. Template  210  is constructed of metal, for example steel. Template  210  may be utilized at any point during the construction of a well, and as such, is secured to the bottom of drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner by any suitable means, such as welds, for positioning in a subterranean well bore as hereafter described. Once positioned at a desired subterranean location, template  210  (FIG. 20) is initially expanded by means of hydraulic pressure and thereafter fully expanded into the form illustrated in FIG. 19 by means of mechanical swedges and/or casing rollers which may be run on drill pipe to ream the crushed side of template  210  to its original configuration as will be evident to a skilled artisan. The template  210  of the present invention may then be employed to drill and complete multiple subterranean wells in a manner as described above and illustrated in FIGS. 12 a-g  with respect to template  20  (FIGS.  8  and  9 ). As illustrated in FIG. 19, template  210  is symmetrical as expanded, i.e. bore  212  through first section  211 , bores  214  and  215  through body section  213  and the corresponding tubulars  216  depending therefrom are symmetrical with respect to the bore through the drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner from which template  210  depends. 
     The following example demonstrates the practice and utility of the present invention, but is not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof. 
     EXAMPLE 
     A drilling rig is skidded over a slot on a conventional offshore drilling plafform and a 36 inch diameter bore is drilled from mudline to 400 feet. A 30 inch diameter casing is positioned within the bore and is conventionally cemented therein. A drill string with a 26 inch drill bit is inserted within the 30 inch casing and a 26 inch diameter bore is drilled from 450 feet to a 2500 foot depth. A 20 inch diameter casing string is run to 2500 feet and cemented. A 17½ inch diameter bore is drilled from 2500 feet to 4,500 feet and a 13⅜ inch diameter casing is run to 4,500 feet and cemented. A 12¼ inch diameter bore is drilled from 4,500 feet to 12,000 feet and the bore is under reamed to a 24 inch diameter from 11,940 feet to 12,000 feet. A 9⅝ inch diameter casing having one embodiment of the deformed template of the present invention secured to the lowermost joint thereof is positioned within the 24 inch well bore and the 9⅝ inch casing is secured to the well head equipment. The deformed template is expanded by means of hydraulic pressure and a mechanical swedge such that the tubulars thereof are 7 inches in diameter. Once expanded the template and 9⅝ inch diameter casing are cemented in place. A whipstock or orienting cam is sealingly positioned within one bore of body section of the template. A conventional drill string including a drill bit and mud motor is transported within the 9⅝ inch casing and guided by the whipstock through one bore of the template to drilled the cement out of tubulars of the template. Thereafter, a first well bore is drilled to 15,000 feet by the drill string in a conventional manner as will be evident to the skilled artisan. The drill string is then withdrawn from the 9⅝ inch casing and a liner is lowered through the 9⅝ inch casing into the first well bore and is secured to the template by means of a conventional liner hanger. The liner is cemented within the first well bore. The whipstock is then withdrawn from bore of the template to the surface and the drill string is then transported via the 9⅝ inch casing into the other bore through the template and the float equipment which is secured to the lower end of tubulars of the template is drilled out. The drill string is passed through this bore and a second well bore is drilled to 16,000 feet. Thereafter, the drill string is withdrawn from the 9⅝ inch casing and a liner is lowered into the second well bore and is secured to the template by means of conventional liner hanger. The liner is then cemented within the second well bore. 
     Although described above as being secured to the bottom of drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner by any suitable means, such as welds, the template can be equipped with a conventional packer assembly (not illustrated) which is positioned about and secured to the periphery of the template, preferably at the upper end thereof as positioned within a well bore. The packer assembly comprises a plurality of expandable, annular elastomeric elements and a plurality of slip elements. In this embodiment, the template is sized to be received within the drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner, and thus, can be lowered by means of a drill string, tubing string, or wireline (not illustrated) within the drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner. Once positioned near the lowermost end of drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner, the slips and packer elements are sequentially expanded into engagement with drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner in a manner and by conventional means as will be evident to a skilled artisan so as to secure the template within drive pipe, conductor, surface or intermediate casing, or production or intermediate liner and seal the annulus therebetween. The slips are sized and configured to support not only the template, but also production casings. 
     Although the multiple well template of the present invention has been illustrated and described as having two bores therethrough, it will be evident to a skilled artisan that the template can be provided with three or more bores depending upon the diameter of the bore into which the template is positioned and the diameter of the well bores to be drilled using the template. 
     Although described throughout this description as being separately utilized in the process of the present invention, downhole or subsurface templates  10 ,  20 ,  110  or  210  can be secured to at least one tubular of a surface template to drill two or more separate subterranean wells from each of tubular of a surface template. Additionally, the templates of the present invention may be stacked, for example a template may be secured to the long tubular of another template, or the template of the present invention may be secured to the tubular of a surface template. It is within the scope of the present invention that three or more well bores can be drilled from a common well bore utilizing separate tubulars of a surface template, in a manner as previously described, and that three or more wells can be drilled and separately completed from each of these well bores by means of the downhole or subsurface multiple well template of the present invention which is secured to each of such tubulars of the surface template. 
     While the foregoing preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and shown, it is understood that the alternatives and modifications, such as those suggested and others, may be made thereto and fall within the scope of the invention.