Method including downhole flow control in solution mining

Abstract

A method for controlling downhole fluid flow in multi-lateral solution mining may include forming a solution mining production well with a plurality of horizontal laterals drilled from a surface to connect and intersect with a horizontal or vertical injection well; and installing a downhole flow control device at the intersection of the horizontal injection well and each of the horizontal laterals. The downhole flow control device may be capable of being adjusted to distribute injection flow as desired through the horizontal laterals. The downhole flow control device may be a sliding sleeve capable of ranging from fully open to full closed to control flow from the injection well into multiple locations within the mineralized zone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling downhole fluid flow in multi-lateral solution mining, the method comprising:
 drilling a horizontal injection well; and   placing a downhole fluid control device down the horizontal injection well to each cavern entrance in a multi-lateral solution mining design.   
     
     
         2 . A method for controlling downhole fluid flow in multi-lateral solution mining, the method comprising:
 forming a solution mining production well with a plurality of horizontal laterals drilled from a surface to connect and intersect with an injection well selected from the group consisting of a horizontal injection well and a vertical injection well; and   installing a downhole flow control device at the intersection of the injection well and each of the horizontal laterals,   wherein the downhole flow control device is capable of being adjusted to distribute injection flow as desired through the horizontal laterals.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising using a magnetic ranging tool to facilitate intersection of the horizontal injection well and each of the horizontal,
 wherein:
 the ranging tool is positioned within a liner of the horizontal injection well; and 
 each of the horizontal laterals are drilled to intersect the positioning of the magnetic ranging tool, forming intersecting laterals. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein:
 each intersecting lateral is drilled about 1 to about 3 meters below the horizontal injection well; and   a 1 to 3 meter deep sump is formed at each injection location.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 performing a baseline wireline temperature log of the injection well as the solution mining cavern is placed into service to determine a baseline multi-lateral flow distribution;   performing periodic temperature logs of the injection well during operation of the solution mining cavern to determine an anomalous multi-lateral flow distribution; and   manipulating the downhole flow control device to enhance injection flow distribution through the horizontal laterals.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the downhole fluid control device comprises a sliding sleeve capable of being fully opened, partially opened at varying degrees, and fully closed.