There is provided systems, methods and apparatus for the use of directed energy, including high power laser energy, in conjunction with mechanical shearing, sealing and closing devices to provide reduced mechanical energy well control systems and techniques.

A section mill including a housing, a cutter pivotally connected to the housing, a drive piston operably connected to the cutter to radially expand or retract the cutter depending upon longitudinal position of the drive piston relative to the housing, and a limit configuration in operable contact with the drive piston to limit drive piston stroke responsive to hydraulic pressure on the drive piston. A method for cutting casing including determining condition of a structure radially outward of a casing to be cut, selecting an amount of expansion of a cutter based upon the determining, and cutting the casing. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a section mill as in any prior embodiment disposed in the borehole.

A method for disposing of biomass waste. The method includes locating an abandoned mine having a first well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. Water is removed from a mine cavity through a second well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. The water from the mine is combined with a biomass waste that is at least 70 wt. % carbon to provide biomass waste entrained in the water. The biomass waste entrained in the water is pumped through the first well into the mine cavity to fill the mine cavity. As the biomass waste settles in the mine cavity, the water used to entrain the biomass waste is recirculated to combine with additional biomass waste.

A method for disposing of biomass waste. The method includes locating an abandoned mine having a first well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. Water is removed from a mine cavity through a second well drilled into or through the abandoned mine. The water from the mine is combined with a biomass waste that is at least 70 wt. % carbon to provide biomass waste entrained in the water. The biomass waste entrained in the water is pumped through the first well into the mine cavity to fill the mine cavity. As the biomass waste settles in the mine cavity, the water used to entrain the biomass waste is recirculated to combine with additional biomass waste.

The disclosed embodiments include a single-pass milling assembly for use in multilateral systems. In one embodiment, a first operational mode may be used to create a controlled window in a wellbore casing and a second operational mode may be used to begin a lateral wellbore through the controlled window. In certain embodiments, the first operational mode may convert hydraulic energy from a fluid flow to mechanical energy (e.g., using an agitator and power section) to push and rotate a radial mill to create the controlled window. The second operational mode may rotate a drill string to cause an axial mill to mill a rathole through the controlled window. The assembly may create the controlled window and begin the lateral wellbore using only one trip in the wellbore, leaving downhole a fixed deflection tool to provide support for another process that may continue to drill the lateral wellbore.

The disclosed embodiments include a single-pass milling assembly for use in multilateral systems. In one embodiment, a first operational mode may be used to create a controlled window in a wellbore casing and a second operational mode may be used to begin a lateral wellbore through the controlled window. In certain embodiments, the first operational mode may convert hydraulic energy from a fluid flow to mechanical energy (e.g., using an agitator and power section) to push and rotate a radial mill to create the controlled window. The second operational mode may rotate a drill string to cause an axial mill to mill a rathole through the controlled window. The assembly may create the controlled window and begin the lateral wellbore using only one trip in the wellbore, leaving downhole a fixed deflection tool to provide support for another process that may continue to drill the lateral wellbore.

A main bore is drilled and a treatment assembly is located. A packer is located to support a whipstock for drilling the lateral. This packer serves as a lower seal on a main bore diverter. The whipstock is installed on the packer and a mill drills a window and the lateral. The mill is pulled and the whipstock removed with a fixed lug tool. A bottom hole assembly is run into the lateral which includes a diverter that is landed by the window. If cementing is called for it is done at this time. A top string is installed that isolates the upper casing. The lateral is treated with the main bore isolated. The diverter is retrieved through the top string. The main bore diverter is run in through top string and landed in the junction with the window and lateral isolated. The main bore diverter is removed through the top string. The treatment bottom hole assembly has a series of sliding sleeves operated by a single size ball.

A main bore is drilled and a treatment assembly is located. A packer is located to support a whipstock for drilling the lateral. This packer serves as a lower seal on a main bore diverter. The whipstock is installed on the packer and a mill drills a window and the lateral. The mill is pulled and the whipstock removed with a fixed lug tool. A bottom hole assembly is run into the lateral which includes a diverter that is landed by the window. If cementing is called for it is done at this time. A top string is installed that isolates the upper casing. The lateral is treated with the main bore isolated. The diverter is retrieved through the top string. The main bore diverter is run in through top string and landed in the junction with the window and lateral isolated. The main bore diverter is removed through the top string. The treatment bottom hole assembly has a series of sliding sleeves operated by a single size ball.

Systems and methods for removing and replacing a first sealant in a subterranean well include a running sub located at an end of a running string. A helical guide port extends through the running sub. A port exit of the guide port is at a downhole end of the guide port and extends through a sidewall of the running sub. An inner assembly is extendable through the guide port. A head assembly is located at a drilling end of the inner assembly. The head assembly is sized to pass through the port exit and is oriented to drill a helical path within the first sealant radially exterior of the inner casing and form a void.

A laser cutting tool includes: an optical assembly that includes a laser generator that emits an laser beam; a reflector disposed longitudinally downstream of the laser generator; a reflector reflecting the laser beam emitted from the optical assembly; a focus lens disposed laterally beside the reflector; and a timer for controlling the tool to operate for at least one predetermined amount of time. The focus lens focuses the laser beam after it passes through the reflector.