Single horizontal wells drilled through heterogeneous reservoirs are
capable of greater oil productivity than vertical wells, often with lower
produced GOR and WOR. Multiple drainholes tied-in to a vertical cased
well are even more beneficial. Completion of such drainholes in many
sandy reservoirs must use cemented liners. Well configurations comprising
multiple drainholes liners, each of them tied-in to a vertical casing by
pressure-tight connections require novel technologies making use of some
novel downhole equipment, tools and procedures for drilling, tie-in and
completion of such wells. These may be for newly-drilled wells or may be
obtained by re-entry into an existing vertical cased well. Specific
equipment, including novel casing joints, whipstocks, intermediate liners
and tubing completion assembly components applicable to new wells are
described herein. Equipment comprising novel casing inserts and patches
applicable to re-entry wells, and the corresponding tubing completion
assembly components for a variety of well exploitation modes are also
described, together with the required tools and procedures. The liners of
the drainholes are such that known well logging and cleaning tools may be
used throughout the well's life. The various tubing completion assemblies
can all be run-in and installed in a single trip. They allow either
commingled flow from all drainholes or selective injection into some
drainholes while others are under production. They are adapted to a
variety of reservoir pressure conditions and of oil types, including
heavy oil produced by sequential "huff and puff" steam injection.