US2336338A - Apparatus for drilling bores deviating from existing well bores - Google Patents

Apparatus for drilling bores deviating from existing well bores Download PDF

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US2336338A
US2336338A US489010A US48901043A US2336338A US 2336338 A US2336338 A US 2336338A US 489010 A US489010 A US 489010A US 48901043 A US48901043 A US 48901043A US 2336338 A US2336338 A US 2336338A
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tube
guide
drill
bore
curved
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John A Zublin
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D55/00Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D55/02Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
    • B65D55/06Deformable or tearable wires, strings, or strips; Use of seals, e.g. destructible locking pins
    • B65D55/08Annular elements encircling container necks
    • B65D55/0818Destructible or permanently removable bands, e.g. adhesive
    • B65D55/0836Metallic strips, e.g. soldered on container and lid
    • B65D55/0845Metallic strips or cap-like collars having their edges crimped over part of the container and closure or other element, e.g. with C-shaped cross-section
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D55/00Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D55/02Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
    • B65D55/06Deformable or tearable wires, strings, or strips; Use of seals, e.g. destructible locking pins
    • B65D55/08Annular elements encircling container necks
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/04Directional drilling
    • E21B7/06Deflecting the direction of boreholes
    • E21B7/062Deflecting the direction of boreholes the tool shaft rotating inside a non-rotating guide travelling with the shaft

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the art of drilling well bores which primarily riginate and terminate within the oil sand an which deviate strongly from the axis of an existing well bore for the purpose of tapping oil sands too distant from the well for drainage by the well itself.
  • the second method has the opposite disadvantage of being too flexible, making it impossible to obtain a bore in a dened horizontal and vertical direction beyond a certain distance from the well, since the extreme flexibility does not give the bit sufficient rigidity to drill the oil sand and to maintain a predetermined direction.
  • the present invention combines to some extent the advantages of both methods, eliminating at the same time their weaknesses, making it there- ⁇ fore practical to drill side holes from an existing well whether vertical or not, the side hole start. ing fromthe original hole within the oil sand at any place, and extending in any direction with a curve of any desired radius, in some instances as small as feet, though usually the curve will have a radius 'from 10 to 100 feet. Drilling of this curved hole can be stopped at will and continued with a straight hole.
  • Alternating of curved hole and straight hole at will is entirely f feasible in any direction and at any angle, thus enabling the drilling ofsubstantially horizontal holes from a vertical bore penetrating an oil bit which is slightly smaller in diameter than the l bit will provide a guide for the bit itself.
  • a permanently curved guide of this character will force a bit to drill a curved hole, and a permanently straight guide of this character will force -a bit to drill a straight hole. I have discovered that when a curved hole deviating from a straight hole ls desired, this can be accomplished by introducing a flexible resilient curved guide forcibly into the straight well bore, said curved guide being flexible enough to allow it to be pushed into the straight hole.
  • a flexible resilient straight guide is forcibly inserted into the curved bore. It now the bit is placed at the point where the deviating hole is to be started and rotated without rotation of the drill guide, the resiliency of the long tubular guide forcibly flexed by entering the original hole exerts a very considerable side pressure on the l 4figuration.
  • this invention is primarily designed to drill deviating holes out of an existing open hole, it is, however, possible to use the same procedure in drilling windows through the casing within a well, the successful performance being only a matter of sufllcient lateral pressure of the resilient curved guide.
  • the invention is also applicable to the obtaining'of side wall samples from a well bore. It becomes a simple matter to attach a conventional core head to the resilient guide and to utilize the entire device as ii' proceeding to drill a side hole, but stopping the operation of the device after the head has advanced sufdciently to take BCOle;
  • a further object .of the invention is to provide Aapparatus for drillingr a curved bore deviating from an existing straight bore aswell as apparatus for drilling a straight bore deviating from an existing curved bore.
  • Still a further object of the invention contemplates the provision of flexible resilient drill guides adapted to Ibe flexed when positioned in an existing well bore and to do useful work in guiding a drill bit during return from a ilexed to an unflexed state which can be coupled to a drilling string and bit either in such manner as to rotate with the drill string and bit or in such manner as to permit independent rotation of the' drill bit.
  • Figure 2 is a view illustrating the flexed coniiguration of the drill guide of Fig'. 1 when disposed in an existing straight well bore.
  • Figure 3 is a view illustrating the configuration of the curved deviating bore resulting from the employment of the drill guide of Fig. 1.
  • Figure 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view of that form of the invention in which the flexible resilient drill guide has a normally straight longitudinal configuration.
  • Figure 5 is a. view illustrating the disposition of the normally straight drill guide of Fig. 4 in a curve'd bore previously drilled with the curved drill guide 0f Fig. 1.
  • Figure 6 is a view illustrating ⁇ the mode of operation by which a straight continuation of a curved bore is drilled employing the drill guide of Fig. 4.
  • Figure 7 is of one form of rotary drill bit that may be employed in conjunction with certain modiiications of the invention.
  • Figure 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-'8 of Fig. 7, specifically illustrating a flanged inner hose molded into the tube.
  • Figure 9 is a detailed view-of one form of straight drill guide conforming to the invention.
  • Figure 10 is a detail view similar' to Fig. 9 with parts broken away and details shown in' cross section of a further modification of the invernV tion.
  • Figure 13 is a detailed view of a device adapted to be employed in taking side wall samples shown in association with one form of the invention.
  • the elongated flexible resilient drill guide of normally curved configuration is generally indicated at I and is helically slotted as indicated at 2.
  • the pitch of the helical slot 2 may increase from the ends of the drill guide I toward the center thereof and is preferably at all points greater than the external diameter ofthe tube.
  • Thetube I is adapted to carry a suitable drill bit 3 at its lower end and to be connected into a drill string at its upper end 4. In the present instance, it is shown as connected to a second flexible resilient member 5 which may have a normally straight longitudinal configuration.
  • the guide Since it is desired to have the guide take a curve which is of uniform curvature throughout and for a curved guide to straighten from a similar curve, it is necessary that the equivalent sinuous beam be of varying cross section from end to end.
  • a beam of this description is known as a .uniform strength beam.
  • the guide In accordancewith the present invention, it is necessary that the guide be stiffer in the center than at the ends. This has been accomplished by varying the pitch of thehelical slot so that it is greater at the intermediate portion of the. guide than near the ends thereof.
  • Fig. 2 the normally curved flexible resilient a detailed view partly in section guide I is shown in the iiexed position that it is complelled to assume upon entering the straight well bore 6.
  • the bit 3 is shown in position to commence the drilling of a deviating bore at 'the point 1. It will be appreciated that in the ilexing of the drill stem I from its normally unstressed curved longitudinal conguration, as shown in Fig. l, to the position that it assumes in the straight well bore of Fig. 2, there is stored up in the drill guide very substantial potential energy available to do work when the drill bit 3 is rotated and advanced.
  • the flexible resilient drill guide I is shown in the position that it assumes when the initial curved deviating bore 8 has been drilled from the existing vertical well bore 6. It will be understood that this drilling is accomplished by holding the ilexed drill guide I in the position shown in Fig. 2 against rotationwhile rotating and advancing the drill bit 3. In this way the potential energy stored in the drill guide I is expended in pressing the drill bit 3 sidewardly against the wall of the existing well bore 6 and in guiding the same in the drilling of a deviating bore having a conguration corresponding substantially to that of the relaxed and unstressed normal conilguration oi' the drill guide I.
  • FIG. 5 Another operation not speciiically -disclosed in the drawings can beperformed with the drill guide I. ⁇
  • a normally straight drill guide such ⁇ as the one indicated at 9 in Fig. 4 may be used in drillbit I0 are shown in Fig. 5
  • the guide 9 will, if K* held against rotation during further advancev vand rotation of the drill bit I0, so guide the 'drill bit that it will drill a straight continuation of the curved bore as specifically illustrated in Fig. 6.
  • the inner tube I3 and the outer tube I2 are, of course, not capable of independent rotation.
  • the stator IC of the turbine is threadedly received inthe lower end of the resilient iiexible
  • the normally straight ilexible resilient drill bic guide a must be perfectly resuient in bendingffl'ma straight line' to the are of the curved boi-'e'.and from this are to a straight line without stressing the metal o! the tube beyond its elastic limit.
  • the normally curved flexible 'resilientdrill guide of Fig. 1 must be perfectlyA resilient in bending from its normally curved configuration to substantially a straight line without stressing. the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit.
  • either the straight or the curved form of the guide is capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius pf curvature guide tube I2 and is secured'by a center pin I1 to the rotor Il which is attached to the bit indicated generally at I9.
  • balls 2l are located in races on the stator Il and rotor Il. These balls serve theduai purpose of the stator and rotor together and providing a means for minimizlng friction between annular-ly surrounding the pin I1.
  • These open- I ings 2l are defined by guides or vanes 22. These vanes are helically disposed around the center pin I'I so that they impart'to the drilling iluid a rotational velocity. it passes them.
  • 'l'.'he rotor'Il ofthe turbine is likewise provided with vanes -23 also helically disposed about the axis of the turbine. I'hese vanes are directed in the opposite direction from the vanes 22 on the stator similarly to the vanes in any axial ow turbine.
  • the flexible resilient drill guide 24 is shown as carrying a rotating drill bit at its lower end and provided with threaded means 26 at its upper end for coupling into a drilling string.
  • the helical slot 21 in this instance is illustrated as of varying pitch, the pitch of the slot increasing from the ends of the tube 24 toward the center thereof and being in all instances greater than the external diameter of the tube 24.
  • the inner hose 28 is mounted for free rotation within the flexible tube 24 and that the hose 28 is connected at its lower end to the bit 25, whereby the bit 25 may be driven through the medium of the hose 28. It will be understood that the hose 28 in this form of the invention performs the dual function of conveying drilling fluid from the drilling string to the bit and permitting rotation of the bit without rotation of the guide 24.
  • a coupling 28 isl shown for use in coupling the flexible resilient tube 24 into a drilling string.
  • coupling 29 interconnects flexible drill guide 24 with a second flexible section 38.
  • a. suitable coupling for interconnecting sections of the hose 28 In this case, the opposed ends of the sections of the hose 28 carry complementary threaded coupling elements 3
  • the interior of the coupling 29 and the exterior of the coupling elements 3l and 32 are provided with races withinwhich balls 34 can run to form bearings which prevent axial movement of coupling elements 3
  • balls 34 also serve to reduce friction on relative rotation of the hose 28 and the flexible tube 24.
  • these balls 34 must be inserted after the tubes 24 and 3
  • a small tapped hole 35 is provided opposite each race extending through thej coupling 28. Threaded couplings 36 are provided to retain the balls in place after they have been inserted.
  • balls 31 similar to the balls 34 are positioned in races formed in the tube 24 and the bit shank to insure free rotation of the bit '25 andv hose 28 relative to the outer flexible resilient metal tube 24.
  • Fig. 12 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention more especially adapted to those conditions where flexing of the drill guide in a single plane vis desired.
  • the flexibleresilient metal tube 38 is provided with the staggered transverse slots 39.
  • the slots 39. are spaced farther apart near the center of the tube than near the ends thereof.
  • 'I'he mode of operation of the flexible resilientdrill guide of Fig. 12 is generally comparable to that of the helically slotted drill guide with the exception that i't is primarily adapted to flex in one plane.
  • the hose 48 is interconnected by the coupling 4I to the tube 38 so as to rotate with the tube-38. It will be appreciated, however, that the relationship between the hose 40 and tube 38 may be made comparable to that existing between the hose 28 and the tube 24 as illustrated in Fig. 10;
  • a suitable core head 42 which comprises essentially a rotary bit so formed as to leave a core as it cuts into the formation, is rotated by means ofthe hose 43 disposed interiorly of the outer flexible resilient metal 'drill guide 44, which in this instance is held against rotation while the core head 42 is simultaneously rotated and advanced to take the sample.
  • the flexible resilient guide 44 serves to A cause the core to be taken at an angle of the side Wall of the bore within which the flexible resilientguide 44 has been forcibly introduced.
  • a well drill bit guide for guiding a rotating drill bit in drilling a well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a flexible metal tube of high resiliency having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal configuration of the deviating Well bore and from ⁇ which conilguration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight Well bore and a curved well bore having a radius of curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal o-f the ⁇ tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store sufllcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming to the unflexed configuration of said tube.
  • a well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a well bore deviatixg from an existing well bore comprising a slotted flexible metal tube of high resiliency having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal configuration of the deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight wel1 bore and a curved well bore having a radius of curvature withinpthe range of from 20 to 100 feet Without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store suillcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing bore in avpath conforming to the unilexed configuration of said tube, a flexible hose mounted within said tube for conveying iiuid therethrough and means for coupling said tube to a well drilling string.
  • a well' drill bit guide for guiding a rotating drill bit in drilling.
  • a well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a tube of material of high resiliency having a slot in its wall extending helically around and along the tube to render the tube flexible to bending, the pitch of said helical slot being greater than the outside diameter of said tube, said tube having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal configuration of the deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly ilexed to enter the existing Well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radiusoi curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store sumcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drillbit from the existing well bore in a path conforming-t the unilexed configuration of said tube.
  • a well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a, well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a tube 4of material of high resiliency having a slot in its wall extending helically around and along the tube to render the tube exible to bending, the pitch of said helical slot varying from a. minimum near the ends of the tube to a maximum at the center of the tube and the pitch throughout a substantial portion of the length of the tube being greaterthan vthe outside diameter of the tube.
  • said tube having the existing bore in avpath conforming to the unilexed configuration of said tube, a flexible hose mounted within said tube for rotation therein, means for coupling said hose to a drill bit, and means for coupling said tube to a well drill ing string.
  • a well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a curved well bore deviating from an existing-straight well bore comprising a exible metal tube of high resiliency having a normally curved configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal coniguration of the deviating curved well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing straight well bore, said tube being'capable of passing through both the existing straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius of curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tubev beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when iiexed to enter the existing straight well bore being adequate to store sufficient potential energy to forcibly guide al rotating drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming approximately to the normal suitexed configuration of said tube.
  • a well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in a well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a tube of metal of high resiliency having transverse slots in staggered relationship in diametrically opposed walls thereof to render the tube flexible to bending in one plane, said tube having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal conguration of the deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly iiexed to 'enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing -through both a straight well bore and a curved g well bore having a radius of curvature within the range of from 20.to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit,
  • a well drill bit guide for guiding a rotating drill bit in drilling a well bore deviating from an existing well-bore comprising a slotted flexible metal tube of highreslliency having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration .correspending approximately to the desired longitudinal conguration of the -deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly ilexed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius oi' curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal 4oi' the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store sumcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from u flexible to bending, said tube having a nor.
  • the resiliency of said tube when iexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store suiiicient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing well bore iny I the suitexed conguration the pitch of said slot being greater than the cutside diameterv oit said tube, aid tube having a no1-many straight mngitudinfi conguranon from.
  • said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius oi curvature within the range'of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing curved well bore being adequate to store sufilcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing curved bore in a straight path mal-unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal conilguration of the deviating well bore and from which conilguration said tube must be forcibly exed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius.
  • a ⁇ tlexible hose mounted within said tube for conveying fluid therethrough, said hose having a compressible flange extending helically. around and along its outer surface, said ange lying vwithin the said tube t0 a well drilling string.
  • a well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a curved well bore deviating from an existing straight well bore comprising a iiexible metal tube of high resiliency having a normally curved configuration having a radius of curvature within the range of from 10 to 100 feet and corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal conilguration of the deviating curved well bore and from whichconguration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing straight well bore, said tube being capable of passing through the existing straight well bore without stressing the metal of the-tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when iiexed to enter the existing straight well bore being adequate to store .suiiicient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming approximately to the normal suitexed configuration of helical slot in said tube, and means for coupling 20 said tube.

Description

APPARATUS lFIOR DRILLING BORES DEVIATING FROM EXISTING WELL BORES FiledMay 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet l UM W,
{Ja/MMM@ @www J. A. ZUBLlN Dec. 7, 1943.
APPARATUS 'FOR DRILLING-BORES DEVI-ATING FROM EXISTING WELL BORES Filed May 29, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .A I f i\ 0 Dec. 7, 1943. 2,336,338
APPARATUS 'FOR DRILLING BoREs DEVIATING FROM EXISTING WELL BoREs J. A. ZUBLIN FledMay 29, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jn-UC n Kot Patented Dec. 1, 1943 y APPARATUS FOR DRILLING BRES DEVI- ATING FROM EXISTING WELL BORES John A. Zublin, Los Angeles, Calif. Application May V29, 1943, Serial No. 89,0510
10 Claims. (Cl. Z55-1.6)
This invention relates to the art of drilling well bores which primarily riginate and terminate within the oil sand an which deviate strongly from the axis of an existing well bore for the purpose of tapping oil sands too distant from the well for drainage by the well itself.
The present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of each of my earlier led applications Serial Nos. 423,225 and 423,227, filed December 16,1941.
Present methods of drilling holes which deviate from the axis of an existing well are conned mainly to two methods; rstly, to exert with whlpstocks, knuckle Joints or similar deviating devices, a sidewards pressure on the bit attached to the customary string of drill pipe usedfor drilling oil wells to such an extent as to deviate this bit and pipe from the original axis of the hole; secondly, to attach a very exible section at the bottom of regular drill pipe, this flexible section being of the nature of metallic flexible hose or jointed short individual sections enabling the drilling of lateral holes at right angles to the 'well bore with a very sharp turn from the vertical axis of the well. a
Of the two methods, only the rst is in practical use for the purpose of reaching underground sources of oil which are not vertically under the derrick of the well. This inclined drilling, however, proceeds, because of the stiffness of the regular drill pipe, only at very small angles with minimum radii of curvature of more than 500 feet, making it impossible to confine these deviating holes to the thickness of the average oil sand. Deviation, therefore, must start above the oil sand, calling forcasing and cementing and all other expensive requirements necessary in the drilling of standard vertical holes. The second method has the opposite disadvantage of being too flexible, making it impossible to obtain a bore in a dened horizontal and vertical direction beyond a certain distance from the well, since the extreme flexibility does not give the bit sufficient rigidity to drill the oil sand and to maintain a predetermined direction.
The present invention combines to some extent the advantages of both methods, eliminating at the same time their weaknesses, making it there- `fore practical to drill side holes from an existing well whether vertical or not, the side hole start. ing fromthe original hole within the oil sand at any place, and extending in any direction with a curve of any desired radius, in some instances as small as feet, though usually the curve will have a radius 'from 10 to 100 feet. Drilling of this curved hole can be stopped at will and continued with a straight hole. Alternating of curved hole and straight hole at will is entirely f feasible in any direction and at any angle, thus enabling the drilling ofsubstantially horizontal holes from a vertical bore penetrating an oil bit which is slightly smaller in diameter than the l bit will provide a guide for the bit itself. A permanently curved guide of this character will force a bit to drill a curved hole, and a permanently straight guide of this character will force -a bit to drill a straight hole. I have discovered that when a curved hole deviating from a straight hole ls desired, this can be accomplished by introducing a flexible resilient curved guide forcibly into the straight well bore, said curved guide being flexible enough to allow it to be pushed into the straight hole. If it be desired to drill a straight bore from an existing curved bore, a flexible resilient straight guide is forcibly inserted into the curved bore. It now the bit is placed at the point where the deviating hole is to be started and rotated without rotation of the drill guide, the resiliency of the long tubular guide forcibly flexed by entering the original hole exerts a very considerable side pressure on the l 4figuration.
drilling bit .rotatably connected with it, causing it to dig immediately into the side of the wall at the point of contact. ,If the tubular guide is now lowered, the bit will continue to. drill sidewardly but also downwardly, the guide following the bit as drilling progresses. The resiliency ofv the forcibly flexed guide will continue to exert a side pressure on the bit until the guide has reached its tensionless or unstressed state, thus assuming its normal unstressed longitudinal con- For example, when using a drill guide having a normal unstressed curved configuration, the bit will be forced to continue drilling a correspondingly curved hole under the side pressure of the guide exerted on it.
Now, when using a curved drill guide of the invention, if an amount of curved hole has been made substantially equal in radius to theradius of the curved guide in tensionless condition, the relation between curved hole and curved guide will be reversed to the point that whereas in the beginning the guide forced thev bit to drill a curved hole, said curved hole now causes the relaxed guide to continue along this curve as long as desired. In other words, a guide of va. radius of 25 feet and a length of 20 feet will continue to guide the bit in the drilling of a hole lof the same radius even after the length of this drilled hole has exceeded the -ioot length of the curved* guide.
It is further clear that if the bit is withdrawn from the hole and the curved guide immediately behind the bit is replaced with a flexible resilient straight guide of the invention, this resilient straight guide will be forcibly flexed on entering the curved bore and will exert on the bit opposite side pressure, forcing the bit to discontinue drilling a curved hole and to drill from there on a straight hole. The deviation of bores is therefore reversible from a straight hole to a curved hole at will, at any point and in any direction.
Through use of the present invention it is possible to drill a side hole out of anzexisting vertical hole, as well as to drill a second side hole out of the first side hole in`the desired direction,
makingit possible to supply a well with a number of side holes which leave the vertical bore of the well at different points, these side holes having additional side holes, and thus forming a ramiflcation of holes around the well which will eilectively drain all the oil which possibly can be l 'recovered from the area allotted to this well.
Although this invention is primarily designed to drill deviating holes out of an existing open hole, it is, however, possible to use the same procedure in drilling windows through the casing within a well, the successful performance being only a matter of sufllcient lateral pressure of the resilient curved guide.
The invention is also applicable to the obtaining'of side wall samples from a well bore. It becomes a simple matter to attach a conventional core head to the resilient guide and to utilize the entire device as ii' proceeding to drill a side hole, but stopping the operation of the device after the head has advanced sufdciently to take BCOle;
With the deciencies of present day apparatus and methods in mind. it becomes a primary object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for drilling a well bore deviating from an existing well bore.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a ilexible resilient drill guide having 9 normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired coniiguration of the deviating bore to be drilled from an existing bore and which is capable when flexed to enter an existing bore of storing sufilcient potential energy to forciblypres; a drill bit carried at the -,end of thel guide tn follow a path substantially conforming to che normal unstressed conilguration of the drill guide.
A further object .of the invention is to provide Aapparatus for drillingr a curved bore deviating from an existing straight bore aswell as apparatus for drilling a straight bore deviating from an existing curved bore.
Still a further object of the invention contemplates the provision of flexible resilient drill guides adapted to Ibe flexed when positioned in an existing well bore and to do useful work in guiding a drill bit during return from a ilexed to an unflexed state which can be coupled to a drilling string and bit either in such manner as to rotate with the drill string and bit or in such manner as to permit independent rotation of the' drill bit.
side elevation of that form of the invention in which the flexible resilient guide is of a normallycurved longitudinal conguration.
Figure 2 is a view illustrating the flexed coniiguration of the drill guide of Fig'. 1 when disposed in an existing straight well bore.
Figure 3 is a view illustrating the configuration of the curved deviating bore resulting from the employment of the drill guide of Fig. 1.
Figure 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevational view of that form of the invention in which the flexible resilient drill guide has a normally straight longitudinal configuration.
Figure 5 is a. view illustrating the disposition of the normally straight drill guide of Fig. 4 in a curve'd bore previously drilled with the curved drill guide 0f Fig. 1.
Figure 6 is a view illustrating` the mode of operation by which a straight continuation of a curved bore is drilled employing the drill guide of Fig. 4.
Figure 7 is of one form of rotary drill bit that may be employed in conjunction with certain modiiications of the invention.
Figure 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-'8 of Fig. 7, specifically illustrating a flanged inner hose molded into the tube.
Figure 9 is a detailed view-of one form of straight drill guide conforming to the invention.
Figure 10 is a detail view similar' to Fig. 9 with parts broken away and details shown in' cross section of a further modification of the invernV tion.
Figure 13 is a detailed view of a device adapted to be employed in taking side wall samples shown in association with one form of the invention.
Referring first to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the elongated flexible resilient drill guide of normally curved configuration is generally indicated at I and is helically slotted as indicated at 2. lThe pitch of the helical slot 2 may increase from the ends of the drill guide I toward the center thereof and is preferably at all points greater than the external diameter ofthe tube. Thetube I is adapted to carry a suitable drill bit 3 at its lower end and to be connected into a drill string at its upper end 4. In the present instance, it is shown as connected to a second flexible resilient member 5 which may have a normally straight longitudinal configuration.
Since it is desired to have the guide take a curve which is of uniform curvature throughout and for a curved guide to straighten from a similar curve, it is necessary that the equivalent sinuous beam be of varying cross section from end to end. A beam of this description is known as a .uniform strength beam. In accordancewith the present invention, it is necessary that the guide be stiffer in the center than at the ends. This has been accomplished by varying the pitch of thehelical slot so that it is greater at the intermediate portion of the. guide than near the ends thereof.
In Fig. 2, the normally curved flexible resilient a detailed view partly in section guide I is shown in the iiexed position that it is complelled to assume upon entering the straight well bore 6. In this case, the bit 3 is shown in position to commence the drilling of a deviating bore at 'the point 1. It will be appreciated that in the ilexing of the drill stem I from its normally unstressed curved longitudinal conguration, as shown in Fig. l, to the position that it assumes in the straight well bore of Fig. 2, there is stored up in the drill guide very substantial potential energy available to do work when the drill bit 3 is rotated and advanced.
In Fig. 3, the flexible resilient drill guide I is shown in the position that it assumes when the initial curved deviating bore 8 has been drilled from the existing vertical well bore 6. It will be understood that this drilling is accomplished by holding the ilexed drill guide I in the position shown in Fig. 2 against rotationwhile rotating and advancing the drill bit 3. In this way the potential energy stored in the drill guide I is expended in pressing the drill bit 3 sidewardly against the wall of the existing well bore 6 and in guiding the same in the drilling of a deviating bore having a conguration corresponding substantially to that of the relaxed and unstressed normal conilguration oi' the drill guide I.
Since the direction and character of the deviating bore depend upon the character and normal unstressed longitudinal conguration of the drill guide, it will be appreciated that a drill guide having a conguration conforming substantially to that of the desired deviating bore will be selected for any given operation. It will likewise be appreciated that while a normally curved resilient drill guide such as illustrated at I' in withintherangeofapproximatelyZOfeetto 100 feetwithout the metal of the guide tube beyond its elastic limit. Because of-this property, drill guides conforming to the present .invention are possessed of long life in repeated use.
Another operation not speciiically -disclosed in the drawings can beperformed with the drill guide I.` For example, if, after the initial curved Fig. 1 may be used to drill a deviating curved bore, a normally straight drill guide such `as the one indicated at 9 in Fig. 4 may be used in drillbit I0 are shown in Fig. 5," the guide 9 will, if K* held against rotation during further advancev vand rotation of the drill bit I0, so guide the 'drill bit that it will drill a straight continuation of the curved bore as specifically illustrated in Fig. 6.
` It will be understoodthat the deviating bore as shown in Fig. 6 isdrilled by ilrst employing the curved drill guide I of Fig. 1 to initiate the curved -bore and by thereafterv substituting for the curved guide I the normally straight drill guide l. Asecond normally straight flexible seetion II is shown as connected to the upper ena of the straight guide s in Figs. 5 and s.
ilexible drill guide IY against rotation, further drilling is effected by rotation of the exible drill guide I, a continuing straght bore can be drilled, which is, however, of substantially greater diameter than the bit. 'Insuch operation, the rotation ot'the curved guide causes the production of an initially tapered bore which eventually becomes cylindrical. The reason for the straightness of the bore drilled by rotation of the curved drill guide is the fact that rotation of the curved guide neutralizes the eect of the curvature thereof. The enlargement of the straight continuing bore so drilled is occasioned by the continuing side pressure exerted on the bit by the rotating curved guide. This operationv has one material advantage; namely, that it is possible to initiatea curved bore deviating from an existing straight bore and effect the drilling of a straight extension of Vsuch curved bore with the same equipment and without removing the drill string and bit from the well.
Coming now to some of the more detailed aspects of the invention, there is shown in Fig. 7 a exible resilient drill guide I2 conforming to the invention within which there is disposed, preferably by molding therein, an inner imperfoi'ate exible hose I3, which' in this particui lar construction is provided with a helical compressible ange Il adapted to extend outwardly through the helical slot I5 of the flexible guide tube I2. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. '1, the inner tube I3 and the outer tube I2 are, of course, not capable of independent rotation. It will be realized that because of the relative softness of rubber as compared to the metal of which the guide I2 in made, the helical layer y of rubber I l within the slot I5 does not offer too great resistance to the ilexing of the tube I2, the helical rubber layer Il merely compressing 'and stretching under the iniluence of bending of the tube which causes the slot I 5 to open and close. The turbine driven rotating bit shown in Fig. 7 is of a typev similar to that described in my Patent No. 1,859,948, and has been found highly suitable Ior turbine drives became of the gear reduction eiect described in said patent. -In this case the stator IC of the turbine is threadedly received inthe lower end of the resilient iiexible The normally straight ilexible resilient drill bic guide a must be perfectly resuient in bendingffl'ma straight line' to the are of the curved boi-'e'.and from this are to a straight line without stressing the metal o! the tube beyond its elastic limit. Likewise, the normally curved flexible 'resilientdrill guide of Fig. 1 must be perfectlyA resilient in bending from its normally curved configuration to substantially a straight line without stressing. the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit.
` It will thus be apparent that either the straight or the curved form of the guide is capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius pf curvature guide tube I2 and is secured'by a center pin I1 to the rotor Il which is attached to the bit indicated generally at I9. One or more rows of,
balls 2l are located in races on the stator Il and rotor Il. These balls serve theduai purpose of the stator and rotor together and providing a means for minimizlng friction between annular-ly surrounding the pin I1. These open- I ings 2l are defined by guides or vanes 22. These vanes are helically disposed around the center pin I'I so that they impart'to the drilling iluid a rotational velocity. it passes them. 'l'.'he rotor'Il ofthe turbine is likewise provided with vanes -23 also helically disposed about the axis of the turbine. I'hese vanes are directed in the opposite direction from the vanes 22 on the stator similarly to the vanes in any axial ow turbine. In this manner drilling fluid passing through .the hose I3 is delivered through the vanes in the stator and given a rotational velocity causing a reaction on the blades of the rotor, exerting a. torque thereon which will drive the bit without rotation of the guide tube l2. While in Fig. 7, I.have illustrated a. specific form of bit, it will beappreciated that any suitable type of bit may be used. It will also be appreciated that the specific construction of the flexible metal tube I 2 and inner hose I3 disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8 may be used in any case where relative rotation between the inner fluid conveying hose and the outer flexible metal tube is not required.
Coming-next to the features disclosed in Figs. 9, l and 11, the flexible resilient drill guide 24 is shown as carrying a rotating drill bit at its lower end and provided with threaded means 26 at its upper end for coupling into a drilling string. The helical slot 21 in this instance is illustrated as of varying pitch, the pitch of the slot increasing from the ends of the tube 24 toward the center thereof and being in all instances greater than the external diameter of the tube 24.
By reference to the detailed showing in Fig. l0, it will be noted that the inner hose 28 is mounted for free rotation within the flexible tube 24 and that the hose 28 is connected at its lower end to the bit 25, whereby the bit 25 may be driven through the medium of the hose 28. It will be understood that the hose 28 in this form of the invention performs the dual function of conveying drilling fluid from the drilling string to the bit and permitting rotation of the bit without rotation of the guide 24.
A coupling 28 isl shown for use in coupling the flexible resilient tube 24 into a drilling string. In Fig. 10, coupling 29 interconnects flexible drill guide 24 with a second flexible section 38. There is also shown a. suitable coupling for interconnecting sections of the hose 28. In this case, the opposed ends of the sections of the hose 28 carry complementary threaded coupling elements 3| and 32 interconnected at 33. In order to prevent axial movement of the hose 28 within the guide 24, the interior of the coupling 29 and the exterior of the coupling elements 3l and 32 are provided with races withinwhich balls 34 can run to form bearings which prevent axial movement of coupling elements 3| and 32 with re- Aspect to the coupling 28. These balls also serve to reduce friction on relative rotation of the hose 28 and the flexible tube 24. Of course, it will be realized that these balls 34 must be inserted after the tubes 24 and 3|) are coupled together and the hose coupling elements 3l and 32 coupled together. To permit of such insertion, a small tapped hole 35 is provided opposite each race extending through thej coupling 28. Threaded couplings 36 are provided to retain the balls in place after they have been inserted. It will be observed that balls 31 similar to the balls 34 are positioned in races formed in the tube 24 and the bit shank to insure free rotation of the bit '25 andv hose 28 relative to the outer flexible resilient metal tube 24.
In the construction shown in Figs. 9,10 and 11, it is possible to hold the drill string including the flexible resilient guide 24 against rotation while rotating and advancing the drill bit. It is, of course, also possible. in the event such operation is desired, to rotate the drill string either at the same orl at a different speed of rotation than that at which the drill bit is driven.
In Fig. 12, there is illustrated a modified form of the invention more especially adapted to those conditions where flexing of the drill guide in a single plane vis desired. In this case, the flexibleresilient metal tube 38 is provided with the staggered transverse slots 39. To insure greater stiffness of the tube at the center than near the ends, the slots 39.are spaced farther apart near the center of the tube than near the ends thereof. 'I'he mode of operation of the flexible resilientdrill guide of Fig. 12 is generally comparable to that of the helically slotted drill guide with the exception that i't is primarily adapted to flex in one plane. In this case, the hose 48 is interconnected by the coupling 4I to the tube 38 so as to rotate with the tube-38. It will be appreciated, however, that the relationship between the hose 40 and tube 38 may be made comparable to that existing between the hose 28 and the tube 24 as illustrated in Fig. 10;
It is often desirable to take a side wall sample from an existing well bore, and in Fig. 13 I have illustrated the adaptation of the invention to such use. In this form, a suitable core head 42, which comprises essentially a rotary bit so formed as to leave a core as it cuts into the formation, is rotated by means ofthe hose 43 disposed interiorly of the outer flexible resilient metal 'drill guide 44, which in this instance is held against rotation while the core head 42 is simultaneously rotated and advanced to take the sample. The flexible resilient guide 44 serves to A cause the core to be taken at an angle of the side Wall of the bore within which the flexible resilientguide 44 has been forcibly introduced.
The foregoing description is given by Way of exempliflcatfon of the invention and not in limitation thereof, the scope of the invention being that setl forth in the appended claims.
WhatIclaim is:
1. A well drill bit guide for guiding a rotating drill bit in drilling a well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a flexible metal tube of high resiliency having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal configuration of the deviating Well bore and from `which conilguration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight Well bore and a curved well bore having a radius of curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal o-f the` tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store sufllcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming to the unflexed configuration of said tube.
2. A well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a well bore deviatixg from an existing well bore comprising a slotted flexible metal tube of high resiliency having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal configuration of the deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight wel1 bore and a curved well bore having a radius of curvature withinpthe range of from 20 to 100 feet Without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store suillcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing bore in avpath conforming to the unilexed configuration of said tube, a flexible hose mounted within said tube for conveying iiuid therethrough and means for coupling said tube to a well drilling string.
3. A well' drill bit guide for guiding a rotating drill bit in drilling. a well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a tube of material of high resiliency having a slot in its wall extending helically around and along the tube to render the tube flexible to bending, the pitch of said helical slot being greater than the outside diameter of said tube, said tube having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal configuration of the deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly ilexed to enter the existing Well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radiusoi curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store sumcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drillbit from the existing well bore in a path conforming-t the unilexed configuration of said tube.
4. A well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a, well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a tube 4of material of high resiliency having a slot in its wall extending helically around and along the tube to render the tube exible to bending, the pitch of said helical slot varying from a. minimum near the ends of the tube to a maximum at the center of the tube and the pitch throughout a substantial portion of the length of the tube being greaterthan vthe outside diameter of the tube. said tube having the existing bore in avpath conforming to the unilexed configuration of said tube, a flexible hose mounted within said tube for rotation therein, means for coupling said hose to a drill bit, and means for coupling said tube to a well drill ing string.
6. A well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a curved well bore deviating from an existing-straight well bore comprising a exible metal tube of high resiliency having a normally curved configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal coniguration of the deviating curved well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing straight well bore, said tube being'capable of passing through both the existing straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius of curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tubev beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when iiexed to enter the existing straight well bore being adequate to store sufficient potential energy to forcibly guide al rotating drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming approximately to the normal uniiexed configuration of said tube.
7. A well drill bit guide. for guiding a drill bit in a well bore deviating from an existing well bore comprising a tube of metal of high resiliency having transverse slots in staggered relationship in diametrically opposed walls thereof to render the tube flexible to bending in one plane, said tube having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal conguration of the deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly iiexed to 'enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing -through both a straight well bore and a curved g well bore having a radius of curvature within the range of from 20.to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit,
a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately tothe desired longitudinal conilguration ofthe deviating well bore and from which coniiguration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius of curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit,the resiliency of said tube when flexed to. enter the existing well bore being adequate to store sufficient potential energy to forcibly guide -a rotating'drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming to the unflexed configuration of said tube. I
5. A well drill bit guide for guiding a rotating drill bit in drilling a well bore deviating from an existing well-bore comprising a slotted flexible metal tube of highreslliency having a normal unstressed longitudinal configuration .correspending approximately to the desired longitudinal conguration of the -deviating well bore and from which configuration said tube must be forcibly ilexed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius oi' curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal 4oi' the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store sumcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from u flexible to bending, said tube having a nor.
the resiliency of said tube when iexed to enter the existing well bore being adequate to store suiiicient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing well bore iny I the uniiexed conguration the pitch of said slot being greater than the cutside diameterv oit said tube, aid tube having a no1-many straight mngitudinfi conguranon from.
which configuration it must be forcibly exed to enter the existing curved well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius oi curvature within the range'of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when flexed to enter the existing curved well bore being adequate to store sufilcient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing curved bore in a straight path mal-unstressed longitudinal configuration corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal conilguration of the deviating well bore and from which conilguration said tube must be forcibly exed to enter the existing well bore, said tube being capable of passing through both a straight well bore and a curved well bore having a radius. of curvature within the range of from 20 to 100 feet without stressing the metal of the tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said'tube when flexed to enter the existing well .bore being adequate to store suflicient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming to the uniiexed conguration of said tube, a`tlexible hose mounted within said tube for conveying fluid therethrough, said hose having a compressible flange extending helically. around and along its outer surface, said ange lying vwithin the said tube t0 a well drilling string. f
10. A well drill bit guide for guiding a drill bit in drilling a curved well bore deviating from an existing straight well bore comprising a iiexible metal tube of high resiliency having a normally curved configuration having a radius of curvature within the range of from 10 to 100 feet and corresponding approximately to the desired longitudinal conilguration of the deviating curved well bore and from whichconguration said tube must be forcibly flexed to enter the existing straight well bore, said tube being capable of passing through the existing straight well bore without stressing the metal of the-tube beyond its elastic limit, the resiliency of said tube when iiexed to enter the existing straight well bore being adequate to store .suiiicient potential energy to forcibly guide a rotating drill bit from the existing bore in a path conforming approximately to the normal uniiexed configuration of helical slot in said tube, and means for coupling 20 said tube..
JonN A. zUBLI.
US489010A 1932-04-20 1943-05-29 Apparatus for drilling bores deviating from existing well bores Expired - Lifetime US2336338A (en)

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Cited By (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2452920A (en) * 1945-07-02 1948-11-02 Shell Dev Method and apparatus for drilling and producing wells
US2492079A (en) * 1943-12-09 1949-12-20 Eastman Oil Well Survey Co Apparatus for completing wells
US2500267A (en) * 1945-03-26 1950-03-14 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling deflecting well bores
US2515365A (en) * 1947-03-31 1950-07-18 Edward Adolphus Zublin Flexible drill pipe
US2548616A (en) * 1948-02-02 1951-04-10 Priestman George Dawson Well drilling
US2571644A (en) * 1948-08-23 1951-10-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling and recovering side wall cores
US2585207A (en) * 1950-10-11 1952-02-12 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling lateral bores deviating from vertical well bores
US2621894A (en) * 1950-08-22 1952-12-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for initiating the drilling of a deviating bore from an existing vertical well bore
US2631820A (en) * 1951-04-04 1953-03-17 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling curved bores deviating from existing vertical well bores
US2642267A (en) * 1951-01-17 1953-06-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for initiating and drilling deviating curved bores from existing vertical wll bores
US2651499A (en) * 1951-07-18 1953-09-08 John A Zublin Stabilized apparatus for drilling curved bores deviating from existing vertical wellbores
US2669428A (en) * 1951-01-17 1954-02-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling lateral bores deviating from vertical well bores
US2672321A (en) * 1948-12-10 1954-03-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling oriented drain holes
US2676787A (en) * 1949-06-22 1954-04-27 Howard L Johnson Drilling equipment
US2706615A (en) * 1951-10-03 1955-04-19 John A Zublin Normally curved flexible resilient drill guide and method for producing the same
US2726847A (en) * 1952-03-31 1955-12-13 Oilwell Drain Hole Drilling Co Drain hole drilling equipment
US2743082A (en) * 1950-05-29 1956-04-24 John A Zublin Method for drilling deviating bores from existing well bores
US2938710A (en) * 1955-03-14 1960-05-31 Selman S Tannehill Drill bit
US3112801A (en) * 1959-03-05 1963-12-03 Clark Wallace Well drilling apparatus
US3160218A (en) * 1961-09-11 1964-12-08 Shell Oil Co Well drilling assembly
US3563323A (en) * 1968-01-19 1971-02-16 Rolls Royce Apparatus for borehole drilling
US4007797A (en) * 1974-06-04 1977-02-15 Texas Dynamatics, Inc. Device for drilling a hole in the side wall of a bore hole
US4333539A (en) * 1979-12-31 1982-06-08 Lyons William C Method for extended straight line drilling from a curved borehole
US4432423A (en) * 1979-12-31 1984-02-21 Lyons William C Apparatus for extended straight line drilling from a curved borehole
US4601353A (en) * 1984-10-05 1986-07-22 Atlantic Richfield Company Method for drilling drainholes within producing zone
US4880067A (en) * 1988-02-17 1989-11-14 Baroid Technology, Inc. Apparatus for drilling a curved borehole
EP0410729A1 (en) * 1989-07-27 1991-01-30 Baroid Technology, Inc. Flexible centralizer
USRE33660E (en) * 1988-02-17 1991-08-13 Baroid Technology Apparatus for drilling a curved borehole
USRE33751E (en) * 1985-10-11 1991-11-26 Smith International, Inc. System and method for controlled directional drilling
US6003601A (en) * 1997-02-13 1999-12-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus
US6447518B1 (en) 1995-07-18 2002-09-10 William R. Krause Flexible shaft components
US20080065094A1 (en) * 2003-10-23 2008-03-13 Trans1 Inc. Spinal fusion kit for guiding instrumentation through soft tissue to a point on the spine
US7547317B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2009-06-16 Trans1 Inc. Methods of performing procedures in the spine
US7569056B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2009-08-04 Trans1 Inc. Methods and apparatus for forming shaped axial bores through spinal vertebrae
US7608077B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2009-10-27 Trans1 Inc. Method and apparatus for spinal distraction and fusion
US7641657B2 (en) 2003-06-10 2010-01-05 Trans1, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing posterior or anterior trans-sacral access to spinal vertebrae
US7727263B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2010-06-01 Trans1, Inc. Articulating spinal implant
US7776042B2 (en) 2002-12-03 2010-08-17 Trans1 Inc. Methods and apparatus for provision of therapy to adjacent motion segments
US7794463B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2010-09-14 Trans1 Inc. Methods and apparatus for performing therapeutic procedures in the spine
CN103993868A (en) * 2014-06-16 2014-08-20 大庆井泰石油工程技术股份有限公司 Ultra-short radius horizontal well hydraulic fracturing tool
US9814598B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2017-11-14 Quandary Medical, Llc Spinal implants and implantation system
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Cited By (63)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2492079A (en) * 1943-12-09 1949-12-20 Eastman Oil Well Survey Co Apparatus for completing wells
US2500267A (en) * 1945-03-26 1950-03-14 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling deflecting well bores
US2452920A (en) * 1945-07-02 1948-11-02 Shell Dev Method and apparatus for drilling and producing wells
US2515365A (en) * 1947-03-31 1950-07-18 Edward Adolphus Zublin Flexible drill pipe
US2548616A (en) * 1948-02-02 1951-04-10 Priestman George Dawson Well drilling
US2571644A (en) * 1948-08-23 1951-10-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling and recovering side wall cores
US2672321A (en) * 1948-12-10 1954-03-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling oriented drain holes
US2676787A (en) * 1949-06-22 1954-04-27 Howard L Johnson Drilling equipment
US2743082A (en) * 1950-05-29 1956-04-24 John A Zublin Method for drilling deviating bores from existing well bores
US2621894A (en) * 1950-08-22 1952-12-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for initiating the drilling of a deviating bore from an existing vertical well bore
US2585207A (en) * 1950-10-11 1952-02-12 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling lateral bores deviating from vertical well bores
US2669428A (en) * 1951-01-17 1954-02-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling lateral bores deviating from vertical well bores
US2642267A (en) * 1951-01-17 1953-06-16 John A Zublin Apparatus for initiating and drilling deviating curved bores from existing vertical wll bores
US2631820A (en) * 1951-04-04 1953-03-17 John A Zublin Apparatus for drilling curved bores deviating from existing vertical well bores
US2651499A (en) * 1951-07-18 1953-09-08 John A Zublin Stabilized apparatus for drilling curved bores deviating from existing vertical wellbores
US2706615A (en) * 1951-10-03 1955-04-19 John A Zublin Normally curved flexible resilient drill guide and method for producing the same
US2726847A (en) * 1952-03-31 1955-12-13 Oilwell Drain Hole Drilling Co Drain hole drilling equipment
US2938710A (en) * 1955-03-14 1960-05-31 Selman S Tannehill Drill bit
US3112801A (en) * 1959-03-05 1963-12-03 Clark Wallace Well drilling apparatus
US3160218A (en) * 1961-09-11 1964-12-08 Shell Oil Co Well drilling assembly
US3563323A (en) * 1968-01-19 1971-02-16 Rolls Royce Apparatus for borehole drilling
US4007797A (en) * 1974-06-04 1977-02-15 Texas Dynamatics, Inc. Device for drilling a hole in the side wall of a bore hole
US4333539A (en) * 1979-12-31 1982-06-08 Lyons William C Method for extended straight line drilling from a curved borehole
US4432423A (en) * 1979-12-31 1984-02-21 Lyons William C Apparatus for extended straight line drilling from a curved borehole
US4601353A (en) * 1984-10-05 1986-07-22 Atlantic Richfield Company Method for drilling drainholes within producing zone
USRE33751E (en) * 1985-10-11 1991-11-26 Smith International, Inc. System and method for controlled directional drilling
US4880067A (en) * 1988-02-17 1989-11-14 Baroid Technology, Inc. Apparatus for drilling a curved borehole
USRE33660E (en) * 1988-02-17 1991-08-13 Baroid Technology Apparatus for drilling a curved borehole
EP0410729A1 (en) * 1989-07-27 1991-01-30 Baroid Technology, Inc. Flexible centralizer
US6447518B1 (en) 1995-07-18 2002-09-10 William R. Krause Flexible shaft components
US6003601A (en) * 1997-02-13 1999-12-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus
US8034055B2 (en) 1999-12-13 2011-10-11 Trans1 Inc. Method and apparatus for providing access to a presacral space
US7727263B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2010-06-01 Trans1, Inc. Articulating spinal implant
US8292928B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2012-10-23 Trans1 Inc. Method and apparatus for spinal distraction and fusion
US7794463B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2010-09-14 Trans1 Inc. Methods and apparatus for performing therapeutic procedures in the spine
US7547317B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2009-06-16 Trans1 Inc. Methods of performing procedures in the spine
US7569056B2 (en) 2000-02-16 2009-08-04 Trans1 Inc. Methods and apparatus for forming shaped axial bores through spinal vertebrae
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