Abstract: A pneumatic drilling chip removal system for removing drilling chips from a well bore, comprising sub-surface drilling equipment having a plurality of components and a drilling bit, a central passageway extending through the components and to the air jets in the drilling bit, wherein at least one component above the drilling bit in the sub-surface drilling equipment is a pneumatic component having an opening forming a pneumatic conduit from the central passageway to the annulus, a bypass valve disposed therein selectively permitting air flow from the central passageway to the annulus, forming a supplementary air source for removal of drilling chips from the well bore. Methods for using a pneumatic drilling chip removal system.

Abstract: A pneumatic drilling chip removal system for removing drilling chips from a well bore, comprising sub-surface drilling equipment having a plurality of components and a drilling bit, a central passageway extending through the components and to the air jets in the drilling bit, wherein at least one component above the drilling bit in the sub-surface drilling equipment is a pneumatic component having an opening forming a pneumatic conduit from the central passageway to the annulus, a bypass valve disposed therein selectively permitting air flow from the central passageway to the annulus, forming a supplementary air source for removal of drilling chips from the well bore. Methods for using a pneumatic drilling chip removal system.