Abstract: A system for increasing production of oil from subterranean formations comprising placement of heat or steam into the reservoir via radial drainage tunnels. The heat or steam may be created in the wellbore near the top of the well, downhole in the wellbore, or in-situ in the radials positioned in the reservoir.

Abstract: A downhole apparatus for cutting casing and rock when radial drilling defined by a cutting head that includes three or more cutting edges positioned around the cutting head's axis of rotation, at least three of the cutting edges in continuous contact with the face of the material being cut, thereby providing lateral and angular stability to the cutting head, one or more internal fluid passageway within the cutting head and one or more orifices for ejecting drilling-fluid out of the cutting head.

Abstract: A method to reduce water production into a wellbore from a subterranean formation that includes placing a blocking material into the subterranean formation, forming at least one radially-oriented borehole exiting the wellbore at between 45 to about 90 degrees from the wellbore into the subterranean formation, and producing hydrocarbons through the at least one radially-oriented borehole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure control of a tool string and for repositioning of a whipstock that includes an upper sealing mechanism capable of sealing around a control-line used to manipulate a tool-string used to form a lateral borehole, a chamber connected to the upper sealing mechanism, the chamber having a length greater than the tool string and positioned at least partially within a wellbore and a lower valve connected to the distal end of the chamber within the wellbore wherein the tool-string can be isolated within the chamber from wellbore pressure. A lower set of slips positioned above a wellhead capable of holding a tubing string and attached whipstock suspended within the wellbore, an upper set of slips positioned above the lower set of slips and capable of supporting the tubing string and attached whipstock and a vertical manipulation mechanism that can raise or lower the tubing string and attached whipstock by raising or lowering the upper set of slips.

Abstract: A cutting head apparatus for mechanical radial drilling that includes one or more cutting inserts and at least one fluid passage way for the flow of drilling fluid through the cutting head.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for dampening the force exerted on a tool-string when a lower portion of said tool-string is in a subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore. The downhole tool assembly includes a cutting head assembly and a flexible tubular member, wherein the cutting head assembly includes a rotatable nozzle and a cutting head sized and configured to cut laterally into the earthen formation. The downhole tool assembly may be guided through a channel defined by a guide assembly and positioned such that the cutting head is proximate the portion of the earthen formation to be laterally cut. A rotational source may be operatively connected and in fluid communication with the conduit and flexible tubular member, whereby torque generated by the rotational source is translated by the flexible tubular member to the cutting head, causing the cutting head to rotate and cut the earthen formation.

Abstract: A method of orienting depth and direction (azimuth) of a guide device used to direct tools for the creation of a lateral borehole extending from a wellbore in an earthen formation, utilizing a visual imaging tool. The method including running a tool string into a wellbore, the tool string comprising a guide device and a visual imaging device, visually imaging the wellbore at a range of depths and orientations in the wellbore, and aligning the guide device within the wellbore in preparation of drilling tools to be used for the creation of a lateral borehole in an earthen formation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for penetrating earth strata surrounding a wellbore including a nozzle assembly, a flexible tubing connected to the nozzle assembly, and a means to position the nozzle assembly downhole in a substantially horizontal direction into earthen strata, such that the nozzle assembly is connected to one end of the flexible tubing. Embodiments can provide horizontal jetting into the earth's strata from both cased and uncased wells utilizing a rotating, swirling, pulsing or cavitating nozzles which can keep a relatively cuttings free downhole environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for penetrating earth strata surrounding a wellbore including a nozzle assembly, a flexible tubing connected to the nozzle assembly, and a means to position the nozzle assembly downhole in a substantially horizontal direction into earthen strata, such that the nozzle assembly is connected to one end of the flexible tubing. Embodiments can provide horizontal jetting into the earth's strata from both cased and uncased wells utilizing a rotating, swirling, pulsing or cavitating nozzles which can keep a relatively cuttings free downhole environment.

Abstract: A method for transitioning a rigid or semi-rigid tool around a whipstock having a curved internal guide channel. The apparatus and method entail the tool meeting specific proportion criteria relative to the narrowest part of the curved guide channel through which it must pass and relative to the length and width of the tool. In lateral borehole related applications, if the wider ends portions of the tool are of approximately the same diameter of the borehole, the tool can be stabilized as it travels through the guide channels and creates and transitions a lateral borehole. The disclosure is particularly suited to tools that are rotated through the curved whipstock and in certain applications offers such tools the benefit of a reduced number of segments or links and hence reduced costs and failure points. The method described herein can be used with a variety of tool types and for a variety of purposes and may increase the applicability of tools otherwise only feasible on wellbores of a larger diameter.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore. The downhole tool assembly includes a flexible tubing circumscribing a series of interconnectable drive segments which can rotate in at least 2 axes on each end, wherein the flexible tubing forms at least one tubular member inner passageway.

Abstract: A method of orienting depth and direction (azimuth) of a guide device used to direct tools for the creation of a lateral borehole extending from a wellbore in an earthen formation, utilizing a visual imaging tool. The method including running a tool string into a wellbore, the tool string comprising a guide device and a visual imaging device, visually imaging the wellbore at a range of depths and orientations in the wellbore, and aligning the guide device within the wellbore in preparation of drilling tools to be used for the creation of a lateral borehole in an earthen formation.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore. The downhole tool assembly includes a cutting head assembly and a flexible tubular member, wherein the cutting head assembly includes a rotatable nozzle and a cutting head sized and configured to cut laterally into the earthen formation. The downhole tool assembly may be guided through a channel defined by a guide assembly and positioned such that the cutting head is proximate the portion of the earthen formation to be laterally cut. A rotational source may be operatively connected and in fluid communication with the conduit and flexible tubular member, whereby torque generated by the rotational source is translated by the flexible tubular member to the cutting head, causing the cutting head to rotate and cut the earthen formation.

Abstract: A downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore. The downhole tool assembly includes a cutting head assembly and a flexible tubular shaft member, wherein the cutting head assembly includes a rotatable nozzle and a cutting head sized and configured to cut laterally into the earthen formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for penetrating earth strata surrounding a wellbore including a nozzle assembly, a flexible tubing connected to the nozzle assembly, and a means to position the nozzle assembly downhole in a substantially horizontal direction into earthen strata, such that the nozzle assembly is connected to one end of the flexible tubing. Embodiments can provide horizontal jetting into the earth's strata from both cased and uncased wells utilizing a rotating, swirling, pulsing or cavitating nozzles which can keep a relatively cuttings free downhole environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting horizontally into an earthen formation including a nozzle assembly having a gauge ring mechanism and/or a centralizer mechanism that allows the nozzle assembly to remain along a consistent axis of travel during cutting. Embodiments can provide horizontal jetting into the earth's strata from both cased and uncased wells utilizing a rotating, swirling, pulsing or cavitating nozzles which can keep a relatively cuttings free downhole environment.