Abstract: Apparatus for clearing particles from a lateral drilling operation in strata beside a well. The drilling apparatus is part of a down hole unit and is configured for extending from a lateral opening of the unit into a lateral passage in the adjacent strata, and the operation of the drilling apparatus discharges particles from the lateral passage toward the lateral opening. The invention deflects or redirects the particles discharged from the lateral passage, away from the lateral opening, to prevent clogging or blocking of an internal passage or elbow through the down hole unit, using a pressurized fluid such as a gas or an emulsion. The pressurized fluid can also be configured for carrying the particles upwardly through the well to the surface, and for reducing or removing a hydrostatic head in the well.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for drilling through the casing utilizes a yieldable biasing element to provide a self-adjusting length and exerts a predictable, controlled biasing force against the casing cutter for penetrating the casing. The cutter will be suspended from the well head by an element which will stretch to some extent, and the self-adjusting length will compensate for this also. As the cutter is lowered into position, and during the casing cutting operation, a flow of pressurized gas or emulsion can be directed through the down hole unit, to clear cuttings and other solids from the cutter's path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for penetrating a side of a well casing and/or drilling into earth strata surrounding the well casing, utilizing a rotating fluid discharge nozzle, and an abrasive introduced into the fluid downstream of apparatus for rotating the nozzle. Apparatus for rotating the nozzle can include a motor operable by pressurized fluid, or another suitable rotating power source The introduction of the abrasives will not adversely affect or harm the apparatus for rotating the nozzle, yet will provide the enhanced drilling capability. The abrasive stream can be used for drilling or cutting through a metal well casing, as well as cement and the adjacent strata.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for drilling through the casing utilizes a yieldable biasing element to provide a self-adjusting length and exerts a predictable, controlled biasing force against the casing cutter for penetrating the casing. The cutter will be suspended from the well head by an element which will stretch to some extent, and the self-adjusting length will compensate for this also. As the cutter is lowered into position, and during the casing cutting operation, a flow of pressurized gas or emulsion can be directed through the down hole unit, to clear cuttings and other solids from the cutter's path.

Abstract: Apparatus for clearing particles from a lateral drilling operation in strata beside a well. The drilling apparatus is part of a down hole unit and is configured for extending from a lateral opening of the unit into a lateral passage in the adjacent strata, and the operation of the drilling apparatus discharges particles from the lateral passage toward the lateral opening. The invention deflects or redirects the particles discharged from the lateral passage, away from the lateral opening, to prevent clogging or blocking of an internal passage or elbow through the down hole unit, using a pressurized fluid such as a gas or an emulsion. The pressurized fluid can also be configured for carrying the particles upwardly through the well to the surface, and for reducing or removing a hydrostatic head in the well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for penetrating a side of a well casing and/or drilling into earth strata surrounding the well casing, utilizing a rotating fluid discharge nozzle, and an abrasive introduced into the fluid downstream of apparatus for rotating the nozzle. Apparatus for rotating the nozzle can include a motor operable by pressurized fluid, or another suitable rotating power source The introduction of the abrasives will not adversely affect or harm the apparatus for rotating the nozzle, yet will provide the enhanced drilling capability. The abrasive stream can be used for drilling or cutting through a metal well casing, as well as cement and the adjacent strata.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drilling into strata adjacent to a well casing through an existing hole in a side of the well casing at a desired elevation therein, including a flexible tube for passage through the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and the second end, a nozzle for passage through the hole on the first end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube, and structure suspendable in the well casing and connected to the second end of the flexible tube for supporting the flexible tube and the nozzle in the well casing at the desired elevation for passage through the hole, the structure including an element for rotating the flexible tube and the nozzle when extending through the hole relative to the structure, and the structure including an internal passage connected in communication with the internal cavity of the flexible tube and

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling into earth strata surrounding a well casing utilizing a rotating fluid discharge nozzle and reduction of static head pressure in the well casing in conjunction with the drilling operation.