Abstract: Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method in which a drill head is driven toward the formation being drilled by the force of the drilling fluid, and the rate of advancement or penetration of the drill head is controlled by entrapping a fluid in a chamber to resist advancement of the drill head and allowing a controlled amount of the entrapped fluid to pass out of the chamber through an orifice to permit the drill head to advance at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A system for gravel packing a production radial tube terminating in an open drillhead in electrically conductive oil bearing formation. An elongate perforating tube having spaced ports with electrically conductive perimeters connected to an electrical power source is passed to the forward end of the radial tube. Then an electrolyte solution is passed through the hollow interior of the perforating tube and out the ports to be directed against the tube while current is supplied to form spaced perforations in the tube. Then the perforating tool is withdrawn.

Abstract: A system for gravel packing a production radial tube terminating in an open drillhead in an oil bearing formation. The radial tube is perforated by an electrolytic perforation tool which is removed. A flexible permeable liner is passed into the radial tube and slurry is flowed through the liner and out the distal end to the radial tube back towards the well bore to the fill. Then, plug filters are placed at the proximal and distal ends of the radial tube which pass oil but not gravel, and the proximal end of the radial tube is severed, if desired.

Abstract: A system for gravel packing a production radial tube terminating in an open drillhead in an oil bearing formation. The radial tube is perforated by an electrolytic perforation tool which is removed. A flexible permeable liner is passed into the radial tube and slurry is flowed through the liner and out the distal end to the radial tube back towards the well bore to the fill. Then, plug filters are placed at the proximal and distal ends of the radial tube which pass oil but not gravel, and the proximal end of the radial tube is severed, if desired.

Abstract: A system for gravel packing a production radial tube terminating in an open drillhead in an oil bearing formation. The radial tube is perforated by an electrolytic perforation tool which is removed. A flexible permeable liner is passed into the radial tube and slurry is flowed through the liner and out the distal end to the radial tube back towards the well bore to the fill. Then, plug filters are placed at the proximal and distal ends of the radial tube which pass oil but not gravel, and the proximal end of the radial tube is severed, if desired.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method suitable for use in a variety of applications including the drilling of deep holes for oil and gas wells and the drilling of vertical, horizontal or slanted holes, drilling through both consolidated and unconsolidated formations, and cutting and removing core samples. The drill head produces a whirling mass of pressurized cutting fluid, and this whirling fluid is applied to a discharge nozzle to produce a high velocity cutting jet. In one embodiment, the fluid is discharged from a central nozzle as a thin wall conical cutting jet, and a plurality of axially directed jets are spaced about the central nozzle for removing material within the circular groove cut by the conical jet. The conical jet can be used without the axially directed jets to cut core samples. In a second embodiment, the discharge nozzle comprises an oblique bore in a rotor which is driven at a relatively slow speed (e.g. 5-50 rpm) by the whirling fluid in the drill head.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method suitable for use in a variety of applications including the drilling of deep holes for oil and gas wells and the drilling of vertical, horizontal or slanted holes, drilling through both consolidated and unconsolidated formations, and cutting and removing core samples. The drill head produces a whirling mass of pressurized cutting fluid, and this whirling fluid is applied to a discharge nozzle to produce a high velocity cutting jet. The cutting action is enhanced by abrasive material in the drilling fluid. The direction of the borehole is controlled by controlling the discharge of the drilling fluid either in side jets directed radially from the distal end portion of the drill string which carries the drill head or in a plurality of forwardly directed cutting jets.

Abstract: Hydraulic drilling apparatus and method suitable for use in a variety of applications including the drilling of deep holes for oil and gas wells and the drilling of vertical, horizontal or slanted holes, drilling through both consolidated and unconsolidated formations, and cutting and removing core samples. The drill head produces a whirling mass of pressurized cutting fluid, and this whirling fluid is applied to a discharge nozzle to produce a high velocity cutting jet. The cutting action is enhanced by abrasive material in the drilling fluid. The direction of the borehole is controlled by controlling the discharge of the drilling fluid either in side jets directed radially from the distal end portion of the drill string which carries the drill head or in a plurality of forwardly directed cutting jets.

Abstract: A system for the formation of a bore hole, particularly for use in enhancing the recovery of oil from an oil bearing underground formation using an assembly including a driving fluid chamber, sealed from a driving fluid chamber, and a drill string terminating in a hydraulic drillhead which passes drilling fluid into the formation. Pressurized fluid from the drilling fluid chamber is applied against the drillhead to pull the drill string into the formation, while pressurized fluid from the drilling fluid chamber pushes the drill string forward from the rear. In a preferred embodiment, the forward end of the guide tube includes a whipstock through which the piston body turns from a vertical to a horizontal direction into the formation to provide a radial for the injection of steam.

Abstract: A system for gravel packing a production radial tube terminating in an open drillhead in an oil bearing formation. The radial tube is perforated by an electrolytic perforation tool which is removed. A flexible permeable liner is passed into the radial tube and slurry is flowed through the liner and out the distal end to the radial tube back towards the well bore to the fill. Then, plug filters are placed at the proximal and distal ends of the radial tube which pass oil but not gravel, and the proximal end of the radial tube is severed, if desired.

Abstract: Quick release mechanism which can be locked to prevent unauthorized removal of a bicycle wheel or other object secured thereby. The mechanism has an axially extending drawbar, a pair of clamping elements mounted on the drawbar for axial movement relative to each other between securing and released positions, an operating lever connected to the drawbar for moving the clamping elements between the securing and released positions, and a lock forming an integral part of the mechanism. In one embodiment, the operating lever is disconnected from the drawbar and locked in this position to prevent unauthorized removal of the object secured by the mechanism. In other embodiments, the operating lever is locked to prevent unauthorized release of the mechanism. A force indicating nut employed as one of the clamping elements indicates when the mechanism is adjusted for the proper tension to retain the mechanism in the secured position.

Abstract: Probe and method for determining the curvature of an elongated opening such as a borehole in the earth. The probe includes an axially extending flexible shaft and two pairs of sensing wires arranged in quadrature about the shaft for axial movement relative to each other upon bending of the probe. The relative axial positions of the sensing wires on opposite sides of the flexible shaft are monitored to determine the curvature of the borehole.

Abstract: Structure is passed into an earth well including a whipstock attached to piping and a retractible anchor. The whipstock includes a number of connected guide assemblies. Erection means is connected at one end to a forward guide assembly and at the other end to an extension projecting to the earth surface. To erect the whipstock, an extension of the erection means is pulled from the surface to cause the guide assemblies to swing into a curved pathway. Thereafter, a drilling tube is passed through the whipstock into the adjacent formation. The whipstock may be deerected by releasing the extension means. Then, the anchor is released and the structure is pulled out of the well.

Abstract: A system for the formation of a bore hole, particularly for use in enhancing the recovery of oil from an oil bearing underground formation using an assembly including a piston sliding in a guide tube. The forward end of the piston body terminates in a drillhead including multiple ports for passing drilling fluid into the formation. Pressurized fluid flowing through the piston body applies pressure against the drillhead to cause it to move into the formation at the same time as it is cutting a pathway for itself. In a preferred embodiment, the forward end of the guide tube includes a whipstock through which the piston body turns from a vertical to a horizontal direction into the formation to provide a radial for the injection of steam. A rigid metal piston body may be used which plastically deforms when passing through the whipstock and becomes rigid thereafter as it moves through the formation.

Abstract: A system for the formation and use of a bore hole, particularly for the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing underground formation. An eversible elongate permeable tube, preferably formed of woven cloth, including outer and inner walls, connected at a rollover area, is urged into the formation by a driving fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped through a central passageway in the tube and carries a central pipe forward. The drilling fluid, comprising a hot acid or basic aqueous or petroleum base solution, assists break up of the formation to form a cuttings slurry which passes back along the outside of the eversible tube. Means is provided for turning the tube, as from the vertical to the horizontal, by use of a turning segment in the eversible tube, or by guiding the central pipe. Such pipe preferably includes a flexible helical segment capable of turning and of serving as the ultimate support casing. Also, gravel packing techniques and down-hole steam generators.

Abstract: Earth well drilling apparatus including piping in a well, a metal drilling tube within the piping, and a hydraulic jet drilling head secured to the lower end of the tube. A seal is disposed between the piping and the tube. The drilling head is urged downwardly through the piping under hydraulic pressure through a tube bneding assembly laterally extensible from a retracted position substantially within the structure. The hydraulic pressure propels the tube downwardly through the piping and bending assembly to bend the tube and to direct the drilling head laterally toward the formation.

Abstract: A system for the formation and use of a bore hole, particularly for the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing underground formation. An eversible elongate permeable tube, preferably formed of woven cloth, including other and inner walls, connected at a rollover area, is urged into the formation by a driving fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped through a central passageway in the tube and carries a central pipe forward. The drilling fluid, comprising a hot acid or basic aqueous or petroleum base solution, assists break up of the formation to form a cuttings slurry which passes back along the outside of the eversible tube. Means is provided for turning the tube, as from the vertical to the horizontal, by use of a turning segment in the eversible tube, or by guiding the central pipe. Such pipe preferably includes a flexible helical segment capable of turning and of serving as the ultimate support casing. Also, gravel packing techniques and down-hole steam generators.