Abstract: A flexible/rigid drilling assembly that can be flexible enough to bend around and into a curved hole form a vertical well to the horizontal with a short horizontal hole extension. When the flexible/rigid drilling assembly is placed in the short horizontal hole extension it can be converted to a rigid assembly and provide stability for a drill bit on its end to drill a straight horizontal out into an oil, gas or water. High static drilling fluid pressure with low compression force on the flexible/rigid drilling assembly is used to keep it in a flexible configuration while being placed in the short horizontal hole extension. Then the flexible/rigid drilling assembly is rotated to release the high static drilling fluid pressure. With the high static drilling fluid pressure released and with the high compression forces required to operate the drill bit the flexible/rigid drilling assembly transition into its rigid configuration and provide stability for a drill bit in drilling a straight horizontal drain hole.

Abstract: In the invention a side tracking bit that has a flexible interface between the bit crown and the bit shank which greatly reduces the length of inflexible structure between the face of the bit and the flexible interface. The limiting of the length of inflexible structure between the face of the bit and the flexible point significantly increases the side tracking bit's angle in starting and drilling a curved hole from the vertical to the horizontal and significantly shorten the radius of the curved hole.

Abstract: Improvements for a downhole flexible drive system for drilling high angle well holes or curved holes from the vertical to the horizontal with an ultra short radius to drill a horizontal drain hole. The improvements include a flexible shaft that connects the drive train of the system to a swivel joint attached inside the uphole tool joint of the system, that provide the drive train of the system the capability to carry part or all the tension loads on the system. An exhaust collar is provided with deflectors that direct excess drilling fluid up a well hole. A pump section is provided to insure drilling fluid flow over the face of a drill bit and the transport of cuttings. To increase flexibility and limit the length of inflexible sections of the system, a flexible tube to carry drilling fluids connects the bearing pack to the system.

Abstract: In the invention a flexible drill pipe comprising a plurality of short tube sections assembled end to end. Each short tube section having the same number and type of saw tooth shaped gear teeth cut around the circumference of each end of the short tube section. The orientation of the gear teeth on each end of the short tube section is such that the gear teeth of the short tube sections will intermesh when the short tube sections are assembled end to end. The plurality of short tube sections assembled end to end carries the torque load of the flexible drill pipe. A tool joint is interfaced on each of the plurality of short tube sections. The end of the tool joints that interfaces with the plurality of short tube sections has the same overall diameter and internal diameter and the same type and number of gear teeth as the short tube section. Wire rope lengths are assembled around and parallel to a hose used to carry drilling fluids through the flexible drill pipe.

Abstract: According to the invention a flexible drill pipe constructed of a closed pitch cylindrical spiral coil of wire rod, a female tool joint is attached to one end of the coil of wire rod and a male tool joint is attached to the other end. A plurality of wire wound flexible shafts are laid through the coil of wire rod attaching to the female and male tool joints and enclosing a hollow internal support assembly. The wire wound flexible shafts support the coil of wire rod so it can carry high tension loads and not let it over extend its length. The hollow internal support assembly keeps the coil of wire rod from collapsing under high torsion loads, provides a passage way for drilling fluids to be pumped through the flexible drill pipe, and provides an even distribution of flexibility over the length of the coil of wire rod.

Abstract: An improved downhole system for operating a drill bit around a small radius of bend in the directional drilling of curved holes from a vertical well hole in an oil or gas formation. The system is comprised of a plurality of double shaft downhole motors assembled in line and their shafts are connected by a flexible coupling. A flexible assembly encloses the area between the motors and provides a means for drilling fluids to be pumped through the system to a drill bit. The system can be constructed of either electrical motors or fluid turbine motors which can operate from drilling fluids pumped down a drill pipe string.

Abstract: According to the invention a flexible drill pipe constructed of a closed pitch cylindrical spiral coil of wire rod, a female tool joint is attached to one end of the coil of wire rod and a male tool joint is attached to the other end. A plurality of wire wound flexible shafts are laid through the coil wire rod attaching to the female and male tool joints and enclosing a hollow internal support assembly. The wire wound flexible shafts support the coil of wire rod so it can carry high tension loads and not let it over extend its length. The hollow internal support assembly keeps the coil of wire rod from collapsing under high torsion loads, provides a passage way for drilling fluids to be pumped through the flexible drill pipe, and provides an even distribution of flexibility over the length of the coil of wire rod.

Abstract: An improved downhole system for operating a drill bit around a small radius of bend in the directional drilling of curved holes from a vertical well hole in an oil or gas formation. The system is comprised of a plurality of double shaft downhole motors assembled in line and their shafts are connected by a flexible coupling. A flexible assembly encloses the area between the motors and provides a means for drilling fluids to be pumped through the system to a drill bit. The system can be constructed of either electrical motors or fluid turbine motors which can operate from drilling fluids pumped down a drill pipe string.

Abstract: The improved core cut off cable provides a means of being cooled and providing fluids for flushing cuttings away from a drilled core being cut off. The improved core cut off cable consists of a wire cable constructed around and along the length of a cylindrical spiral coil of wire rod so the coil of wire rod will support a hollow chamber through the axial center of the wire cable. Abrasive sections are adhered around the wire cable along one end portion of the wire cable and provides cutting surfaces the wire cable supports.

Abstract: According to the invention an improved system for the drilling of small holes from and at right angles to a vertical well hole. The system is directed by a ninety degree elbow attached to the downhole end of a small diameter tube section. The uphole end of the tube section is attached to the downhole end of a large diameter tubing string. A downhole electrical motor operates the drilling part of the system from inside the large diameter tubing string. The drive part of the system which operates the drill bit consists of a pump, which also provides drilling fluids to the drill bit, a small diameter drill pipe, a flexible drill pipe which operates the drill bit from around the ninety degree elbow. An electrical mechanical cable provides power to the electrical motor and hoists the electrical motor and its attachments in and out of the tubing string. An anti-torque mechanism attached to the uphole end of the electrical motor holds the electrical motor in place when the electrical motor is in operation.

Abstract: According to the invention a flexible drill pipe constructed of a closed pitch cylindrical spiral coil of wire rod with a floating core of tube sections constructed the same positioned end to end but not attached through the hollow center of the coil of wire rod to keep the coil of wire rod from collapsing under torsion loads required for a drilling operation. A thin wall hose is laid through the tube sections so drilling fluids can be pumped through the flexible drill pipe during a drilling operation.

Abstract: According to the invention, a process and system are disclosed for conditioning an oil or gas formation and the application of the various stimulating fluids to the oil or gas formation. The method consists of drilling from a vertical well hole a horizontal spiralling hole which spirals out into the oil or gas formation and around the vertical well hole. Other embodiments include the drilling of a horizontal inward spiralling well from a vertical well hole that inwardly spirals out into the oil or gas formation from the vertical well hole, and the drilling of a hole from a vertical well hole that spirals out and coils down through an oil or gas formation around the vertical well hole. The application of this process is contingent on the use of my remote control directional drilling system, U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,519, and my flexible drill pipe pending application Ser. No. 465,500, filed Apr. 30, 1974 on related equipment, now abandoned.