Abstract: Transmitting and receiving mud pulse pressure waves at a downhole device. The mud pulse pressure waves may be transmitted from a surface mud pulser and/or by a downhole mud pulser to a downhole device. The mud pulse pressure waves may be detected directly by a transducer or indirectly by detecting physical changes induced in the downhole tool by the pressure waves of the mud pulse. The detected physical changes can be converted to a digital signal for use by the downhole tool. The mud pulse pressure waves may encode information including data, or instructions to the downhole devices.

Abstract: A section mill including a housing, a cutter pivotally connected to the housing, a drive piston operably connected to the cutter to radially expand or retract the cutter depending upon longitudinal position of the drive piston relative to the housing, and a limit configuration in operable contact with the drive piston to limit drive piston stroke responsive to hydraulic pressure on the drive piston. A method for cutting casing including determining condition of a structure radially outward of a casing to be cut, selecting an amount of expansion of a cutter based upon the determining, and cutting the casing. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a section mill as in any prior embodiment disposed in the borehole.

Abstract: A system for sidewall coring includes a sidewall coring tool lowered into a wellbore for positioning a coring bit inside a subterranean formation, an injection assembly, and an array of sensors. The coring bit is capable of collecting a core sample by rotating with respect to a housing of the sidewall coring tool. The injection assembly injects a plurality of fluids into a sidewall core and is configured to selectively inject a plurality of fluids into the core sample. The array of sensors is embedded within a sidewall cutter enclosure for recording measurements during an injection process. The array of sensors produces information relating to the core sample.

Abstract: A drill bit is used for drilling through earthen formations and forming a wellbore. The drill bit includes a bit body having a bit axis, and at least a first cone and a second cone coupled to the bit body. Each of the first and the second cones has a backface, a nose opposite the backface, and a cone axis of rotation. An array of cutting elements coupled to the first or second cones is in a band that lies between the backface and the nose. The cutting elements in the band are arranged at radial positions with respect to the bit axis and at least two adjacent cutting elements are at a same radial position within the array, and the remaining cutting elements are at different radial positions within the array.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a tool in a borehole is provided. The anchoring system comprising a tool body, anchoring members which are operable to extend from the tool body so as to deploy an anchor portion into contact with the borehole wall such that when deployed. The anchoring members act to support the tool body in a central region of the borehole. Moreover, the anchoring members are connected to an operating mechanism which links deployment of the anchoring members so as to distribute the anchoring force and position of the anchoring members in a controlled manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and the methods for deploying a sensor in the formation down a borehole. The apparatus comprises a downhole drilling system which is connected at a first end to the surface and is connected at a second end to a flexible drilling string downhole in the borehole. At least a portion of the flexible drilling string is locatable in a lateral hole of the borehole, and at least one downhole sensor is connectable to the portion of the drilling string that is locatable in the lateral hole.

Abstract: A jet drill coupled to a distal end of a flexible jet lance is lowered into a well casing and advanced through a curved passage formed in a deflection shoe oriented to direct the jet drill through an orifice milled in the well casing. The jet drill is actuated with a pressurized fluid produced by a pump on the surface that is conveyed through a high pressure hose that runs through the flexible jet lance. Force transmitted through a thrust liner of the jet lance advances the jet drill while the lateral bore is being drilled. The thrust liner comprises helical coils of steel wire providing a high elastic modulus and buckling resistance, even while passing through the curved passage. Tension cables in the jet lance maintain tension on the thrust liner and enable the assembly to be pulled from the lateral bore and well.

Abstract: A lateral drilling system includes a device for drilling a first bore hole, preferably vertical or substantially vertical, and including a tool for boring a second bore hole in a direction transverse, preferably normal or substantially normal, to the first bore hole. The vertical boring tool may be any vertical boring device. A casing for the first bore hole may be used. The tool for boring the second bore hole includes a pipe launching section and a pipe receiving section. There is also a removable rack for holding a supply of pipe segments, each segment having a lead end of reduced diameter for fitting into a tail end of a preceding pipe segment, so that the segments form a conduit which may be used to treat surrounding ground. The tool includes a frame for holding the pipe receiving section, pipe launching section and pipe launching mechanism. The pipe launching mechanism includes a pushing arm and a power source to push each pipe segment one by one into the ground.

Abstract: A method for operating a coring tool includes moving a handling piston of a coring tool from a first position to a second position with respect to the coring tool where the handling piston moving through a coring bit to the second position. The method also includes measuring the distance of the movement of the handling piston between the first position and the second position to determine a core length, comparing the measured distance with a predetermined threshold, and operating a coring bit of the coring tool to obtain a core sample in response to determining that the measured distance is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and device for deploying a cable and an apparatus in a ground formation having a motherbore, wherein the method comprises positioning a non-rotating drill pipe, a cable and an apparatus in a motherbore tubular; and drilling a lateral opening relatively the motherbore by displacing the drill pipe into the formation with the cable and apparatus attached.

Abstract: A debris removal tool has a lower end pickup hose into which debris laden fluid is pulled when there is circulation through the debris removal tool from the surface. An anchor near the open end of the hose stabilizes the lower end near a recess or groove from which debris is to be removed. Once the anchor is set the hose can be extended or retracted as well as rotated on its axis to pick up debris. A camera can be located in or near the hose opening to be able to see where the debris is located and for confirmation that the debris is being removed and that the debris has fully been removed.

Abstract: A drilling system for drilling and completing a lateral borehole from a main borehole comprises a liner unit for storing one or more prefabricated liners for installation into the lateral borehole; and a drilling unit operable to drill the lateral borehole into the formation surrounding the main borehole and to install the prefabricated liner in the lateral borehole after drilling. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole using such a drilling system comprises positioning the system in the main borehole at a location of interest; operating the drilling unit to drill a lateral borehole from the main borehole; completing the lateral borehole by deploying the liner from the liner unit into the lateral borehole.

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 system for blasting lateral holes in the formation around a well bore, the well bore containing production casing and production tubing inside the producting casing. The system includes: a coiled tubing system including a first pump for pumping under pressure cutting fluid; coiled tubing for inserting into the production tubing; a flexible hose having a first end attached to the bottom end of the coiled tubing; a jetting nozzle attached to a second end of the flexible hose; and a deflection shoe adapted for attaching to the bottom of the production tubing. The system further comprises a centering system for centering the coiled tubing within the production tubing; a fluid transport system comprising a second pump and tubing adapted for pumping circulating fluid through the production casing; and a flow-back system comprising tubing adapted for receiving spent cutting fluid out of the production casing.

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: Disclosed is a movable boring assembly and a boring tool positioner for drilling a plurality of holes in a well casing and jetting a well production zone through the plurality of holes. All of the holes can be drilled in the casing at different angular positions, as well as different levels within the casing. The drilling tool can then be removed and a perforation jet can be reliably and accurately reoriented into the drilled holes to perforate a production zone in multiple directions and at multiple levels.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a subsurface formation is provided. The apparatus includes a tool body, a probe assembly carried by the tool body for sealing off a region of the borehole wall, an actuator for moving the probe assembly between a retracted position for conveyance of the tool body and a deployed position for sealing off a region of the borehole wall and a perforator extending through the probe assembly for penetrating a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall. The tool may be provided with first and second drilling shafts with bits for penetrating various surfaces. The method involves sealing off a region of a wall of an open borehole penetrating the formation, creating a perforation through a portion of the sealed-off region of the borehole wall and testing the formation.

Abstract: A method of completing a lateral channel in a coal seam using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a guide shoe. The guide shoe defines a window configured to open into the coal seam and allow the waterjet to engage the coal seam in a substantially horizontal direction. High pressure fluid is then pumped into the waterjet to make a lateral channel therein, and the flexible hose is rigid enough to allow an operator to manually-move the flexible hose.

Abstract: A device useful for conducting lateral or transverse excavating operations within a wellbore comprising a rotating drill bit with jet nozzles on a flexible arm. The arm can retract within the housing of the device during deployment within the wellbore, and can be extended from within the housing in order to conduct excavation operations. A fluid pressure source for providing ultra high pressure to the jet nozzles can be included with the device within the wellbore. The device includes a launch mechanism that supports the arm during the extended position and a positioning gear to aid during the extension and retraction phases of operation of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a movable boring assembly and a boring tool positioner for drilling a plurality of holes in a well casing and jetting a well production zone through the plurality of holes. All of the holes can be drilled in the casing at different angular positions, as well as different levels within the casing. The drilling tool can then be removed and a perforation jet can be reliably and accurately reoriented into the drilled holes to perforate a production zone in multiple directions and at multiple levels.

Abstract: A coring member useful in wellbore excavating operations comprising at least one segment disposed onto the end of a shaft, where a channel is formed between each at least one segment. The at least one segment has an impeller like arrangement that on rotation produces a pressure differential across the face of the coring member. The impeller like arrangement comprises an obliquely attached vane on one side of the face, and an obliquely attached rib on the other side. Rotation of the coring member within a fluid produces a localized high-pressure zone adjacent the face of each rib and a corresponding low-pressure zone adjacent the face of each vane. Each channel provides fluid communication between a vane and a rib, where the vane and the rib are located on different but adjacent segments. The pressure differential between the vane and the rib during rotation of the drill bit within a fluid can produce fluid flow through the channel from the rib to the vane.

Abstract: An erectable arm assembly for use in a borehole, the erectable arm assembly comprising a main body and an arm member, the arm member being able to move between a collapsed position in which the assembly can be removed from the borehole and an erected position, the erectable arm assembly being adapted to house a fluid drilling assembly comprising a fluid cutting device and a flexible hose drill string such that the arm member during erection can contain at least part of the fluid drilling assembly, and when in the erected position the arm member is able to guide the fluid cutting device towards the borehole wall, the assembly further including at least one sensor for monitoring the arm member or the fluid drilling assembly.

Abstract: A rolling cone drill bit including multiple cones with regions of intermeshing and non-intermeshing cutter elements. In the non-intermeshed regions, an array of cutter elements is disposed about the cone surface in a non-circumferential arrangement with the cutter elements being mounted at differing radial distances from the bit axis. This non-circumferential arrangement, which may be a spiral, multiple spirals, other patterns of offset cutter elements, or a random arrangement, provides a composite cutting profile having substantial width and bottomhole coverage and is free of ridge-producing voids. In certain embodiments, the composite cutting profiles of the arrays at least partially overlap, and may be arranged to cover a portion of or the entire non-intermeshed region on the cones.

Abstract: A coring device includes a primary and a secondary bit that drill a first and second depth into a formation, respectively. The first and second bits are positioned on telescopically arranged mandrels that are rotated by a suitable rotary drive. The coring tool also includes a drive device that extends the first bit and the second bit a first depth into the formation and extends only the second bit a second depth into the formation. In arrangements, the actuating device can include a first hydraulic actuator applying pressure to extend the second bit into the formation and a second hydraulic actuator applying pressure to retract the second bit from the formation. The advancement and retraction of the first and second bits can be controlled by a control unit that uses sensor signals, timers, preprogrammed instruction and any other suitable arrangement.

Abstract: A bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string includes a steering device, one or more controllers, and a hole enlargement device that selectively enlarges the diameter of the wellbore formed by the drill bit. In an automated drilling mode, the controller controls drilling directing by issuing instructions to the steering device. In one arrangement, the hole enlargement device is integrated into a shaft of a drilling motor that rotates the drill bit. The hole enlargement device includes an actuation unit and an electronics package that cooperate to translate extendable cutting elements between a radially extended position and a radially retracted position. The electronics package may be responsive to a signal that is transmitted from a downhole and/or a surface location. The hole enlargement device may also include one or more position sensors that transmit a position signal indicative of a radial position of the cutting elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizontally drilling in wells utilizing a shoe assembly at the down hole end of upset tubing. The shoe assembly includes a fixed section and a rotatable section suspended below the fixed section. An electric motor and associated batteries and a gyroscope carried on the rotatable section enable an operator on the surface to selectively rotate and position the rotatable section to any desired angular location for drilling a hole in the well casing. After one or more holes have been cut in the casing, a drill assembly can be removed from the upset tubing and be replaced by a high pressure blaster nozzle to bore into the formation zones. The gyroscope enables the operator to accurately position the rotatable section to the same locations at which the holes have been cut. The drill assembly includes an electric motor with an associated battery, flexible drive shaft, and a hole saw.

Abstract: Apparatus for boring a hole from an inside of a casing outwardly at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the casing comprises a drill shoe having a longitudinal axis and being positionable in the casing, the shoe having first and second passageways which converge into a third passageway exiting the shoe, a torsional load transmitting element and a cutting element connecting to one end of the torsional load transmitting element, the torsional load transmitting element and cutting element being positioned in the first passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during use, and a fluid conduit and a nozzle connected to one end of the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit and nozzle being positioned in the second passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during use.

Abstract: In connection with a method and a tool for preparing a well for the production of hydrocarbons, it is aimed at perforating a casing portion (26) and working surrounding sediment (80) in a channel-forming manner. For this purpose the tool comprises a drilling means for drilling transverse holes through the casing wall when the tool (10), which is arranged to be raised/lowered and rotated about its longitudinal axis, shared by the casing (26), is placed in a fixed position within the well, through which transverse hole (40) and into surrounding sediment a jetting hose means (42,42a) is arranged to jet/dig its way in a channel-forming manner. The drilling and jetting hose means also have inactive stand-by positions protectively retracted within the tool housing (10a), from and into which they may successively be pushed forward into active working positions and again be withdrawn, as a channel (44) is completed in the sediment (80).

Abstract: A self-advancing drilling system comprising a drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus having at least one leading fluid cutting nozzle, means on the drilling apparatus to provide forward movement to the drilling apparatus, the drilling system further comprising a drill string formed from recoverable flexible hose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: In a cutter structure for a shield machine which advances by boring through a tunnel wall from inside an existing tunnel, the shape of an excavating surface on a work face formed by a cutter is set so as to have a smaller curvature than or an equal curvature to the curve of a surface to be excavated on the outer face of the tunnel wall to be excavated. Since the shape of the excavating surface on the work face formed by the cutter is set by a curvature, upon advance of the shield machine by boring through the tunnel wall, the tunnel wall to be excavated, the shape of which is cylindrical, can be cut into by opening a hole which extends diametrically outward from the central portion of the cutter. As a result, the sections that are not cut into remain connected to the existing tunnel and will not enter the cutter chamber in lumps.

Abstract: Apparatus for boring a hole from an inside of a tube outwardly perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube comprises a drill shoe having a longitudinal axis and being positionable in the tube, the shoe having an inlet, an outlet perpendicular to the shoe longitudinal axis and a passageway connecting the inlet and outlet, a torsional load transmitting element having no torsional flexibility in relation to its bending flexibility, having a longitudinal axis and being disposed in the passageway, the torsional load transmitting element being movable relative to itself with no resistance about first and second perpendicular axes both of which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torsional load transmitting element, a hole saw connected to one end of the torsional load transmitting element and a motor rotatably connected to the other end of the torsional load transmitting element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: An oil tool forms holes or perforations which extend horizontally away from the borehole and into the formation for recovering additional oil and gas from the formation. The tool provides a downhole tool capable of drilling horizontally into a formation and further capable of operating in a relatively small well bore, such as those having a diameter of less than six inches. In addition, the tool does not tend to spiral or otherwise deviate from horizontal during drilling operations. The tool of the present invention includes a drill capable of drilling or tunneling through the formation, a magazine or carrier which contains a plurality of hollow joints or segments, a hydraulic pump and a mechanism for assembling and disassembling the segments. Once in place, the assembly mechanism removably attaches a segment from the magazine to the drill.

Abstract: Apparatus for boring a hole from an inside of a tube outwardly perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tube comprises a drill shoe having a longitudinal axis and being positionable in the tube, the shoe having an inlet, an outlet perpendicular to the shoe longitudinal axis and a passageway connecting the inlet and outlet, a torsional load transmitting element having no torsional flexibility in relation to its bending flexibility, having a longitudinal axis and being disposed in the passageway, the torsional load transmitting element being movable relative to itself with no resistance about first and second perpendicular axes both of which are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the torsional load transmitting element, a hole saw connected to one end of the torsional load transmitting element and a motor rotatably connected to the other end of the torsional load transmitting element.

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: A self-advancing drilling system comprising a drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus, the drilling apparatus having at least one leading fluid cutting nozzle, means on the drilling apparatus to provide forward movement to the drilling apparatus, the drilling system further comprising a drill string formed from recoverable flexible hose.

Abstract: An apparatus and several methods for forming one or more channels from an existing cased wellbore are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a notching device for forming an opening in the casing and having an integral guide shoe portion for guiding a nozzle to a position adjacent the opening to form the channel. The related method may involve lowering this apparatus into the well and then performing the notching or jetting operation, or separately lowering a notching device and a guide shoe, each carried on the end of a tubing, into the well. A guide shoe capable of positioning the nozzle close to the opening in the casing, such as one formed during the notching process, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forcing drainage devices through the sidewall of a borehole and into the formation to increase oil and gas recovery from the formation. The object usually comprises a plurality of drainage devices, which may be a plurality of nesting discs perforated to provide a passageway for recovery fluid. The discs and drainage device are forced non-drillingly through the side wall and into the formation. The apparatus and method also may be used with interconnected links instead of discs to push a core sampler into the formation and retrieve it. The housing includes a guide channel that is usually an angled passageway or tube. The discs or links are sized to be received in the guide. The apparatus includes a propulsion assembly that impacts the discs or links that act as an anvil assembly. Alternatively, the apparatus takes the form of a pre-loaded casing section, that is, a casing section in which a plurality of drainage devices have been incorporated.

Abstract: A device for working the interior of pipes, with an outer casing, an inner casing which is axially displaceable therein, with a rotary head which carries a bracket for attaching a working apparatus, with respective gearing arrangements each actuated by a motor, one for rotating the rotary head and another for the axial motion of the inner casing, with media-bearing ducts and control and energy supply leads introduced into the outer casing, has the following particulars: The gearing arrangement for the axial motion of the inner casing, the motor actuating this gearing arrangement, the gearing arrangement for executing the rotation of the rotary head, as well as the motor actuating this gearing arrangement, form four subassemblies which can be preassembled separately from one another. A fifth preassemblable subassembly has facilities for forming interfaces for the passage of lines from the inner casing to the rotary head.

Abstract: A method for forming substantially lateral boreholes from within an existing elongated shaft includes positioning a drilling unit within the existing shaft, bracing the drilling unit against a wall surrounding the existing shaft to transmit forces between the drilling unit and the medium surrounding the wall, and applying a drilling force from the drilling unit to cut through the wall of the existing shaft and form the substantially lateral borehole in the surrounding medium. A preferred apparatus for practicing the method includes an extendable insert ram within the drilling unit for extending a drill bit from the drilling unit and applying a drilling force to the drill bit to cut through the wall of the existing shaft. A supply of modular drill string elements are cyclically inserted between the insert ram and the drill bit so that repeated extensions of the insert ram further extends the drill bit into the surrounding medium to increase the length of the lateral borehole.

Abstract: A joint of tubular casing with a pre-formed window in its sidewall has a tubular sleeve fixedly attached to the interior of the tubular casing by a plurality of shearable set screws. The exterior surface of the sleeve is sealed to the interior surface of the tubular casing on opposing sides of the window. The window is filled with a fluid, and then the window is covered with one or more layers of a composite material such as fiberglass. In use, the joint of tubular casing is run down to the depth of interest in an earth borehole, and then the window is oriented with respect to the formation of interest at the depth. The joint of tubular casing is then cemented in place, after which the tubular sleeve is retrieved by the use of a fishing tool, causing the set screws to shear upon the upward movement of the fishing tool. After the interior sleeve is retrieved, a whipstock is lowered into the cased borehole, until it is oriented and anchored therein.

Abstract: A method and system for translating the orientation of a length of coil tubing from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation, inside a well borehole and downhole of a wellhead. A first conduit is installed and suspended in a well borehole. The conduit is provided with a coil tubing bender at the downhole end of the conduit. Coil tubing is injected into the conduit through an upper packer attached to the top section of the conduit. After a section of coil tubing is injected into the conduit, an outer coil tubing seal is securely affixed to the coil tubing. The coil tubing is run to the top of the bender; the packer is closed; and high pressure fluid is introduced between the upper packer and the outer seal inside the conduit. The fluid forces the coil tubing through the bender and translates the coil tubing from a vertical to horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A method for forming substantially lateral boreholes from within an existing elongated shaft includes positioning a drilling unit within the existing shaft, bracing the drilling unit against a wall surrounding the existing shaft to transmit forces between the drilling unit and the medium surrounding the wall, and applying a drilling force from the drilling unit to cut through the wall of the existing shaft and form the substantially lateral borehole in the surrounding medium. A preferred apparatus for practicing the method includes an extendable insert ram within the drilling unit for extending a drill bit from the drilling unit and applying a drilling force to the drill bit to cut through the wall of the existing shaft. A supply of modular drill string elements are cyclically inserted between the insert ram and the drill bit so that repeated extensions of the insert ram further extends the drill bit into the surrounding medium to increase the length of the lateral borehole.

Abstract: Offshore well slots are recovered by cutting off old drive or surface pipe below the mud line to form a stub end. A new drivepipe is installed with a guide and shield device disposed on the scarfed lower end or "mule shoe" of the new drivepipe. The guide and shield device includes a saddle contiguous with the lower end of the new drivepipe having one or more hooks formed on the outer surface thereof for engagement with the stub end to locate the device and the new drivepipe. Shear pins interconnect the new drivepipe with the device and are sheared in response to downward driving action on the new drivepipe or allowing the full weight of the drivepipe to be exerted on the shield device after engagement with the old drivepipe.

Abstract: A sidewall coring device includes a housing (12) which is operable to be disposed on the end of a drill string. A core tube (18) is disposed on one side of the housing on the interior thereof with an opening (20) provided for receiving core material. A coring mechanism (24) is provided that tilts outward from the housing with blades (26) engaging the sidewall. A passageway (14) allows mud to flow from the drill string downward therethrough to provide a hydraulic force to a hydraulic mechanism (32) to drive saw blades (26). The stabilizing mechanism (32) is provided for forcing the housing (12) against the sidewall of the bore to bore hole (10). The drill string imparts a downward force onto the coring blades (26) to form core segments (40) which are diverted into the core tube (18) by a diverter mechanism (22).

Abstract: An extendable, retractable, erectable arm assembly for housing and supporting a water conduit extending outward from a tool located in a borehole, to a nozzle to produce a high pressure water cutting jet is provided. The arm assembly includes a plurality of interlocking arm segments for housing, supporting and moving the conduit through an angle of about 90.degree. from a stowed position to an operating position. The arm segments include integral, separable hinges capable of being interlocked such that pivotable movement is possible along any side thereof. These segments have mating apertures therethrough to accommodate the conduit. The assembly also includes an erecting device which provides compression on the segments and which gives the arm rigidity during movements. An alignment device is also included which keeps the segments aligned when the arm is deflected.

Abstract: An improved device (10) is arranged to drill one or more holes through the wall of a subterranean sewer (11). The device includes a frame (13) adapted to be positioned within the sewer and moved to a desired location relative thereto. Three plate-like members (40) are mounted on the frame for movement inwardly and outwardly in a radial direction. An actuator (56) is mounted to the frame, and is selectively operable to move the plate-like members radially outwardly. Each plate-like member carries a motor (18) and a chuck (16) grasping a drill (19). When the motors are energized, the drills rotate. When the actuator is energized, the drills move radially outwardly to bore holes through the conduit wall. The apparatus is used prior to application of grout or sealant in the repair of ground water leaks.

Abstract: A remotely controlled, hydraulically operated cutter apparatus for use in a conduit includes control panel for generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the operation and a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. Valves are provided for receiving both the pressurized fluid and the control signals, and for distributing the received fluid in accordance with the received control signals. A hydraulically powered cutter motor located within the conduit and including a cutting tool receives hydraulic fluid from the valves for driving the cutting tool. The cutter motor is supported within the conduit by a structural unit. A first hydraulically actuated cylinder is included for receiving hydraulic fluid from the valves and for centering and holding the structural unit in a fixed axial position within the conduit.