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: A well casing penetrator includes an elongated housing having a work fluid input chamber and enclosing an outwardly movable hydraulic cylinder driven punch for cutting an opening in a casing. A high pressure liquid jet nozzle is mounted on the end of a lance-like hose having a nozzle on its outer end which is moved outwardly or inwardly through an axial bore in the punch by a lance drive piston and cylinder assembly with outward movement serving to cut a radially extending opening in the surrounding earth. A moveable valve spool is connected to a coil compression spring which urges the spool toward a first position in the spool directs work fluid to hydraulic punch cylinder and lance drive piston and cylinder assembly so that the punch and lance-like hose are maintained in retracted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the production of drilling holes from an angled position with respect to the drilling axis, wherein the system has a free-moving drilling support with a drilling machine axially movable thereon. According to this process the drilling rod is provided with a flexible configuration that is diverted by passing through a bend guide affixed to a drilling support, from the rotation axis of the drilling machine to the axis of the drill hole. According to this device, the flexible drilling rod system consists of a tubular core and of wires or rods twisted around this core.

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.

Abstract: A well casing penetrator includes an elongated housing enclosing an outwardly movable hydraulic cylinder driven punch for cutting an opening in a casing. A high pressure liquid jet nozzle is mounted on the end of a hose which moves outwardly through an axial bore in the punch when extended through the casing to cut a radially extending opening in the surrounding earth. The punch includes arcuately curved longitudinal slots along opposite sides which cause tabs to be bent back along opposite sides of the opening cut in the casing to prevent dislodging of any portion of the casing from the casing as a consequence of the operation of the punch. A spool piston is connected to a single accumulator that is pressurized to urge the spool piston toward a first position in which work fluid controlled by the spool piston retracts the hydraulic punch cylinder and a hose drive cylinder for moving the hose in the punch.

Abstract: A sliding-weight operated hole boring tool can be used to make holes of various length or depth in varied soil conditions. A uniquely-shaped tool bit helps to form a smooth, clean hole. In preferred embodiments, detachable elongated stems are used to vary the length of the tool, and water is used to aid boring in hard soil.

Abstract: A core drilling mechanism in an elongate housing is rotated from a vertical storage position to a horizontal operable position. This permits the transport downhole of a drilling mechanism of sufficient longitudinal dimension to drill a core sample of substantial length perpendicular to the borehole sidewall. A fixed slotted plate and hydraulically actuated rotatable drive plate control the motion of the drilling mechanism, which is stored vertically for descent and ascent, and rotated 90-degrees and moved outward for core drilling. After a core sample is drilled, the drilling mechanism is tilted upward to break off the core, and then returned to its vertical storage position.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic motor for downhole oil and gas wells to drive a sidewall core cutting apparatus comprising; a motor housing having a fluid inlet channel and a fluid outlet channel directed essentially parallel to each other and tangentially intersecting a rotor cavity with the motor housing containing an eccentrically positioned rotor with radially movable vanes within the rotor in a manner such that the fluid flow enters the cavity essentially tangentially and flows around the rotor and exits tangentially on the other side of the cavity. Such a hydraulic motor exhibits significant improvement in torque and power output at a given hydraulic power input when compared to previous hydraulic motors employed in such applications.

Abstract: A lateral hole boring method whereby a lateral hole of a desired length is formed underground by repeatedly performing the following steps. A vertical hole is prepared, and a lateral hole boring apparatus equipped with a leading auger of a smaller length than the diameter of the vertical hole is lowered into the vertical hole to a predetermined position. The apparatus is manipulated from the ground level to advance and rotate the leading auger to bore a lateral hole. When the lateral hole has reached a predetermined length commensurate with the length of the leading auger, the advance movement of the leading auger is stopped, and the lateral hole boring apparatus is manipulated from the ground level to detach the leading auger therefrom, and is lifted above the vertical hole while leaving the leading auger in the lateral hole.

Abstract: A well casing penetrator includes an elongated housing enclosing an outwardly movable hydraulic driven punch for cutting an opening in a casing. A high pressure liquid jet nozzle is mounted on the end of a hose which moves outwardly through an axial bore in the punch when extended through the casing to cut a radially extending opening in the surrounding earth. The punch includes longitudinal slots along opposite sides which cause tabs to be bent back along opposite sides of the opening cut in the casing to prevent dislodging of any portion of the casing from the casing as a consequence of the operation of the punch.

Abstract: A remotely controlled, hydraulically operated cutter apparatus for use within a conduit includes a control for generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the operation of 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 cutter tool receives the hydraulic fluid from the valves for driving the cutter tool. The cutter motor is supported within the conduit by supporting members. A first hydraulically actuated cylinder is included for receiving hydraulic fluid from the valves and for holding the supporting members in a fixed axial position within the conduit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling equipment whose annular bit (4) for cutting the rock located in the deepest point of the drill hole is provided with high-pressure water-jet nozzles and is connected via a flexible high-pressure hose pipe (13) with a high-pressure pump. In order to be able to drill with the aid of such a drilling equipment small-diameter drill holes of high directional stability, the invention proposes that the high-pressure hose pipe (13) be constructed to be rigid under torsion, non-rotatably connected to the annular bit (4) and the turning drive (24, 25) of the drilling machine (8) and to be journaled in a non-rotatable jacket tube (15) elastically deflectable from the extension position, said jacket tube being rigid in radial direction and guided in the area of the drill hole mouth in a deflecting device (7) and displaceable together with the high-pressure hose pipe (13) in its longitudinal direction.

Abstract: In shaft drilling apparatus for recovery of gas from subterranean formations includes a platform adapted for being suspended by a cable and rotated within a generally vertical shaft in the earth. Drilling and stabilizing apparatus are provided and disposed on the platform for drilling boreholes into the subterranean seams containing gas and rigidly supporting the platform within the generally vertical shaft during the drilling of the boreholes. A liquid-solids-gas separator is provided which is disposed on the platform and in an operative relationship with the drilling apparatus for separating solid cuttings and gas from the drilling efflux. Apparatus for enabling fresh air to be circulated to and from the platform is provided and includes a curtain wall disposed along the diameter of the generally vertical shaft. The platform is disposed on one side of the curtain wall during circulation of air to and from the platform.

Abstract: Multi-drain drilling and petroleum production start-up device.This comprises at least one take-off assembly (11) which is fastened in situ in an outer tube of the well and at least one take-off tube (12 to 14) of which communicates by its lower end with a branched well.The invention is used, in particular, in branched wells.

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: This relates to a pressure coring tool to obtain pressurized samples of the formation through which the wellbore is drilled. It includes a housing which supports a guide means along which the drill bit, core barrel and motor can be moved to extend or retract the cutting bit and core barrel along a selected path which preferably is horizontal. The core barrel is retracted inwardly on a horizontal path and tilted in an upward position such as the outer end of the core barrel is higher than the end near the barrel. Means are provided to pressure seal the cut core within the core barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for drilling a sidewall core from a borehole which has a cylindrical housing with an opening through which a core bit and barrel are extended and retracted. In a preferred embodiment there is a fixed plate on opposite sides of the bit motor with guide slots cut therethrough. A drive plate is provided adjacent each fixed plate having guide slots. The bit motor has two pins on each side which extend through the guide slots of the drive plate. Movement of the drive plates causes the bit motor to follow the designated path.

Abstract: This relates to sidewall coring tools used to obtain samples of the formation through which the wellbore is drilled. It includes a housing which supports a guide means along which the drill bit, core barrel and motor can be moved to extend or retract the cutting bit and core barrel along a selected path. The core barrel is retracted inwardly on a horizontal path and tilted in an upward position such that the outer end of the core barrel is higher than the end near the motor. Means are provided to force the cut core from the barrel into a core container in association with indexing means.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting cores from the sidewall of a borehole after the borehole has been drilled. The apparatus includes an elongated housing which supports guide means which provides a path along which a core bit and motor can be moved to extend and retract the core bit. The guide means has a rotational control section and a transverse control section. The rotation control section guides the motor and its core bit from an upright position in the housing to a selected angle and the vertical transverse control section guides the coring bit means in the direction of the formation.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus for drilling holes at right angles to a vertical well hole which includes a tubular housing capable of being inserted in the well hole and containing at least one elbow tube or guide, and multiple tapered and splined, interlocking drilling segments which are rotatably stacked and nested as a segment string in the guide tube with the bottom one of the drilling segments designed for drilling through the well casing, the concrete sheathing and into the production interval, and the top one of the segments cooperating with a drive means to effect rotation of the nested segments inside the guide. The guide tube extends from the tubular housing wall upwardly and telescopes at the top of the segment string to permit slidable movement of the drive means inside the tubular housing and slidable and rotatable movement of the nested segments inside the guide tube and into the production interval.

Abstract: A hole is drilled laterally from a main well bore by lowering a drilling unit into the bore in a position of extension essentially longitudinally thereof, and then swinging the unit to a position of extension transversely of the well bore to drill the lateral hole. The drilling unit is desirably held by a carrier as the drilling unit and carrier are lowered into the well, and preferably is of a self-propelling character adapted to move entirely out of the carrier and grip the wall of the lateral hole in a manner transmitting the reactive forces of the drilling operation directly to the earth formation.

Abstract: The drilling apparatus includes a mount in the form of a cylindrical member defining an elongated passageway and being provided with two opposite guiding rails each being formed with an elongated recessed channel communicating with the passageway; a rotary drive for holding a drill rod has a non-rotating casing provided with guiding elements movable in the recesses of the guiding rails; a feeding mechanism for advancing the rotary drive includes either tooth racks arranged in the recesses of the guiding rails and driving pinions mounted on the casing of the rotary drive or cylinder and piston units located in the recesses of the guide rails and cooperating with feed cables or chains. The mount is supported on a mobile undercarriage which is provided with two pairs of vertically adjustable supporting legs.

Abstract: The invention provides a guide means for deflecting drilling means at a desired location in a well bore to enable the drilling of either a sharply deviated extension thereof or a lateral branch bore. A frame carrying spaced drill tubing holding members is lowered along with the drill bit and tubing into the well bore. Latch means, operable from the surface, release spring members which act to deflect the lower tubing holding member, the tubing and drill bit into the desired orientation. The latch means may be reset from the surface, realigning the tubing holding members so that the guide means assembly may be readily withdrawn from the well bore.

Abstract: An apparatus operable on a wireline logging cable for drilling a hole in the sidewall of a drill hole which comprises a hydraulically operated backup shoe for wedging the apparatus at a selected location in the drill hole, a hydraulic motor with a drilling bit connected thereto for rotation by the hydraulic motor and hydraulic means connected to the hydraulic motor for moving the bit into drilling engagement with the sidewall of the drill hole. In the improvement of this invention, the hydraulic means for moving the bit into drilling engagement comprises a new flow restrictor valve. This flow restrictor valve has an orifice and a slender pointed rod for restricting the flow of fluid through the orifice. Opposing spring means and control fluid means engage the rod for controlling its movement toward and away from the orifice.

Abstract: A flexible shaft is formed of a plurality of linked sections which lock together to provide a rigid shaft when turned in a first direction as for drilling and which, when turned in the opposite direction, unlatch, thereby permitting limited relative movement of the sections so that they may follow a curved path for storage. As the sections are rotated in the first direction, certain internal notches of one section and mating external projections of the next section tend to wedge together and then do not always separate easily and readily when the torque on the shaft is reversed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a port in a liner installed in a conduit having a lateral opening inwardly overlaid by the liner so that the port coincides with the lateral opening, including a carriage adjustably positionable longitudinally within the liner adjacent to the lateral opening in the conduit; a brake for locking the carriage in fixed position in the conduit; a power driven port forming tool borne by the carriage in substantial radial relation to the liner for adjustable movement outwardly to liner engagement and inwardly to retraction therefrom, for adjustable movement longitudinally of the carriage, and for adjustable rotational movement about an axis longitudinally of the carriage; control means for controlling the position of the tool on the carriage from a position remote from the carriage; and a television system having a camera mounted on the carriage having a view of the tool and a viewing screen at said remote position.

Abstract: A well perforating tool (9) for drilling holes in a well casing substantially from and at right angles to a vertical well bore within which the casing is disposed. The tool (9) includes an elongate housing (15) for insertion within the casing and having a detachable boot (13) at one end thereof for centralizing the longitudinal axis of the tool within the casing. Two motors (53,85) are disposed within the housing (15) for rotating a flexible drill shaft (97), and advancing and retracting the flexible drill shaft (97) with respect to the interior wall of the casing. The entire tool is supported by a cable (19) which also includes power supply and signal lines for independently activating the motors (53,85) from an above-ground control station and ascertaining the depth of drill shaft penetration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing geological assessments of a formation located along a borehole, which includes a boring tool that bores a pair of holes into the walls of the borehole and into the surrounding strata, and a pair of probes installed in the holes. One of the probes applies an input such as a current or pressured fluid, and the other probe senses a corresponding input which it receives from the strata. The boring tool can include a series of rigid bore segments that can be easily installed in a housing that lies in the borehole, and apparatus for connecting the bore segments in series while also advancing them into the strata surrounding the borehole, so that a straight hole can be bored in the strata.

Abstract: In an apparatus for drilling long holes in the surface of a rock bed for installation of roof bolts where the working distance perpendicular to the surface is limited, a flexible, segmented shaft drill string is fed along a curved path to a mechanism positioned directly under the working surface. The mechanism straightens the drill string perpendicular to the surface, and supplies torque and thrust to the string to drill the holes. Since torque and thrust are supplied to only the straightened portion of the drill string, rather than to the curved portion, greater thrust is imparted to the drill head with minimum wear of the segments. A special guide sleeve, mounted to a rigid starter section of the drill string behind the head, guides the string along a straight path in the rock.

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.