Abstract: A drilling member for use in a drilling system, such as for drilling a large diameter subterranean hole or for removing rock at the earth's surface, in which the system employs a cutting head rotated about an axis and mounted for movement into a rock face, the cutting head having a plurality of drilling members, each of which has a truncated conical external surface rotated about the conical axis thereof, and a plurality of spaced-apart rows of indentors secured to the drilling member conical surface, the indentors being adapted to penetrate into the rock face a distance P, and wherein the indentors are spaced a distance not greater than 7 P apart.

Abstract: A means of anchoring a lining of low flexural rigidity with grout into a borehole drilled in the earth, which comprises a relatively thin-walled cylinder which may be composed of steel, elastomeric or plastic material of selected diameter, which is less than that of the borehole. A plurality of keys, each having one end bouded to the wall of the cylinder, extend outwardly, and have an enlarged head portion which is adapted to be bonded to the grout, which will fill the annular space between the cylinder and the borehole. A plurality of vertically spaced support rings surround the cylinder and are attached to the cylinder by means of a plurality of keys. The support rings are supported and spaced apart by means of circumferentially spaced rods, which are attached at their ends to the support rings and are guided at intermediate positions by keys which are locked to the cylinder.

Abstract: A means of anchoring a lining of low flexural rigidity with grout into a borehole drilled in the earth, which comprises a relatively thin-walled cylinder which may be composed of steel, elastomeric or plastic material of selected diameter, which is less than that of the borehole. A plurality of keys, each having one end bonded to the wall of the cylinder, extend outwardly, and have an enlarged head portion which is adapted to be bonded to the grout, which will fill the annular space between the cylinder and the borehole. A plurality of vertically spaced support rings surround the cylinder and are attached to the cylinder by means of a plurality of keys. The support rings are supported and spaced apart by means of circumferentially spaced rods, which are attached at their ends to the support rings and are guided at intermediate positions by keys which are locked to the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon from an underground strata, wherein the hydrocarbon has high in situ viscosity, by the steps of forming a vertical access hole from the earth's surface to a point below the strata, the diameter of the access hole being sufficient to permit passage of workmen and machinery, mining an elongated horizontal shaft from the vertical access hole under the strata, establishing at least one drilling station in the horizontal shaft, drilling upwardly from the drilling station a plurality of wells into the hydrocarbon strata, the wells being spaced apart and preferably drilled so as to be substantially vertical in the hydrocarbon strata, injecting a viscosity reducing agent into one or more of the wells to reduce hydrocarbon in the strata to free flowing liquid, withdrawing the free flowing hydrocarbon from the strata through one or more of the wells, and pumping the withdrawn hydrocarbon to the earth's surface.

Abstract: A tool joint for drill pipe which is particularly well adapted for large diameter drill pipe, comprises a pin section and a box section. Each section of the tool joint is adapted at a first end to be attached to the drill pipe by welding, or threads, as is conventionally done. The principal part of the tool joint is of larger diameter than the pipe and includes a plurality of longitudinal, circumferentially-spaced tongues and grooves in the form of a jaw clutch. The tongues in the pin section match the grooves in the box section and vice versa. Means are provided to polarize the tongues and grooves so that they fit together in only one angular position. A tubular extension on the second end of the pin section is adapted to fit into a bored opening or socket in the second end of the box section. O rings or other means, are provided to seal the tubular extension into the bored opening.

Abstract: A drill system for drilling very large holes in the earth, of diameters up to from 10 to 20 feet, by means of a rotary bit carrying a plurality of cutters, wherein the bit assembly is pressed against the bottom of the hole, so that the unit pressure against each of the cutters will be adequate for their optimum performance. The force holding the bit in contact with the bottom of the hole is created by the weight of the drilling liquid on top of the bit. A fluid seal is maintained between the outer edge of the bit and the wall of the bore hole. Liquid flows down the annulus around the drill pipe and through a plurality of orifices in the bit, terminating at the bit cutters. Rock cuttings are washed radially inwardly to a central drill pipe, which supports the bit, and through which torque is applied to the bit. The pressure drop in the orifices serves to create a differential pressure above and below the bit. The differential pressure times the exposed surface area of the bit provides the hold down force.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for lining large diameter, deep, boreholes in the earth, which provides a relatively thick lining of cement. A slip form is provided having a cylindrical outer wall of the diameter corresponding to the desired inner diameter of the liner. This is supported on a long central pipe through which cement can be pumped through side pipes and through openings in the wall of the slip form. A base unit is provided with an internal diameter substantially equal to that of the slip form. A petal basket of flexible material is not provided to seal against the wall of the borehole. The slip form is attached to the base by means of shear pins, and the assembly lowered into the borehole until the base is on bottom. Cement is pumped down through the central pipe and out through the openings in the slip form to form a cement liner between the slip form, the base, and the wall of the borehole. When the cement reaches a first set, the slip form is lifted, breaking the shear pins.