Abstract: A method for enhanced mineral recovery from a subsurface earth formation is disclosed. An outer loop borehole is formed from a vertical shaft. A leaching fluid is injected from the surface to the outer loop borehole to leach away minerals in proximity with the loop.

Abstract: A method for enhanced oil recovery from a subsurface earth formation is disclosed. At least one essentially upward deviated hole from a vertical shaft in the formation is formed. An outer loop borehole is formed in proximity with the deviated hole. A heating fluid is injected from the surface to the outer loop borehole to heat the formation in proximity with the upward deviated hole to facilitate drainage of oil and the like.

Abstract: A method for forming as by drilling multiple boreholes into a shallow hydrocarbon pay zone from a single central vertical borehole is disclosed. A single large diameter vertical hole is first provided between the pay zone to a depth greater than a predetermined distance.Using special drilling equipment, one or more directional wells are then drilled starting at locations below the pay zone and proceeding in an upwardly and outwardly direction from the vertical hole. By selecting the predetermined starting depth and angle of direction for the upward and outward drilling phase of the method, great range of horizontal penetration may be obtained with respect to the central borehole thereby facilitating the efficient production of a shallow pay zone from a single drilling platform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for deviated hole drilling upwardly and outwardly from beneath a shallow hydrocarbon formation pay zone. A large diameter vertical hole is first formed as by drilling below the pay zone. A first casing having a directional window provided in its wall is cemented in the large diameter hole. One or more casings are then provided in the borehole below the first casing. A carriage assembly loaded with drilling tools for drilling upwardly and outwardly is then lowered by means of a working drill string and landed within the first casing.The carriage assembly has a first passage in fluid communication with the drill string. The drilling tools are loaded within a second passage of the carriage assembly. The top opening of the second passage is below the directional window when the carriage assembly is landed and angularly oriented in the first casing.