Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include an axial-field multi-armature alternator system, mechanically driven by a turbine; a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to the axial-field multi-armature alternator system, the pulse-generating circuit receiving power from the axial-field multi-armature alternator system to provide an electric pulse; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive the electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.

Abstract: A flow diversion sub for a down-the-hole drill comprising a housing assembly that includes a housing body, a cap extending from the housing body, and a drive shaft having an upper central blind hole and a lower central blind hole spaced from the upper central blind hole, wherein the drive shaft is received within the housing assembly. In operation, one of the housing assembly and drive shaft moves between a first position and a second position relative to the other of the housing assembly and drive shaft. In the first position the upper central blind hole is in fluid communication with the lower central blind hole, and in the second position the upper central blind hole is blocked from being in fluid communication with the lower central blind hole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for coupling components within a downhole motor drivetrain, and particularly to improving the torque carrying characteristics through threaded couplings in the drivetrain that extends between the mud motor and the drill bit. The described downhole motor drivetrain includes one or more threaded couplings, with each coupling configured to define a gap to accept a spacer having a dimension within a range of sizes. The dimension of the selected spacer placed in the threaded coupling facilitates establishing a desired balance of the force loading at each of two contact regions of the coupling. In many examples, the two contact regions of the coupling will be located on opposite sides of the threaded region.

Abstract: A tip is described which extends axially along a central longitudinal axis and is configured to displace the ground when the tip is being rotated about its central longitudinal axis during a ground displacement operation for a foundation pile. The tip comprises a tip body; several spiral-shaped ribs protruding from the tip body; and several protrusions arranged to the ribs. The protrusions comprise a point which is arranged such that, during rotation of the tip about its central longitudinal axis, the point of the protrusion is ahead of the rib to which the protrusion is arranged. The tip body, the ribs and the protrusions are made as a single-piece casting.

Abstract: Electrocrushing drill bits comprising one or more high voltage electrodes surrounded by a ground or current return structure, which can be a ring or a comprise rod shaped (i.e. cylindrical) electrodes. Openings in the rim of the current return structure facilitate removal of drilling debris and bubbles created by the electrocrushing process out from the bottom face of the bit and up the wellbore. The high voltage electrodes can be arranged in a circle. The current return structure may partially cover the bottom face of the drill bit, thereby enclosing the high voltage electrodes in openings that may be sector shaped. Also a method and apparatus for dividing a flow of drilling fluid both to sweep drilling debris and bubbles out of the drill bit and hole and to cool high power electrical components.

Abstract: A method for assembling a down-the-hole drilling apparatus including a drilling device including a casing and a drilling unit arranged during drilling in connection with the casing. The drilling unit includes a drilling head including a drilling arrangement including a first drilling member for drilling a center hole and a second drilling member for reaming the center hole. The drilling members are mutually power transmittingly coupled during drilling to cooperate for rotational, feeding and/or hammering, and removably coupled to enable removal of the first drilling member from a hole. The casing is arranged to be pulled into the hole through a shoulder arranged at an end of the casing. At an opposite end of the drilling arrangement with respect to a drilling surface, is arranged a skirt including a radial internal shoulder for pulling the casing into the hole by cooperation of the internal shoulder and an external shoulder at the end of the casing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for drilling a well and obtaining a downhole core sample. A drilling rig includes a pivotal mast. The mast supports an injector thereon with an injector axis offset with respect to the central axis of the mast when the drilling rig is handling threaded tubular. The mast also supports a drive unit. A drilling assembly includes coil tubing, the injector, and a bottomhole assembly including a percussion tool suspended in the well from the coil tubing. A coring assembly includes a threaded tubular string and the drive unit supported on the mast for rotating the threaded string and the coring bottomhole assembly while the injector is spaced from the axis of the mast.

Abstract: Rotating wellhead hanger assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a wellhead hanger assembly includes a casing hanger and a casing hanger running tool coupled to the casing hanger. An exterior surface of the casing hanger includes a recess and the casing hanger running tool includes a dog that extends inward from the casing hanger running tool into the recess of the exterior surface of the casing hanger. Engagement of the dog with the recess of the casing hanger facilitates synchronous rotation of the casing hanger and its running tool. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Rotating mandrel casing hangers are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a casing hanger having a lower end configured to engage a casing string and a running tool configured to engage the casing hanger. The system is configured to facilitate rotation of the casing hanger within a casing head to rotate the casing string while cementing the casing string within a well. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus including a housing, a drill bit having a head end, a connection end, and a bearing mandrel between the head end and the connection end, a bearing pack associated with the bearing mandrel and the housing for transmitting forces between the drill bit and the housing, the bearing pack including at least one bearing interposed between the bearing mandrel and the housing, and a drive mechanism connected with the connection end of the drill bit, for driving the drill bit.

Abstract: A downhole motor assembly which has a housing, a power section with a stator and a rotor contained within the housing. A proximal drive assembly is connected with a proximal rotor end, a distal drive assembly is connected with a distal rotor end, and a proximal thrust bearing is arranged between the housing of the proximal drive assembly. A distal thrust bearing is arranged between the housing and the distal drive assembly. An axial load decoupling device is in the distal drive assembly located longitudinally between the distal rotor end and the distal thrust bearing, and is used for separating axial loads imposed on the proximal thrust bearing from axial loads imposed on the distal thrust bearing.

Abstract: A drilling system includes a magnetic coupling and an oscillation absorber. The magnetic coupling has a rotor that rotates about an axis of rotation. The oscillation absorber is in operable communication with the magnetic coupling and includes an outer layer coupled to a separator layer of the magnetic coupling to form an enclosed area. An absorber shaft of the oscillation absorber is at least partially within the enclosed area and is coupled to the rotor. The absorber further includes an outer mover arranged such that rotation of the absorber shaft causes the outer mover to rotate due to interaction of inner absorber shaft magnets and outer mover magnets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing forced axial vibration of a drillstring. Systems include a cam housing positioned above a drill bit in a drillstring, a rotatable cam positioned internal of the cam housing, the rotatable cam having at least one cam surface exhibiting reciprocating axial movement upon rotation of the rotatable cam, and a non-rotatable cam follower positioned internal surface of the cam housing and having at least one cam follower surface engaging the cam surface. The cam follower transfers the reciprocating axial movement to the drill bit. The rotatable cam is rotated by a fluid-powered positive displacement power section positioned above and mechanically attached to the rotatable cam in the drillstring to effect the rotation of the rotatable cam, and thus effect the reciprocating axial movement of the drill bit.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to couple a stator to a borehole, and to move a rotor relative to the stator to generate electrical current to power a borehole tool.

Abstract: Enhancements to a drill motor include a bearing pack assembly, a balancing piston, a recording transducer package (RTP), and a latch rod assembly for a drill motor to improve performance and reliability of a drill motor. The bearing pack assembly includes a bearing housing coupled to an end cap and a drive shaft extending into the end cap and the bearing housing. The bearing pack assembly also includes a thrust bearing disposed within the bearing housing, wherein the thrust bearing separates the drive shaft and the bearing housing, and a bearing sleeve disposed within the bearing housing, wherein a radial bearing is placed between the bearing sleeve and the drive shaft. The balancing piston includes a first and second hydrodynamic seal. The recording transducer package is self powered and gathers data from a plurality of sensors in the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method includes a rotary torque limiting assembly including a rotary input member having an internal cavity having sprag receptacles. A rotary output member is disposed within the internal cavity, the secondary rotary member having radial protrusions and recesses. Radial ratchet members are disposed radially between the input member and the output member, each ratchet member having a radially inner surface, and a radially outward surface that includes at least one radially protruding sprag. Bearings are disposed radially between the ratchet members and the output member. A retaining assembly is adapted to provide a compliant force to maintain contact among the ratchet members, bearings, and second rotary member. Each bearing is partly retained between one of the ratchet members and the second rotary member, and each sprag is partly retained within a corresponding sprag receptacle.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes a downhole rotational lock mechanism including a tubular housing having a longitudinal bore with an internal wall. A driving gear is disposed in the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing and has a peripheral edge secured to the internal wall of the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing. The driving gear has an upper portion including a plurality of gear teeth arranged around a central longitudinal bore through the driving gear. A driven gear is movably disposed in the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing, and has a central longitudinal bore and a lower portion including a plurality of gear teeth. An output drive shaft is disposed longitudinally in the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing and in the longitudinal bore of the driven gear.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes a downhole rotational lock mechanism including a tubular housing having a longitudinal bore with an internal wall. A driving gear is disposed in the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing and has a peripheral edge secured to the internal wall of the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing. The driving gear has an upper portion including a plurality of gear teeth arranged around a central longitudinal bore through the driving gear. A driven gear is movably disposed in the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing, and has a central longitudinal bore and a lower portion including a plurality of gear teeth. An output drive shaft is disposed longitudinally in the longitudinal bore of the tubular housing and in the longitudinal bore of the driven gear.

Abstract: A locking clutch to selectively transmit torque from a stator of a downhole tool to a rotor of the downhole tool includes at least one locking pawl radially between the rotor and the stator and configured to engage at least one recess formed in an outer periphery of the rotor, and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the at least one locking pawl into an engaged position. The at least one locking pawl includes a load path, two pivot axes, and a mass center. The at least one locking pawl transmits force from the stator to the rotor along the load path when in the engaged position, and centrifugal force urges the at least one locking pawl into a disengaged position when the rotor is rotated about one of the two pivot axes above a disengagement speed.

Abstract: A method includes a rotary torque limiting assembly including a rotary input member having an internal cavity having sprag receptacles. A rotary output member is disposed within the internal cavity, the secondary rotary member having radial protrusions and recesses. Radial ratchet members are disposed radially between the input member and the output member, each ratchet member having a radially inner surface, and a radially outward surface that includes at least one radially protruding sprag. Bearings are disposed radially between the ratchet members and the output member. A retaining assembly is adapted to provide a compliant force to maintain contact among the ratchet members, bearings, and second rotary member. Each bearing is partly retained between one of the ratchet members and the second rotary member, and each sprag is partly retained within a corresponding sprag receptacle.

Abstract: A dynamic steering tool for use with a horizontal directional drilling machine. The tool comprises and inner member, an outer member, a steering member, a drill stem, and a drill bit. The drill stem extends from within a borehole to the surface while the outer member only extends the length of the inner member within the borehole. The outer member is powered via the use of a progressive cavity motor. In operation, the drill stem, inner member, and drill bit rotate in a clockwise position while the outer member rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Rotating the outer member opposite the inner member allows the outer member to remain stationary and cause the tool to steer while the inner member continues to rotate.

Abstract: A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a rotor having an outer lobed surface disposed in a stator having an inner lobed surface, wherein the inner lobed-surface or the outer-lobed surface includes a sealing material on a first section thereof and a metallic surface on a second section thereof.

Abstract: A drive connection for a downhole drilling motor includes a tubular outer housing with an inner mandrel. The outer housing has a motor end, a bit end and defines an interior bore. An angular offset is provided toward the bit end of the outer housing. The inner mandrel, positioned within the interior bore of the outer housing, includes a motor end section, a bit end section and an intermediate section connecting the motor end section and the bit end section. The intermediate section has an upper articulating engagement that is coupled to rotate with the motor end section and a lower articulating engagement that is coupled to rotate with the bit end section. The motor end section, intermediate section and bit end section rotate together, with the upper articulating engagement and the lower articulating engagement accommodating rotation that is offset due to the angular offset.

Abstract: A down hole drilling motor shaft security apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a general body housing threadedly attached to a lower radial bearing housing and an output shaft extending from the lower radial bearing housing. Within the general body housing is a thrust bearing assembly that secures a portion of the output shaft within the general body housing and the lower radial bearing housing. An intermediate sleeve having a capture groove of an elongated predetermined width is threadedly attached to the output shaft. An interference structure that is secured to the general housing extends radially into the capture groove in a manner that prevents axial loads from being transmitted to the intermediate sleeve from the interference structure while the bearing assembly is intact.

Abstract: A down-the-hole assembly includes a housing having a central axis and a mechanical gear box positioned within the housing. The mechanical gear box is coupled to the housing such that rotation of the housing at a first rotational rate provides a rotary input to the mechanical gear box. A rotary cutting bit is coupled to the mechanical gear box. The mechanical gear box is configured to rotate said rotary cutting bit at a second rotational rate in response to that rotary input from the housing. The second rotational rate is greater than the first rotational rate. The mechanical gear box is also further configured to cause the rotary cutting bit to orbit about the central axis of the housing.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) for use in drilling a wellbore includes: a first mud motor having a stator and a rotor; a second mud motor having a stator and a rotor; a drill bit rotationally coupled to the second rotor and having a tool face and a longitudinal axis inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the first mud motor; and a clutch. The clutch is operable to: rotationally couple the second stator to the first stator in a first mode at a first orientation of the tool face, rotationally couple the first rotor to the second stator in a second mode, change the first orientation to a second orientation by a predetermined increment, orient the tool face at the second orientation in an orienting mode, and shift among the modes in response to a change in flow rate of a fluid injected through the clutch and/or a change in weight exerted on the drill bit.

Abstract: Enhancements to a drill motor include a bearing pack assembly, a balancing piston, a recording transducer package (RTP), and a latch rod assembly for a drill motor to improve performance and reliability of a drill motor. The bearing pack assembly includes a bearing housing coupled to an end cap and a drive shaft extending into the end cap and the bearing housing. The bearing pack assembly also includes a thrust bearing disposed within the bearing housing, wherein the thrust bearing separates the drive shaft and the bearing housing, and a bearing sleeve disposed within the bearing housing, wherein a radial bearing is placed between the bearing sleeve and the drive shaft. The balancing piston includes a first and second hydrodynamic seal. The recording transducer package is self powered and gathers data from a plurality of sensors in the downhole tool.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide valves, bottom hole assemblies, and methods of selectively actuating a motor. One aspect of the invention provides a valve including: a barrel having an interior having a circular cross-section, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a by-pass port; a first disc rotatably received within the barrel; and a second disc rotatably received within the barrel and pressed against the first disc to selectively form a seal. The first disc and the second each have an orifice.

Abstract: A turbodrill includes a housing having a central axis, a motor assembly disposed within the housing and comprising non-rotating stator vanes fixed to the housing, and a rotor assembly having rotating vanes fixed to a shaft of the turbodrill, a locking clutch configured to selectively transmit torque from the turbine housing to the rotor by preventing rotation of the housing and the rotor relative to each, and a catch device configured to retain a severed lower section of the shaft with the turbodrill.

Abstract: A sectional drive and coupling system for transmitting rotational power to an output, which system includes multiple, splined drive and receiving segments that are connected, nested and interlocked in the ends of successive segment housings to define a drive string that is rotatable in a selected straight or curved path. The top one of the segments cooperates with a drive mechanism to effect rotation of the drive string in concert and the bottom one of the segments connects to an output such as a drill bit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole tool string component has at least one end adapted to connect to an adjacent tool sting component and a bore adapted to accommodate a flow of drilling fluid. A turbine is disposed within the bore and an actuating assembly is arranged such that a clutch may mechanically connect and disconnect with the turbine.

Abstract: A locking clutch to selectively transmit torque from a stator of a downhole tool to a rotor of the downhole tool includes at least one locking pawl disposed upon the rotor. The at least one locking pawl comprises a load path, a pivot axis, and a mass center, and is biased into an engaged position by a biasing mechanism. The at least one locking pawl transmits force from the stator to the rotor along the load path when in the engaged position, and centrifugal force urges the at least one locking pawl into a disengaged position when the rotor is rotated above a disengagement speed.

Abstract: A universal joint assembly includes an assembly housing, an assembly cap coupled to the assembly housing, a rotatable mandrel, a plurality of substantially spherical drive balls, and a floating washer. The assembly housing has a plurality of pockets formed in an interior surface of the assembly housing. The rotatable mandrel is fitted within a cavity defined by the assembly housing and the assembly cap and has a plurality of pockets configured to partially receive the drive balls. The substantially spherical drive balls are rotatable within the cavity about a central axis of the mandrel. A substantially circular groove formed in the cavity is defined by a proximal end of the assembly cap and an interior wall and a shoulder of the assembly housing. The floating washer is disposed within the substantially circular groove and configured to radially displace within the groove.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool 136 comprises a drillstring 138, a drilling head 140, and a freewheel 144 for transferring drive from the drillstring to the drilling head. The freewheel 144 is positioned between the drillstring 138 and the drilling head 140.

Abstract: Manipulation of the rate of drilling fluid flow down a drill string containing the apparatus causes a drilling fluid powered linear motor, preferably a piston, to move an output shaft, hingedly attached to the general body to laterally, and selectively, deflect the longitudinal axis of the apparatus with the effect of bending an associated drill string assembly just above the drill head.

Abstract: A downhole drilling tool 136 comprises a drillstring 138, a drilling head 140, and a freewheel 144 for transferring drive from the drillstring to the drilling head. The freewheel 144 is positioned between the drillstring 138 and the drilling head 140.

Abstract: A rotatable drilling shoe attachable to a section of casing that allows for drilling and casing of a well bore in a single trip. The drilling shoe includes a fixed section and a rotatable section that has a drillable bit attached thereto. The drilling shoe further includes a mechanism for inhibiting rotation of the rotatable section after the casing is cemented into place so that the drillable bit can be drilled out by a subsequent drilling operation.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a selectively releasable joint, a downhole drilling assembly including the downhole tool, and a corresponding method. In one embodiment of the invention, a downhole drilling assembly includes a downhole tool having a first body and a second body mounted for relative rotation; a joint part for use in forming a selectively releasable joint between the second body and a part of the assembly coupled to the second body; and one or more locking member(s) for locking the first and second bodies relative to one another against relative rotation so as to allow a release force to be applied through the first body to release the releasable joint and allow the tool to be separated from the part of the assembly.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a power-generating device for use in drilling operations comprises a turbine comprising a housing, and a rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the housing so that the rotor assembly rotates in response to the passage of drilling mud therethrough. The power-generating device also comprises one of an alternator and a generator assembly comprising a magnet, a winding, and a housing. The power-generating device further comprises one or more wires for transmitting electrical signals between a first and a second electrical component by way of the power-generating device. The one or more wires are routed through the housing of the turbine and the housing of the one of an alternator and a generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to downhole apparatus for limiting rotation of a rotor (4) relative to a stator (8) associated with said rotor (4). Apparatus according to the invention is provided with a locking member (12) movable from a first axial position to a second axial position by the application of a static fluid pressure to a differential area of said locking member (12). The apparatus is characterised by means for selectively applying static fluid pressure to said differential area of said locking member (12).

Abstract: A hermetic seal functions as a closure between opposite ends of the coupling by combining a metal sleeve and an elastomer sleeve extension. The metal sleeve is sealingly attached to the outer surface of one end of the coupling and the elastomer sleeve, sealingly attached to the metal sleeve, is attached at the distal end to the other end of the coupling. As an alternative, the distal end may be bonded to a second metal sleeve sealingly attached to the other end of the coupling. The seal may be convoluted, with multiple convolutions.

Abstract: A drill bit comprises a shank member (31), a bit body (32) provided with cutters (33) and flexible material (35) between the shank (31) and the bit body (32) allowing relative tilting movement therebetween to reduce adverse effects caused by vibration of the bit. In other embodiments, flexible material is provided between the bit body and the cutters. In further embodiments, the flexible material may be provided in a tiltable sub-assembly for incorporation in a drilling above the drill bit. An apparatus for simulating drilling conditions is also provided.

Abstract: A downhole compressor system is disclosed for assisting in extracting gas from the well. The system comprises a compressor 14, an electric motor 10 for driving the compressor 14 which motor has a stator winding and a rotor 12 and, in use, is lowered into the well together with the compressor. A control system 18, which when in use is disposed outside the well, is connected to the stator winding for controlling the current supply to the motor 10. The control system 18 receiving a signal indicative of the speed and phase of the rotor from a feedback sensor 16 mounted for rotation with the rotor 12. In the invention, the feedback sensor is a current generator having a permanent magnet 16a mounted for rotation with the rotor 12 and a second stator winding 16b connected to the control system 18.

Abstract: The method of providing in excess of 60 kilowatts of electrical power to the electrical motor of a subterranean electric drilling machine through a substantially neutrally buoyant composite umbilical containing electrical conductors to reduce the frictional drag on the neutrally buoyant umbilical. Drilling and casing subterranean monobore wells are contemplated to distances of 20 miles from a wellsite. For drilling applications, the umbilical possesses a drilling fluid conduit. The umbilical also possesses high speed data communications such as a fiber optic cable or a coaxial cable that is used in the feedback control of the downhole electric drilling motor. Such umbilicals are also useful to provide power to remotely operated vehicles for subsea well servicing applications.

Abstract: A generator assembly for generating power in the downhole end of a drill string used to form a borehole in horizontal directional drilling. The drill string provides a fluid passageway in which the downhole generator is receivingly disposed, at least in part, to subject a rotatable turbine to a pressurized fluid flowing in the fluid passageway, thereby imparting a mechanical rotation to the turbine. The turbine is coupled to a generator so that the mechanical rotation of the turbine is transferred to a power output of the generator.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor (100) is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel (107) and a bearing stop (105) to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of a drill string to the bit. Also improved sealing systems (113) (114) (220) (515(706) for the transmission section and bearing section (116) (310) (117) (118) (119) prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging other parts as the piston moves under pressure. Compensating pressure assembly (204) preferably including a disk (1408) is placed in the lower housing (108) to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section (308). A combination of grooved ball seats (130) and circumferentially spaced balls (127) are provided in the transmission section (200) (207) to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: A downhole mud motor is disclosed which has an improved bearing mandrel and a bearing stop to transfer a larger percentage of the weight of the drill string to the bit. Also improve sealing systems for the transmission section and bearing section prevent drilling mud from entering critical components. A piston stop is provided to prevent the piston from damaging any parts as the piston moves under pressure. A compensating pressure disk is placed in the lower housing to prevent pressure from building up in the bearing section. A grooved ball seat is provided in the transmission to allow for greater flow of lubricant around the ball bearings.

Abstract: The apparatus has a housing which is secured to the lower end of a drilling motor body and carries an arbor that is secured to the output shaft of the motor. The arbor has three segments serially connected by gimbals. The upper segment is axially fixed by the bearings of the motor and has a lower end that extends when actuated to push the center segment downward. Axial movement of the center segment actuates a cam to move it laterally. The lower segment extends from the housing as an output shaft. It is arranged to tilt relative to the housing and its upper end is moved laterally by the gimbal connected center segment. The resulting tilt of the rotating axis of the output shaft causes an attached drill head to drill a deflected well bore.

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.