AU2008207706A1 - Drilling apparatus and method of drilling - Google Patents

Description

03-'09 2008 03:0 200 07:8 AX 001)I1 7.5.94:39SO John R G Gard1ner IP AUSTRALIA 11 Z03 P/00/Oil1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO 13E COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Names of Applicant Actual Inventor Address for Service Invention title U INIVERSAL DRILLING WORLDWIDE PTY LTD ACN 125 320 489 NEMCHAEL CHARLES WILLOX JOHN R.G. GARDNER Suite 398 Albe-rt AVENUE BROADBEACH QLD 4218 DRILLING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF

DRILLING

Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2007903926 FILED 20 JULY 2007 The following statement is a full description, of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- COMS I D No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: ime 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 03/,09 2008 07:58 FAX 00116317559.3gSH onR0Grnr+- FASRLAZ 1 Jnhn R (3 Gardner IP Al' STRALIA Z04 00 2 o DRILLING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRILL-ING Cl Technical Field This inivention relates to drilling apparatus and in particular deep drilling apparatus of the type which uses a plurality of interconnected drill rods or elements forming string for drilling the ground. The present invention also relates to a method of drilling using thie drilling apparatus. The present invention further relates to a method INC for connecting and disconnecting drill rods to and from a drill string of drilling apparatus.

o Background Art 00 10 Drilling apparatus comprising a plurality of interconnected drill rods forming a o drill string have been used for many years for deep drilling into the ground. Typically in Cl this type of apparatus, a drive head is connected to a drill bit and is supported for movement towards the ground to force the drill bit into the ground. For deep drilling purposes, one or more elongated drill rods are connected between the drill bit and the drive head. Use of drill rods to increase the drilling depth requires a drill rod to be attached at its upper end to the drill head and at is lower end to the drilling head or bit or to a previously installed drilling rod which is connected to the drill bit. Drill rods used in such apparatus are provided with male and femuale threads and their lower and upper ends respectively to enable them to be interconnected to a drill bit and/or other drill rods.

Drill rods because of their weight usually are required to be lifted and transferred into position by machinery such as a crane and ten manipulated so as to be aligned with the drive head and drill bit or other- drill rod to enable connection of the drill rod in the drill string. Similarly machinery of the above type is also required to remove a drill rod from a drill string. Drilling apparatus of this type therefore requires usually at least two workmen to operate the apparatus anld enable the attachment and detachment of drill rods from. a drill string. As an alternative, drill rods can be supported in a carousel which can be rotated to rotate a drill rod cardied thereby into position for connection to the drive head and drill bit or other drill rods- This arrangenment however is usually only suitably for the larger drilling machines, A further disadvantage of known drilling apparatus is that it cannot be easily collapsed and transported. This therefore lints the application of drilling apparatus Summary of the Invention COMS ID No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 0.3>09 2008 (17:58 FAX 01)(11617-55943980 Jh ade

UTAI

John R GardtaF-r 1P AV' IRALIA Z 0.3 00 3 The present invention aims to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above Cl disadvantages or at least provide an alternative to known drilling apparatus by providing in one aspect drilling apparatus in which drill rods may be relatively easily attached and detached from a drill Istring. The present invention in a further aspect aims to provide drilling apparatus which may be operated by one person. In another aspect the present invention aims to provide drilling apparatus whicb may be easily transported. In yet INC another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for attaching or detaching drill rods to and from a drill string of drilling apparatus. Other objects and advantages of the o invention will become apparent from the following description.

0010 The present invention thus provides in one aspect although not necessarily the o broadest aspect, drilling apparatus of the type having an elongated mast assembly, a Cl drive head adapted to be coupled to a drill string comprising one or more drill rods or elements, said apparatus including a drill rod magazine adapted to support a plurality of drill rods, said drill rod magazine being positioned to one side of said drill head and extending substantially parallel to said mast assembly, and guide means at the lower end of said magazine for guiding drill rods firomn said magazine towards a position for connection into said drill string and for guiding drill rods when disconnected from said drill string to said magazine.

In the operative drilling position of the drilling apparatus, the mast assembly is arranged in a substantially vertical attitude and is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and the drill head magazine is positioned laterally to one side of the mast assembly such that drill rods are movable laterally towards and away from the magazine.

Preferably the drill rod magazine comprises an open frame adapted to support the drill rods in a generally upstanding attitude when the drilling apparatus is in an operative drilling position. Preferably the frame includes an elongated slot or opening through which drill rods can be transferred to and from the magazine.

Preferably the guide means is supported for pivotal movement to or at the lower end of the magazine and adjacent the opening and is pivotally movable between an inoperative position in which the guide means is in an upright position adjacent the magazine and an operative position in which the guide means extends laterally from the magazine and is disposed in a substantially horizontal position. Preferably in the operative position, the guide means; is supported by the upper end of the previously COMS ID No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time (1-tm) 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 0.3/09 2008 07:58 FAX 00116137594398qonHC ade 4 JOUTAI Jnhn R G (Ar(Iner 44- IP AUSTRALIA Z(06 00 4 installed drill rod or drill bit in the around.

Cl The guide means suitably includes means to guide the drill rods towards and away from the magazine. The guide means suitably comprises a trough-like or U- CO) shaped member which has opposite side guide members or flanges. Preferably the trough tapers in cross section from the magazine to the free end of the guide means.

Preferably in the operative position, the guide means may be aligned with the base of the IND magazine to facilitate movement of drill rods into and out of the magazine.

Preferably the magazine includes a safety retaining catch at its upper end o adjacent and preferably overlying the opening to normally maintain the drill rods in the 00 10 magazine. The safety catch is releasable to allow drill rods to be moved into and out of o the magazine through the opening- Preferably the safety catch is supported to the side of Cl the magazine adjacent thc drivc head and mast assembly. Preferably the safety catch is operable from a lower end of the magazine. Suitably a lever is mounted pivotally to the magazine and is connected through a linkage to the safety catch, the lever being operable to move the safety catch to the rod release position. The safety catch may be a plate-like member which in the operative position overlies part of the opening on the side of the magazine adjacent the drive head, Preferably the mast assembly and magazine are mounted to a common base or support which in the operative position is substantially upright. The common base or support may be a plate- like member. Suitably the common base is supported to a pivot frame which is pivotally mounted for movement between an upright operative position and a substantially horizontal position for storage or transport.

The drilling apparatus is suitably mounted to the rear of' the vehicle and is movable relative thereto between and upright operative position and a folded position extending longitudinally of the vehicle.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for connecting a drill rod to a drill string of drilling apparatus having a drive head coupled to a drill element comprising a Rfither drill head or drill bit and a magazine holding a plurality of drill rods- supported in an upright attitude adjacent to said drive head, said method comprising the steps of moving said drive head to a position such that said drll element is adjacent a lower end of said magazine, disconnecting said drive head from said drill element, elevating said drive head, locating guide means between said magazine and said drill element, moving the lower end of said drill rod out of said magazine and along COMS ID No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 03/019 2008 07:58 FAX 00111617-55943980 Jh ade PASRII John R C Gardner 1P AFSTRALA- ZJ07 00 said guide means and into substantial alignment with said drill element, mnoving the CA upper end of said drive rod out of said magazine and into alignment with said drive head, connecting said drive head to the upper end of sai d drive rod and elevating said drive head and said connected drive rod, moving said guide means away from said drill element, and lowering said drive head and conlnecting the lower end of said drive rod to said drill element.

INO In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of disconnecting a drill rod from a dril] string of drilling apparatus having a drive head coupled to said o drill sting and a magazine for holding a plurality of drill rods in an upright attitude, said 00 10 method comprising the steps of elevating said drive head such that the connection o between a drill rod and the remainder of said drill string is adjacent a lower end of said magazine, disconnecting said drill rod from said drill siring, elevating said drive head and drill rod connected thereto, locating guide means between said magazine and said driver string, lowering said drive head such that the lower end of said drive rod is supported on said guide means, disconnecting the upper end of said drill rod from said drive head moving the upper end of said drill rod into said magazine, and moving the lower end of said drill rod along said guide means into said magazine.

The present invention provides in a futher preferred aspect, a vehicle supporting drilling apparatus of the type having an elongated mast assembly, a drive head mounted for movement longitudinally of said mast assembly and adapted to be coupled to a drill string comprising one or more drill rods or elements, said drilling apparatus further including a drill rod magazine adapted to support a plurality of drill1 rods, said drill rod magazine being positioned to one side of said drill bead and extending substantially parallel to said mast assembly, said drilling apparatus being supported to said vehicle for movement between a substantially upright operative position and a folded inoperative position ex-tending longitudinally of said vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention mnay be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Fig. I illustrates a vehicle provided wit drilling apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention with the drilling apparatus in a folded or lowered position for transport; COMS I D No: ARCS-204611 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 03/09 2008 07:58 FAX 001161755943980 Jh ade UTAI 1U John R (;arfter IP AUSTRALIA I i's 00 6 oFig. 2 is a view from one side of the drilling apparatus according to an CA embodiment of the invention in an operative raised position;: Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of the lower part of the drilling apparatus of Fig.

C)

Mc Fig, 4 illustrates a lower part of the drilling apparatus with drill rods supported in the drill rod magazine; Fig. 5 is a view of the upper part of the drill rod magazine; Fig. 6 illustrates the drilling apparatus being moved between the operative o attitude of Fig. 2 and the folded position of Fig. 1: and 00 10 Figs. 7 to 11I illustrates the steps involved in connecting a drill rod to a drill o string.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a vehicle 10 to which the drilling apparatus 11 according to the present invention is mounted, the vehicle 10 having a chassis 12 supported on pairs of forward and rear wheels 13 and 14 which can be driven independently by hydraulic motors (not shown) in a sktid-steer configurtion. An internal combustion engine 15 supported on the chassis 12 drives a hydraulic pump (not shown) to supply hydraulic fluid from an hydraulic reservoir on the chassis (see Fig. 6) via hydraulic valves to the hydraulic motors and other hydraulic ranms and components of the vehicle 10 and drilling apparatus 11. The chassis 12 also has four extendable legs 16 at or adjacent each corner of the chassis 12 which can be extended to engage the ground and stablise and adjust the position of the chassis 12 for operation of the drilling apparatus 1i. The chassis 12 also supported a transverse blade 17 such as a grader-type blade for clearing an area in which drilling is to be undertaken.

Hydraulic supply of fluid to the respective hydraulic comnponents is controlled nmually by an operator who can control operation of the valves to drive the vehicle 10 in any direction and operate other hydraulic actuators or rams such as for raising and lowering of the drilling apparatus 11, operating the drilfling apparatus 11 and components thereof and varying the position of the blade 17. In Fig., 1, the drilling apparatus 10 is shown in a folded or collapsed position in which lies substantially horizontal and extends longitudinally of the chasses 12. The drilling assembly 11I for this purpose and as described further below is mounted to the rear of the chassis 12 for pivotal movement about an transverse axis between the folded or collapsed position of Fig. 1 and an COMS ID No: ARCS-204611 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 0.3/09 2008 07:58 FAX 0j1 1617-55943980JonRC arer J AUT LA h0 John R G Gardnc--r IP AUSTRALIA [a 09 00 7 erected or raised position in which the drilling apparatus I I is substantially upright as CAshown in Figs. 2and 3.

The drilling apparatus 11 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 includes a tower assembly 18 CO which supports a drilling string driving head 19 and a drill rod magazine 20. The tower o 5 assembly 18 and magazine 20 are fixedly mounted to a common base plate 21 and the tower assembly 18 includes a fixed elongated outer part 22 and an extendable inner part IND 23 which is slidable longitudinally of the outer part 22 so as to be extendable from the upper end of the outer part 23 under the control of an hydraulic ram (not shown) on the o rear of the tower assembly 18 which is connected between the intner and outer parts 23 00 10 and 22 of the tower assembly 18. Fixed for movement with the inner part 23 is the drill o string driving head 19 which includes a rotary drive 24 which is driven by hydraulic motors 25 through suitably gearing, the drilling tool 24 and motors 25 being supported on a carriage 26. In operation, the inner part 23 of the tower assembly 18 is raised to enable a drilling element such as a drill bit or drill rod to be coupled to the rotary drive 24 and lowered to force the drilling element into the ground whilst b eing driven by the rotary drive 24.

A base plate 27 is mounted to the lower end of the outer fixed part 22 of the tower assembly and extends substantially normal to the fixed part 22. A circular opening 28 is formed in the base plate 27 and a cylindrical skirt 29 extends downwardly therefrom, the opening 28 and skirt 29 being aligned with the rotary drive 24 and defining a passage through which the drill string passes. An exhaust duct 30 extends ftrm the skint 29 for exhaust of drilling or flushing fluid and materials carried thereby from a drill hole.

The base plate 27 additionally supports for sliding movement thereon a pair of planar jaws 31 which. are positioned on opposite sides of the opening 28 and which may be advanced towards each other or retracted under the control of respective hydraulic rams 32. The jaws 31 when advanced cooperate with each other to grip a drill element which is driven into the ground to hold the drill element centrally relative to the rotary drive 24 whilst connecting a further drill rod or for disconnecting drill rods.

A further hydraulic ram 33 is connected to a tubular upstand 34 on the base plate 27 and is connectable to a wrench (not shown) which can be clamped onto a drill element and rotated by the ramn 23 for the purpose of breaking the joint between drill elements of the drill string.

COMS I D No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 03/09 29008s 07:38 FAX 001161753943980JonR0Gre

PASTLA

John R G Garctrier IP AUSTRALIA ZIO 00 .8 The magazine 20 is of an open cage like construction and is of a length to enable a plurality of drill rods 35 to be suppo-xrted in an upright attitude therein as show in Figs.

4 and 5, the rods 35 sitting on a base plate 37 at the lower end of the magazine 20 and being constrained between a top plate 38 at the upper end of the magazine 20 and base plate 37. The drill rods 35 as is conventional have male and female threaded connectors 39 and 4.0 respectively at opposite ends to enable drill rods 35 to be interconnected in an INO end-to-end relationship. The magazine 20 also includes a slot-like elongated opening 41 on the side of the magazine 20 adjacent the driving head 19, the opening 41 being o defined between spaced upright frame members 42 and 43 of the magazine 00 10 Mounted to one side of the magazine 20 adjacent the base plate 37 and in alignment o with the opening 41 is a drill rod guide 44, the guide 44 being pivotally or hingedly mounted at 45 to the magazine 20 for movement about an axis extending parallel to a side of the magazine 20 and tapering in width away from the pivot or hinge mount The guide 4 has a base 46 and opposite side flanges 47 so that the guide 44 is of a U.shaped cross section. The guide 44 may be pivoted about the pivot or binge mount 45 to a substantially horizontal attitude extending outwardly from the magazine 20 as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 4 in which position the base 46 of the guide 44 is substantially aligned with tbe base plate 37 of the magazine A retaining latch member 48 is mounted at the upper end of the magazine 20 and overlies the opening 41 to normally block the passage of drill rods through the opening 41. A release mechanism 49 is provided for manual release of the latch member 48, the release mechanism 49 including a lever arm 50 pivotally mounted at the lower end of the magazine 20 and an elongated connecting rod 51 pivotally connected at one end to the lever arm 50 and at its opposite end to the latch member 48. When the lever arm is pivoted upwardly, the rod 51 will move the latch member 48 away from a position blocking the opening 41 as shown in doffed outline in Fig. 5. The latch member 48 may be pivotally or hingedly mounted at its upper end to the top plate 38 for movement between its latching or retaining position and non-retaining position.

For connection of the rotary drive 24 to the drill rods 35, a male threaded coupling 52 is engaged with the driver 24, the coupling 52 being complementary to the female coupling 40 of a drill rod 3 5 (or drill bit).

The base plate 21 which carries the magazine 20 and tower assembly 18 is mounted to a pivot frame 53 for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto.

COMS ID No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 03/09 20108 07:58 FAX 001161755394-3980 onRCGrde 1~J ASRLA t John R G Gardner 44 IF AUSTRALIA 14 tj 00 9 o Hydraulic rams 54 are connected between the pivot frame 53 and base plate 21. The (N position of the base plate 21 can thus be adjusted relative to the pivot frame 53 by extension or retraction of the ramns 54. The pivot framne 53 is mounted via pivots 55 to a transverse frame member 56 of the chassis 12 and hydraulic rams 57 are connected O 5 between tile chassis 12 and pivot frame 53 for pivoting of the pivot frame 53 and thus the drilling apparatus 11I comprising the tower 18 and magazine 20 about a transverse IND axis defined by the pivots 55 so that the drilling apparatus 11I can be moved between the collapsed inoperative position of Fig. I for transport or the operative erected upright o position of Figs. 2 and 3.

00 10 In use, the veicle 10 in the attitude of Fig. I is moved by driving the wheels 13 o and 14 and steering the vehicle 10 in a skid steer operation to the required site where a hole is to be drilled in the ground. The legs 16 may then be extended and adjusted to support the vehicle chassis 12 in a substantially vertical attitude anid the rams 57 are then actuated to move the tower assembly 18 and magazine into a substantially upright attitude. The drilling head 19 is then elevated by sliding the movable tower part 23 upwardly relative to the fied tower part to enable a drilling bit to be connected to the driver 24. The armling head 19 is then lowered to drive the drill bit into the ground.

The drill bit 58 is driven into the ground so that the upper connection end thereof is substantially horizontally aligned with the base plate 37 of the magazine 20 as shown in Fig. 7. The driver 24 is then disconnected from the drill bit 58 by using the ramn 33 and associated wrench to break the connection therebetween. The rams 32 may be operated to advance the jaws 31 to engage opposite sides of the connection end of the drill bit 58 to hold the bit 58 firmly for engagement by a drill rod The driving head 19 is then elevated at least the length of a drill rod 35 as shown in Fig. 8 and the guide 44 is then, pivoted downwardly to the substantially horizontal position in which it is supported on the upper connection end of the drill bit 58. The lower end of a drill rod 3 5 is then slid or moved out of the magazine 20 and through the opening 41 in the magazine 20 to be s-upported and guided on the guide 44 until it is substantially aligned with the connection end of the drll bit 58. The lever arm 49 is then lifted upwardly to move the retainer latch member 48 away from the opening 41.

This will allow the top end of the drill rod 35 to be pivoted outwardly from the magazine 20 through the opening 41 as indicated by the arrow X in Fig, 9 and into vertical alignment with the driver 24. The driver 24 is ten lowered until the treaded COMS ID No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 013/09 20108 0)7:58 KAI H011617559438-onR Made I UTAI John R G Gardner, IP AUSTRALIA a 112 00 connector 52 engages the femnale end 40 of the rod 35 and rotated to connect the Cl connector 52 to the end 40. The head 19 is then elevated as indicated by the arrow Y to lift the rod 35 to a position to permit thc guide 44 to be pivoted to the upright position of COFig- 4 as indicated by the arrow Z in Fi g. 9. The drive head 19 is then lowered so that o the lower mnale end '39 of the drill rod 35 engages the connection end of the drill bit 54 and the driver 24 is driven to rotate the drill rod 35 and connect the threaded end 39 IND thereof to the drll bit. The jaws 3 1 may then be retracted by the rams 32 and the drilling procedure can then be continued by driving the driver 24 and thus the connected drill o rod 35 and drill bit 58 and by lowering the drill head 19.

00 10 The sarne procedure as described above is used for connection of Thither drill o rods 35 to the previously connected drill rod, 35 and additional drill rods into the formed Cl drill string.

Where it is required to remove drill rods 35 from the drill string for example at the cessation of drilling, the reverse procedure is adopted. Thus the driving head 19 is elevated until the connection between drill rods 35 (or drill rod and drill bit) is positioned substantially in horizontal alignment with the bottom of the magazine The jaws 31 are then advanced to grip the lower drill rod 35 (or drill bit) and the ram 33 and attached wrench used to break the connection between the upper and lower drill rods 35 (or drill rod 35 and drill bit). The drill head 19 is then elevated to a sufficient extent to permit the guide 44 to pivot downwardly and rest on and be supported on the upper end of the drill rod 35 or drill bit remaining in the ground. The drill head 19 is then lowered so that the drill rod 35 suspended therefrom is lowered onto the guide 44 on which it is supported. The lower end 39 of the drill rod 35 can then be gripped by the wrench and the driver 24 operated to disconnect it fromn the drill rod 35 which will be held by the operator in an upright position. The retainer latch member 48 is then raised by operation of the lever 49 so as not to block the opening 41 and allow the upper end 40 of the drill rod 35 to be lent over into the magazine 20. The latch member 48 is then lowered and the lower end 39 may be moved inwardly along the guide 44 by hand into the magazine 20 after which the guide 44 may be returned to the upright position of Fig. 4. The drive bead 19 may then be lowered for connection of the driver 24 to the drill string remaining in the ground and the above procedure repeated for removal of the whole drill string from the ground.

It will be appreciated that the design of the apparatus may be considerably varied COMS ID No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date IY-M-d) 2008-09-03 03/19 2008 07:58 FAX 001161755943980 John R G; Gardner IP AUSTRALIA 00 11 from that illustrated and described. Thus the latching member 48 and guide 44 may be of various designs and configurations. The frame which supports the carriage 26 of the driving head 19 also may carry a winch 59, the cable of which may pass over a pulley at Sthe upper end of the tower assembly 18.

The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components \N referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group thereof.

O Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the 0 10 invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons 0 skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

COMS ID No: ARCS-204611 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03

Claims (3)

1. Drillingz apatu of thie type having an elongated mast assembly, a drive bead adapted to be coupled to a dnill string comprising one or more drill rods or elements, said apparatus including a drill rod magazine adapted to support a plurality of drill rods, said drill rod magazine being positioned to o-ne side of said drill head and extending oN substantially parallel to said mast assembly, and guide means at the lower end of said magazine for guiding drill rods from said magazine towards a position for connection o into said drill string and for guiding drill rods when disconnected from said drill string 00 10 to said magazine

2. A method for connecting a drill rod to a drill string of drilling apparatus having a drive head coupled to a drill element comprising a further drill head or drill bit and a magazine holding a plurality of drill rods sup-ported in an upright attitude adjacent to said drive head, said method comprising the steps of moving said drive head to a position such that said drill element is adjacent a lower end of said magazine, disconnecting said drive head from said drill element, elevating said drive head, locating guide means between said magazine and said drill elemnent, moving the lower end of said drill rod out of said magazinec and along said guide means and into substantial alignment with said drill element, moving the upper end of said drive rod out of said magazine and into alignment with said drive head, connecting said drive head to the upper end of said drive rod and elevating said drive head and said connectied drive rod, moving said guide means away from said drill element and lowering said drive head and connecting the lower end of said drive rod to said drill element.

3. A method of disconnecting a drill rod from a drill string of drilling apparatus having a drive head coupled to said drill sting and a magazine for holding a plurality of drill rods in an uprigh attitude, said method comprising the steps of elevating said drive head such that the connection between a drill rod and tbe remainder of said drill swring is adjacent a lower end of said mnagazine, disconnecting said drill rod from said drill string, elevating said drive head and drill rod connected thereto, locating guide means between said magazine and said driver sting, lowering said drive head such that the lower end of said drive -rod is supported on said guide means, disconnecting the upper end of said COMS ID No: ARCS-20461 1 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03 03/09 2008 07:58 FAX 001161755943980 John R G, Gardtner 44 IP AlUSTRALIA 00 O0 0 (N ci 13 drill rod from said drive head moving the upper end of said drill rod into said magazine, and moving the lower end of said drill rod along said guide means into said magazine. Dated this third day of September 2008 UNIVERSAL DRILLING WORLDWIDE PTY LTD By Their Patent Attorney JOHN R G GARDNER COMS ID No: ARCS-204611 Received by IP Australia: Time 08:31 Date 2008-09-03