EP0100230A2 - Dispositif pour le forage du sol - Google Patents

Dispositif pour le forage du sol Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0100230A2
EP0100230A2 EP83304298A EP83304298A EP0100230A2 EP 0100230 A2 EP0100230 A2 EP 0100230A2 EP 83304298 A EP83304298 A EP 83304298A EP 83304298 A EP83304298 A EP 83304298A EP 0100230 A2 EP0100230 A2 EP 0100230A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
drilling
guide pipe
fluid
assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP83304298A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0100230A3 (en
EP0100230B1 (fr
Inventor
Ben Wade Oakes Dickinson Iii
Robert Wayne Dickinson
Stanley O. Hutchison
Sherman C. May
Charles S. Mackey
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/471,437 external-priority patent/US4527639A/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AT83304298T priority Critical patent/ATE39538T1/de
Publication of EP0100230A2 publication Critical patent/EP0100230A2/fr
Publication of EP0100230A3 publication Critical patent/EP0100230A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0100230B1 publication Critical patent/EP0100230B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B44/00—Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systems; Systems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
    • E21B44/005—Below-ground automatic control systems
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/04—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
    • E21B17/042—Threaded
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
    • E21B17/02—Couplings; joints
    • E21B17/04—Couplings; joints between rod or the like and bit or between rod and rod or the like
    • E21B17/07—Telescoping joints for varying drill string lengths; Shock absorbers
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B36/00—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/28—Dissolving minerals other than hydrocarbons, e.g. by an alkaline or acid leaching agent
    • E21B43/281—Dissolving minerals other than hydrocarbons, e.g. by an alkaline or acid leaching agent using heat
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/04—Directional drilling
    • E21B7/06—Deflecting the direction of boreholes
    • E21B7/061—Deflecting the direction of boreholes the tool shaft advancing relative to a guide, e.g. a curved tube or a whipstock
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/18—Drilling by liquid or gas jets, with or without entrained pellets

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed primarily to a system for the formation of a bore hole for use in the recovery or enhancement of recovery of oil fran an oil-bearing formation, or for the recovery of mineral deposits or the like, or for drilling through an underground formation for some other purpose.
  • the system includes an assembly with piston means in a guide means.
  • the piston means consists of a body formed by a drilling tube which is open at its rearward end and includes a drillhead of the hydraulic jet type at its forward end, the drillhead being provided with multiple fluid exit ports.
  • the guide means is a tube or pipe in fluid communication with the interior of the drilling pipe. There is sealing means between the drilling tube and guide pipe so that pressurized fluid flowing through the guide tube and drilling tube applies force to cause the piston means to move in a forward direction through tube bending means and into the underground formation.
  • tube bending means referred to as a whipstock
  • a whipstock is attached to the guide pipe to cause the piston body or drilling tube to turn fran the vertical to the generally horizontal direction in a short radius of the order of 6 to 12 inches for steel drilling tubes that may, for example, be of the order of 11 ⁇ 4 to 11 ⁇ 2 inches OD, with a wall thickness of from 0.080-0.125 inches.
  • Such a normally rigid metal piston body due to the hoop stress caused by internal high pressure drilling fluid and the bending stress during movement through the whipstock, causes plastic deformation in the metal during the turn without collapse or breaking of the tube. Thereafter straightening means causes the tube to reassume a substantially straight condition.
  • the whipstock may be stationary or retractible.
  • a retractible whipstock consists of two connected assem- ' blies which when extended from a retracted position within the structure, form an arcuate tube bending guideway. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the guide pipe, it applies force to the drilling tube to propel it downwardly through the guide pipe and through the guideway, thereby causing the tube to be bent to project the drilling head laterally against the formation.
  • Each of the assemblies of the whipstock has a series of rollers or sheaves rotatably carried by the same to form a segment of the arcuate guideway.
  • the bending means also includes means for straightening the tubing as it exits from the guideway.
  • Two or more such assemblies may be provided in a well to provide two or more laterally extending bores for the injection of a hot fluid, such as steam, to heat oil in the formation and cause it to flow to a nearby production well or to a production pump in the same well casing.
  • a hot fluid such as steam
  • Objects of the invention include the providing of a system and method that is capable of forming radially extending bores (radials) in a relatively short radius turn, and which is efficient and economical compared to prior systems and methods.
  • a system for forming one or more radial pipes or tubes in radial bores extending from a pre-existing cased well.
  • a major use for such a radial pipe is to inject a hot fluid such as steam or solvents into the surrounding formation to render high-viscosity oil in the underground formation more flowable.
  • An important application is to heat oil left in the ground by a production well system which has ceased producing economically.
  • Piston body or drilling tube 34 is formed of a metal tube of the solid wall type which may for example have an outer diameter (OD) of approximately 1.25 in., and is coiled on spool 26 and passed downwardly into the guide tube.
  • each piston means including an elongate piston body in the form of a drilling tube, the tube terminating in drillhead means.
  • the piston body is formed of a relatively rigid metal material such as steel, and so has the advantage of moving in a substantially straight path through the formation. As illustrated, only piston body or drilling tube 34, traveling in guide pipe 30, is visible with drillhead means 36 at the forward end thereof.
  • a suitable guide pipe is about 2 in. OD in about 30 ft. sections.
  • the piston body or drilling tube 34 can be turned by bending and, upon turning through whipstock 30a and drilling into the formation, becares a radial or lateral tube or duct suitable for the injection of a hot fluid such as steam into the formation to heat up the viscous oil for removal.
  • a hot fluid such as steam into the formation to heat up the viscous oil for removal.
  • heat from the hot fluid causes the oil to flow back towards a casing containing a production pump as well as the radial, as better illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 described below.
  • a fluid downcomer 38 projects centrally of guide tubes 30 and 32 and is suitable for the injection of a foamed or foamable fluid or high viscosity fluid to assist the lifting of cuttings formed dufing operation of the drillhead 36, or during subsequent deposition of cement. Such cuttings flow back along the tube 34 and are lifted by foam to flow upwardly through axial spaces within the well casing 28.
  • Tube 38 may also be used to conduct and deposit cement into chamber 40 to fix the position of the radials and whipstocks upon campletion of vertical bore hole drilling.
  • well casing 28 may be present from a pre-established injection well.
  • a typical size in some areas of the United States for such casing is 5-1/2 in. in outer diameter, although larger casings may be used.
  • the casing has been milled and the formation underreamed in a conventional manner to form a cavity 40 within which the whipstock 30a is disposed.
  • an abrasive such as silica may be added to the drilling fluid supplied to drillhead 36 or a separate drilling device, and directed against an existing well casing wall or cement formation to bore an opening through the casing or formation so that the drilling tube 34 and head 36 can move through the wall or formation to form a radial.
  • the piston body or tube 34 is adapted to move within the guide pipe and provides an interior fluid passageway with an outward, open rearward end and drillhead means at its forward end.
  • Single or nultiple fluid exit ports are provided in the drillhead means for the passage of drilling fluid from the piston body fluid passageway into the adjacent formation.
  • the interior of the guide pipe means is in fluid communication with the rearward end of the piston body interior passageway. Sealing means provides a seal between the piston means and the guide tube. High pressure fluid flowing through the piston body fluid passageway applies pressure against the back of the drillhead means to cause the piston to move in a forward direction.
  • the high pressure liquid issuing from the drillhead penetrates the formation and forms cuttings, which are slurrified and passed backwardly along the outside periphery of the piston body into cavity 40, wherein foam or other lifting fluid, which is passed downwardly through downcomer 38, may be added to lift the slurry up to the surface of the formation through the axial space within the casing not otherwise occupied by the guide tubes.
  • foam or other lifting fluid which is passed downwardly through downcomer 38, may be added to lift the slurry up to the surface of the formation through the axial space within the casing not otherwise occupied by the guide tubes.
  • no fluid downcomer is required and the fluid is directed into the surrounding formation under such force that the formation fracs or fractures, causing fissures into which the formed slurry can flow, whereby little, if any, cuttings are moved rearwardly along the radial and so lifting of such cuttings is not required.
  • a significant advantage of this: system is that it is capable of drilling radial bores with a non-rotating drillhead, and that the bore hole is cased while drilling.
  • a system for vertical hydraulic jet drilling. It utilizes the piston-guide pipe assembly of Figure 1, in which the piston tube turns from a horizontal direction on the surface to a vertical direction by passage through a whipstock on the surface. This permits the guide pipe to extend along the ground rather than being supported vertically.
  • the underground formation 42 includes an upper cavity 44 to facilitate drilling.
  • Guide tube or pipe 46 is supported at ground level by conventional means.
  • the rearward end of guide pipe 46 is illustrated as projecting into a housing 48, which includes a source of high pressure drilling fluid, not shown, and also means for introducing the piston means comprising piston or drilling tube 50 terminating in drillhead 52.
  • a drilling fluid seal 54 is provided which may be of chevron type as illustrated.
  • Whipstock 46d includes a curved barrel adapted to bend or turn the piston body 90° from a generally horizontal to a generally vertical direction.
  • piston or drilling tube 50 is urged forwardly away from the high pressure pump in housing 48 to the left as shown in the drawing, past seal 54, by the drilling fluid pressure applying force against the fluid pressure area of the rearward side of the drillhead.
  • the piston tube is forced through the whipstock 46d, bending forces are applied to cause the tube to conform generally to the curve of the whipstock, whereby the tube is caused to turn downwardly into the formation.
  • a straightener portion 46e is provided at the forward end of whipstock 46d. It is inclined towards the vertical (e.g. at 5 to 10 degrees) in the same general direction as the forward movement of the tube.
  • Drilling fluid is directed outwardly through one or more ports 52a of the drillhead 52 into the formation to provide a slurry through which the drillhead readily moves under the force applied by the pressurized fluid.
  • the piston body or tube may be formed of steel or other metal of sufficient rigidity to travel in a straight line through the formation, but is capable of the above plastic deformation.
  • a suitable wall thickness for this purpose is 0.080 - 0.125 in. of 36,000-70,000 psi or more yield steel for tubes ranging from 11 ⁇ 4 to 11 ⁇ 2 inches OD.
  • a fluid seal 54 between the stationary guide pipe and movable piston means is provided so that the high pressure fluid emerging fran housing 48 (e.g. at 1,000 to 10,000 psi or higher) applies a high pressure force against drillhead 52 to cause it to move forwardly at a relatively high speed.
  • the pressurized drilling fluid presses against seal 54 and the portion of the guide pipe upstream from that seal which is in fluid communication with the entire length of the tube 50, to assure that the major force is directed against the rearward side of the drillhead to cause it to project forwardly.
  • a minor portion of the pressure is lost due to the drilling fluid emerging through port or ports 52, the major portion of that force carries the drillhead and drilling tube forwardly.
  • piston body tube e.g. formed of 0.80 - 0.125 in. wall thickness for steel tubing ranging fran 11 ⁇ 4 to 11 ⁇ 2 inch OD
  • Drillhead 56 is mounted to the forward end of the piston body tube 58, suitably by welding. As illustrated, the forward end of the drillhead is generally rounded, hemispherical in shape. Spaced generally forward directed ports 56a are illustrated. In addition, elliptical ports 56b may be provided for directing drilling fluid in a generally rearward direction to assist the fluidizing of cuttings surrounding the piston body as it passes through the formation, to lubricate the cuttings and prevent binding with the formation and to assist movement of the formed cuttings in a rearward direction. Alternatively, all ports or a single port may be directed forward to maximize cutting.
  • the nose of the drillhead of Figures 3 and 4 is illustrated in which one or more of ports 56a are illustrated in an oblique-oblique direction. That is, such port is disposed in a direction which is oblique in two different planes to the axis of the drillhead.
  • the jets cut the kerf or slot walls which would otherwise by formed forward of the drillhead by ports oblique in one direction only and cause possible drillhead resistance.
  • the fluid jet shears the forna- tion- in such a manner that the drillhead functions progressively to shear off the kerfs in the cut formation as the drillhead passes.
  • a combination injection well and production well is illustrated.
  • a pre-existing well casing 90 is provided, and four guide tubes 92, 94, 96 and 98 ending in whipstocks 92a, 94a, 96a and 98a, respectively, are placed circumferentially within the guide tube.
  • Whipstocks 92a and 96a project parallel to each other in opposite directions.
  • whipstocks 94a and 98a project parallel to each other in opposite directions and perpendicular to the directions of whipstocks 92a and 96a.
  • Piston bodies 100, 102, 104 and 106 are directed downwardly through guide tubes 92, 94, 96 and 98, respectively, and turn through their respective whipstocks to form horizontal or radial portion 100a, 102a, 104a and 106a, respectively.
  • radials project every 90 degrees in a horizontal direction into the formation.
  • a production tubing or pipe 110 of a conventional size and shape including a conventional sucker rod pump assembly with a sucker rod 112 and a piston valve schematically illustrated at 114 in Figure 8.
  • a conventional slotted cylindrical portion 110a At the bottom of the tubing 110 is a conventional slotted cylindrical portion 110a, which is permeable to oil flow but which filters out particulate matter, much as a wire-wrapped screen sand filter.
  • the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 comprises a combination injection production system. That is, after the radials (100a, 102a, 104a, 106a) are in place and the bottom of production tubing 110 is in place in a sump at the bottom of casing 90, a hot fluid such as steam may be flowed through the radials and out the drillhead to heat the adjacent oil bearing formation to allow the oil to flow downwardly and laterally and into the sump, generally designated by the number 116. There, the oil is pumped to the surface in a conventional manner by a sucker rod pump assembly. Heat energy is used effectively since some of the heat from the downwardly flowing steam is utilized to maintain the upwardly flowing oil at a temperature such that the oil is maintained fluid as delivered to the top of the well.
  • a hot fluid such as steam may be flowed through the radials and out the drillhead to heat the adjacent oil bearing formation to allow the oil to flow downwardly and laterally and into the sump, generally designated by the number 116.
  • the oil is pumped to
  • the system may be used for "steam soaking" in the following manner. After formation of the radials 102a, 104a, and 106a, they may be cut fran their corresponding whipstocks, and the whipstocks withdrawn to the surface for possible reuse. Then steam is passed down well casing 90 to permeate into the formation. A pump is placed in the sunp as illustrated, and the oil, which has been heated by the steam to flow into the sump, is pumped to the surface.
  • Means may be provided in the form of a restraint line for controlling the maximum rate of movement of the piston body. Such a line may also serve to monitor the speed with which the drillhead progresses into the formation.
  • a system of the foregoing type may be utilized for the injection of a hot fluid or steam through the radials which are formed in the system for heating the underground formation for production at either the same casing as the one from which the radials project, or at a remote casing.
  • the system is sealed as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 hereinafter or by some other means.
  • the system may be sealed by passing cement into the area surrounding the piston body through the fluids downcomer or guide tube. If the openings in the drillhead are of insufficient size to pass the necessary volumes of steam or other fluid, an abrasive may be included in the drilling fluid to erode out the openings to the desired size for fluid injection, or the openings may be enlarged by the action of a suitable solvent.
  • the drillhead may be completely severed using an explosive charge.
  • FIG. 9 Two additional embodiments of tube bending means are illustrated in Figures 9-12. In both instances the dimensions and configurations are such that the well must be of sufficient diameter to permit their introduction.
  • a housing 151 encloses a portion of tube bending means 152.
  • the bending means consists of a body which is rigid, and is formed by the spaced side plates 154 that are secured together by connecting walls. Two series of sheaves 156 and 157 are journaled between the side walls 154, and are positioned to form the curved guide way 158.
  • Tube straightening means 159 is disposed at the exit end of the guide way, and consists of a cruciform-like body 161, which is attached to the side plates 154.
  • the body carries four sheaves, namely the upper and lower sheaves 162, and the opposed side sheaves 163. These sheaves are so formed that their peripheral surfaces embrace substantially the entire circumference of the drilling tube.
  • the straightening means in such event can employ only the two upper and lower sheaves 162.
  • FIGS 13 and 14 illustrate means for introducing drilling fluids such as steam into the drilling head after formation of the bore hole. This may be necessary if the sliding seal suitable for the driving piston effect is not sufficiently tight to fully contain steam injection into the piston body for heating the underground formation. This is the purpose of the steam seal now described.
  • the figures show a guide pipe 166 together with a threaded coupling 167 between sections of the guide pipe.
  • the drilling tube 168 is shown passing through the seal 164.
  • the upper end of the drilling tube 168 is provided with the threaded portion 171.
  • the lower end of the upper section of the guide pipe 166 is also provided with the internally threaded portion 172.
  • the threads of the coupling 167 are made the same as the threads of the collar 171 and portion 172.
  • the threads for coupling the two sections of the guide pipe may be left-handed, and the threads of 171 and 172 are also made left-handed.
  • the coupling 167 is disengaged by clockwise turning the upper part of the guide pipe 166, after which it is lifted and turned counterclockwise to engage the threaded portions 171 and 172. This provides a sealed metal to metal coupling.
  • the parts are then in the condition shown in Figure 14. Steam or other treatment fluid can now be introduced through the guide pipe and through the drilling tube 168, and from thence into the mineral bearing formation.
  • Figures 13 and 14 also show an annular portion 173 at the inlet to the portion 171, which is formed to provide a downwardly convergent entrant opening. This improves the flow characteristics of the arrangement in that it provides a transition from the larger internal diameter of pipe 166 to the smaller internal diameter of tube 168. Portion 173 is dimensioned to form a stop when the threaded portions 171 and 172 are engaged.
  • FIG 15 schematically shows an earth well 210 which extends down to the mineral bearing formation 211.
  • the well is shown provided with a casing 212, which may extend down to a cavity 213 that is adjacent the formation 211.
  • the piping extending into the well consists in this instance of a pipe string 214 within which a drilling tube 215 is normally disposed.
  • a seal 216 is mounted within the pipe string 214, and forms a seal between the pipe string and the drilling tube 215.
  • the upper open end of the drill pipe 215 is above the seal 216, when the drilling tube is fully extended as shown in Figure 15. Before the drilling tube is extended it is within the pipe string 214, with its drilling head 217 located below the seal 216.
  • the structure 221 serves to carry the pipe bending means 222. While the seal 216 may be incorporated in a coupling between sections of the pipe string 214, it is preferably incorporated in the coupling adjacent the upper end of the bending means 222.
  • Pipe 249 is a fluid downcomer.
  • Figure 15 also schematically shows a production rig 224 of the mobile type, and a reel carrying truck 225 which may carry a supply of the drilling tubing 215.
  • FIG. 16-18 One embodiment of an extensible whipstock or bending means is shown in Figures 16-18. It consists of the structure 221, which carries the bending assemblies 226 and 227. Structure 221 can be in the form of a pipe section having one side cut away as indicated at 228. Assembly 226 consists of a rigid mounting made of rigid side plates 229 attached to a back plate (not shown), and a top plate 231. This assembly is secured to the structure 221 as indicated at 232.
  • the assembly 227 similarly includes a rigid mounting formed by the connected side plates 233, which have a pivotal connection 234 with the lower end of the assembly 226.
  • the upper assembly 226 carries two series of rollers or sheaves 236 and 237. They are disposed to form a guideway 238, dimensioned to receive the drilling tube 215.
  • the lower assembly 227 is similarly provided with two series of rollers or sheaves 239 and 240. They are positioned to form the guideway 242.
  • the bending means described above is extended to the position shown in Figure 17, by swinging the lower assembly outwardly and upwardly.
  • the guideway formed by each assembly becomes a segment of the entire guideway formed when the lower assembly is swung to the position in Figure 17.
  • Suitable power means is provided for moving the lower assembly 227 to the extended position shown in Figure 17.
  • This may consist of a hydraulic actuator 244 of the cylinder-piston type, having its operating rod pivotally connected at 246 with the side walls 233 of the assembly 227.
  • hydraulic liquid under pressure When hydraulic liquid under pressure is applied to the operator 244, it moves the lower assembly 227 from the position shown in Figure 15, to that shown in Figure 16.
  • the actuator 244, or hydraulic loading serves to retain the assembly in the position shown in Figure 17, during passage of a drilling tube through the same, and during subsequent drilling operations.
  • the control valve for admitting or venting hydraulic fluid may be closed after actuation to lock the assembly 226 in extended position.
  • Figure 14 shows a tube 247 extending to the top of the well for the hydraulic operation of the operator 244.
  • the pipe string 214 When it is desired to salvage the bending means, following application of steam or other treatment fluid through the radially extending drilling tube, the pipe string 214, together with the housing 221, can be pulled upwardly to force retraction of assembly 227 and crushing and breaking off of the extended position of the drill tube.
  • the operator 244 In the event the operator 244 is of the double acting type, it can be used as power means to retract assembly 227 with crushing or buckling of the drilling tube.
  • Tubing 215 may be severed explosively or otherwise prior to whipstock collapse.
  • the series of rollers or sheaves carried by the assemblies 226 and 227 provide a continuous curved guideway through which the drilling tube is caused to pass, to apply the desired bend.
  • the sheaves of each assembly may engage either the inner or outer walls of the bent tube. It is assumed that the tube bend usually will be through 90°, although this may vary depending upon particular requirements.
  • the present invention makes it possible to employ bending radii of the order of 6 to 12 inches, for steel pipe ranging fran 11 ⁇ 4 to 11 ⁇ 2 inches, and a wall thickness of the order of 0.080 to 0.125 inches.
  • the metal of the tubing may, for example, have a yield point ranging fran 36,000 to 70,000 pounds or more per square inch.
  • sheaves 239a, 239b, 239c and 239d, and the opposed sheaves 240a, 240b and 240d are arranged to form a straight guideway.
  • the purpose of these sheaves is to form straightening means whereby the drilling tube leaving these sheaves is relatively straight.
  • the sheaves 239d and 240d are large in diameter and have peripheral grooves such that they embrace substantially the entire circumference of the tube.
  • this arrangement serves to apply straightening forces to the tubing as it exits fran the guideway.
  • ' sheaves 239d and 240d may have reforming forces to reform the tube from oval to more circular configuration.
  • the template extension 221a which may be a pipe section which extends for a substantial distance into the well casing 212.
  • the manner in which the extendible whipstock is used in practice is as follows. Assuming that the well has been drilled by conventional means, and that a cavity 213 has been formed adjacent to the mineral bearing formation 211, sections of the drill string 214 are assembled with the lowermost coupling attached to the member 251 of the tube bending means. An adequate length of the drilling tube is provided with the hydraulic jet-type drilling head 217 attached to its one end. This may then be assembled within the drill string with the drillhead at or slightly below the seal 216. An adequate length of drilling tube is one which has a length sufficient to extend laterally for the required distance, plus a further length sufficient to ensure that the upper open end of the tube is well above the seal 216, when the tube is extended as shown in Figure 15.
  • the assembly of the drill string 214, together with the attached housing 221 and bending means 222, is now lowered into the well, at which time the bending means is in retracted condition.
  • the upper end of the pipe 214 is connected to a source of hydraulic liquid (i.e., water) at a relatively high available pressure, which may range, for exanple, from 1,000 to 10,000 psi or more.
  • a source of hydraulic liquid i.e., water
  • the drill string including the whipstock but not the drillhead and drill tube, is first lowered to the desired final location. Then the drillhead and drill tube are lowered.
  • bending means 222 is extended as shown in Figure 15, by applying hydraulic pressure to the operator 244, and then high pressure hydraulic liquid is introduced into the upper end of the pipe string 214.
  • the hydraulic liquid flows into and through the drilling tube 215, and by virtue of the fluid pressure areas afforded by the drilling tube together with the drillhead 217, the tube is driven downwardly through the seal 216, the bending means 222, and then laterally against the formation in accordance with the principles set out above.
  • The: jet drilling head 217 penetrates the formation to form a laterally extending bore as shown, for exanple, in Figure 15.
  • the embodiment illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 has another form of tube straightening means.
  • a cruciform-type of straightening means 251 It consists of a body 252 which serves to mount the opposed sheaves 253 and 254, together with the laterally disposed sheaves 256 and 257.
  • the grooves in the peripheries of these sheaves are proportional whereby they embrace substantially the entire circumference of the tube. It has been found that although the drilling tube is not collapsed during bending, there is a plastic deformation of the metal walls, whereby when the tube exits from the guideway, its configuration in cross-section is slightly oval, rather than circular.
  • the rollers 256 and 257 may be set whereby when the tube passes between them, side pressure is applied to the tube side walls to sanewhat reform the cross-sectional configuration to near circular. It has been found that this aides straightening of the tube, whereby, together with the action of sheaves 239a-239c and 240a, 240b, that portion of the tube extending from the straightening means to the formation, is sufficiently straight to transmit the desired thrust of the drilling head into the formation, without further straightening.
  • the embodiment of Figures 22-25 is also provided with a plurality of sheaves that form the arcuate guideway of the bending means.
  • the bending means is formed by three assemblies, instead of the two assemblies of Figures 16 and 17.
  • an adjustable straightening means is provided.
  • the housing 261 may be similar to the housing 221 of Figure 16.
  • the tube bending means consists of the three assemblies 262, 263 and 264, each of which forms a segment of the arcuate guideway.
  • Assembly 262 consists of the rigid side walls 266 that are rigidly secured together in spaced relationship, and are fixed to the upper portion of housing 261. The edges of the sidewalls are shown connected by closure or cover plates 266a and 266b.
  • Assembly 263 likewise consists of spaced connected walls 267, the upper ends of which have pivotal connection 268 with the side walls 266 of assembly 262. Walls 267 are also shown connected by closure or cover plates 267a and 267b. Assembly 264 also consists of spaced connected walls 269 that have pivotal connection 271 with the lower ends of the walls 267, and which have closure or cover plates 269a and 269b.
  • Figures 22 and 23 show the assemblies 263 and 264 retracted within the housing structure 261.
  • the power means for extending the assemblies to the position shown in Figure 22 may consist of a hydraulic operator 272 that is pivotally anchored at 273 to the housing 261 and has its operating rod 274 pivotally connected at 276 to the side walls of assembly 264.
  • the sidewalls of assemblies 262 and 263 have their adjacent ends 276 and 277 formed whereby they care into abutting engagement when the bending means is fully extended.
  • the opposed ends 278 and 279 of the side walls of assemblies 263 and 264 are similarly formed.
  • assembly 264 may be connected to a pull cable extending to the top of the well.
  • Each of the assemblies 262, 263 and 264 have a plurality of rotatable sheaves that are disposed in such a manner as to form, when the assemblies are extended, a continuous tube bending guideway which progressively bends the drilling tube as the tube is driven through the same.
  • the complete guideway is arcuate, with the assemblies 262, 263 and 264 forming segments of the arc.
  • the sheaves for assembly 262 are designated 281 and 282, for assembly 263 they are designated 283 and 284, and designated 286 and 287 for assembly 264.
  • the sheaves 286a, 286b, 286c, 286d and 286e, and 287a, 287c and 287e cooperate to straighten the drill tube before it exits from the assembly 264.
  • sheave 287c is adjustable to adjust the straightening force that it applies.
  • it is shown rotatably carried by the structure 288, which in turn is pivotally connected to the pin or shaft 289 that is carried by the side walls of assembly 264.
  • the positioning of sheave 287c can be adjusted relative to sheaves 286b, 286c and 286d by adjustment of the screw 291.
  • the sheaves 286b, 286c and 286d are shown disposed with their line of centers arched upwardly ( Figures 23 and 24).
  • the sheave 287e is not essential for straightening action and may be omitted.
  • the adjustment feature of sheave 287c is also applicable to the embodiments of Figures 9, 11, and 16.
  • sheaves 286e and 287e are of such size and with grooves such that they substantially embrace the circumference of the drilling tube. They may somewhat reform the tube to more nearly circular form.
  • a small duct 293 is indicated in Figure 24 which diverts sore water from above the seal 292 to the assembly 262. It may discharge into assembly 262 or it may connect with ducts 294, 295 and 296 in the side walls of the assemblies. The latter ducts are so located that they are in canmmication when the assemblies are extended. Duct 296 may discharge sprays of water through the nozzles 297. Introduction of water tends to flush out and prevent clogging of the guideway or jamming of the sheaves due to entrance of foreign material (e.g. sand or small rocks).
  • closures or cover plates for the assemblies 262, 263 and 264 may be used to keep out rocks or other debris. In some instances they may be perforated.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
EP83304298A 1982-07-26 1983-07-25 Dispositif pour le forage du sol Expired EP0100230B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT83304298T ATE39538T1 (de) 1982-07-26 1983-07-25 Bohrvorrichtung zum erdbohren.

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US40161382A 1982-07-26 1982-07-26
US401613 1982-07-26
US47143083A 1983-03-02 1983-03-02
US06/471,437 US4527639A (en) 1982-07-26 1983-03-02 Hydraulic piston-effect method and apparatus for forming a bore hole
US471430 1983-03-02
US471437 1983-03-02

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0100230A2 true EP0100230A2 (fr) 1984-02-08
EP0100230A3 EP0100230A3 (en) 1985-05-15
EP0100230B1 EP0100230B1 (fr) 1988-12-28

Family

ID=27410458

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83304298A Expired EP0100230B1 (fr) 1982-07-26 1983-07-25 Dispositif pour le forage du sol

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0100230B1 (fr)
KR (1) KR840005515A (fr)
AU (1) AU564613B2 (fr)
BE (1) BE897361A (fr)
BR (1) BR8303989A (fr)
DE (2) DE3326350A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2540968B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2124278B (fr)
IL (1) IL69277A0 (fr)
IT (1) IT1163856B (fr)
MX (1) MX159238A (fr)
SE (1) SE8304122L (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0227456A2 (fr) * 1985-12-19 1987-07-01 Dickinson, Ben Wade Oakes, III Dispositif pour le forage d'un puits
GB2194183A (en) * 1986-08-22 1988-03-02 Perard Torque Tension Ltd Drilling apparatus
WO1995032353A1 (fr) * 1994-05-25 1995-11-30 Atlantic Richfield Company Procede de forage lateral
WO2000058599A1 (fr) * 1999-03-31 2000-10-05 Landers Carl W Procede et appareil permettant de forer un puits horizontal
US10995563B2 (en) 2017-01-18 2021-05-04 Minex Crc Ltd Rotary drill head for coiled tubing drilling apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA1276007C (fr) * 1989-07-24 1990-11-06 Robert L. Zeer Dispositif deflecteur

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1660999A (en) * 1926-10-04 1928-02-28 James A Macdonell Well-drilling apparatus
US2345816A (en) * 1940-12-24 1944-04-04 Russell R Hays Hydraulic drilling apparatus
US3576222A (en) * 1969-04-01 1971-04-27 Gulf Research Development Co Hydraulic jet drill bit
US3934659A (en) * 1975-04-15 1976-01-27 Mikhail Ivanovich Tsiferov Apparatus for drilling holes in earth surface
US4022279A (en) * 1974-07-09 1977-05-10 Driver W B Formation conditioning process and system

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2258001A (en) * 1938-12-23 1941-10-07 Dow Chemical Co Subterranean boring
US2271005A (en) * 1939-01-23 1942-01-27 Dow Chemical Co Subterranean boring
GB617740A (en) * 1945-11-02 1949-02-10 Randolph Knox Whitehead Improvements in re-directing deflected bore holes
US2796129A (en) * 1951-08-13 1957-06-18 Orpha B Brandon Oil recovery process
US3191697A (en) * 1953-11-30 1965-06-29 Mcgaffey Taylor Corp Subsurface earth formation treating tool
US4317492A (en) * 1980-02-26 1982-03-02 The Curators Of The University Of Missouri Method and apparatus for drilling horizontal holes in geological structures from a vertical bore
US4431069A (en) * 1980-07-17 1984-02-14 Dickinson Iii Ben W O Method and apparatus for forming and using a bore hole

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1660999A (en) * 1926-10-04 1928-02-28 James A Macdonell Well-drilling apparatus
US2345816A (en) * 1940-12-24 1944-04-04 Russell R Hays Hydraulic drilling apparatus
US3576222A (en) * 1969-04-01 1971-04-27 Gulf Research Development Co Hydraulic jet drill bit
US4022279A (en) * 1974-07-09 1977-05-10 Driver W B Formation conditioning process and system
US3934659A (en) * 1975-04-15 1976-01-27 Mikhail Ivanovich Tsiferov Apparatus for drilling holes in earth surface

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0227456A2 (fr) * 1985-12-19 1987-07-01 Dickinson, Ben Wade Oakes, III Dispositif pour le forage d'un puits
EP0227456A3 (en) * 1985-12-19 1988-11-23 Dickinson, Ben Wade Oakes, Iii Earth well drilling apparatus
GB2194183A (en) * 1986-08-22 1988-03-02 Perard Torque Tension Ltd Drilling apparatus
WO1995032353A1 (fr) * 1994-05-25 1995-11-30 Atlantic Richfield Company Procede de forage lateral
WO2000058599A1 (fr) * 1999-03-31 2000-10-05 Landers Carl W Procede et appareil permettant de forer un puits horizontal
US10995563B2 (en) 2017-01-18 2021-05-04 Minex Crc Ltd Rotary drill head for coiled tubing drilling apparatus
US11136837B2 (en) 2017-01-18 2021-10-05 Minex Crc Ltd Mobile coiled tubing drilling apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE8304122L (sv) 1984-01-27
BE897361A (fr) 1984-01-25
DE3326350C2 (fr) 1988-01-14
IL69277A0 (en) 1983-11-30
IT8322246A0 (it) 1983-07-26
FR2540968A1 (fr) 1984-08-17
EP0100230A3 (en) 1985-05-15
MX159238A (es) 1989-05-08
DE3378778D1 (en) 1989-02-02
AU1696883A (en) 1984-02-02
GB8319965D0 (en) 1983-08-24
KR840005515A (ko) 1984-11-14
IT8322246A1 (it) 1985-01-26
GB2124278B (en) 1985-11-06
IT1163856B (it) 1987-04-08
GB2124278A (en) 1984-02-15
AU564613B2 (en) 1987-08-20
BR8303989A (pt) 1984-02-28
FR2540968B1 (fr) 1986-10-24
SE8304122D0 (sv) 1983-07-25
DE3326350A1 (de) 1984-01-26
EP0100230B1 (fr) 1988-12-28

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