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
  • E21B15/00—Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
  • E21B15/04—Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts specially adapted for directional drilling, e.g. slant hole rigs
• • 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
  • E21B15/00—Supports for the drilling machine, e.g. derricks or masts
  • E21B15/006—Means for anchoring the drilling machine to the ground
• • 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

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to assemblies and methods for subsurface drilling, and
• the bore hole is then continued in the horizontal direction for a distance. This method exposes a greater volume ofthe oil, gas and methane producing formation to the
• a rotary table is fixed to the drill rig floor or base such that it does not move up and down with the drill pipe.
• a heavy fluted round piece of drill pipe called a Kelly bar slides through the rotary table opening
• the top drive also provides thrust and pull-back forces which are needed while drilling
• slant drilling a vertical oil, gas, methane drilling rig is
• drilling rigs commonly known as super singles for subsurface drilling applications relating to
• Super single drilling rigs therefore, reduce the number of tool joint connections that are required to be made during a subsurface drilling operation. Consequently, the drilling process can be completed more quickly.
• Super singles utilize a top drive to rotate the
• drilling rigs include power units that are separate from the drilling
• gas and methane drilling assemblies are not anchored to the ground so as to increase
• conventional drilling assemblies do not include a roller drill pipe guide bushing assembly adapted to reduce the wear and damage to the drill pipe string.
• assemblies do not include automated drill pipe slips adapted to reduce the amount of time
• Conventional drilling assemblies do not include pipe handling arms adapted to be pinned to the sub-stmcture for easy removal during transport. Conventional drilling assemblies do not include
• a positive rack and pinion carriage (top drive) system which is adapted to provide thrust and pull- back forces to the drill pipe string and eliminate the need for cables, winches, hydraulic cylinders, chain systems and the like to provide such forces.
• Conventional drilling assemblies
• a drilling assembly could be provided that would be more easily transported. It would also be desirable if a drilling assembly could be provided that is adapted to be anchored to the ground so as to increase performance
• a drilling assembly could be provided that would reduce the amount of time required to perform make-up and break-out operations on the drill pipe and/or casing tool joints. It would be desirable if a drilling assembly could be provided that includes pipe handling arms adapted to be pinned to the sub-structure for easy removal during transport. It would be
• a drilling assembly could be provided that is adapted to perform vertical and horizontal drilling applications with a tube-in-tube drill string. It would also be desirable if a drilling assembly could be provided that would be adapted to continue operations in the event of a power unit failure.
• a drilling assembly that produces an increased capacity for drill pipe rotational, thrust and pull-back forces. It is also an advantage of the invention to provide a drilling assembly that is capable of producing longer well bores and well bores having a greater diameter than those produced by conventional drilling assemblies. It another advantage ofthe invention to provide a drilling assembly that is capable of entering the earth and drilling a well bore at an angle steeper than conventional horizontal directional drill assemblies. It is still another advantage of the invention to provide a drilling assembly that is capable of entering the earth and drilling a well bore at an angle closer to horizontal than conventional vertical drill assemblies. It is yet another advantage of the invention to provide a drilling assembly that eliminates the need for heavy drill pipe or drill collars to exert downward force on the drill bit.
• drilling a drill pipe into a drilling surface includes drilling a bore hole into which a drill pipe or a drill pipe string is pulled.
• drilling a drill pipe into a drilling surface includes drilling a bore hole into which a drill pipe or a drill pipe string is pulled.
• drilling surface also includes pulling the drill pipe or the drill pipe string out of the bore hole.
• drilling surface includes the Earth's subsurface strata and any other
• hydraulic actuator includes hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic rotary actuators, pneumatic cylinders and any other device or system in which pressurized fluid is used to impart a mechanical force.
• tube-in-tube refers to a type of drill pipe or drill pipe string characterized by an outer drill pipe wall and a substantially axially positioned inner drill pipe wall that is substantially su ⁇ ounded by the outer drill pipe wall.
• the apparatus claimed herein comprises a modified horizontal directional drilling assembly for
• the drilling assembly comprises a power unit for supplying power to the assembly, a thrust frame adapted to be moved between a position substantially parallel to the drilling surface and a position substantially perpendicular to the drilling surface
• the drilling assembly further comprises a rotary and
• the rotary and carriage assembly is adapted to
• the drilling assembly is adapted to drill pipe into the drilling surface at any angle relative to the drilling surface between
• the method for drilling pipe into a drilling surface claimed herein comprises providing a
• the drilling assembly comprises a power unit
• a thrust frame adapted to be moved between a position substantially parallel to the drilling surface and a position substantially perpendicular to the
• the rotary and carriage assembly is adapted to apply rotational
• the drilling assembly is adapted to drill pipe into
• the method furthermore, the drilling surface and substantially perpendicular to the drilling surface.
• Figure 1 is a side view of a prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of the modified horizontal directional drilling
• Figure 2 is a side view ofthe preferred modified horizontal directional drilling assembly shown
• Figure 3 is a side view of the prefe ⁇ ed modified horizontal directional drilling assembly shown in Figures 1-2 illustrating the drilling assembly in a vertical subsurface drilling position with the drill pipe in a horizontal stored position.
• Figure 4 is a top view of the prefe ⁇ ed modified horizontal directional drilling assembly shown in Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is a side view ofthe prefe ⁇ ed modified horizontal directional drilling assembly shown
• Figure 6 is a side view of the prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of the modified horizontal directional
• drilling assembly shown in Figures 1-5 illustrating the drilling assembly in a 45° angle slant subsurface drilling position with the drill pipe in a horizontal stored position.
• Figure 7 is a side view of the prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of the modified horizontal directional
• drilling assembly shown in Figures 1-6 illustrating the drilling assembly and the drill pipe in a
• Figure 8 is a side view of the rotary and carriage assembly of the prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of the
• Figure 9 is a top view ofthe prefe ⁇ ed rotary and carriage assembly shown in Figures 1-8.
• Figure 10 is a partial sectional side view of the telescoping slip spindle sub assembly of the
• Figure 11 is a partial sectional side view of the telescoping slip spindle sub assembly of the
• Figure 12 is an end view of the telescoping slip spindle sub assembly of the prefe ⁇ ed
• Figure 13 is a side view of a first alternative embodiment of the modified horizontal directional
• drilling assembly ofthe present invention illustrating the fixed pivot and the wide strut system.
• Figure 14 is a top view of the first alternative embodiment of the modified horizontal directional
• Figure 15 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the rotary and carriage assembly ofthe
• prefe ⁇ ed modified horizontal directional drilling assembly of the present invention prefe ⁇ ed modified horizontal directional drilling assembly of the present invention.
• Figure 15A is an enlarged view of the lower portion of the preferred rotary and carriage
• Figure 16 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the rotary and carriage assembly
• modified HDD assembly horizontal directional drilling assembly
• the prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 is adapted for use in both horizontal directional drilling applications and vertical subsurface drilling applications such as
• the prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 preferably includes a pair of
• the prefe ⁇ ed power units are diesel engines, but it is
• any suitable power source such as electric motors, diesel engines and generators and the like may be used.
• a plurality of power units are
• the prefe ⁇ ed HDD assembly 30 comprises two independent
• the assembly can still be operated at full capacity (at half speed) by the other power unit and the drilling operation can
• the power units are preferably attached to the modified HDD
• the power units may be removably attached to
• the prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 also includes rotary and ca ⁇ iage assembly 40.
• the prefe ⁇ ed rotary and carriage assembly 40 is adapted to move along thrust frame 42 and provide thrust force, pull-back force and rotational torque to a drill pipe or
• the prefe ⁇ ed rotary and carriage assembly is a positive rack and pinion carriage system
• the prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly further includes breakout wrench assembly 50 and roller- style anti-friction drill pipe guide bushing assembly 60.
• assembly 50 is adapted to make-up and break-out the drill pipe tool connections.
• bushing assembly 60 is adapted to reduce wear on the drill pipe string.
• the prefe ⁇ ed HDD assembly 30 includes a pair of pivoting hinges 70 (see also Figure 4) which are adapted to permit thrust frame 42 to be pivotally moved between a position
• the prefe ⁇ ed pivoting hinge 70 is a
• pivoting hinge may have less than or more than two pivot points. It is further contemplated witlun the scope of the invention that less than or more than two pivoting hinges may be used to move thrust frame between a position approximately parallel to the
• the rotary and carriage assembly 40 and thrust frame 42 are moved between an
• the prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 also includes sub-structure
• sub-structure 80 is adapted to anchor the assembly to the ground
• the prefe ⁇ ed slip assembly 85 is adapted to reduce the amount of time required to
• prefe ⁇ ed slip assembly 85 functions as a safety feature by keeping personnel away from the
• drill pipe and casing handler 90 is adapted to pick up drill pipe 100 or casing from an approximately horizontal position substantially parallel to the drilling surface
• prefe ⁇ ed handler 90 is adapted to pivotally move drill pipe 100 or a casing to an approximately
• the prefe ⁇ ed handler 90 is adapted to pivotally move drill pipe 100
• handler 90 is adapted to hold the drill pipe or casing in position until the rotary and carnage assembly is connected to the drill pipe or casing.
• the preferred handler 90 is adapted to move
• the prefe ⁇ ed handler 90 is removably connected to sub-structure 80 by
• handler 90 and drill pipe 100 or a casing are preferably moved from the approximately horizontal stored position to an appropriate position for connection ofthe drill
• any suitable device or assembly may be used to pivotally move the drill pipe and casing handler between an approximately horizontal stored position and an appropriate position for connection of the drill pipe or casing
• rotary and ca ⁇ iage assembly such as a motor and chain assembly, a motor and cable
• a plurality of hydraulic cylinders may be provided to move the drill pipe and casing handler
• the prefe ⁇ ed drill pipe 100 is
• the prefe ⁇ ed handler 90 is shown in a condition ready
• the preferred modified HDD assembly 30 further includes a plurality
• Leveling jacks 110 are preferably mounted to the assembly and adapted to
• prefe ⁇ ed leveling jacks 110 provide stability to modified HDD assembly 30. Further, the prefe ⁇ ed leveling jacks 110 are mounted to sub-structure 80 in
• Figure 2 illustrates prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 in a retracted
• prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD transport position on prefe ⁇ ed sub-structure 80, As shown in Figure 2, prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD
• assembly 30 includes power unit 32 (power unit 34 not shown), rotary and carriage assembly 40, thrust frame 42, frame hydraulic cylinder 44, breakout wrench assembly 50, bushing assembly
• Figure 3 shows the prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 in position for a
• the prefe ⁇ ed drill pipe 100 is shown in a horizontal
• prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 includes power
• prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 are adapted to be pivotally rotated from a position approximately parallel to the drilling surface (as shown in
• frame 42 are preferably moved between an approximately horizontal position and an
• Figure 4 illustrates prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 in the position
• modified HDD assembly 30 includes power unit 32, power unit 34, rotary and ca ⁇ iage
• Figure 5 a side view of the prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 is illustrated. More particularly, Figure 5 illustrates preferred modified HDD assembly 30 in a vertical subsurface drilling application with drill pipe and casing handler 90 and drill pipe 100 in a
• Figure 5 illustrates the prefe ⁇ ed anchoring system 115.
• prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 includes power unit 32 (power unit 34
• breakout wrench assembly 50 bushing assembly 60, pivoting hinge 70, sub-stmcture 80, slip
• casing handler 90 is adapted to releasable retain and pivotally move drill pipe 100 from a position approximately parallel to the drilling surface (as shown in Figures 1-3) to a position
• drill pipe and casing handler 90 are approximately perpendicular to the drilling surface.
• drill pipe and casing handler 90 are approximately perpendicular to the drilling surface.
• the prefe ⁇ ed anchoring system 115 includes tipping plate anchors 120
• Anchor rod 122 extends
• Anchor rod 122 may be connected to
• the prefe ⁇ ed anchor hydraulic cylinder 124 is adapted to be set into a socket into the frame of sub-stmcture 80 such that the cylinder may be pivoted for alignment with the anchor rod.
• the prefe ⁇ ed anchor hydraulic cylinder is also
• anchor rod 122 may be connected to sub-stmcture 80 using a split tapered bushing
• Figure 6 illustrates rotary and carriage assembly 40, thmst frame 42, drill pipe and casing breakout wrench assembly 50, drill pipe guide bushing assembly 60 and slip
• prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 in a 45° angle slant subsurface drilling position with drill pipe 100 in a horizontal stored position.
• the prefe ⁇ ed pivoting hinge 70 is
• modified HDD assembly 30 includes power unit 32 (power unit 34 not shown), rotary and carriage assembly 40, thmst frame 42, frame
• prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30 are adapted to be pivotally rotated from a position approximately parallel to the drilling surface (as shown in
• Rotary and carriage assembly 40 and th st frame 42 are preferably moved between an approximately horizontal position and a position
• Figure 7 illustrates prefe ⁇ ed modified HDD assembly 30, rotary and carriage assembly 40, breakout wrench assembly 50, guide bushing assembly 60, slip assembly 85 and
• prefe ⁇ ed drill pipe 100 in a 45° angle slant subsurface drilling position.
• hinge 70 is shown in a lowered position.
• modified HDD assembly 30 As shown in Figure 6, modified HDD assembly 30
• power unit 32 power unit 34 not shown
• rotary and carriage assembly 40 thmst frame
• casing handler 90 and drill pipe 100 are adapted to be pivotally rotated from a position
• Drill pipe and casing handler 90 and drill pipe 100 are preferably moved between an approximately horizontal position and a position approximately 135° from the horizontal drilling surface by handler hydraulic cylinder 92.
• assembly 40 is adapted to apply thmst and pull-back forces to a drill pipe or casing or a string of drill pipes or casings through a combination of pinion drive planetary gearboxes and hydraulic
• rotary and carriage assembly further includes rotary gearbox planetary gearboxes 144, rotary gearbox hydraulic motors 146 and rotary gearbox output spindle 148.
• gearbox and the prefe ⁇ ed output spindle applies rotational torque to a drill pipe or a string of
• Figure 8 illustrates hydraulic motors adapted to provide a power source to the
• the rotary and carriage assembly may be powered by and suitable power source such as an
• prefe ⁇ ed rotary and carriage assembly 40 includes carriage drive
• assembly further includes rotary gearbox planetary gearboxes 144, rotary gearbox hydraulic
• prefe ⁇ ed rotary and carriage assembly 40 includes telescoping slip spindle sub assembly 150 which is described in more detail below.
• Figure 10 illustrates preferred slip spindle sub assembly 150 with output
• 150 includes output spindle 148, drive sleeve 154 and housing 156.
• the output spindle 148 is adapted to extend and retract in a telescoping manner depending upon the direction of the thmst loading applied to the rotary and carriage assembly.
• the output spindle axially
• prefe ⁇ ed drive sleeve 154 engages prefe ⁇ ed output spindle 148 so as to transmit rotational
• slip spindle input end 158 slip spindle output end 160.
• slip spindle output end 160 slip spindle output end 160.
• pipe tool joint connections threads as a result of the telescoping action of output spindle 148.
• sub assembly 150 of the prefe ⁇ ed embodiment of modified HDD assembly 30 is illustrated.
• Figure 11 illustrates prefe ⁇ ed slip spindle sub assembly 150 with output
• assembly 150 includes output spindle 148, drive sleeve 154, housing 156, input end 158 and
• prefe ⁇ ed slip spindle sub assembly 150 includes output spindle 148, drive sleeve 154 and housing 156.
• horizontal directional drilling assembly 230 includes fixed pivot 270 and wide st ⁇ it system 280.
• the prefe ⁇ ed fixed pivot 270 is adapted to permit thrust frame 242 to be pivotally moved
• fixed pivot 270 is adapted to
• pe ⁇ nit thrust frame 242 to be moved through an approximately 90° angle.
• the prefe ⁇ ed wide stmt system 280 is adapted to provide
• the prefe ⁇ ed wide stmt system includes a pair of wide st t
• system arms 282 each of which have a thmst frame end 283 attached to thmst frame 242 and an
• anchoring end 284 adapted to be anchored to sub-stmcture 280. While the wide stmt system
• Figures 13 and 14 includes a pair of arms, it is contemplated within the scope of the
• the wide stmt system may include more or less than two arms. It is also contemplated within the scope of the invention that the anchoring end of the arms may be
• any suitable support structure including but not limited to, the drilling surface.
• the wide stmt system may be adapted for use when the thmst frame is not in a substantially vertical position.
• the preferred rotary and carriage assembly is designated generally by reference numeral 340.
• the prefe ⁇ ed rotary and ca ⁇ iage assembly 340 is adapted to for use in
• prefe ⁇ ed rotary and carriage assembly 340 is adapted to pump fluid (such as bentonite, air, water
• channel of the drill pipe actuates the cutting tool, removes cuttings from the face of the cutting
• prefe ⁇ ed center cuttings discharge hose 340C which is adapted to convey cuttings from the inner tube of a tube-in-tube drill pipe (or tube-in-tube drill pipe string) to the
• the prefe ⁇ ed rotary and ca ⁇ iage assembly 340 includes ca ⁇ iage drive planetary gearbox 341, rotary gearbox hydraulic motor 346, rotary gearbox output spindle
• the prefe ⁇ ed rotary and carriage assembly 340 includes plumbing adapted to convey fluid to the annular channel between the
• the preferred rotary and carriage assembly 340 includes plumbing adapted to convey cuttings
• fluid inlet tube 360 is connected to below rotary side inlet swivel 362 such that fluid in conveyed to the annular channel between the inner tube and the outer tube of a tube-in-tube drill pipe.
• cuttings discharge tube 370 is connected to above rotary swivel 372 such that cuttings from the inner tube ofthe tube-in-tube drill pipe may be conveyed out of the assembly.
• the prefe ⁇ ed discharge tube 370 also includes discharge hammer union
• prefe ⁇ ed cuttings discharge tube 370 are illustrated in their prefe ⁇ ed configuration and
• the tubes may be any material that is suitable for the following reasons:
• the drilling assembly of the invention produces an increased capacity for drill pipe
• the drilling assembly of the invention is capable of
• the drilling assembly ofthe invention is capable of entering
• the drilling assembly ofthe invention is capable of drilling at an angle steeper than conventional horizontal directional drill assemblies
• the drilling assembly ofthe invention is more easily transported than conventional
• assembly of the invention also reduces damage and wear to the threaded end of a drill string section when the top drive or rotary table engages the threaded end of the drill string section.
• the drilling assembly of the invention further reduces the amount of time required to perform
• the drilling assembly of the invention is also adapted to perform
• the invention may continue to be operated as a result ofthe plurality of power units provided

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Earth Drilling (AREA)
• Drilling And Boring (AREA)

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• 2005
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  • 2005-04-28 ES ES05743228T patent/ES2371349T3/es active Active
  • 2005-04-28 WO PCT/US2005/014594 patent/WO2005110020A2/fr active Application Filing
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