Directional drilling method and apparatus

Boring or penetrating the earth – Processes – Boring curved or redirected bores

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C175S080000, C175S081000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06202761

ABSTRACT:

FIELD
The present invention pertains to well drilling methods and equipment; more particularly, the present invention pertains to a method and equipment used for drilling directional or horizontal holes away from a vertical well bore.
BACKGROUND
There are many oil and gas fields that have a significant percentage of their reserves still remaining in the underground formation. Yet wells in these oil and gas fields are only producing at rates which render these wells only marginally profitable. This marginal profitability is due to the characteristic rapid production decline of many reservoirs. This rapid production decline has resulted in the majority of the proven reserves being produced at low rates over many years. Production declines can be attributed to a variety of causes including: water and/or gas coning, compartmentalization of the reservoir, poor horizontal permeability, well bore skin damage and reservoir pressure depletion.
In recent years it has been found that directional or horizontal well drilling technology can make a direct positive impact on all of these reservoir problems, thereby increasing well production rates and ultimate reserve recovery. Unfortunately, directional or horizontal well drilling requires the use of expensive steering tools and complex monitoring equipment. For many well operators, the complexity and associated cost of directional or horizontal drilling into previously untapped reserves is prohibitive and not economically justifiable. There remains, therefore, a need in the art for a method and apparatus that can reliably drill directional and horizontal wells at a relatively low cost.
SUMMARY
The method and apparatus of the present invention provides a low cost, reliable method and apparatus to drill one or more short radii directional or horizontal holes from an existing substantially vertical well bore. Utilized in the disclosed method and apparatus are three components, as follows:
1. Window turning shoe with an on-off guide tool: This tool combination facilitates the milling of an opening in the production casing of the original well bore and then provides for the mechanical orientation and guidance of the mechanical curve building assembly.
2. Mechanical curve building assembly: This mechanical tool assembly drills an arcuate well bore outwardly from the original well bore.
3. Mud motor driven drilling tool assembly: The mud motor driven curve drilling tool assembly drills an arcuate well bore outwardly from the original well bore.


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Warren; Trends Toward rotary Steerable Directional Systems; World Oil; May 1997; pp. 43-47.

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