|Publication number||USRE33793 E|
|Application number||US 07/384,775|
|Publication date||14 Jan 1992|
|Filing date||14 Jul 1989|
|Priority date||14 May 1985|
|Publication number||07384775, 384775, US RE33793 E, US RE33793E, US-E-RE33793, USRE33793 E, USRE33793E|
|Inventors||Martin D. Cherrington, William D. Cherrington|
|Original Assignee||Cherrington Corporation|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (34), Non-Patent Citations (8), Referenced by (25), Classifications (35), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 733,723, filed May 14, 1985 now abd.
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for drilling a pilot bore hole along an underground arcuate path between two surface locations, and then enlarging the pilot bore hole for installing a conduit therein, such as pipe, casing, cable, or a pipeline.
Heretofore, directional drilling apparatus has been provided for drilling an underground pilot bore hole along an arcuate path between two surface locations, and then enlarging the pilot bore hole for receiving a product conduit, such as a pipeline therein. A common apparatus and method has utilized a drill pipe string of relatively small diameter less than two (2) inches with a drill bit thereon forming a relatively small diameter pilot bore hole, which is followed by a relatively large diameter washover pipe such as around five (5) inches in diameter or more, in concentric relation to the drill string and having cutting blades on the leading end thereof for enlarging the initial pilot bore hole. Upon completion of the pilot bore hole as enlarged by the washover pipe, the drill string has been removed and the washover string then connected to a reamer at the exit end for pulling the reamer and connected product conduit along the initial bore hole for reaming to a desired diameter to receive the product conduit.
Thus, the method and apparatus employed heretofore for forming a pilot bore hole normally has included two separate cutting or drilling steps prior to the reaming operation, the first cutting step being the drilling of a small diameter bore hole from a drill bit with a relatively small diameter light weight drill string, and the second cutting step resulting from an enlarging of the bore hole by the washover string in concentric relation to the drill string. Thereafter, the reaming operation has taken place to enlarge the pilot bore hole to receive the product conduit or pipe.
Heretofore, a relatively small diameter drill pipe string of around one and three-fourths (13/4) inches in diameter has been utilized for such pilot bore holes as it was found desirable to have a relatively lightweight drill pipe or string, particularly when drilling under streams where sand and clays are normally encountered with water also being present at times. Under the weight of the drill string, the drill string could sink under certain conditions and it was accepted as common practice in the industry to employ a relatively small diameter drill string in order to keep the weight of the entire drill string at a minimum and to provide flexibility. Such a small diameter drill pipe string thus necessitated the use of a separate washover string in order to provide the necessary strength for the subsequent reaming operation and pulling of the production conduit through the enlarged bore hole.
The utilization of two separate cutting steps or procedures for forming the pilot bore hole prior to the reaming operation results in a costly operation.
Other directional drilling apparatus and methods for underground arcuate bores or openings not employing a washover pipe following the drill string have utilized other types of reamers or cutters which enlarge the initial pilot bore hole by a cutter or reamer moving in the same direction as the initial drill pipe string forming the pilot bore hole.
This invention is directed to an apparatus and method for drilling in one direction of travel a pilot bore hole along an underground arcuate path between two earth surface locations, and then enlarging in an opposite direction of travel the initial pilot bore hole for receiving a product conduit therein. The apparatus and method utilized to accomplish this comprise two separate cutting operations, the first being a pilot bore drilled by a conventional drill pipe string but utilizing at least for a majority of the drill pipe sections an increased diameter of around three and one-half (31/2) inches which increases the strength of the pipe string as compared with common industry practice heretofore. The increased strength drill string thus eliminates the necessity of having a separate washover string as the increased drill string strength is adequate for the torsional or rotational stresses developed in the subsequent reaming operation and pulling of the production conduit through the enlarged bore hole.
The drill string is thrust along a predetermined arcuate path to form an initial pilot bore hole of a relatively small diameter, such as around five (5) inches, for example. After the drilling of the initial pilot bore hole and exit of the drilling string from the exit surface opening, a reamer and connected production conduit are attached to the drill string, and the drill string is then pulled back through the pilot bore hole in an opposite direction of travel with the reamer enlarging the bore hole to a diameter sufficient to receive the production conduit therein. The enlarged opening may be around thirty (30) inches in diameter for a production conduit, such as a pipeline, around twenty (20) inches in diameter thereby providing a five (5) inch annulus between the production conduit and the enlarged opening.
In order to provide the desired flexibility in the leading end pipe section of the drill string, such as is desirable when relatively soft formations are encountered, the leading end pipe section having the drill bit thereon may be provided of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the regular drill string sections, or a different wall thickness or different type of material may be utilized for the leading pipe section to provide the desired flexibility. Preferably, the drill string sections except for the leading pipe sections are over around three (3) inches in diameter and sections of three and one-half (31/2) inches in diameter have been found satisfactory. The leading drill pipe section of this invention is preferably below three (3) inches in diameter. Thus, the leading drill pipe section or sections may be provided with an increased flexibility and the length of the leading end section may be varied. Any reduced diameter drill pipe section or sections are preferably removed at the surface location adjacent the exit opening prior to the attachment of the reamer and production conduit to the drill string. Thus, a constant diameter drill string may be provided for pulling the reamer and following product conduit through the pilot bore hole in a reverse or opposite direction of travel.
Under certain conditions it may be desirable, such as for relatively long arcuate paths, to provide drill pipe sections in the drill string of an increasing strength from the leading end thereof to the power means for thrusting the drill bit and/or rotating the drill string in the reaming operation. The increased strength pipe sections compensate for the increasing friction of the drill string along its length. Drill pipe sections having an increased strength may be provided independently of any increased flexibility, if desired. In some situations, it may be desirable to have less flexibility on the leading end drill pipe sections.
Another feature of this invention utilizes an in-hole hydraulic motor positioned within the leading drill string section for rotating the drill bit, such as might be desirable where relatively hard formations are encountered. When a leading pipe section for the drill bit is provided utilizing the in-hole hydraulic motor, the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft for rotating the drill bit is parallel to but offset from the longitudinal axis of the drill string. This offset results in the deviation or deflection of the drill bit a predetermined amount in the desired direction of travel as the leading pipe section rides along the surface of the pilot bore hole formed by the drill bit opposite the desired direction of deviation.
In a separate embodiment of this invention, a drill string is provided consisting of a plurality of connected pipe sections with each pipe section being formed of a high strength flexible alloy material, such as aluminum, having an inside diameter of around four (4) inches. The use of a material such as aluminum which is non-magnetic or non-ferrous does not affect sensitive monitoring or surveying equipment which may be positioned within the drill string, particularly since a relatively large diameter drill pipe is utilized. A high strength large diameter drill pipe section permits the use of a relatively large diameter drill bit and also provides sufficient strength for pulling the reamer and/or production conduit back through the hole after the pilot hole has been drilled.
Additionally, it has been found with certain types of formations that it is advisable to add a separate step to the method or process for installing the production conduit by first pulling the reamer back through the drilled pilot hole without the production conduit. Then, pushing the reamer back through the enlarged empty hole, and then attaching the production conduit to the reamer for installation of the production conduit. This method ensures that the small diameter pilot hole can be enlarged without hitting an obstruction, and requires less power for pulling the production conduit through the hole since the reaming operation is completed.
Another feature of this invention is the use of a spud bit having fluid discharge nozzle means at its leading end with the center or longitudinal axis of the fluid stream or jet discharged from the bit being offset from the longitudinal axis of the drill string for guiding the drill string. The drill string may also be rotated through a selected defined angle to aid in guiding the drill string. In the event more than one discharge nozzle is provided, the center or longitudinal axis of the mass of drilling fluid being discharged is offset from the longitudinal axis of the drill string in the desired travel path.
An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method in which a conventional drill string comprising a plurality of drill pipe sections is thrust along an arcuate path to the desired surface exit opening, and then a reamer and production conduit are pulled, upon connection to the drill string, back through the pilot bore hole in a minimum of time.
A further object is to provide a drill string for drilling the pilot bore hole having a leading pipe section with an increased flexibility for drilling through relatively soft formations, or for utilizing various lengths of leading drill pipe sections as may be desired.
Another object is to provide a spud bit on the leading end of the drill string having fluid discharge nozzle means for discharging high velocity drilling fluid in a jet or stream having its center offset from the longitudinal axis of the drill string to guide the drill string.
Another object is to provide a drill string for drilling the pilot bore hole having drill pipe sections of increasing strength to compensate for the increasing friction of the drill string along the pilot bore hole.
An additional object is to provide in a drill string for drilling the pilot bore hole an in-hole hydraulic motor for rotating the drill bit relative to the drill string, and having its rotational axis parallel but offset from the longitudinal axis of the drill string to provide a desired deflection or deviation to the drill bit.
Another object is to provide a spud bit for drilling a bore hole having a novel shape particularly adapted for use with discharge nozzles for a high velocity drilling fluid.
Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become more apparent after referring to the following specification and drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic cross-section of the initial drilling operation in drilling an inverted arcuate pilot hole or bore from an earth entry opening to an earth exit opening and utilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic cross-section similar to FIG. 1 but showing the enlarging of the initial pilot bore hole by a reamer and the pulling of the production conduit and reamer therethrough by the initial drill string;
FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation, partly in section, of the entrance end of the pilot bore hole showing the thrust and rotating device for the drill string;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a crossover sub for connecting adjacent drill string lengths or sections of different diameters;
FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation of the leading end of the drill string showing a deflecting spud bit for forming the initial pilot bore hole shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5A is an end elevation of the spud bit shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation of the end of the drill string connected to a reamer and production conduit at the exit opening of the small diameter pilot bore hole for pulling the reamer and production casing through the enlarged opening formed by the reamer;
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-section showing a modified drill bit arrangement in which an in-hole motor driven by drilling fluid is utilized, such as may be required for certain types of formations or bore hole lengths;
FIG. 8 illustrates in side elevation, partly in section, a plurality of drill pipe sections formed of large diameter aluminum pipe connected by suitable tool joints;
FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a modified spud bit showing a plurality of fluid discharge nozzles therein; and
FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the modified spud bit shown in FIG. 9.
Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of our invention, reference is made to FIG. 1 in which an arcuate pilot bore hole is illustrated at B extending along an underground path shown at P. Path P extends from an earth surface entrance opening O to an earth surface exit opening E underneath an obstruction shown as a river R.
While exit opening E is shown as a surface exit opening in the drawings, the terms "exit opening", "surface exit opening" or "surface location" as used in the specification and claims shall be interpreted as including an opening beneath the surface at which a product conduit is connected to the drill string to be pulled through the bore hole, such as an underground cable.
A drill string indicated generally at 10 includes a leading end pipe section 10A of a small diameter, an adjacent end section 10B of an intermediate diameter, and following pipe sections 10C of uniform diameter. Drill string 10 is utilized to drill small diameter pilot bore hole B along path P. A plurality of lengths or sections of pipe string 10 are normally positioned adjacent entrance opening O such as shown at 10C in broken lines in FIG. 1.
As pointed out above, drill string pipe sections utilized heretofore in association with a separate washover pipe string have been of a diameter around one and three-fourths (13/4) inches since the washover string was relied upon for rotation of the reamer and pulling of the production conduit. However, the present invention eliminates the washover pipe and instead, provides a higher strength drill pipe string having a diameter of three and one-half (31/2) inches. Such an increased diameter provides a stiffer pipe string than used heretofore.
Under certain types of conditions encountered such as relatively soft formations, it is desirable to have a smaller, more flexible leading end section on drill string 10 in order to achieve easily the necessary or desired deflection. As shown in FIG. 1, sections 10C are of the normal or regular diameter of three and one-half (31/2) inches. However, leading section 10A is formed of a smaller diameter pipe and is around two and three-quarters (23/4) inches in diameter, while pipe section 10B is of an intermediate diameter of two and seven-eighths (27/8) inches. By using a drill string with two or more graduated diameters, different length pipe sections may be easily utilized as might be desirable under certain conditions, and this has been found to be particularly useful where relatively soft ground conditions are encountered where a smaller, more flexible leading end pipe section is desirable for obtaining the desired deflection necessary to follow arcuate path P.
While increased flexibility is obtained by having pipe sections 10A and 10B of a smaller diameter than sections 10C, it is to be understood that sections 10A and 10B could, if desired, provide increased flexibility by other means, such as by being made of a more flexible high strength material without being of a reduced diameter, or by having a different wall thickness without any change in external diameter.
It is also desirable for a relatively long arcuate path P to have trailing pipe sections of the drill string of a strength greater than the leading pipe sections. During a thrust action, the drill string is pushed from the entrance opening O along the bore hole B, and portions of the length of the drill string are in contact with the surface of the bore hole B during the pushing action thereby to generate sliding frictional resistance which has to be overcome. The greater the length of the drill string, the greater the amount of sliding friction. Likewise, upon rotation of the drill string during a reaming action, the torsional or rotational stresses in the drill string are higher at the power source providing rotation. Thus, it is desirable to have drill pipe sections adjacent the power source of an increased strength. It may be desired to have drill pipe sections of graduated increasing strength from the drill bit end to the power source. Further, it may not be desirable to have the diameter of the drill string greater than around three and one-half (31/2) inches, or to have the leading pipe sections of an increased flexibility. Under such conditions, the strength of the drill pipe sections, particularly those sections adjacent the power means for thrusting the drill bit along a relatively long arcuate path P, such as over five hundred (500) feet in length, are preferably of an increased strength. Such increased strength could be provided, for example, by making the pipe sections of high strength materials or increasing the wall thickness of such pipe sections. The utilization of drill pipe sections with different strengths thereby eliminates the necessity of having a separate washover pipe following the drill string in concentric relation, as a specific drill string section can be designed for the specific strength required at its location in a drill string.
As shown in FIG. 3, an inclined ramp is shown at 12 and has a hydraulic motor 14 mounted on a carriage 16 for axial movement along a suitable guideway on ramp 12, such as by a suitable pulley or cog wheel 18 moving along a taut cable 20, for example. Motor 14 may be used, selectively, to rotate a connecting shaft 22 which is connected at one end to a joint 24 attached to section 10C of drill string 10, thereby to rotate drill string 10, if desired. Shaft 22 is connected at its other end to a swivel 26 which is in turn connected to a hose 28 through which a suitable drilling fluid is circulated. Carriage 16 reciprocates back and forth as drill pipe sections are added by making and breaking joint 24.
Drilling mud circulated through hose 28 is supplied to the drill pipe and out suitable fluid passageways (not shown) at the drill bit for possible return to a sump shown at 30 adjacent the end of entrance opening O which receives the drilling fluid and cuttings from the drilling operation. A suitable hose shown at 32 returns the drilling fluid or mud for removal of the cuttings, and again providing drilling fluid to hose 28 as is well known in the art.
Drill string 10 is standard and normally made up of a plurality of drill pipe sections which are added to the drill pipe string at connector 24. The pipe sections are advanced in the earth by advancing hydraulic motor 14 connected to a suitable source of hydraulic fluid (not shown) down ramp 12.
Leading small diameter pipe section 10A has a spud bit 34 on its leading end. Spud bits of various types are well known generally in the art for directional drilling or the like. However, spud bit 34 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A is particularly adapted in the present invention for discharging a high velocity drilling fluid from its leading end at a location closely adjacent the formation thereby to obtain a highly effective excavating action to advance the drill string. It is important to note that spud bit 34 preferably discharges fluid in a direction parallel to the axis of the drill string as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5. For this purpose, spud bit 34 has a flat or planar forward end portion 34A, an inclined intermediate planar end portion 34B leading from forward end portion 34A to form a ramp, and a rear planar shoulder 34C. An arcuate shoe or wear plate 35 is secured to the outer periphery of pipe section 10A adjacent rear shoulder 34C. It is noted that bore hole B has a diameter larger than the maximum diameter of any portion of the drill string moving through the hole.
A discharge opening 34D or discharge nozzle which may be threaded within end portion 34A to form opening 34D is provided in the face formed by planar end portion 34A. Thus, opening 34D is positioned at the leading end of spud bit 34 directly adjacent the formation to be excavated for discharging a jet of high velocity drilling fluid therein. The drilling fluid may be pressurized from around one hundred (100) psi to around two thousand (2000) psi, for example. The longitudinal or discharge axis of discharge nozzle 34D is parallel to, but offset from, the longitudinal axis of drill string 10 to aid in deflecting end section 10A in the direction of the offset. Discharge opening 34D is of sufficient depth such that pressurized fluid is preferably discharged therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of drill string 10 to erode and/or excavate the formation. It is apparent that end section 10A may be guided also by rotation of the drill string through a defined angle. To provide an effective guiding action, the offset of nozzle or opening 34D, or the offset of the center of the volume of fluid being discharged in the event more that one discharge opening is utilized, should be at least greater than around three-fourths (3/4) inch. As an example, with a spud bit having a diameter of five (5) inches as shown in FIG. 5A, nozzle 34D is around three-eighths (3/8) inch in diameter and offset one (1) inch from the longitudinal center line of section 10A.
It may be desirable under certain conditions to have more than one discharge nozzle, but in any event, the center of the combined jets of drilling fluid being discharged is parallel to and preferably offset from the longitudinal axis of section 10A in the desired travel path. The ramp formed by inclined planar end portion 34B, rear shoulder 34C, and shoe 35 ride along the surface of bore hole B opposite the desired direction of deviation and aid in guiding pipe section 10A along travel path P. Under certain conditions it may be desirable to have a ramp to aid in guiding pipe section 10A, such as ramp 34B, extending across the entire leading end of the spud bit without any separate planar end portion such as shown at 34A. Spud bit 34 thus moves along path P in a thrusting action without being rotated except for a predetermined partial rotation to obtain angular orientation to guide pipe section 10A.
While spud bit 34 has been developed primarily for use in drilling a pilot bore hole along an arcuate path between two surface locations, it is obvious that spud bit 34 may be utilized for other types of directional or downhole drilling as well known in the art.
Arcuate path P can be controlled or guided without withdrawing of the drill string from the earth primarily by orientation of spud bit 34 by a partial rotation of the drill string through a defined angle, but such control may also be dependent on such factors or parameters, for example, as the thrust on the drill string and the volume of drilling mud passed to the drill string, as is well known in the art. For further details concerning the deviation or deflection of the drill string for directional drilling or the like, as well known in the art, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,254 dated July 21, 1953 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,500 dated Jan. 30, 1973, as examples.
For connecting two pipe sections of different diameters, such as shown in FIG. 4, a crossover sub indicated generally at 36 is illustrated having a threaded male end 38 adapted to be threaded within a female end 40 on pipe section 10A, and having a female connection 42 on an opposite end thereof adapted to receive the male threaded end 44 of adjacent pipe section 10B. A similar crossover sub 42 is provided between sections 10B and 10C. The diameter of bore B is sufficiently larger than the diameter of pipe string 10 to provide an annulus to permit the discharge of the drilling fluid and cuttings from bore B. Utilizing a drill pipe string of a maximum diameter around three and one-half (31/2) inches, bore B may be around five (5) inches in diameter to provide adequate clearance for the flow of cuttings and drilling fluid from bore B.
When leading drill section 10A reaches exit opening E and pilot bore hole B is completed, it is now necessary to enlarge the pilot bore hole for receiving the production conduit shown in the drawings as a pipeline 46. The production conduit may be any of several types of continuous conduit, such as, for example, casing, pipe, cables, or the like, and more than one production conduit may be installed in enlarged opening D. For this purpose, a reamer indicated generally at 48 is shown in FIG. 6. Reamer 48 has cutting teeth 50 thereon and is coupled at 52 to the end of the first drill section 10C of the uniform diameter of three and one-half (31/2) inches for rotation by drill string 10 and motor 14. The end drill pipe section 10A, or at least the drill bit and any associated instrumentation (not shown), is removed for connection of drill string 10 to reamer 48. It may be desirable to remove both sections 10A and 10B from the end of the drill string 10 prior to the connection of reamer 48 if it is desired that drill string 10 be of a uniform diameter and strength for rotating reamer 48 and pulling production pipe 46 through bore hole B.
Drilling mud continues to be supplied through drill string 10 and pipe section 10C to the cutting area adjacent reamer 48 where it is discharged through suitable perforations as is well known. Shaft 54 extends from reamer 48 and has an enlarged diameter end thereof at 56 received within a swivel indicated generally at 50 so that the reamer 48 can rotate relative to production pipe 46. An equally satisfactory and effective method and means could be utilized by a separate threaded sleeve connection between shaft 54 and reamer 48 as shown in FIG. 3 by connector 24. Enlarged end 56 of shaft 54 is mounted within bearings 58 on opposite sides thereof for transmitting thrust to swivel 50 and to permit relative rotation between reamer 48 and production pipe 46. Preferably pipe 46 enters the bore hole B without any rotation at all through in some instances it may be desirable to rotate a production conduit being installed. Swivel body 50 has a clevis defining two spaced arms 60 on the side thereof opposite shaft 54, and an extension 62 on a sleeve 66 is pivotally connected to arms 60 by pin or bolt 64.
Sleeve 66 is shown in FIG. 6 threaded onto an end of production pipe 46 which is formed of a plurality of welded sections as common for pipelines. It is to be understood, however, as well known in the art, that sleeve 66 could be secured by other means to a production conduit, such as, for example, by welding, bolted connection, or other types of threaded connections. Reamer 48 is of a diameter larger than a diameter of production casing 46 so as to form a suitable annulus 68 in the enlarged diameter opening D. For example, if production casing or pipe 46 is of a diameter of twenty (20) inches, reamer 48 may be of a thirty (30) inch diameter to provide a five (5) inch annulus 68 about the periphery of pipe 46. Annulus 68 may be utilized for cementing of conduit 46 in position.
After pipe 46 has been pulled through the enlarged opening D from surface location at opening O, sleeve 66 is removed from production casing 46 and production casing 46 may be cemented or secured in position.
Referring to FIG. 7, a modified form of end section is shown at 10D for an in-hole motor 70 which is used where relatively hard formations may be encountered. In-hole motor shown at 70 is positioned within an enlarged diameter end portion 71 of drill string section 10D and is a hydraulic motor driven by drilling fluid received by the drill string. The longitudinal axis of the drill string is shown along line 72 while the longitudinal axis of the rotating drill bit shaft 74 is shown at 76. A drill bit 78 is connected to the end of shaft 74 for rotation therewith. While hydraulic motor 70 is shown schematically in FIG. 7 as being separate and larger that shaft 74, it is to be understood, as well known in the art, that motor 70 and shaft 74 may be combined and of a single continuous diameter such as illustrated schematically by shaft 74.
It is noted that axis 76 is offset from but parallel to axis 72 to aid in deflecting end section 10D a predetermined amount in the desired direction of travel. While axis 76 is shown as offset above axis 72 in FIG. 7 to deflect end section 10D upwardly, it may be offset laterally or downwardly by limited rotation of the drill string through a defined angle if a different path of travel is desired. It is noted that other parameters may be utilized to aid in the control of direction of the drill string along the desired travel path P as indicated above for the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and, in addition, the speed of rotation of drill bit 78. Enlarged diameter end portion 71 has a beveled leading end 79 which rides along the surface 80 of bore B opposite the direction of the offset and as a result of the offset directs bit 78 in the direction of the offset. The amount of offset along with the other parameters set forth for the embodiment of FIG. 5, and the speed of rotation of drill bit 78, determine the amount of deviation or deflection. Motor 70, as well known in the art, has a conventional stator and rotor with drive shaft 74 connected to the rotor. Drilling fluid passes through the rotor and stator to effect a rotation of shaft 74 and drill bit 78, as well known in the art.
While the bore hole B formed by drill bit 78 is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 7 of a diameter not greater than the diameter of enlarged end portion 71, it is to be understood that the diameter of bore hole B formed by bit 78 is always of a diameter greater than the diameter of end portion 71 in order to provide a suitable annulus for the flow of drilling fluid and cuttings from drill bit 78.
FIG. 8 shows a portion of a drill string having a plurality of connected pipe sections 10D. Each drill pipe section 10D is of a length of around thirty (30) feet and is formed of a high strength flexible material. The end portions of pipe section 10D are of an increased thickness and have externally threaded tapered ends 82. Pipe section 10D is preferably formed of a high strength aluminum alloy material. A pipe section 10D which has been found to be satisfactory is a four and one-half (41/2) inch aluminum drill pipe manufactured by Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va. and having a wall thickness of around one-half (1/2) inch, an inside diameter of around three and one-half (31/2) inches, and a Young's modulus of elasticity of ten million psi. Such a pipe section has been found to be adequate to provide a deviation of around five (5) degrees which permits a deflection of around fifteen (15) inches for a thirty (30) foot length of pipe section.
For connecting pipe sections 10D to each other, male and female tool joints indicated respectively at 84 and 86 are provided. One end 82 of each section 10D has a male tool joint 84 connected thereto and the other opposite end 82 has a female tool joint 86 connected thereto. Tool joints 84 and 86 are formed of a high strength steel alloy material.
Tool joint 84 has an internally threaded female end portion 87 and an externally threaded male portion 88 with tapered external threads thereon. A shoulder 89 forms an abutting surface for the adjacent end of pipe section 10D.
Female tool joint 86 has an internally threaded female end portion 90 having a hardened outer surface area indicated at 90A for wear purposes and receiving an associated end 82 of pipe section 10D. A shoulder 91 forms an abutting surface for the end of section 10D. A female end portion 92 of tool joint 86 has tapered internal screw threads to receive a mating end portion 88 of tool joint 84. Upon a make-up of the connection, an interference fit is provided (1) between the mating screw threads, (2) between shoulders 89 and 91 and the abutting ends of pipe sections 10D, and (3) between the smooth outer surfaces 93 of pipe sections 10D adjacent their threaded ends and the adjacent tool joints. Thus, the ends of pipe section 10D are firmly gripped to provide a pressure tight assembly and efficient transfer of tension, torsion, bending and compression loads between pipe sections 10D and tool joints 84 and 86.
Since a relatively large diameter drill pipe is provided, adequate space exists for the utilization of suitable electronic survey equipment or the like indicated schematically at 93A which may be positioned within the drill pipe section adjacent the leading end of the drill string to provide signals to the surface for indicating the position of the drill string and the direction of travel thereof along the underground arcuate path.
It has been found with certain types of formations that it is advisable to add a separate step to the method or process for installing the production conduit, particularly where an obstruction might be encountered in the formation when reaming the large diameter hole. If an obstruction is encountered while reaming the large diameter hole, it is desirable that the production conduit not be connected to the reamer so that the reamer will be freely movable for removal of the obstruction. For this purpose, under certain types of operation, the reamer is pulled through the pilot hole for enlarging the opening without having the production conduit connected thereto. After the pilot hole has been enlarged, the reamer is then pushed back through the empty hole to the exit side and the production conduit is then attached to the reamer. Then, the production conduit and reamer are pulled through the enlarged hole for installation of the production conduit thereby to insure that the enlarged hole is clear of any obstructions. Also, less power is required to pull the production conduit into place if the hole has been previously enlarged.
Referring also to FIGS. 9 and 10, an improved or modified spud bit is shown generally at 94 and includes a generally tubular body 95 having an internally threaded end 96 threaded onto an externally threaded end 97 of a suitable connecting tool joint 96 which is connected at its opposite end to a drill pipe section 10D. The end of bit 94 is closed at its leading end to form a head 100 having a plurality of axis openings therein with their longitudinal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drill string. A ring 102 is secured to the leading end of bit 94. Body 95 has a plurality of fluid nozzles designated 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D, 101E, 101F, 101G, and 101H threaded therein in alignment with openings 101, each nozzle having a fluid discharge port for discharging drilling fluid in a high velocity jet or stream directly against the formation for eroding the formation. Body 95 forms a planar leading face 104 extending in a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the drill string indicated at 106 and an inclined planar portion 108 extends rearwardly from leading face 104 at an angle A of around five (5) degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis 106 of the drill string.
It is noted that the center of the combined jets of drilling fluid from nozzles 101B through 101H would be balanced and parallel to the longitudinal axis 106 of the drill string. However, the addition of discharge nozzle 101A raises and offsets the center of the combined jets or mass of drilling fluid to a position above axis 106 and thus permits the drill string to be guided. The rotation of the drill string through a defined predetermined angle permits guidance or steering of the drill string. Drilling fluid enters tubular body 95 and a fluid chamber 110 from the drill string and is discharged through nozzles 101A-101H from leading planar face 104 of drill bit 94.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of the preferred embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.
|Cited Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US862972 *||2 Jun 1905||13 Aug 1907||James Franklin Jones||Device for facilitating the laying of pipes.|
|US2315629 *||30 Jul 1941||6 Apr 1943||Le Bus Franklin L||Wall core scraper|
|US2324102 *||9 Feb 1940||13 Jul 1943||Eastman Oil Well Survey Co||Means for directional drilling|
|US2349033 *||25 Jun 1940||16 May 1944||Elliott Nathaniel R||Boring head|
|US2350986 *||3 May 1943||13 Jun 1944||Eastman Oil Well Survey Co||Deflecting drill bit|
|US2783972 *||24 Feb 1954||5 Mar 1957||Fur Grundwasserbauten Ag||Installation for making bores in a stratum|
|US2873092 *||14 Nov 1957||10 Feb 1959||Dwyer Roy P||Jet deflection method of deviating a bore hole|
|US2903239 *||6 Sep 1956||8 Sep 1959||Houston Oil Field Mat Co Inc||Eccentric spud bit|
|US3077936 *||6 Nov 1961||19 Feb 1963||Armais Arutunoff||Diamond drill|
|US3382938 *||3 Oct 1966||14 May 1968||David B Williams||Drill collar|
|US3431991 *||23 Oct 1967||11 Mar 1969||Mikels Frederick C||Digging head for water collector pipe|
|US3508620 *||2 Jan 1968||28 Apr 1970||Allied Chem||Excavation apparatus|
|US3536151 *||21 Oct 1968||27 Oct 1970||Brite Lite Enterprises Inc||Earth boring tool|
|US3720272 *||7 Jun 1971||13 Mar 1973||Toro Mfg Corp||Apparatus and method for drilling an arcuate bore from ground surface under an obstruction to ground surface|
|US3746108 *||25 Feb 1971||17 Jul 1973||Hall G||Focus nozzle directional bit|
|US3873156 *||26 Feb 1974||25 Mar 1975||Akzona Inc||Bedded underground salt deposit solution mining system|
|US3878903 *||4 Dec 1973||22 Apr 1975||Cherrington Martin Dee||Apparatus and process for drilling underground arcuate paths|
|US3881561 *||25 Feb 1974||6 May 1975||Shell Oil Co||Rotary bit for hydraulically drilling holes into underground formations|
|US3894402 *||19 Jul 1974||15 Jul 1975||Cherrington Martin D||Apparatus and method for emplacing a conduit along an underground arcuate path|
|US3967689 *||25 Sep 1974||6 Jul 1976||Tidril Corporation||Reaming apparatus|
|US4003440 *||17 Sep 1974||18 Jan 1977||Tidril Corporation||Apparatus and process for drilling underground arcuate paths utilizing directional drill and following liner|
|US4043136 *||14 Jul 1975||23 Aug 1977||Tidril Corporation||System and method for installing production casings|
|US4051911 *||11 Jun 1976||4 Oct 1977||Tidril Corporation||Apparatus and process for drilling underground arcuate paths utilizing directional drill and following liner|
|US4078617 *||21 Mar 1977||14 Mar 1978||Cherrington Martin D||Portable drill rig for boring underground inverted arcuate paths|
|US4117895 *||30 Mar 1977||3 Oct 1978||Smith International, Inc.||Apparatus and method for enlarging underground arcuate bore holes|
|US4306627 *||21 Feb 1979||22 Dec 1981||Flow Industries, Inc.||Fluid jet drilling nozzle and method|
|US4319648 *||24 Sep 1979||16 Mar 1982||Reading & Bates Construction Co.||Process for drilling underground arcuate paths and installing production casings, conduits, or flow pipes therein|
|US4384624 *||25 Feb 1981||24 May 1983||Duke John W||Earth boring head|
|US4401170 *||21 Sep 1981||30 Aug 1983||Reading & Bates Construction Co.||Apparatus for drilling underground arcuate paths and installing production casings, conduits, or flow pipes therein|
|US4485879 *||28 Jul 1983||4 Dec 1984||Shell Oil Company||Downhole motor and method for directional drilling of boreholes|
|US4501336 *||3 Jun 1982||26 Feb 1985||Kemp Billy W||Method and apparatus of a self-aligning sleeve for the correction of the direction of deviated boreholes|
|US4632191 *||5 Apr 1985||30 Dec 1986||Gas Research Institute||Steering system for percussion boring tools|
|US4787463 *||18 Apr 1988||29 Nov 1988||Flowmole Corporation||Method and apparatus for installment of underground utilities|
|GB2126267A *||Title not available|
|1||Article "Pipeline Digest", Sep. 18, 1978, pp. 8 and 9.|
|2||*||Article Oil & Gas Journal/10 1 84, Directional Drilling Technique is Proposed for Installing Marine Pipelines in Arctic Areas .|
|3||*||Article Pipeline Digest , Sep. 18, 1978, pp. 8 and 9.|
|4||Article--Oil & Gas Journal/10-1-84, "Directional Drilling Technique is Proposed for Installing Marine Pipelines in Arctic Areas".|
|5||Pet. Ext. Serv./Univ. Texas, 1969, "Controlled Directional Drilling", Unit III, Lesson I, (pp. I-19-I-24).|
|6||*||Pet. Ext. Serv./Univ. Texas, 1969, Controlled Directional Drilling , Unit III, Lesson I, (pp. I 19 I 24).|
|7||*||Reynolds Metals Co. Table I Properties Reynolds Aluminum & Steel Drill Pipe (pp. 6 7)/Table 3 Reynolds Aluminum Drill Pipe 4 (pp. 10 11)/Table 6 Reed Alstan Tool Joints/Reynolds Aluminum Drill Pipe.|
|8||Reynolds Metals Co.--Table I--Properties-Reynolds Aluminum & Steel Drill Pipe (pp. 6-7)/Table 3-Reynolds Aluminum Drill Pipe 41/2' (pp. 10-11)/Table 6-Reed Alstan Tool Joints/Reynolds Aluminum Drill Pipe.|
|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US5490569 *||22 Mar 1994||13 Feb 1996||The Charles Machine Works, Inc.||Directional boring head with deflection shoe and method of boring|
|US5778991 *||29 Aug 1996||14 Jul 1998||Vermeer Manufacturing Company||Directional boring|
|US5782311 *||3 Jan 1997||21 Jul 1998||Earth Tool Company, Llc||Method and apparatus for installation of underground pipes|
|US6260634||12 Aug 1999||17 Jul 2001||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Sonde housing for directional drilling|
|US6261027||7 Jul 1997||17 Jul 2001||Earth Tool Company L.L.C.||Portable pulling apparatus|
|US6263983||12 Aug 1999||24 Jul 2001||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Apparatus for directional drilling|
|US6283229||17 Feb 1998||4 Sep 2001||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Impact device for directional boring|
|US6302410||22 Oct 1999||16 Oct 2001||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Rod gripping jaw|
|US6357537||15 Mar 2000||19 Mar 2002||Vermeer Manufacturing Company||Directional drilling machine and method of directional drilling|
|US6371223||2 Mar 2000||16 Apr 2002||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Drill head for directional boring|
|US6390087||12 Aug 1999||21 May 2002||Earth Tool Company. L.L.C.||Drill bit for directional drilling|
|US6491115||22 Jan 2001||10 Dec 2002||Vermeer Manufacturing Company||Directional drilling machine and method of directional drilling|
|US6588515||26 Oct 2001||8 Jul 2003||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Drill bit for directional drilling|
|US6616378 *||27 Feb 2001||9 Sep 2003||Staploe Limited||Device and method for storing and protecting data relating to pipe installation|
|US6682264 *||26 Feb 2002||27 Jan 2004||Ina Acquisition Corp.||Method of accurate trenchless installation of underground pipe|
|US6755593 *||22 Jan 2002||29 Jun 2004||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Pipe replacement method and rotary impact mechanism for pipe bursting|
|US6789635||18 Jun 2002||14 Sep 2004||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Drill bit for directional drilling in cobble formations|
|US6796390 *||21 Sep 1999||28 Sep 2004||Shell Oil Company||Method and device for moving a tube in a borehole in the ground|
|US6953306||27 Jan 2004||11 Oct 2005||Insituform (Netherlands) B.V.||Method of accurate trenchless installation of underground pipe|
|US7086808||20 Dec 2002||8 Aug 2006||Earth Tool Company, L.L.C.||Method and apparatus for on-grade boring|
|US20040184885 *||27 Jan 2004||23 Sep 2004||Mcgillis John Hamilton||Method of accurate trenchless installation of underground pipe|
|US20050034896 *||23 Mar 2004||17 Feb 2005||Toyohiko Youan||Pipe burying method|
|US20060269361 *||7 Aug 2006||30 Nov 2006||Wentworth Steven W||Apparatus for on-grade boring|
|USRE44427||20 Jan 2012||13 Aug 2013||Vermeer Manufacturing Company||Apparatus for directional boring under mixed conditions|
|DE4220430A1 *||24 Jun 1992||5 Jan 1994||Tracto Technik||Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Erdbohrung|
|U.S. Classification||175/61, 175/53, 175/424, 175/231, 175/73, 175/67, 175/325.2|
|International Classification||E21B7/06, G06F9/44, E21B10/60, E21B17/04, E21B7/18, E21B7/04, E21B17/00, E21B7/28|
|Cooperative Classification||E21B7/18, E21B7/28, E21B7/065, E21B7/06, E21B7/068, E21B10/60, E21B17/00, E21B17/04, G06F8/313, E21B7/04|
|European Classification||G06F8/313, E21B17/04, E21B7/04, E21B7/18, E21B10/60, E21B7/06F, E21B7/06, E21B7/28, E21B17/00, E21B7/06M|
|12 Mar 1990||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: CHERRINGTON CORPORATION, INC., CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:CHERRINGTON, MARTIN D.;CHERRINGTON, WILLIAM D.;REEL/FRAME:005251/0511
Effective date: 19891114
|10 Jan 1995||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 8
|21 Feb 1995||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|8 Jan 1999||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 12