U.S. patent application number 09/945008 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-28 for method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating nozzle.
Invention is credited to Peters, Jasper N..
Application Number | 20020023781 09/945008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22988988 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020023781 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peters, Jasper N. |
February 28, 2002 |
Method and apparatus for lateral well drilling utilizing a rotating
nozzle
Abstract
Apparatus and method for drilling into strata adjacent to a well
casing through an existing hole in a side of the well casing at a
desired elevation therein, including a flexible tube for passage
through the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an
internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and
the second end, a nozzle for passage through the hole on the first
end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture
therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the
flexible tube, and structure suspendable in the well casing and
connected to the second end of the flexible tube for supporting the
flexible tube and the nozzle in the well casing at the desired
elevation for passage through the hole, the structure including an
element for rotating the flexible tube and the nozzle when
extending through the hole relative to the structure, and the
structure including an internal passage connected in communication
with the internal cavity of the flexible tube and connectable to a
source of fluid under pressure for delivering the fluid under
pressure to the flexible tube such that the fluid under pressure
will pass through the flexible tube and be discharged through the
at least one aperture of the nozzle to drill an extension of the
hole into the strata as the flexible tube and the nozzle are
rotated.
Inventors: |
Peters, Jasper N.;
(Millstadt, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAVERSTOCK, GARRETT & ROBERTS
611 OLIVE STREET
SUITE 1610
ST. LOUIS
MO
63101
US
|
Family ID: |
22988988 |
Appl. No.: |
09/945008 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09945008 |
Aug 31, 2001 |
|
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|
09260393 |
Mar 1, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
175/67 ; 166/298;
175/62; 175/77; 175/78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 21/14 20130101;
E21B 43/25 20130101; E21B 21/00 20130101; C09K 8/72 20130101; E21B
7/18 20130101; E21B 7/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
175/67 ; 175/77;
175/78; 166/298; 175/62 |
International
Class: |
E21B 007/18; E21B
007/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for drilling into strata adjacent to a well casing
through an existing hole in a side of the well casing at a desired
elevation therein, comprising: a flexible tube for passage through
the hole having a first end, an opposite second end, and an
internal cavity extending therethrough between the first end and
the second end; a nozzle for passage through the hole on the first
end of the flexible tube, the nozzle having at least one aperture
therethrough in communication with the internal cavity of the
flexible tube; and structure suspendable in the well casing and
connected to the second end of the flexible tube for supporting the
flexible tube and the nozzle in the well casing at the desired
elevation for passage through the hole, the structure including an
element for rotating the flexible tube and the nozzle when
extending through the hole relative to the structure, and the
structure including an internal passage connected in communication
with the internal cavity of the flexible tube and connectable to a
source of fluid under pressure for delivering the fluid under
pressure to the flexible tube such that the fluid under pressure
will pass through the flexible tube and be discharged through the
at least one aperture of the nozzle to drill an extension of the
hole into the strata as the flexible tube and the nozzle are
rotated.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a
sheath containing the flexible tube, the sheath being engageable
with an element in the well casing having an elbow therethrough
aligned with the hole in the side of the well casing, the element
for rotating the flexible tube comprising a fluid driven motor, and
the flexible tube and the structure including threadedly engaged
members which support the flexible tube in the sheath, the motor
being operable for rotating the flexible tube for threadedly
disengaging the flexible tube from the structure to allow the
flexible tube to be lowered from the sheath to enter the hole in
the side of the well casing through the elbow.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein an elongate rigid tube is
connected between the motor and the flexible tube.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fluid motor is connected
to the internal passage of the structure for receiving the fluid
under pressure for operating the motor, the motor including at
least one port communicating with the internal cavity of the
flexible tube for discharging the fluid under pressure from the
motor to the flexible tube.
5. A method for drilling into strata adjacent to a well casing
through an existing hole in the side of the well casing at a
desired elevation therein, comprising the steps of: providing a
flexible tube extendible through the hole having a first end, an
opposite second end, and an internal cavity extending therethrough
between the first end and the second end, a nozzle extendible
through the hole on the second end of the flexible tube, the nozzle
having at least one aperture therethrough in communication with the
internal cavity of the flexible tube; providing structure for
supporting the flexible tube and nozzle for entry into the hole in
the side of the well casing, the structure including a fluid
drivable motor drivingly connected to the flexible tube for
rotating the flexible tube relative to the structure when fluid
under pressure flows through the motor, the structure including an
internal passage connecting a source of fluid under pressure to the
motor and connecting a fluid discharge port of the motor with the
internal cavity of the flexible tube for flow of the fluid under
pressure thereto; positioning the structure in the well casing with
the nozzle of the flexible tube in position for entering the hole
in the side of the well casing; and lowering the flexible tube
while supplying fluid under pressure to the motor for drivingly
rotating the flexible tube and the nozzle and for directing the
fluid under pressure discharged from the motor through the flexible
tube and the nozzle so as to impinge the strata adjacent to the
well casing for drilling an extension of the hole into the adjacent
strata.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the structure for supporting the
flexible tube includes an element threadedly engaged with the
flexible tube and the flexible tube is contained in a protective
sheath such that as the rotation of the flexible tube is initiated,
the flexible tube will be threadedly disengaged from the structure
to allow the flexible tube to be lowered from the sheath.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the structure is positioned in
the well by engaging a bottom end of the sheath with a kick-off
shoe located in the well casing at the desired elevation, thereby
positioning the flexible tube for entry into an elbow of the
kick-off shoe having an opposite end aligned with the existing hole
in the side of the well casing.
8. Apparatus for forming a hole in the side of a well casing at a
desired elevation within a well, comprising: a rotatable cutter on
an end of a flexible shaft and structure positioning and supporting
the cutter with a tip thereof in position for cutting the hole into
the side of the casing at the desired elevation; and a drill stop
positioned directly adjacent to a largest diametrical portion of
the cutter for preventing an end of the cutter opposite the tip
from passing into the hole in the side of the casing, the drill
stop including a consumable shim positioned for contacting the side
of the casing around the hole so as to be damaged by the contact
for providing evidence that the hole has been formed to a desired
extent therein.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus
for penetrating a side of a well casing and drilling into earth
strata surrounding the well casing, and more particularly, to an
improved method and apparatus for drilling into the surrounding
earth strata utilizing a rotating fluid discharge nozzle and
reduction of static head pressure in the well casing in conjunction
with the drilling operation.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A large number of wells have been drilled into earth strata
for the extraction of oil, gas, and other material therefrom. In
many cases, such wells are found to be initially unproductive, or
decrease in productivity over time, even though it is believed that
the surrounding strata still contains extractable oil, gas or other
material. Such wells are typically vertically extending holes
including a casing usually of mild steel pipe having an inner
diameter of from just a few inches to about eight (8) inches in
diameter for the transportation of the oil, gas or other material
upwardly to the earth's surface.
[0003] In an attempt to obtain production from unproductive wells
and increase production in under producing wells, methods and
apparatus for cutting a hole in the well casing and forming a
lateral passage therefrom into the surrounding earth strata are
known. Reference for instance, Landers U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,184
issued May 9, 1995; and Schellsteed U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,362 issued
Feb. 3, 1987, which disclose exemplary methods and apparatus for
producing lateral holes in the earth's strata surrounding a well
casing. However, such known methods and apparatus have not yet been
known to provide satisfactory results. In particular, the known
apparatus of Landers utilizes a non-rotating blasting type fluid
nozzle wherein fluid under pressure is directed at the earth's
strata has been found to be unable to produce a hole in the strata
of more than a few inches in depth. This shortcoming is believed to
be due largely to the inability of the non-rotating blaster type
nozzles to form a passage in the strata sufficiently unobstructed
to allow advancement of the nozzle into the strata, particularly in
strata having suitable porosity and permeability characteristics
for oil, gas and/or other commercial products. Also, it has been
found that any formation that a well is located in will produce a
given hydrostatic head in the well which is equal to the formation
pressure. This is problematic because the formation has a
capability of absorbing fluid around the nozzle, including
immediately ahead of and shortly behind the nozzle, when the
hydrostatic head becomes greater than the formation pressure,
resulting in at least partial and in many cases total stoppage of
movement of cuttings away from the nozzle.
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming
one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method
for penetrating a well casing and surrounding earth strata at a
desired elevation within a well is disclosed, the method including
the steps of:
[0006] a) forming a hole through said well casing at the desired
elevation;
[0007] b) inserting a flexible tube having a nozzle on an end
thereof into said hole; and
[0008] c) pumping a fluid into the flexible tube and out through
the nozzle while rotating said nozzle for drilling an extension of
said hole into said earth strata.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention,
apparatus adapted for drilling into strata surrounding a well
casing through an existing hole in a side of the well casing is
disclosed. The apparatus includes:
[0010] a flexible tube adapted for passage through the hole having
a first end, an opposite second end, and an internal cavity
extending therethrough between the first end and the second
end;
[0011] a nozzle adapted for passage through the hole in the side of
the well casing mounted to the first end of the flexible tube, the
nozzle having at least one aperture therethrough in communication
with the internal cavity of the flexible tube;
[0012] structure attached to the second end of the tube for
supporting the tube in the well casing;
[0013] structure for rotating at least the nozzle; and
[0014] structure for communicating fluid under pressure to the
second end of the flexible tube for passage through the tube and
discharge through the nozzle during the rotation thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a well in
fragmentary cross section and apparatus according to the present
invention therein in position for penetrating the well casing
thereof;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the well and apparatus
of FIG. 1 in partial cross-section showing the apparatus being used
to form a hole through the casing;
[0017] FIG. 2A is an fragmentary enlarged fragmentary side view of
the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 2B is another enlarged fragmentary side view of the
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the well
and apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the completed hole through the
casing;
[0020] FIG. 3A is an exploded side view of a cutter of the
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view in section
showing apparatus according to the present invention for drilling
strata surrounding the well casing;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view in partial cross-section
of the apparatus of FIG. 4;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a fragmentary side view of the apparatus of FIG.
4 in an extended position;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the
apparatus of FIG. 4 drilling an extension of the hole of FIG. 2
into the strata and reducing a hydrostatic head over the hole;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the
apparatus of FIG. 4 showing an acid or a gas being injected into
the extension of FIG. 6;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the
apparatus of FIG. 4 showing flow of material from the extension
during reduction of the hydrostatic head;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4
in partial cross-section; and,
[0028] FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of
FIG. 9;
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 show apparatus 10 constructed and operable
according to the present invention for penetrating a well casing 12
and surrounding earth strata 14. Well casing 12 consists of steel
piping extending from a well head 16 on or near the earth's surface
18 downwardly through strata 14 into a formation therein which
hopefully contains oil and/or gas. Well casing 12 is of
conventional construction defining an interior passage 20 of from
between about 4 to about 8 inches in diameter and from several
hundred to several thousand feet in depth. Cement or other material
22 is typically located around well casing 12 to hold it in place
and prevent leakage from the well. Well head 16 includes a cap 24
having an opening 26 therethrough communicating passage 20 with a
conventional oil saver device 27, and a tee 28 including an access
port 30.
[0030] Apparatus 10 includes a quantity of flexible tubing 32
adapted for holding fluid under pressure sufficient for drilling
the formation. For instance, pressure of as high as about 10,000
psi have been used for wells at depths of about 2000 feet from the
surface, and higher pressures such as about 15,000 psi can be used
for drilling at greater depths. The fluid under pressure is
supplied by a pump 34 connected to a fluid source 36 such as a city
water supply, a water tank or the like. Flexible tubing 32 is
stored on a reel 38 from which the tubing is fed into a length of
more rigid tubing 40 which extends a desired distance down through
interior passage 20 of casing 12 to a desired elevation below the
earth's surface. Tubing 40 terminates in passage 20 of casing 12 at
a coupling with a down hole unit 42 suspended in passage 20 by
tubing 40. Down hole unit 42 includes a tubular motor housing 44,
an upper receiving tube 46 and a kick-off shoe unit 48. Kick-off
shoe unit 48 includes a tubular casing drill receiving unit 50, an
air jet tube 52 and a bottom-most kick-off shoe 54. Tubing 40 and
down hole unit 42, including motor housing 44, upper receiving tube
46, and all of the above discussed components of kick-off shoe unit
48 remain in the position shown down hole in casing 12 throughout
operation of apparatus 10.
[0031] Flexible tubing 32 extends through a cavity 56 extending
through tubing 40 and down hole unit 42, and terminates at a
coupler 58 shown supporting a casing drill unit 60 in FIG. 2.
Casing drill unit 60 includes a fluid driven motor 62 connected in
fluid communication with flexible tubing 32. Motor 62 is
constructed essentially as shown in FIG. 9A, and is connected to an
output shaft 64 operatively rotatable thereby and including a
terminal end 66 supporting a plurality of universal joints 68 for
rotation therewith, including an end most universal joint 68 having
a conical shaped casing cutter 70 mounted thereto for rotation
therewith. A protective sheath 72 is also mounted about output
shaft 64 and defines an inner cavity (not shown) for containing and
protecting universal joints 68 and casing cutter 70 as those
members are lowered through cavity 56 of tubing 40 and down hole
unit 42. As casing drill unit 60 is lowered through cavity 56,
sheath 72 will come into abutting relation with a beveled edge 74
within kick-off shoe 54 thus stopping downward travel of the
sheath, while casing cutter 70 and universal joints 68 will proceed
into shoe 54, travel around an elbow 76 therein, such that casing
cutter 70 will come as shown to rest against the inner surface of
casing 12. In this regard, shoe 54 includes a plurality of rollers
78 to facilitate travel of cutter 70 and universal joints 68
through elbow 76, and output shaft 64 includes a swivel 80 for
alignment purposes.
[0032] Also referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, casing drill unit 60
additionally includes an upper portion 178 connected to flexible
tubing 32 via coupler 58, and a spring loaded dog assembly 180
disposed between upper portion 178 and motor 62. Dog assembly 180
includes a compression coil spring 182 disposed between upper
portion 178 and a dog housing 184 including a plurality of dogs 186
pivotally mounted in slots 188 at angularly spaced locations around
housing 184. Dogs 186 are maintained in engagement with a spring
retainer 190 by spring 182 in a retracted position (FIG. 2A) and
are moveable in opposition to the spring to a radially extended
position (FIG. 2B) when sheath 72 forcibly contacts beveled edge 74
of kick-off shoe 54 (FIG. 2). When radially extended, dogs 186
engage a splined inner circumferential surface 192 of casing drill
receiving unit 50 for preventing rotating of casing drill unit 60
therein. Then, after the casing drilling operation is completed as
explained next, and casing drill unit 60 is withdrawn from
receiving unit 50, dogs 186 retract to allow passage upwardly
through the upper portion of down hole unit 42 and tubing 40.
[0033] Referring also to FIG. 3, rotation of casing cutter 70 of
apparatus 10 as shown by arrow A, by motor 62 while urged against
the inner surface of casing 12 results in casing cutter 70 cutting
through casing 12, producing a hole 82. Importantly, an annular
drill stop 84 extends around casing cutter 70 at a predetermined
location spaced from the tip thereof to prevent casing cutter 70
from cutting substantially past casing 12 into cement 22. Upon
formation of hole 82, operation with casing drill unit 60 is
complete, and that unit can be withdrawn from down hole unit 42 and
tubing 40.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3A, a consumable shim 194 is disposed
between cutter 70 and drill stop 84 which is mounted to endmost
universal joint 68. Shim 194 is damaged by rotating contact with
the inner surface of casing 12 and importantly can be inspected
after withdrawal of unit 60 from casing 12 for verify that hole 82
has been properly formed.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, after withdrawal of casing drill unit
60, a strata drill unit 86 of apparatus 10 is mounted to flexible
tubing 32 and lowered through cavity 56 of tubing 40 and down hole
unit 42 to kick-off shoe 54. Strata drill unit 86 includes a fluid
driven motor 88 located in motor housing 44, motor housing 44
having an inside cross-sectional shape at least marginally larger
than the outer cross-sectional shape of motor 88, as will be
discussed. A rigid tube 90 is connected to motor 88 for rotation
thereby. Rigid tube 90 terminates at an upper end 92 of a set down
device 94.
[0036] Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 5A, set down device 94
includes a threaded passage 96 extending therethrough and
communicating with an internal passage 98 of a rigid tubular sheath
100. Sheath 100 includes a bottom most terminal end 102
positionable in abutment with beveled edge 74 of kick-off shoe 54
for positioning internal passage 98 in communication with elbow 76
(FIG. 4). A flexible tube 104 has an upper end 106 mounted to rigid
tube 90 for rotation therewith by an externally threaded coupler
108 adapted for threaded engagement with set down device 94 in
threaded passage 96. When coupler 108 is threadedly engaged with
set down device 94, flexible tube 104 is located and protected
within internal passage 98 of sheath 100. Flexible tube 104
includes a lower end 110 opposite upper end 106, and an internal
passage 112 therethrough connecting upper end 106 with lower end
110. A nozzle 114 is mounted to lower end 110 of tube 104 in fluid
communication with internal passage 112. Nozzle 114 includes a
plurality of apertures 116 therethrough. Referring more
particularly to FIGS. 4, 5 and 5A, motor 88 is operable to rotate
rigid tube 90 to threadedly disengage coupler 108 from threaded
passage 96 of set down device 94 to allow nozzle 114 and lower end
110 of flexible tube 104 to drop beneath sheath 100, for entering
elbow 76 of shoe 54.
[0037] Turning to FIG. 6 as flexible tube 104 is continually
lowered, lower end 110 and nozzle 114 will pass through elbow 76 of
shoe 54 and into hole 82 through casing 12, hole 82 having a
slightly tapered shape corresponding to the shape of casing cutter
70. As nozzle 114 advances through hole 82, it is rotated as
denoted by the arrow B by motor 88 (FIG. 4) and fluid from fluid
source 36 is pressurized by pump 34 (FIG. 1) and communicated to
nozzle 114 through motor 88, rigid tube 90 (FIG. 4), and flexible
tube 104, as denoted by the arrow C. The fluid under pressure is
discharged from nozzle 114 through apertures 116 against cement and
strata 14 lying beyond hole 82, as denoted by the arrows D. The
fluid under pressure impinging the cement and/or strata 14, in
combination with the rotation of nozzle 114, operates to loosen and
dislodge particles to thereby drill an extension 118 of hole 82
into the cement and/or strata 14. Additionally, a fluid flow as
shown by the arrows 120 is created by the discharged fluid for
carrying the particles through extension 118 and hole 82 so as to
be discharged into interior passage 20 of casing 12 as denoted by
arrow 122.
[0038] During the strata drilling step, it has been found that if a
hydrostatic head having a pressure greater than the formation
pressure in extension 118 is present above the drilling location,
for instance, resultant from the addition of water or liquid from
the strata drilling operation to the column of liquid normally
present in casing 12, liquid will be absorbed into the formation or
strata around nozzle 114 and flexible tube 104, so as to stop the
fluid and particle flow denoted by arrows 120. For instance, it has
been found when attempting to drill an extension 118 at a depth of
about 2500 feet below the earth's surface and with a hydrostatic
head which has greater head pressure than the formation pressure,
little to no drilling progress could be made, which is believed
largely due to limitations on particle and fluid flow 120 caused by
the hydrostatic head.
[0039] To mitigate the above discussed problems relating to a large
hydrostatic head, air jet tube 52 has a plurality of air jets 124
communicating internal passage 56 extending through tubing 40 and
down hole unit 42 with interior passage 20 of casing 12. Referring
back to FIG. 1, a compressor 126 is located on surface 18 and
includes a high pressure line 128 connected through access port 30
with internal passage 56. Compressor 126 is conventionally operable
to compress air and direct the air through high pressure line 128
into internal passage 56 wherein the pressurized air travels
downwardly to air jets 124 and is discharged into interior passage
20 as denoted by the arrows 130. Here, it should be noted that
compressor 126, line 128, tubing 40 and the components of down hole
unit 42 should be constructed so as to be sufficiently strong to
withstand the pressures necessary for carrying air under pressure
to the contemplated depth and discharging the air through air jets
124. An important purpose for discharging air under pressure into
interior passage 20 is to use the air as a vehicle for transporting
water and other liquids in interior passage 20 upwardly through the
passage so as to be discharged through an access port 131 at the
earth surface 18, or through some other convenient port at the
surface, to effectively reduce any hydrostatic head that may be
present. Further in this regard, air jet tube 52 includes a venturi
hood 132 over jets 124 designed for directing air discharged from
the jets upwardly so as to provide a venturi like effect.
[0040] Here, it should be noted that periodically during the strata
drilling step, air or gas under pressure can be injected into
flexible tubing 32 so as to be discharged through apertures 116 of
nozzle 114, for clearing any debris or blockage that may be present
therein and for clearing accumulated debris from extension 118. A
suitable pressure for the air or gas has been found to be about
2,000 psi or greater, and it can be injected by a high pressure
compressor 133 or other suitable device connected to tubing 32 at
pumps 34 as shown or at another suitable location. This is believed
to be effective because with the reduction of the hydrostatic head
in the well, when the air or gas under pressure exits apertures 116
the air or gas will expand and move at high velocity toward casing
12 to urge the cuttings from extension 118.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, after extension 118 has been
drilled to a desired extent, the delivery of air to air jets 124
can be stopped, to allow the hydrostatic head to again build up.
Then, once the hydrostatic head is sufficiently high, an acid,
mixture of acid and another substance, or a gas contained in a tank
135 on the earth's surface 18 can be injected into flexible tubing
32 under pressure supplied by compressor 133, pump 34 or another
suitable device, so as to be conveyed through flexible tube 104 to
nozzle 114 and discharged through apertures 116 thereof into strata
14 surrounding extension 118. This has been found to be an
advantageous procedure, as the acid, mixture or gas is delivered in
a pristine condition to the strata surrounding extension 118, for
etching or otherwise reacting with alkaline materials in the
strata, for increasing the production potential at that location.
Here, the presence of the hydrostatic head has been found to
provide a pressurized condition in well casing 12 which is
sufficient to maintain the acid or gas localized within extension
118 where it is desired.
[0042] Referring also to FIG. 8, after a sufficient period of time
for the acid or gas to perform its desired function has elapsed,
the hydrostatic head can be reduced by pumping air through air jets
124 in the above-described manner as denoted by the arrows 130 to
reduce the hydrostatic head, such that the acid, gas and/or
reaction products can flow from the strata 14 in the vicinity of
extension 118, through hole 82 and into casing 12, wherein those
materials can be carried by the pressurized air to well head 16. At
well head 16 the material can exit casing 12 through access port
131 and be collected in a suitable repository, such as the storage
tank illustrated. There, the material can be examined to ascertain
the success of the acid or gas injection to determine whether
drilling and/or injection should be continued.
[0043] As noted above, it is important to rotate nozzle 114 during
the strata drilling step such that extension 118 is of sufficient
size and is unobstructed to allow the advancement of nozzle 114 and
flexible cube 104 therethrough. Rotation of flexible tube 104 and
nozzle 114 is preferably achieved using motor 88.
[0044] Turning to FIG. 9, motor 88 is shown. Motor 88 includes an
inlet nipple 134 coupled in fluid communication with tubing 32 by a
coupler 136 for receiving pressurized fluid from pump 34
therethrough. Coupler 136 also supports motor 88, rigid tube 90,
flexible tube 104 and nozzle 114. Motor 88 includes an outer case
138 defining an internal cavity 140 containing a fluid motor unit
142 connected in driving relation to a plurality of gear reducers
144, including a final gear reducer having an output shaft 146
driven by fluid motor unit 142. Referring also to FIG. 9A, fluid
motor unit 142 is a vane type fluid motor having an eccentric 148
including a plurality of radially moveable vanes 150 of solid
brass, copper or other substantially rigid material. Motor 62
discussed above is constructed essentially the same. Motor unit 142
is connected in driving relation to a drive shaft 152 for relative
eccentric rotation to an inner circumferential surface 154 of an
inner case 156 under force of pressurized fluid received through
inlet nipple 134. The fluid is then discharged from inner case 156
through discharge ports 158 into internal cavity 140 wherein the
pressurized fluid travels to an inlet port 160 of a hollow motor
output shaft 162. Output shaft 162 passes through outer case 138
and is coupled to rigid tube 90 by a coupler 164. Output shaft 162
includes an internal passage 166 thus connected in fluid
communication with internal passage 112 through tube 90 and tube
104, for delivering the pressurized fluid to nozzle 114.
[0045] As noted above, the pressurized fluid carried through tubing
32 to motor 88 can be at a pressure of as high 10,000 psi or
greater. To enable motor assembly 88 to withstand and contain such
pressures without significant leaking, an O-ring 168 is located
around inlet nipple 134, a second O-ring 170 extends around the
juncture of two parts of outer case 138, and a series of O-rings or
packing 172 extend around motor output shaft 162 as it passes
through case 138. Additionally, a thrust bearing 174 and ball
bearings 176 are provided in association with output shaft 162 for
the smooth rotation of tubes 90 and 104, and nozzle 114.
[0046] Industrial Applicability
[0047] Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present
invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the
disclosure and the appended claims.
* * * * *