US3610346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for oriented emplacement of well casing to achieve directional drilling
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the emplacement of an oriented conductor casing at a desired angle preliminary to slant drilling of a well in the substratum of an offshore well site. The method provides for the initial lowering of a well casing into the substratum. Thereafter the casing is forcefully urged downwardly whereby to bend and assume a curvature in a desired direction, as the casing advances along a preformed curved guide passage. The casing is progressively advanced until penetrating one or more competent subsurface formations.
Inventors
- 👤 Johnnie J Ziober
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:38
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B7/00; E21B7/20; E21B7/208; E21B7/04; E21B7/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
Method for the directional drilling of a subterranean well at an offshore location having a substratum characterized by an underconsolidated consistency at the ocean floor and a competent layer beneath said underconsolidated layer, which method includes the steps of; a. embedding a cylindrical well casing into the substratum at a substantially vertical disposition and to a sufficient depth whereby the casing lower end is disposed in said competent layer, b. forming a guide passage as a continuation of said casing, said guide passage being deviated to assume a gradual curvature an incremental degree from the axis of direction of said casing, and c. advancing said casing into said guide passage whereby to bend said casing walls in conformance with the curvature of said guide passage, and d. sequentially repeating said embedding, forming and casing advancing steps until said casing is aligned in a desired direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
Method for the directional drilling of a subterranean well at an offshore location having a substratum characterized by an underconsolidated consistency at the ocean floor and a competent layer beneath said underconsolidated layer, which method includes the steps of; a. embedding a cylindrical well casing into the substratum at a substantially vertical disposition and to a sufficient depth whereby the casing lower end is disposed in said competent layer, b. forming a guide passage as a continuation of said casing, said guide passage being deviated to assume a gradual curvature an incremental degree from the axis of direction of said casing, and c. advancing said casing into said guide passage whereby to bend said casing walls in conformance with the curvature of said guide passage, and d. sequentially repeating said embedding, forming and casing advancing steps until said casing is aligned in a desired direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the method as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide passage is formed with a cross-sectional area substantially equivalent to the cross section of said well casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the method as defined in claim 1 wherein said well casing is advanced into said guide passage by being downwardly driven from above the water''s surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the method as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide passage is formed by the displacement of substratum material and removal thereof upwardly through the guide passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the method as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide passage is formed by displacing material through hydraulic jetting with a high-pressure fluid stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the method as defined in claim 1 wherein said guide passage is formed by rotational drilling and removal of material from the formed passage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
In the method as defined in claim 1 including the step of adding incremental lengths of said casing to the upper end thereof as the lower end is advanced into said guide passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1900163A
Cited
US2565794A
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US2891770A
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US3004612A
Cited
US2873092A
Cited
US3115755A
Cited
US3426844A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |