Patent US4605076A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4605076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for forming boreholes
Assignee: Hydril Co LP
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Filing: 1984-08-03
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Granted: 1986-08-12
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Expires: 2004-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming as by drilling multiple boreholes into a shallow hydrocarbon pay zone from a single central vertical borehole is disclosed. A single large diameter vertical hole is first provided between the pay zone to a depth greater than a predetermined distance. Using special drilling equipment, one or more directional wells are then drilled starting at locations below the pay zone and proceeding in an upwardly and outwardly direction from the vertical hole. By selecting the predetermined starting depth and angle of direction for the upward and outward drilling phase of the method, great range of horizontal penetration may be obtained with respect to the central borehole thereby facilitating the efficient production of a shallow pay zone from a single drilling platform.
Inventors
- 👤 Milton E. Goodhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:17
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/30; E21B43/305; E21B4/00; E21B4/02; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B7/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of boring a well hole into a target zone in a formation comprising the steps of boring an essentially vertical hole to at least a predetermined depth below the target zone in the formation, said vertical hole being laterally displaced from said target zone, lowering via said vertical hole drilling apparatus including a mud pressure driven motor and drilling bit to said predetermined depth, applying pressurized drilling mud from said vertical hole to said mud motor, and mechanically boring with said mud motor and said drilling bit initially in an upward direction from the verticle hole a deviated hole into the target zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of boring a well hole into a target zone in a formation comprising the steps of boring an essentially vertical hole to at least a predetermined depth below the target zone in the formation, said vertical hole being laterally displaced from said target zone, lowering via said vertical hole drilling apparatus including a mud pressure driven motor and drilling bit to said predetermined depth, applying pressurized drilling mud from said vertical hole to said mud motor, and mechanically boring with said mud motor and said drilling bit initially in an upward direction from the verticle hole a deviated hole into the target zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of upwardly boring from beneath the formation a second deviated hole into a second target zone of the formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said second deviated hole is formed in the same plane in the earth defined by the vertical hole and the first deviated hole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said second target zone of the formation is angularly spaced about the vertical hole from said first target zone whereby said first deviated hole and said vertical hole and said second deviated hole and said vertical hole define respectively first and second planes through said earth.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of drilling a well hole into a target zone of a formation comprising the steps of forming an essentially vertical hole to at least a predetermined depth below the bottom of the formation, said vertical hole being laterally displaced from said target zone, lowering via said vertical hole drilling apparatus including a mud pressure driven motor and drilling bit to said predetermined depth, applying pressurized drilling mud from said vertical hole to said mud motor, initially directing said mud motor and said drilling bit in an upward direction beginning from said predetermined depth, and deviating the initially upwardly directed hole drilled by said mud motor and said drilling bit laterally into the target zone of the formation.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of drilling a well hole into a target zone of a formation comprising the steps of forming an essentially vertical hole to at least a predetermined depth below the bottom of the formation, said vertical hole being laterally displaced from said target zone, lowering via said vertical hole drilling apparatus including a mud pressure driven motor and drilling bit to said predetermined depth, applying pressurized drilling mud from said vertical hole to said mud motor, initially directing said mud motor and said drilling bit in an upward direction beginning from said predetermined depth, and deviating the initially upwardly directed hole drilled by said mud motor and said drilling bit laterally into the target zone of the formation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of forming a well in a hydrocarbon bearing zone in a formation comprising the steps of forming an essentially vertical hole downwardly into the formation, lowering via said vertical hole drilling apparatus including a mud pressure driven motor and drilling bit, applying pressurized drilling mud from said vertical hole to said mud motor, and mechanically forming with said mud motor and said drilling bit an initially upwardly directed deviated hole from the vertical hole in an essentially upward direction and deviating from the vertical hole.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of forming a well in a hydrocarbon bearing zone in a formation comprising the steps of forming an essentially vertical hole downwardly into the formation, lowering via said vertical hole drilling apparatus including a mud pressure driven motor and drilling bit, applying pressurized drilling mud from said vertical hole to said mud motor, and mechanically forming with said mud motor and said drilling bit an initially upwardly directed deviated hole from the vertical hole in an essentially upward direction and deviating from the vertical hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 6 wherein a plurality of upwardly directed deviated holes are formed in the zone from the vertical hole, each hole starting in an essentially upward direction from the vertical hole and deviating outwardly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |