Apparatus and Method for Lateral Well Drilling

Abstract

A downhole tool assembly for cutting laterally into an earthen formation from a wellbore. The downhole tool assembly includes a cutting head assembly and a flexible tubular member, wherein the cutting head assembly includes a rotatable nozzle and a cutting head sized and configured to cut laterally into the earthen formation. The downhole tool assembly may be guided through a channel defined by a guide assembly and positioned such that the cutting head is proximate the portion of the earthen formation to be laterally cut. A rotational source may be operatively connected and in fluid communication with the conduit and flexible tubular member, whereby torque generated by the rotational source is translated by the flexible tubular member to the cutting head, causing the cutting head to rotate and cut the earthen formation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.