# US 2020/0318433 A1 · Directional drilling > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0318433 A1 - Document ID: US20200318433A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/753,526 - Filed: 2018-10-08 - Published: 2020-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-10-06 - Assignees: Priority Drilling Ltd - Applicants: Priority Drilling Ltd - Inventors: Michael Dineen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200318433A1 ## CPC - E21B 7/061: {the tool shaft advancing relative to a guide, e.g. a curved tube or a whipstock} - E21B 7/067: {with means for locking sections of a pipe or of a guide for a shaft in angular relation, e.g. adjustable bent sub} - E21B 23/01: for anchoring the tools or the like (E21B23/02 - E21B23/06 take precedence; anchoring of drives in the borehole E21B4/18) - E21B 23/0411: {specially adapted for anchoring tools or the like to the borehole wall or to well tube} - E21B 25/02: the core receiver being insertable into, or removable from, the borehole without withdrawing the drilling pipe - E21B 47/024: of devices in the borehole (determining slope or direction of the borehole E21B47/022) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract In preparation for directional drilling, a wedge supported distally ahead of a tubular drill string is advanced along a parent hole. The wedge is connected to the drill string by a rigid link that extends along a central longitudinal axis through an annular cutting head. The wedge may be connected to the drill string via an inner dropper mechanism that can be engaged by a wireline lifting system. After locking the wedge at a kick-off point in the hole at a desired azimuth, the connection of the link is broken. The dropper mechanism can then be retrieved and replaced by an inner core tube, without moving the drill string. The drill string is then advanced to drill a daughter hole that branches from the parent hole on the azimuth determined by the wedge. Advantageously, there is no need to withdraw the drill string before drilling the daughter hole can commence. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-69. (canceled) ### Claim 70 A method of directional drilling, the method comprising: advancing a wedge from a drilling rig to a kick-off point in a parent hole while supporting the wedge distally with respect to a tubular drill string via a substantially rigid link that extends along a central longitudinal axis through an annular cutting head to connect the wedge to the drill string; locking the wedge at the kick-off point in the parent hole at a desired azimuth; breaking the connection made by the link between the drill string and the locked wedge; withdrawing at least part of the link through the cutting head after breaking the connection; and advancing the drill string to drill a daughter hole that branches from the parent hole on the azimuth determined by the wedge. ### Claim 71 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising orienting the wedge to the desired azimuth by turning the drill string about the central longitudinal axis to apply torque to the wedge via the link. ### Claim 72 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising fracturing the link to break the connection while leaving a distal portion of the link embedded in the wedge. ### Claim 73 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising supporting the wedge via a dropping mechanism within the drill string. ### Claim 74 (depends on 73) The method of claim 73, comprising retrieving the dropping mechanism to the drilling rig after breaking the connection. ### Claim 75 (depends on 74) The method of claim 74, comprising engaging the dropping mechanism with a wireline lifting system advanced within the drill string. ### Claim 76 (depends on 73) The method of claim 73, comprising replacing the dropping mechanism with an inner core tube that is advanced within the drill string before advancing the drill string to drill the daughter hole. ### Claim 77 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, performed without disassembling the drill string. ### Claim 78 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising conveying locking energy to the wedge via the link. ### Claim 79 (depends on 78) The method of claim 78, comprising locking the wedge by applying fluid pressure through the link. ### Claim 80 (depends on 78) The method of claim 78, comprising diverting drilling fluid through the link to lock the wedge. ### Claim 81 (depends on 80) The method of claim 80, comprising diverting drilling fluid by applying over-threshold pressure to the fluid at the drilling rig. ### Claim 82 (depends on 79) The method of any of claims 79, comprising resisting locking of the wedge until a threshold fluid pressure is exceeded. ### Claim 83 (depends on 79) The method of any of claims 79, comprising conveying fluid through the link on a serpentine path to trap particles entrained in the fluid. ### Claim 84 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising advancing a surveying tool within the drill string to determine the azimuth of the wedge before locking the wedge. ### Claim 85 (depends on 84) The method of claim 84, comprising engaging the surveying tool with a dropping mechanism within the drill string, the dropping mechanism being rigidly connected to the wedge via the link. ### Claim 86 (depends on 85) The method of claim 85, comprising engaging the surveying tool with a proximally-facing wireline retriever system of the dropping mechanism. ### Claim 87 (depends on 85) The method of claim 85, comprising turning the surveying tool into alignment with the dropping mechanism in consequence of distal movement of the surveying tool relative to the dropping mechanism. ### Claim 88 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising applying aligning force to the wedge to pivot the wedge about a pivot axis transverse to the central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 89 (depends on 88) The method of claim 88, comprising applying the aligning force to the wedge while locking the wedge. ### Claim 90 (depends on 88) The method of claim 88, comprising pivoting the wedge to force a proximal edge of the wedge against a surrounding wall of the parent hole. ### Claim 91 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising pulling the drill string proximally to break the connection. ### Claim 92 (depends on 70) The method of claim 70, comprising reaming a junction between the parent hole and the daughter hole by advancing the drill string.