US 4,789,032 A · Orienting and circulating sub

Abstract

An orienting and circulating sub is disclosed for connection in an apparatus for angular drilling in the earth. The drilling apparatus comprises a drill string extending into a substantially vertical well bore in the earth supporting a fluid operated motor and drill bit at its lower end. The drill bit is supported for angular drilling by either using a bent sub for supporting the drilling motor or be using a drilling motor with a bent housing. A surveying tool is connected above the motor for determining and controlling the direction of drilling. A mule shoe keying sub is connected to the surveying tool for orienting the position of the motor in relation to said surveying tool. The orienting sub comprises a tubular housing formed in two sections threaded together with one end connected to the surveying tool by the mule shoe keying sub and the other end connected to the bent sub or to the bent motor housing. The orienting sub has a sleeve mounted in the end of the lower housing section with a key for receiving the mule shoe for locating the sub in relation to the surveying tool. The sleeve is oriented in the housing by a system of fine grooves and splines on the sub section and on the sleeve which permit fine angular adjustment. A modified Baker float valve is positioned in the lower end of the tool with a flapper check valve. A piston valve with shear pin is provided to open a bypass valve for draining the drill string during lifting.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An apparatus for angular drilling in the earth comprising

a drill string extending into a substantially vertical well bore in the earth,
a fluid operated motor and drill bit operated thereby secured on the bottom end of said drill string,
means supporting at least a part of said motor and drill bit at a substantial angle to said substantially vertical well bore for continuing the drilling of said well bore at an angle to the substantially vertical portion thereof,
a surveying tool connected in said drill string above said motor for determining and controlling the direction of drilling,
a mule shoe keying sub connected to said surveying tool for orienting the position of said motor in relation to said surveying tool, and
an orienting sub connected to said mule shoe keying sub at one end and connected at the other end to said means supporting said motor at an angle, and including
means to orient angularly the point of connection to said mule shoe keying sub in relation to said means supporting said motor at an angle.

4 more elements

An orienting and circulating sub for connection in an apparatus for angular drilling in the earth comprising

a drill string extending into a substantially vertical well bore in the earth,
a fluid operated motor and drill bit operated thereby secured on the bottom end of said drill string,
means supporting at least a part of said motor and drill bit at a substantial angle to said substantially vertical well bore for continuing the drilling of said well bore at an angle to the substantially vertical portion thereof,
a surveying tool connected in said drill string above said motor for determining and controlling the direction of drilling,
a mule shoe keying sub connected to said surveying tool for orienting the position of said motor in relation to said surveying tool,
said orienting and circulating sub comprising a housing adapted to be connected to said mule shoe keying sub at one end and adapted to be connected at the other end to said means supporting said motor at an angle, and including
means to orient angularly the point of connection to said mule shoe keying sub in relation to said means supporting said motor at an angle.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Orienting and circulating sub

Life of this patent

Orienting and circulating sub

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24