Drill string with aluminum drill pipes, bent housing, and motor

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses include drilling a bore hole in a horizontal direction with a drill bit, a bent housing portion, and a mud motor by rotating the drill bit, the bent housing portion, and the mud motor with drill pipe comprising an aluminum pipe section. The methods and apparatuses also include stopping rotation of the drill pipe and performing a slide by rotating the drill bit with the mud motor to advance the drill bit, the bent housing portion, the mud motor, and the drill pipe in the borehole so that the aluminum pipe section moves axially along the bore hole in the horizontal direction. The methods and apparatuses also include continuing to drill the bore hole by rotating the drill bit, the bent housing portion, and the mud motor with the drill pipe.

Description

PRIORITY DATA[0001]The present disclosure claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 835,319, filed Jun. 14, 2013, incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Underground drilling involves drilling a bore through a formation deep in the earth using a drill string including a drill bit connected to drill pipe. During rotary drilling, the drill bit is typically rotated by a top drive or other rotary drive means at the surface, where a quill and / or other mechanical means connects and transfers torque between the rotary drive mechanism and the drill string. During drilling, the drill bit is rotated by a drilling motor mounted in the drill string proximate the drill bit, and the drill string may or may not also be rotated by the rotary drive mechanism.[0003]Drilling operations may begin in the vertical direction, but are frequently steered to drill in a horizontal direction. When drilling in the horizontal direction, th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent is about a new system and method for drilling wells that reduces friction between the drill string and the bore hole, allowing for greater range of motion and improved efficiency of drilling. This is achieved by incorporating a unique arrangement that reduces frictional engagement between the drill string and the bore hole. This arrangement increases the drilling range of mud motors and decreases costs per drilling length.

Problems solved by technology

However, the modes of regular drilling and sliding present different challenges to the drill system.

Eventually, the friction is so great that the drill string does not effectively slide and therefore, the steering capacity becomes inefficient or ineffective.

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