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Title: Apparatus for and a method of drilling offset wells for producing hydrocarbons

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5427622

The patent describes a directional guidance device for drilling offset wells from a substantially horizontal section of a wellbore the device comprising: a housing means; a deflector means disposed in the housing means; moving means for allowing the deflector means to move, by gravitational force, between a first position in which it prevents advancement of a drill bit and a second position in which it allows advancement of a drill bit and causes the drill bit to deflect from the longitudinal axis of a substantially horizontal section of a wellbore in which the device is situated; and means for attaching the device to a drill string. The patent describes a method of drilling a well. The method comprising the steps of: drilling a wellbore including a substantially straight, substantially horizontal section; and drilling a plurality of offset wells from the substantially straight, substantially horizontal section of the wellbore. The offset wells including a substantially straight portion at an angle of between 10{sup 0} and 45{sup 0} from the substantially straight, substantially horizontal section of the wellbore; and wherein the offset wells include a substantially curved portion drilled at an angular rate of build of between 3.3{sup 0} and 15{sup 0} per 100 feet.

Assignee:
NOV; NOV-89-083033; EDB-90-006119
Patent Number(s):
US 4852666
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-178500A
OSTI ID:
5427622
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 7 Apr 1988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English