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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Apparatus for forming and using a bore hole

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5503612
A system for the formation and use of a bore hole, particularly for the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing underground formation. An eversible elongate permeable tube, preferably formed of woven cloth, including outer and inner walls, connected at a rollover area, is urged into the formation by a driving fluid. Drilling fluid is pumped through a central passageway in the tube and carries a central pipe forward. The drilling fluid, comprising a hot acid or basic aqueous or petroleum base solution, assists break up of the formation to form a cuttings slurry which passes back along the outside of the eversible tube. Means is provided for turning the tube, as from the vertical to the horizontal, by use of a turning segment in the eversible tube, or by guiding the central pipe. Such pipe preferably includes a flexible helical segment capable of turning and of serving as the ultimate support casing. Also, gravel packing techniques and down-hole steam generators.
Assignee:
Bechtel National Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 4501337
OSTI ID:
5503612
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English