Exotic drilling: contractor drills pipelines

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Drilling Contract.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5726497

McReynolds, L

Drilling of pipelines has been technologically developed for applications such as river crossings, tunnelling through tar-sand or oil-shale strata for more effective in situ combustion production projects, and drilling inside rather than through heavy oil pays to create extensive horizontal well bores suitable for steam heating the formation. The horizontal drilling concept for river crossing involves installation of pipelines in an inverted arc 25 to 100 ft below a river bed. The directional control required to produce a curved hole is maintained by rotating the bit without rotating the pipe. When the drill string is activated by a forward thrust, it creates a reactive subsurface pressure against the front surface of the bent sub, thus causing the bend. The bit then deviates in the direction of the bend. Little disruption of the environment occurs, and the directionally drilled crossings offer improved pipeline security, maintenance of year-round construction schedules, easier permitting, no navigational hazards or interruption for waterway traffic, elimination of bank restoration costs and most repair costs, and a maintenance-free crossing section.

• OSTI ID: 5726497
• Journal Information: Drilling Contract.; (United States), Journal Name: Drilling Contract.; (United States) Vol. 36:4; ISSN DRCOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
022000* -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
03 NATURAL GAS
032000 -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
CONSTRUCTION
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILLING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LEVELS
MAINTENANCE
PIPELINES
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
UNDERGROUND