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U.S. Department of Energy
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Apparatus and method for earth drilling

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6582108
In this method and apparatus for earth borehole drilling, a pilot hole is eroded and sections of the formation between the pilot hole and earth borehole are removed by hydrostatic pressure-propagated fractures. The energy contained in a jet stream of abrasive-laden liquid is used to erode a pilot hole in the bottom of a borehole. Flow of liquid from the pilot hole is restricted and momentarily interrupted, causing the energy in the flowing stream to exert a water hammer effect on the lower end of the drill string and on the formation between the pilot hole and borehole, thereby causing that part of the formation intermediate to the pilot hole and borehole to fracture and separate from the rest of the formation. The separated segments of the formation thus loosened are broken up and carried off by the jet stream.
Assignee:
Atlantic Refining Co
Patent Number(s):
US 3231031
OSTI ID:
6582108
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English