System to Improve the Control of Downhole Tool-Strings Used in Radial Drilling

Abstract

An apparatus, method and system for dampening the force exerted on a tool-string when a lower portion of said tool-string is in a subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore.

1 . An apparatus for dampening the force exerted on a tool-string when a lower portion of said tool-string is in a subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said dampening apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a push-rod; and   at least one dampening member selected from the group consisting of: a tension spring, a compression spring, a gas-filled chamber, an elastomeric material, and a magnet.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of the elements selected from the group consisting of: a spring that extends when additional weight on bit is applied at a cutting head; a spring that compresses when additional weight on bit is applied at a cutting head; magnets oriented such that they repel each other; and a sealed gas-charged chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal hose running the length of the apparatus, one or more inner passageways running the length of the apparatus, and a conduit running the length of the apparatus external to the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more anti-torque projections extending from the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the anti-torque projections provide continuous, low-drag movement when in contact with an external member. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the anti-torque projections in contact with an external member resists applied torque. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a weight-on-bit measurement device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a weight-on-bit measurement transmission device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the weight-on-bit measurement transmission device is selected from the group consisting of: changes in the pressure of a drilling-fluid stream, changes in the flow of a drilling-fluid stream, an electrical transmission line. 
     
     
         10 . A method of dampening the force applied on a tool-string when a lower portion of that tool-string is in a subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, the method comprising: providing a dampening apparatus comprising a housing, a push-rod, and at least one dampening member;
 engaging the dampening member;   wherein the engaged dampening member results in at least one of the group consisting of: the extension of a tension spring positioned in the dampening apparatus; the compression of a spring positioned in the dampening apparatus; the compression of a gas-filled chamber positioned in the dampening apparatus; the compression of an elastomeric material positioned in the dampening apparatus; overcoming the repulsion of two like-poled magnets positioned in the dampening apparatus; and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for measuring the force exerted on a tool-string when a lower portion of said tool-string is in a subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said measuring apparatus comprising: one or more ports that are successively opened or closed based on changes in the applied force and thereby causing a change in the pressure of a fluid within the tool-string that can be measured. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for measuring the force exerted on a tool-string when a lower portion of said tool-string is in a subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said measuring apparatus comprising: a pressure transducer in the tool-string that reports either the pressure in a gas or fluid-filled chamber or the pressure applied by a spring in the apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . A method for measuring the force exerted on a tool-string when a lower portion of said tool-string is in a subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said method comprising: making a first pressure measurement made by a pressure measurement device selected from the group consisting of: changes in drilling fluid pressure due to opening and closing of ports that vent said fluid, a pressure transducer that measures pressure in a gas or fluid-filled chamber, and a pressure transducer that measures the force applied by a downhole spring; and transmitting the first pressure measurement. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the first pressure measurement through changes in pressure of a fluid within the tool-string. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting the first pressure measurement through an e-line. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for the transmission of torque in a drill-string used to form an extended subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said apparatus remaining in the primary wellbore and comprising an inner spline member and an outer spline member, the inner spline member in contact with the outer spline member and having a low coefficient of drag between them. 
     
     
         17 . A method for the transmission of torque in a drill-string used to form an extended subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said method comprising:
 providing a torque transmission apparatus comprising an inner spline member and an outer spline member, the inner spline member in contact with the outer spline member and having a low coefficient of drag between them;   placing the torque transmission apparatus within the drill-string in the primary wellbore; and   connecting the torque transmission apparatus to a tool string that extends into the lateral borehole.   
     
     
         18 . A system to improve the efficiency of a tool-string used to form an extended subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said system comprising:
 at least one projection extending from the tool-string; and   at least one slot on an external device into which the at least one projection can engage;   wherein when the at least one projection engages with the at least one slot that resist a counter torque exerted on the tool-string.   
     
     
         19 . An system to improve the efficiency of a tool-string used to form an extended subterranean lateral borehole radiating outward at least 5 feet at an angle between 45 to about 90 degrees from a primary wellbore, said system comprising:
 a weight indicator; and   a load dampener.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a load-balanced piston and a spring for additional dampening. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a spline mechanism for the transmission of torque.