Drill with remotely controlled operating modes and system and method for providing the same

摘要

The present invention relates to a drilling system with a multi-function drill head used in, among other applications, oil and gas drilling. The system is used to enhance the effective permeability of an oil and/or gas reservoir by drilling or cutting new structures into the reservoir. The system is capable of cutting straight bores, radius bores, or side panels, by water jets alone or in combination with lasers. In various embodiments, a device for remotely controlling the mode of the system by variations in the pressure of a drilling fluid is also provided, allowing an operator to switch between various modes (straight drilling, radius bore drilling, panel cutting, etc.) without withdrawing the drill string from underground.

主权项

1. A drilling system comprising:
a drill string; a drilling fluid for drilling into a geological formation, wherein the drilling fluid flows through the drill string; a drill head interconnected to the drill string, the drill head having a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein the first operating mode is selected from a group consisting of a straight drilling mode, a radius bore drilling mode, a side panel cutting mode, a propulsion mode, and a non-operational mode, and wherein the drill head comprises:
a laser;a laser distributor swivel; anda valve assembly comprising:
a housing comprising:
a bore;a first end;a first hole;a second hole;a first body groove interconnected to the first hole, wherein the first body groove corresponds to the first operating mode; anda second body groove interconnected to the second hole, wherein the second body groove corresponds to the second operating mode; anda spool having an axial bore, a first end, and a second end, wherein the spool is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first end of the spool receives the drilling fluid, and wherein the first position corresponds to a first pressure of the drilling fluid and the second position corresponds to a second pressure of the drilling fluid; wherein the first operating mode corresponds to the first pressure of the drilling fluid and the second operating mode corresponds to the second pressure of the drilling fluid; a drill head body having a leading surface and a circumferential surface; a swivel head interconnected to the leading surface of the drill head body, wherein the swivel head has a cutting head; a side panel cutting head positioned on the circumferential surface of the drill head body; and wherein the swivel head is angularly articulable relative to a longitudinal axis of the drill head body.