AN APPARATUS AND SYSTEM TO DRILL A BORE USING A LASER

摘要

A system to extend a lateral bore section using laser light comprises a first umbilical (134) connected to a deflection member (50) having a drive gear (77), a lateral exit port and at least one deployable seal (54) intermediate a proximal end (89) and the lateral exit port (95), and a second umbilical (34) having an exterior movable by the drive member through a pathway of the deflection member ending at the lateral exit port to controllably advance a drill head (51) connected to a leading end (34A) of the second umbilical. Optical fibers (47) of the second umbilical transmit laser light from a surface end to optical elements (45) in the drill head that condition laser light for heating a targeted portion of a bore wall. The first umbilical positions the deflection member within a primary bore section, and the second umbilical is controllably advanced to extend a lateral bore by the drive gear of the deflection member.