Drill in the Right Direction

Over the years, drilling for oil and natural gas has become more complicated. At one time, wells were only drilled vertically. Now, there are many types of angles used to reach what were previously thought to be impossible locations to reach oil and natural gas.

In horizontal and directional drilling, the drill stem can bend to a high degree without breaking. Usually the hole is deflected over hundreds of feet so that the bend is not sudden. Three to ten degrees of deflection over 100 feet is not an unusual amount. The drill string, a hollow metal tube, is flexible. It can bend quite a lot without breaking or permanently bending. In cases in which the hole needs to curve within a short distance, a special segmented pipe is used. Segmented pipe is very flexible and can bend without breaking.

Watch this video to learn more about drilling:

Download the drilling in the right direction lesson plan below.