History of Science and Engineering Annotation << Back STAGES OF ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECTIONAL DRILLING OF WELLS FOR MINING I.D. Mukhametgaliev, A.Kh. Agliullin, R.A. Ismakov, M.Kh. Al-Sukhili The historical background of the origin of directional well drilling technology is considered; stages of development of downhole drilling equipment of technological methods for the drilling directed wells up to the 20s of the XX century are revealed. It is shown that the natural curvature of the well during drilling served as the basis for a new approach to mining. Historical evidence on the parallel development of methods for measuring the angle of inclination of wells and devices for artificial curvature of wells is presented, the first methods for curving wells, methods for measuring the zenith angle and azimuth, and also methods of drilling at an angle are systematized. The connection between the development of technique and technology of directional drilling and the appearance of the first specialized educational programs for mining engineers is analyzed. Keywords: curvature of wells; directional drilling; downhole deflecting devices; downhole inclinometers; drilling; electric drill; mining engineers; shock-rod drilling; turbodrill, well angle; zenith angle. DOI: 10.25791/intstg.04.2020.1175 Pp. 53-59.