Re:Potential Problem (Score 1)

Directional drilling is commonly used today to drill horizontally under roads, buildings, etc. You can drill left, right, up, down, and a combination of the aforementined. Imagine, if you can, a piece of pipe with a duck bill on the end. Then imagine a clock positining systems that sends data to a monitor to a machine operator about the poosition of the duck bill. Kinda like a shovel. The duck bill, when positioned ececntrically to the direction of travel has a tendency to change the direction of the stem, hence the term "directional." Water lubricates the process, leaving a nice little hole where pipe, cable, etc., can be pulled back to complete a telephone cirquit or conduit route. Simple. Since pipe (read "drill pipe" can have a hole in the center, yes really, then anything can be pushjed or pulled through the hole. Lubricating water, drilling mud, cement through side hole can be pumped down hole. Vacuum can also be used to remove excess material from the hole. Problems begin when one tries to drill and change directions through rock. This is where the laser could come in handy. Variations in the plasma principle are the solution. High pressured water are commonly used today to gain a change in direction, saving the mega bucks required to fund and employ lasers. Doesn't have to be water as a cutting medium.