I'm guessing directional drilling techniques. I'm not sure exactly how they work, but I know that they are often used when drilling oil and gas production wells

I'm guessing directional drilling techniques. I'm not sure exactly how they work, but I know that they are often used when drilling oil and gas production wells so that you can penetrate a reservoir laterally rather than drilling a bunch of more or less vertical wells. Especially useful if your reservoir is fairly thin but wide.