Borehole Laser Optics for Removing Tubular Flow Impediments

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a long-standing need to maintain and assure the flow of materials in tubulars, particularly in the oil and natural gas industry, where flow impediments such as asphaltenes, gas hydrates, and scales cause significant disruptions and blockages, leading to reduced production and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A high power laser system is developed to deliver a high power laser beam through a long distance transmission cable to a borehole or tubular, where a laser tool with a high power optic provides an annular laser beam pattern to process and remove flow impediments without damaging the surrounding material, thereby enhancing flow assurance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high power laser beam is delivered through long distance transmission cable to borehole, then flow impediments can be removed effectively, but power loss during transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow assuranceVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs fiber optic cables with specific optical properties to transmit laser energy over long distances while minimizing power loss. The system uses high power lasers with wavelengths optimized for transmission through the fiber medium, changing the physical parameters of energy transmission to maintain efficiency over distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical methods of flow assurance (such as chemical injection or mechanical cleaning) with optical energy transmission. By using fiber optic cables to deliver laser energy to the borehole, the system eliminates the need for physical contact or chemical substances, reducing energy loss associated with mechanical transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If high power laser beam is used to remove flow impediments, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but risk of damaging surrounding material increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses annular laser beam patterns that concentrate energy in specific zones around the borehole wall rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized energy delivery allows selective removal of flow impediments while preserving the surrounding tubular material, achieving effective cleaning without excessive damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs pulsed or intermittent laser delivery rather than continuous high power exposure. By delivering energy in controlled pulses, the system achieves effective cleaning through repeated thermal cycles while allowing heat dissipation between pulses, preventing cumulative damage to the surrounding material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Length of moving object

If laser beam power is increased to handle long distance transmission, then transmission capability improves, but power loss in cable increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission distanceVSAvoidcable power loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces fiber optic cables as an intermediary medium that efficiently couples laser energy from the surface to the borehole over long distances. These cables act as a bridge that maintains energy transmission efficiency, allowing high power delivery at the destination while minimizing losses in the transmission medium through optimized optical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively reduces asphaltene content, increases resin content, and mitigates hydrate formation, improving flow rates and reducing the likelihood of blockages, thus maintaining efficient material flow and extending equipment lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

perform laser and laser assisted operations, such as cleaning, removing, ablating, fracturing, treating, melting, cleaving

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS11060378B2High power laser flow assurance systems, tools and methods

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 FORO ENERGY INC

AI summary

A high power laser system for providing laser beams in various laser beam patterns along a laser beam path that is positioned to provide for the in situ laser processing of materials in tubulars, such as pipes in a hydrocarbon producing well. Laser treating for providing flow assurance by direct and indirect laser processing of materials interfering with flow.