Downhole Laser Tool Beam Steering for Wellbore Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser tools for downhole operations lack the capability to efficiently rotate and tilt within wellbores to effectively expand or alter the shape of wellbores, particularly for accessing hydrocarbon deposits and separating hydrocarbons from water, while existing systems often require complex and inefficient methods to manage wellbore geometry and fluid separation.
Innovation Solution
A laser tool system with an optical assembly that shapes a high-power laser beam, allowing for rotation and tilting of the housing to direct the beam within the wellbore, combined with a control system to manage movement and optical operations, enabling focused, collimated, or spread beams for ablating rock and forming inclined wellbores to enhance hydrocarbon extraction and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a laser tool is used to output a laser beam for extending or expanding a wellbore, then the wellbore can be extended to access hydrocarbon deposits, but the laser tool lacks the capability to efficiently rotate and tilt within the wellbore to effectively expand or alter the shape of wellbores
Solution Approach 1:
The laser tool incorporates a rotation mechanism with a rotation motor and a tilting mechanism with a tilting motor, allowing the tool to dynamically adjust its orientation and rotation within the wellbore. This enables the laser beam to be directed at different angles and positions to effectively expand or alter the shape of wellbores for accessing hydrocarbon deposits
Solution Approach 2:
The laser tool is designed with multiple functions including extending wellbores, expanding wellbores, altering wellbore shapes, and separating hydrocarbons from water. The housing can rotate around the longitudinal axis and tilt relative to the wellbore axis, providing versatile capabilities for various downhole operations
2Productivity
If existing systems use complex methods to manage wellbore geometry and fluid separation, then wellbore expansion is achieved, but operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The laser tool combines the laser beam generation, rotation mechanism, tilting mechanism, and control system into a single integrated housing. This merging of functions into one tool eliminates the need for multiple separate systems, thereby improving operational efficiency while achieving wellbore expansion and fluid separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical wellbore expansion methods with a laser-based system. The high-power laser beam (at least 1 kW) directly ablates rock to extend and expand wellbores, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical drilling and expansion equipment, thus improving productivity
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 enables efficient expansion of wellbores, separation of hydrocarbons from water, and increased pump efficiency by creating voids and inclined paths within the wellbore, improving hydrocarbon extraction and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A laser tool may be used to output a laser beam within a wellbore
Implementation Method 2
The first lens may be a focusing lens to focus the laser beam
Implementation Method 3
The second lens may be a collimating lens to receive the laser beam from the focusing lens and to collimate the laser beam
Implementation Method 4
The second lens may be a diverging lens to receive the laser beam from the focusing lens and to cause the laser beam to spread
Implementation Method 5
Heat from the laser beam breaks or sublimates rock or other structures that form the wall
Implementation Method 6
Heat from the laser beam breaks or sublimates rock or other structures that form the wall
Implementation Method 7
Heat from the laser beam breaks or sublimates rock or other structures that form the wall
Data Source
AI summary
An example system includes a laser tool configured for downhole movement. The laser tool includes an optical assembly configured to shape a laser beam for output. The laser beam may have an optical power of at least one kilowatt (1 kW). A housing contains the optical assembly. The housing is configured for movement to direct the output laser beam within a wellbore. The movement includes rotation of the laser tool around a longitudinal axis of the housing and tilting the housing relative to a longitudinal axis of the wellbore. A control system is configured to control at least one of the movement of the housing or an operation of the optical assembly to direct the output laser beam within the wellbore.