Hybrid Laser-Acid Wellbore Tool for Controlled Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wellbore stimulation methods, such as shaped charges and hydraulic fracturing, cause damage to formations, lack control over geometry and direction, and pose environmental and safety concerns, while drilling through hard formations is difficult, slow, and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid tool utilizing high-power laser energy transmitted via optical media to drill, perforate, and orient itself within a wellbore, combining acid stimulation with laser technology to create controlled fractures and penetrate various rock formations without the need for frequent bit replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shaped charges are used to perforate the casing and formation, then perforation is achieved, but formation damage occurs and permeability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical explosion-based shaped charge system with a laser-based thermal system. The laser beam delivers energy to the formation through optical fibers, heating and vaporizing rock material to create perforations without mechanical impact. This substitution eliminates the formation damage caused by high-velocity impact and fine particle generation while maintaining effective perforation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the perforation process by using controlled laser energy delivery instead of explosive force. By adjusting laser power, pulse duration, and scanning patterns, the system achieves clean perforations with minimal formation damage, contrasting with the fixed high-energy impact parameters of shaped charges.
2Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is used to create fracture networks, then production is enhanced, but formation damage and environmental harm occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-pressure hydraulic fracturing mechanism with a laser-induced thermal fracturing system. The laser heats the formation to create controlled fractures through thermal stress and vaporization, eliminating the need for water-based fracturing fluids. This approach enhances productivity through clean fracture creation without formation damage or environmental contamination from chemicals and water disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of rock material through controlled laser heating. The laser energy causes localized melting and vaporization of formation materials, creating clean fracture surfaces and pathways. This thermal phase transition mechanism replaces the mechanical forcing approach of hydraulic fracturing, achieving fracture creation without fluid injection damage.
3Reliability
If conventional mechanical drilling is used to drill through hard formations, then hole creation is achieved, but the process is slow and expensive due to frequent bit replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical rotary drilling with a laser-based drilling system. The laser beam, transmitted through optical fibers to the downhole location, directly vaporizes and removes rock material through thermal energy. This eliminates the need for mechanical drill bits that wear out and require frequent replacement, dramatically increasing drilling speed and reducing operational costs while maintaining reliable hole creation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous drilling operation by using laser energy delivered through flexible optical fibers that can be fed continuously down the wellbore. Unlike mechanical drill bits that must be pulled out and replaced when worn, the laser system can maintain continuous energy delivery and drilling action, eliminating non-productive time for bit changes and significantly improving overall drilling 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
Enables efficient and controlled drilling through hard formations, reducing damage and environmental impact, with the ability to penetrate various rock types and maintain production by creating non-damaged, clean holes with precise control over the drilling process.
Implementation Method 1
the current state of the art in laser technology can be used to tackle these challenges. Generally, because a laser provides thermal input, it will break the bonds and cementation between particles and simply push them out of the way
Implementation Method 2
with the power conveyed via optical transmission media, such as fiber optic cables, down the wellbore to a downhole target via a laser tool
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to systems and methods for stimulating hydrocarbon bearing rock formations using a downhole hybrid tool for discharging a fracturing solution to a wellbore in the formation and for delivering an output laser beams to the rock formation.