Laser Perforating Tools for Low-Damage Wellbore Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional explosive-based perforating guns cause damage to the formation, leading to reduced permeability and ineffective fluid communication between hydrocarbon reservoirs and well bores, and hydraulic fracturing methods face environmental and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
High power laser tools are used to create precise and customized laser perforations and fracturing patterns tailored to geological features, enhancing fluid communication by delivering laser energy to predetermined locations within the formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explosive-based perforating guns are used, then perforation is achieved, but formation damage occurs leading to reduced permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical explosive-based perforating system with a laser-based system. The laser beam delivers energy to the formation through optical fibers, creating perforations without the mechanical shock and formation damage associated with explosive charges. This substitution of the physical mechanism resolves the contradiction by achieving perforation effectiveness while eliminating formation damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fibers as an intermediary to deliver laser energy to the formation. The optical fiber acts as a mediator that transmits high-power laser energy from the surface equipment to the downhole perforation point, enabling precise energy delivery without direct contact with the formation, thus avoiding formation damage while achieving effective perforation.
2Productivity
If conventional hydraulic fracturing is used, then fluid communication is enhanced, but environmental and operational challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional hydraulic fracturing methods with laser-induced fracturing. Instead of using high-pressure fluid injection to create fractures, the system uses focused laser energy to directly create fractures and enhance fluid communication pathways in the formation, thereby improving productivity while reducing environmental impact from large volumes of fracturing fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for fracturing from hydraulic pressure to laser energy density. By controlling the laser power, pulse duration, and focal point, the system creates precise fractures in the formation without requiring the large volumes of fluid and high pressures associated with conventional hydraulic fracturing, thus reducing environmental impact while maintaining productivity enhancement.
3Measurement precision
If laser energy is delivered to great distances, then precise perforation is achieved, but substantial power loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical fibers as intermediaries to deliver laser energy over long distances with minimal power loss. The optical fiber acts as an efficient transmission medium that guides the laser beam from the surface to the downhole location, maintaining high energy delivery efficiency even at great distances, thus enabling precise perforation without substantial power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the laser wavelength and optical fiber characteristics to minimize attenuation over long transmission distances. By selecting appropriate laser wavelengths that match the transmission characteristics of the optical fiber and adjusting the power delivery parameters, the system achieves efficient energy transmission to great depths while maintaining perforation precision.
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 laser-based approach minimizes formation damage, increases fluid communication, and improves safety and efficiency compared to explosive methods, while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
High power laser tools are used to create precise and customized laser perforations and fracturing patterns
Implementation Method 2
the laser beam and laser perforating process can be controlled or operated in a manner that maintains and enhances the porosity, openness and structure of the inner surface of the perforation
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided high power laser perforating tools and methods of delivering laser energy patterns that enhance the flow of energy sources, such as hydrocarbons, from a formation into a production tubing or collection system. These tools and methods precisely deliver predetermined laser beam energy patterns, to provide for custom geometries in a formation. The patterns and geometries are tailored and customized to the particular geological and structural features of a formation and reservoir.