Laser Stimulation Tool Using Activating Agents for Reflective Formations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wellbore stimulation methods using high power lasers often fail to achieve sufficient temperature increases in formations with low laser energy absorption, as brighter colored surfaces reflect incident laser light, limiting the effectiveness of wellbore production enhancement.
Innovation Solution
A drilling tool and method that employs an activating agent with high optical absorption properties, such as activated carbon, graphite, or dye, is applied to the formation surface before laser treatment, enhancing energy absorption and temperature increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high power laser is applied to the formation, then the laser beam can be transmitted to the downhole location, but the formation with low laser energy absorption (brighter colored surfaces) reflects incident laser light, resulting in insufficient temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The activating agent is applied to the formation surface before laser treatment to pre-condition the surface for enhanced laser energy absorption. This preliminary action converts the reflective surface into an absorptive one, ensuring that when the laser beam is subsequently applied, the formation absorbs sufficient energy to achieve the required temperature increases for wellbore stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The activating agent changes the optical properties of the formation surface by introducing materials with high optical absorption characteristics. This color/reflectivity change transforms the bright, reflective formation surface into a dark, absorptive surface that efficiently captures laser energy, directly resolving the energy reflection problem while enabling sufficient temperature increases.
2Temperature
If activating agent is applied to enhance energy absorption, then temperature increase is improved, but additional equipment and materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
The activating agent conduit and nozzle system serves multiple functions: it delivers the activating agent to the formation surface, controls the application pattern, and can be integrated with the existing laser tool architecture. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced temperature results.
Solution Approach 2:
The activating agent acts as an intermediary substance between the laser energy source and the formation. It mediates the energy transfer process by absorbing laser energy and converting it to thermal energy, which is then transferred to the formation. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system design compared to directly modifying the laser source or formation, as it uses a simple material application to achieve complex energy interaction.
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 use of activating agents significantly increases the maximum temperature achieved in formations, improving wellbore production by enhancing laser energy absorption and maintaining higher temperatures for longer durations, as demonstrated by experimental results showing increased heated areas and temperatures compared to untreated samples.
Implementation Method 1
the activating agent may increase energy absorption of the portion of the area of the formation when lased
Implementation Method 2
a laser surface unit excites energy to a level above the sublimation point of a hydrocarbon bearing formation to form a high power laser beam
Implementation Method 3
the high power laser beam is discharged from the transformer to ablate the intended hydrocarbon bearing formation
Data Source
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AI summary
Some embodiments may be directed to a drilling tool (1) for drilling in a formation (3). This drilling tool 1 may include an optical fiber (15) having a laser input end (23) and a laser output end 25 and a laser source (13) optically connected to the laser input end (23). Further, the drilling tool (1) may include an activating agent conduit 9 having an activating agent inlet (17) and an activating agent outlet (19) and an activating agent source (7) connected to the activating agent inlet (17) that supplies an activating agent. Finally, the drilling tool (1) may include a drill head (11). In some embodiments, the drill head (11) may include a nozzle (21) connected to the activating agent outlet (19) that discharges the activating agent on an area (17) of the formation (3), and a laser head (27) optically connected to the laser output end (25) and arranged to lase at least a portion of the area (17) of the formation (3) having the activating agent.