High-Power Laser Well Decommissioning for Rock-to-Rock Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing and decommissioning damaged or obstructed subsea structures, such as wells and pipelines, are inadequate, especially in difficult-to-access harsh environments, due to health, safety, and environmental concerns, and lack the ability to effectively address damaged or collapsed casing issues.
Innovation Solution
A high power laser system and tool are used to deliver a high power laser beam in a predetermined pattern to volumetrically remove material in a borehole, forming a plugging material channel that can extend through the borehole wall and into the surrounding formation, enabling a rock-to-rock seal when filled with plugging material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to remove and decommission damaged subsea structures, then the structures can be removed, but health, safety, and environmental concerns arise and difficult-to-access damaged or collapsed casing issues cannot be effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical decommissioning methods (such as mechanical cutters, grinders, and removal tools) with a high power laser system. The laser beam delivers energy to volumetrically remove material in the borehole, including damaged casing and obstructions, without requiring physical contact or mechanical force. This substitution eliminates the safety hazards and environmental concerns associated with mechanical methods while operating in difficult-to-access harsh subsea environments.
2Productivity
If high power laser beam is used to volumetrically remove material in borehole, then precise and efficient cutting and plugging is achieved, but complex equipment and high energy consumption are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes high power laser beam parameters (intensity, duration, pulse frequency) to volumetrically remove material through controlled ablation. By adjusting laser parameters such as power level, pulse duration, and scanning pattern, the system achieves efficient cutting and plugging of damaged wells while managing energy consumption. The predetermined laser beam pattern optimizes material removal rate versus energy input.
3Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to address damaged or collapsed casing, then some removal may be achieved, but the ability to effectively access and treat difficult-to-access locations is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a high power laser beam as an intermediary energy carrier that can penetrate and act upon damaged casing and obstructions in difficult-to-access locations. The laser beam delivers energy through the borehole medium to volumetrically remove material including collapsed casing, without requiring physical access or mechanical intervention. This intermediary energy transmission enables reliable decommissioning in previously inaccessible harsh subsea environments.
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 method allows for safe, controlled, and reliable cutting and plugging of damaged wells and structures, overcoming previous limitations by providing a precise and efficient means to open and decommission complex, damaged, or obstructed environments, ensuring a rock-to-rock seal and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a high power laser beam from the high power laser tool in a predetermined pattern to the borehole, whereby the laser beam volumetrically removes material in the borehole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
High power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these tools and systems for opening up damaged wells and for cutting, sectioning and removing structures objects, and materials, and in particular, for doing so in difficult to access locations and environments, such as offshore, underwater, or in hazardous environments, such as nuclear and chemical facilities. And, high power laser systems, high power laser tools, and methods of using these systems and tools for providing rock-to-rock plugs for decommissioning of wells.