Method for forming high efficiency geothermal wellbores

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geothermal wellbore technologies face challenges in maintaining permeability, well geometries, and multilateral efficiencies, leading to reduced energy recovery due to formation damage, drilling fluid interference, and the need for costly and complex casing and junctions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving chemical, mechanical, and biological mechanisms to induce irreversible formation damage, forming an impermeable interface between the wellbore and formation using alkali-silicate drilling fluids, followed by chemical treatments to maintain seal integrity and adapt to geological conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional drilling methods are used, then wellbores can be created, but formation damage occurs due to fines migration and permeability reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewellbore creationVSAvoidformation permeability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by treating the formation with chemicals before drilling operations commence. Specifically, formation treatment with permeability enhancement agents is performed in advance to prevent fines migration and permeability reduction that would otherwise occur during subsequent drilling and production activities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of drilling fluids and formation stresses into beneficial outcomes by using chemical treatments that induce controlled formation damage to create impermeable barriers, thereby protecting the productive zones from actual formation damage while maintaining drilling operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If casing and junctions are installed to maintain well integrity, then wellbore stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewellbore integrityVSAvoidcasing and junction structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by using chemical treatments that enable the formation itself to maintain wellbore integrity. The chemical barriers and impermeable interfaces created in the formation act as natural containment structures, eliminating the need for external casing and mechanical junctions to maintain wellbore stability and fluid containment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of casing and cement with a chemical system. Chemical barriers, gels, and impermeable interfaces are used to provide wellbore containment and stability, substituting chemical mechanisms for traditional mechanical well construction components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If formation permeability is maintained for fluid flow, then energy recovery is improved, but formation damage from fines migration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy recoveryVSAvoidformation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful fines migration process into a beneficial barrier formation process. Chemical treatments induce controlled precipitation and gelation that create impermeable barriers, transforming what would be harmful permeability reduction into a protective mechanism that prevents further formation damage while maintaining productivity in treated zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 geothermal heat recovery with reduced drilling costs and maintenance, allowing for closed-loop systems without casings, and adaptable to varying geological conditions.

Implementation Method 1

forming an impermeable interface between the wellbore and formation using alkali-silicate drilling fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

chemical treatments to maintain seal integrity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS12560049B2Method for forming high efficiency geothermal wellbores

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 EAVOR TECH INC

AI summary

Wellbore synthesis techniques are disclosed suitable for use in geothermal applications. Embodiments are provided where open hole drilled wellbores are sealed while drilling to form an impervious layer at the wellbore/formation interface. The techniques may be chemical, thermal, mechanical, biological and are fully intended to irreversibly damage the formation in terms of the permeability thereof. With the permeability negated, the wellbore may be used to create a closed loop surface to surface geothermal well operable in the absence of well casing for maximizing thermal transfer to a circulating working fluid. Formulations for the working and drilling fluids are disclosed.