Telescoping Laser Head With Purging Pathway for Deep Perforation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser perforation methods in oil and gas wellbores face significant laser power loss due to absorption and dissipation in wellbore fluids, especially when traversing long distances, making them inefficient for deep perforations.

Innovation Solution

A slim laser subsurface tool with a telescoping laser head and purging nozzles is used, which reduces clearance between the tool and the target layer, minimizing laser beam exposure to debris and unfavorable optical environments, and employs a purging fluid to maintain an optimal transmission path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If laser beam travels through wellbore fluid over long distances, then perforation depth is increased, but laser power loss increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperforation depthVSAvoidlaser power loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A telescoping purging gas system is introduced as an intermediary medium between the laser source and the target formation. The system extends purging gas nozzles closer to the target layer, creating a localized gas-filled pathway that mediates laser transmission. This intermediary gas barrier reduces laser power absorption and scattering by wellbore fluids over long distances, enabling deep perforation while maintaining laser power delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If purging fluid pumping rate is increased to maintain laser power, then laser power loss is reduced, but fluid consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser power lossVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The purging gas system is segmented into multiple extendable nozzle sections that can be independently positioned. Instead of requiring high pumping rates throughout the entire wellbore, the segmented nozzle system creates localized purging zones at critical points along the laser path. This segmentation reduces overall fluid consumption and simplifies pumping requirements while maintaining laser power delivery to deep targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The purging gas nozzles are designed with dynamic extension capability, allowing the purging pathway to be extended or retracted based on the required perforation depth. As the laser needs to reach deeper targets, the purging nozzles extend accordingly, dynamically adapting the purging pathway length. This dynamic adjustment optimizes laser power delivery without requiring continuously high pumping rates, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional laser head design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but laser beam exposure to debris and unfavorable optical environments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidlaser beam exposure to debris

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The telescoping purging gas nozzles are nested within the laser head assembly, with multiple nozzle sections contained within each other in a compact configuration. When extended, these nested sections form a long purging pathway without requiring a proportionally large increase in overall device diameter. This nesting approach maintains relative device simplicity while providing extended protection against debris and unfavorable optical environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 system effectively reduces laser power loss and dissipation, enabling efficient perforation at deeper depths with lower purging fluid requirements, allowing access to smaller wellbore restrictions and maintaining laser beam integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the electromagnetic energy of the laser may be absorbed by the target layer. During absorption, the electromagnetic energy may be transformed into thermal energy such that the laser beam induces a temperature surge in the target layer, thereby melting and/or vaporizing the surface of the target layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic energy absorption and thermal transformation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a purging gas (commonly nitrogen) may be pumped in the path of the laser beam to cool the downhole components and to clear a pathway for the laser beam through any medium present within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12398625B1Telescoping laser system for subsurface perforation

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A system for performing subsurface laser perforation includes a tubing deployed within a wellbore including a target layer for perforation, the tubing in communication with a surface location, and a slim laser subsurface tool operatively coupled to the tubing, the laser subsurface tool including a body coupled to the tubing, a telescoping laser head disposed within the body and including a plurality of nested segments, a smallest of the plurality of nested segments defining an orifice at an output end of the telescoping laser head, and a lens supported by the smallest of the plurality of nested segments and covering the orifice at the output end.