Wellbore Laser Tool Sealing Low-Absorption Fluid for Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser ablation tools in wellbores face inefficiencies due to high optical absorption of wellbore fluids, limiting laser beam propagation and energy delivery to the ablation surface.
Innovation Solution
A laser tool with a packer forms a seal and encloses a laser head in a fluid with lower optical absorption, creating a volume that extends laser propagation and reduces heat transfer, using gases like nitrogen to enhance energy delivery and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a laser beam propagates through wellbore fluids, then the laser can reach the ablation surface, but the optical absorption of the fluids limits the propagation distance and power delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid with lower optical absorption properties as an intermediary medium between the laser source and the wellbore fluids. This intermediary fluid allows the laser beam to propagate with reduced energy loss, effectively extending the propagation distance while maintaining laser power for ablation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical absorption parameter of the intervening fluid by selecting a fluid with specifically lower optical absorption characteristics at the laser wavelength. This parameter change enables improved laser energy transmission through the wellbore environment.
2Productivity
If wellbore fluids are present around the laser head, then the laser tool can operate in the wellbore environment, but heat generated by laser absorption in the fluids reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The low optical absorption fluid acts as a thermal intermediary that reduces heat generation around the laser head by minimizing laser energy absorption in the intervening medium. This maintains lower temperatures and improves overall laser tool efficiency.
3Power
If the laser beam travels through wellbore fluids, then material ablation can occur, but the absorbed power reduces the power available at the ablation surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical absorption parameter of the fluid medium to a lower value, which directly reduces the power loss during laser beam propagation. This ensures that more laser power reaches the ablation surface for effective material removal.
4Reliability
If a packer is used to seal the wellbore around the laser tool, then fluid control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packer serves as a mechanical intermediary that creates a sealed environment around the laser tool. This seal allows precise control of the low optical absorption fluid in the annulus, improving reliability while the modular packer design helps manage the overall device complexity.
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 improves laser tool efficiency by increasing propagation distance and power at the ablation surface, reducing heat generation, and maintaining operational control through fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
Laser ablation is a process useful for removing material from a solid or liquid surface by focusing laser energy onto the surface. The laser energy heats the surface and evaporates or sublimates the liquid or solid.
Implementation Method 2
The laser energy heats the surface and evaporates or sublimates the liquid or solid.
Implementation Method 3
The laser energy heats the surface and evaporates or sublimates the liquid or solid.
Implementation Method 4
The laser tool is fluidly coupled to a supply of fluid having a lower optical absorption at a wavelength of the laser source than an optical absorption of fluids in the wellbore.
Implementation Method 5
The packer prevents the volume of fluid from rising away from the laser head due to buoyancy forces.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include a laser tool for ablating solid materials in a wellbore. The laser tool includes a housing having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a laser head attached to a side of the housing between the first end and the second end. The laser head is optically coupled to a laser source and includes optical elements configured to focus a laser beam to ablate the solid materials. The laser tool includes a packer adjacent to the first end of the housing configured to form a seal between the housing and interior surfaces of the wellbore; and a fluid having a lower optical absorption at a wavelength of the laser source than an optical absorption of fluids in the wellbore, the fluid configured to surround the laser head, contact the packer, and permit the laser beam to propagate to ablate the solid materials.