Abstract:
The present application relates to compositions and methods for enhancing fracturing operation. In some embodiments, the present application includes compositions and methods that are used to minimize clustering of proppants or introduce proppants into narrow fractures. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods involve magnetic proppants.
Abstract:
Tools, processes, and systems for in-situ fluid characterization based on a thermal response of a fluid are provided. The thermal response of a downhole fluid may be measured using a downhole thermal response tool and compared with thermal responses associated with known fluids. The properties of the downhole fluid, such as heat capacity, diffusivity, and thermal conductivity, may be determined by matching the thermal response of the downhole fluid with a thermal response of a known fluid and using the properties associated with the known fluid. The composition of the downhole fluid may be determined by matching the viscosity of the downhole fluid to the viscosity of known fluid. A downhole thermal response tool for cased wellbores or wellbore sections and a downhole thermal response tool for openhole wellbores or wellbore sections are provided.
Abstract:
An example laser tool is configured to operate within a wellbore of a hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. The tool includes one or more optical transmission media. The one or more optical transmission media are part of an optical path originating at a laser generator configured to generate a laser beam. The one or more optical transmission media are for passing the laser beam. The tool includes a mono-optic element that is part of the optical path. The mono-optic element is for receiving the laser beam from the one or more optical transmission media and for altering at least one of a geometry or a direction of the laser beam for output to the hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. The tool also includes one or more sensors to monitor one or more conditions in the wellbore and to output signals based on the one or more conditions.
Abstract:
An example system includes a generator to generate electromagnetic (EM) signals, and a rotational device having multiple sides. The rotational device includes an antenna to direct the EM signals to a formation to increase a temperature of the formation from a first temperature to a second temperature. The antenna is on a first side of the multiple sides. A purging system is configured to apply a cooling agent to the formation to cause the temperature of the formation to decrease from the second temperature to a third temperature thereby creating fractures in the formation. The purging system is on a second side of the multiple sides.
Abstract:
A system for fracturing a formation comprising a laser surface unit configured to generate a laser beam, a power cable electrically connected to a power source, a fluid line connected to a cooling fluid source, a protective shaft extending into the wellbore, the motor configured to rotate a motor shaft, and the thermal shocking tool comprising a protective case, a rotational shaft connected to the motor shaft, the laser delivery device extending from the rotational shaft configured to transform the laser beam to a focused laser beam operable to increase the temperature of the formation to a fracture temperature, and the cooling system extending from the rotational shaft opposite the laser delivery device configured to introduce the cooling fluid stream onto the formation such that the cooling fluid stream reduces the temperature of the formation such that thermal shocks occur and fractures are formed in the formation.
Abstract:
A laser-jet apparatus for creating a penetration through a stress region adjacent to a wellbore includes an outer tool housing, the outer tool housing having a housing central bore. A laser assembly includes a lens case with an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the housing central bore, defining an annular passage between the outer tool housing and the lens case. A focusing lens and a collimating lens are located within the lens case. The focusing lens is shaped to control the divergence of a laser beam and the collimating lens is shaped to fix the diameter of the laser beam. A jet fluid path is located in the annular passage, the jet fluid path shaped to merge jet fluid with the laser beam. The outer tool housing has a frusto-conical tip for directing the combined jet fluid and laser beam to the stress region.
Abstract:
The disclosure provides a downhole tool, and method of using the downhole tool, for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation. A method for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation includes placing a downhole tool in a first wellbore. The downhole tool has an outer core having at least one ceramic portion and at least one electromagnetic antenna located within the outer core. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the at least one electromagnetic antenna to heat the at least one ceramic portion.
Abstract:
A tool for trimming an interior surface in a wellbore includes a jacket configured to be mounted at an external surface of a main body. The jacket includes a proximal end and a distal end, and also includes two or more mutually detachable portions. One or more fiberoptic cables extend to the distal end of the jacket and produce a ring-shaped laser beam for trimming the interior surface in the wellbore. A related method includes: mounting a jacket at an external surface of a main body, wherein the jacket includes two or more mutually detachable portions; extending one or more fiberoptic cables to a distal end of the jacket; deploying the main body and the jacket into a wellbore; via the one or more fiberoptic cables, producing a ring-shaped laser beam; and via the ring-shaped laser beam, trimming an interior surface in the wellbore.
Abstract:
A heater includes an energy source, a heating element connected to the energy source via an electric heating cable, a moisture collector positioned proximate a first axial side of the heating element, and a housing holding the heating element and the moisture collector in an axially spaced apart configuration. The moisture collector includes a wall and a filament opening encircled by and defined by the wall.
Abstract:
In one aspect, a downhole laser tool includes: a laser unit including a laser that generates a laser beam in a downhole environment of a well; a first segment including one or more lenses of the first segment, a first retractable reflector, and a first aperture, wherein the one or more lenses of the first segment and the first retractable reflector guide the laser beam to the first aperture that passes the laser beam to the downhole environment; and a first rotational joint, disposed between the laser unit and the first segment, that connects the laser unit to the first segment and rotates the first segment. The laser unit, the first rotational joint, and the first segment are disposed longitudinally along the well. During operation of the downhole laser tool, the laser unit, the first rotational joint, and the first segment navigate in the downhole environment as one integral tool.