Abstract:
A method of geothermal energy production can include injecting water into a formation, and then automatically decreasing resistance to flow through at least one valve in response to the water changing phase in the formation. A geothermal well system can include a tubular string disposed in a production wellbore, the tubular string including at least one valve, water which flows from an injection wellbore into a formation surrounding the wellbore, and then flows from the formation into the production wellbore as steam, and resistance to flow through the valve decreasing automatically in response to presence of the steam in the production wellbore. Another method of geothermal energy production can include injecting water into a formation from an injection wellbore, the water changing phase in the formation, and then automatically decreasing resistance to fluid flow through at least one valve in response to presence of steam in a production wellbore.
Abstract:
A method of producing liquid hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the liquid hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a bubble point curve from a liquid phase side thereof. A method of producing gaseous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the gaseous hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a hydrocarbon gas condensate saturation curve from a gaseous phase side thereof.
Abstract:
A method of generating steam by moving at least a portion of an electrically conductive fluid body along a curved path, passing an electrical current through at least a portion of the fluid body that is moving along the curved path, and vaporizing at least a portion of the fluid body. A steam generating apparatus ( 300 ) having a first hydrocyclone ( 302 ) configured to promote a rotational kinetic characteristic of a fluid body introduced into the first hydrocyclone and a plurality of electrodes ( 312, 314 ) configured to deliver an electrical current to the fluid body. A method of servicing a wellbore by providing a fluid body with rotational kinetic characteristics, passing an electrical current through the fluid body to heat the fluid body, converting liquid of the fluid body to vapor, and delivering the vapor to the wellbore.
Abstract:
A device 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 has a first elongate tubular body 204, 304, 404, 504, 604 and a second elongate tubular body 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 coupled to the first tubular body, both adapted to reside in the wellbore 112, 114, 116. The device is changeable between the first tubular body axially fixed against movement in a first direction relative to the second tubular body and axially moveable in the first direction relative to the second elongate tubular body in response to temperature.
Abstract:
A system for treating a subterranean zone (50) includes a combustion driven compressor (340) in communication with a supply of a component of a combustion mixture. The compressor (340) is configured to compress the component of the combustion mixture and has a combustion exhaust (410). A source of treatment fluid (420) for treating the subterranean zone is coupled to the combustion exhaust (410) to supply the treatment fluid in heat transfer communication with the combustion exhaust. In certain instances, compressor (340) is driven by combusting the combustion mixture. In certain instances, the combustion mixture combusted in separate combustor.
Abstract:
A well tool can comprise a fluid input, a fluid output and a fluidic oscillator which produces oscillations in a fluid which flows from the input to the output. The fluidic oscillator can include a vortex chamber with inlets, whereby fluid enters the vortex chamber alternately via the inlets, the inlets being configured so that the fluid enters the vortex chamber in different directions via the respective inlets, and a fluid switch which directs the fluid alternately toward different flow paths in response to pressure differentials between feedback fluid paths. The feedback fluid paths may be connected to the vortex chamber. The flow paths may cross each other between the fluid switch and the outlet.
Abstract:
A method of generating steam by moving at least a portion of an electrically conductive fluid body along a curved path, passing an electrical current through at least a portion of the fluid body that is moving along the curved path, and vaporizing at least a portion of the fluid body. A steam generating apparatus having a first hydrocyclone configured to promote a rotational kinetic characteristic of a fluid body introduced into the first hydrocyclone and a plurality of electrodes configured to deliver an electrical current to the fluid body. A method of servicing a wellbore by providing a fluid body with rotational kinetic characteristics, passing an electrical current through the fluid body to heat the fluid body, converting liquid of the fluid body to vapor, and delivering the vapor to the wellbore.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for thermal recovery of shallow bitumen using increased permeability inclusions. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes the steps of : propagating at least one generally planar inclusion outward from a wellbore into the formation; injecting a fluid into the inclusion, thereby heating the hydrocarbons; and during the injecting step, producing the hydrocarbons from the wellbore. A well system includes at least one generally planar inclusion extending outward from a wellbore into a formation; a fluid injected into the inclusion, hydrocarbons being heated as a result of the injected fluid; and a tubular string through which the hydrocarbons are produced, the tubular string extending to a location in the wellbore below the inclusion, and the hydrocarbons being received into the tubular string at that location.
Abstract:
A system for treating a subterranean zone (50) includes a combustion driven compressor (340) in communication with a supply of a component of a combustion mixture. The compressor (340) is configured to compress the component of the combustion mixture and has a combustion exhaust. A source of treatment fluid for treating the subterranean zone is coupled to the combustion exhaust to supply the treatment fluid in heat transfer communication with the combustion exhaust. In certain instances, compressor (340) is driven by combusting the combustion mixture. In certain instances, the combustion mixture is combusted in separate combustor.
Abstract:
A subterranean zone 130 is treated by exothermically decomposing hydrogen peroxide in or near the subterranean zone 130. The decomposed hydrogen peroxide yields at least oxygen and heated water. The oxygen is combusted to further heat the heated water. The heated water is introduced into subterranean zone 130 to treat the subterranean zone 130. In certain instances, the heated water is heated to produce 100% quality steam. Additional water may be supplied for treating the subterranean zone 130, for example, by supplying the hydrogen peroxide in solution with water.