Geothermal Well Completion Technology Using High Power Laser Device

Abstract

Our research team has developed an economical and environmentally safe technology in subsurface laser drilling in Hungary. The high power laser device will utilize cutting-edge, underbalanced laser well completion and rework technology in fluid mining, including oil and gas as well as the geothermal industry. The system is comprised of a high power laser generator and a specially designed directional laser drilling head to form laterals from a vertical well. The laser head is attached to a coiled tubing or an umbilical system to maximize production and to carry out special jobs. The laser tool will superheat the subsurface formation, melt the target material and will remove the molten debris while the lateral borehole is being drilled. The technology allows the operator to adjust the permeability of the lateral borehole wall. Laser drilling complies with standard industry safety standards and rules and fits into existing drilling equipment and offers an in-situ, real-time fully controlled procedure with video and spectroscopy feedback to the operator, with no wearing parts, no chemicals and low maintenance while maintaining formation integrity and environmental safety. In this phase of the development effort the laser technology is especially well suited for economically drilling short laterals from existing wells in a single work phase, drilling through the casing, cement and the formation as well, with one tool in and out. Elements of the technology are patent pending. The pilot laser head has been built and a series of laboratory investigations have been completed. Measurements indicate that this innovative new technology will help save reservoir integrity and will increase drainage area resulting in low pressure gradient both in production and in injection wells.