Ring electrode device and method for generating high-pressure pulses
First Claim
1. A method for generating high-pressure pulses in a dielectric medium to generate fractures in a subterranean reservoir, the method comprising:
- providing a wellbore in fluid communication with a producing zone of a hydrocarbon bearing formation;
positioning an electrode assembly within the wellbore in a dielectric medium, the electrode assembly having an assembly housing, the electrode assembly further having a first electrode positioned within and supported by the assembly housing and having a second electrode positioned within the assembly housing, the second electrode being disposed radially outward from the first electrode such that a gap is defined therebetween; and
delivering an electric current pulse to the electrode assembly using a pulser, the electric current pulse having a length of time greater than 100 microseconds and maintaining a substantially constant current during the length of time of the electric current pulse, such that an electric arc is formed between the first electrode and second electrode, thereby producing a sufficient pressure pulse in the dielectric medium to induce or extend fractures in the hydrocarbon bearing formation, wherein delivering the electric current pulse to the electrode assembly comprises delivering at least 1 kilojoule of energy to the electrode assembly during the length of time of the electric current pulse, and wherein the pulser further comprises a pulse-forming network including a plurality of capacitors arranged in parallel and a plurality of inductors arranged in series.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, and electrode assembly are disclosed that maximizes the lifetime of electrodes for high energy electrical discharges in water by arranging the electrodes in concentric rings or a stack of concentric rings. The radii and the thickness of the ring electrodes are optimized for electrical reliability, low jitter, and minimal erosion. In one embodiment, the electrode assembly is configured to be disposed in a subterranean dielectric medium, receive an electric current pulse having a length of time greater than 100 microseconds, and form an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby producing a pressure pulse axially away from the insulator.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for generating high-pressure pulses in a dielectric medium to generate fractures in a subterranean reservoir, the method comprising:
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providing a wellbore in fluid communication with a producing zone of a hydrocarbon bearing formation; positioning an electrode assembly within the wellbore in a dielectric medium, the electrode assembly having an assembly housing, the electrode assembly further having a first electrode positioned within and supported by the assembly housing and having a second electrode positioned within the assembly housing, the second electrode being disposed radially outward from the first electrode such that a gap is defined therebetween; and delivering an electric current pulse to the electrode assembly using a pulser, the electric current pulse having a length of time greater than 100 microseconds and maintaining a substantially constant current during the length of time of the electric current pulse, such that an electric arc is formed between the first electrode and second electrode, thereby producing a sufficient pressure pulse in the dielectric medium to induce or extend fractures in the hydrocarbon bearing formation, wherein delivering the electric current pulse to the electrode assembly comprises delivering at least 1 kilojoule of energy to the electrode assembly during the length of time of the electric current pulse, and wherein the pulser further comprises a pulse-forming network including a plurality of capacitors arranged in parallel and a plurality of inductors arranged in series. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for generating high-pressure pulses in a dielectric medium to generate fractures in a subterranean reservoir, the system comprising:
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an electrode assembly configured to be disposed within a wellbore in a dielectric medium, the electrode assembly having an assembly housing, the electrode assembly further having a first electrode positioned within and supported by the assembly housing at a proximate end and having a second electrode positioned within the assembly housing, the second electrode being disposed radially outward from the first electrode such that a gap is defined therebetween, wherein the wellbore is in fluid communication with a producing zone of a hydrocarbon bearing formation; and a pulser configured to deliver an electric current pulse to the electrode assembly, the electric current pulse having a length of time greater than 100 microseconds and maintaining a substantially constant current during the length of time of the electric current pulse, to form an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby producing a pressure pulse in the dielectric medium to induce or extend fractures in the hydrocarbon bearing formation, wherein the pulser delivers the electric current pulse to the electrode assembly at an energy level of at least 1 kilojoule, and wherein the pulser further comprises a pulse-forming network including a plurality of capacitors arranged in parallel and a plurality of inductors arranged in series. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An electrode assembly for generating high-pressure pulses in a dielectric medium, the electrode assembly comprising:
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an assembly housing having a proximate end and a distal end; a first electrode positioned within and supported by the assembly housing at the proximate end; a second electrode positioned within the assembly housing at the proximate end radially inward from the first electrode such that a radial gap is defined therebetween; and an insulator positioned within the assembly at the distal end to electrically insulate the first electrode and the second electrode; wherein the electrode assembly is configured to be disposed in a dielectric medium, receive an electric current pulse from a pulser having a length of time greater than 100 microseconds and maintaining a substantially constant current during the length of time of the electric current pulse, and form an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby producing a pressure pulse axially away from the insulator, wherein the pulser further comprises a pulse-forming network including a plurality of capacitors arranged in parallel and a plurality of inductors arranged in series. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification