Method and apparatus for generating high-pressure pulses in a subterranean dielectric medium
First Claim
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1. A method for generating high-pressure pulses in a subterranean dielectric medium, the method comprising:
- providing an electrode assembly in the 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, wherein the first and second electrodes of the electrode assembly are arranged in a radial configuration, with the first electrode disposed radially within a ring defined by the second electrode, and a radial gap between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode have a cylindrical shape, and wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode have an axial length of at least 10 millimeters; and
delivering a shaped electric current pulse from a pulser to the electrode assembly, the electric current pulse having a duration greater than 100 μ
s and maintaining a substantially constant current during the duration of the electric current pulse, such that an electric arc is formed between the first and second electrodes, and thereby producing a pressure pulse in the dielectric medium, 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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Abstract
An apparatus and method for generating high-pressure pulses in a subterranean dielectric medium are provided. The method includes providing an electrode assembly in the medium, the electrode assembly having first and second electrodes that define a gap therebetween. A shaped electric current pulse is delivered to the electrode assembly. The electric current pulse has a duration greater than 100 μs so that an electric arc is formed between the first and second electrodes, thereby producing a pressure pulse in the medium.
230 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for generating high-pressure pulses in a subterranean dielectric medium, the method comprising:
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providing an electrode assembly in the 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, wherein the first and second electrodes of the electrode assembly are arranged in a radial configuration, with the first electrode disposed radially within a ring defined by the second electrode, and a radial gap between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode have a cylindrical shape, and wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode have an axial length of at least 10 millimeters; and delivering a shaped electric current pulse from a pulser to the electrode assembly, the electric current pulse having a duration greater than 100 μ
s and maintaining a substantially constant current during the duration of the electric current pulse, such that an electric arc is formed between the first and second electrodes, and thereby producing a pressure pulse in the dielectric medium, 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)
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12. An apparatus for generating high-pressure pulses in a subterranean dielectric medium, the apparatus comprising:
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an electrode assembly configured to be disposed in the 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, wherein the first and second electrodes of the electrode assembly are arranged in a radial configuration, with the first electrode disposed radially within a ring defined by the second electrode, and a radial gap between the first and second electrodes, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode have a cylindrical shape, and wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode have an axial length of at least 10 millimeters; and a pulser configured to deliver a shaped electric current pulse to the electrode assembly, the electric current pulse having a duration greater than 100 μ
s and maintaining a substantially constant current during the duration of the electric current pulse, to form an electric arc between the first and second electrodes and thereby produce a pressure pulse in the dielectric medium, 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 (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification