Method and system for subsurface resource production

• US 10,641,073 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2015
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Chemistry Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Curlett IP LLC
• Inventors: Curlett, Harry Bailey
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay, Jennifer H
• Application Number:
  US15/115,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20170175505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,926 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 28/00 Vibration generating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for stimulating production for fishing for or freeing objects E21B31/005; for transmitting measuring-signals E21B47/14; for geophysical measurements G01V1/02
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/003 Vibrating earth formations
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/121 Lifting well fluids monitoring of down-hole pump systems E21B47/008
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/20 Displacing by water
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2401 by means of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/26 by forming crevices or fractures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/10 Geothermal energy

Abstract

A means to generate increasing geological permeability to produce greater volumes of various subsurface geological resources when compared to the current conventional production methods is disclosed. The means include a Pulsed Power Plasma Emitter System capable of substantially increasing the available electrical energy for use in high power compression surge currents that can be discharged and transmitted to power a simplified downhole Plasma Emitter Tool subsystem. The simplified downhole Plasma Emitter Tool sub-system is capable of generating a broad range of precisely controlled magnetohydrodynamic plasma spark discharges that produce a broad range of high power electromagnetic, acoustic and hydrodynamic surge waves. These powerful surge waves are generated at energy and power levels that are necessary to physically modify all types of geological formation permeability and to energize the mobilization of various subsurface fluids and fluidized resources.

Claims

1. A method of generating an electric arc within a well drilled into a given geological formation, the method comprising steps of:

a. situating a surface-based electrical power source system (PPS) adjacent a wellbore having a surface, wherein the PPS comprises a primary power source;

b. positioning a plasma emitter tool (PET) in the wellbore at a point in the geological formation, wherein the PET is coupled to a distal end of a tubular extending downwardly from the surface of the wellbore, the tubular including a tubular wall;

c. generating electrical energy from the PPS;

d. storing said electrical energy in the PPS; and

e. transmitting said electrical energy via pulses of electrical energy surge current through the tubular wall from the PPS to the PET, such that electromagnetic, acoustic, and hydrodynamic energy waves are transmitted from the PET.

2. An apparatus for generating an electric arc within a well drilled into a geological formation, the apparatus comprising:

a. a surface-based pulsed power source system (PPS) deployed outside the well;

b. an electrical power transmission tubular (PTT) electrically coupled to the PPS, the PTT comprising;

i. a tubular body through which electrical power flows from the PPS to a downhole plasma emitter tool (PET); and

ii. an internal conduit defined by the tubular body, the internal conduit configured to receive fluid from a fluid flow system, such that the fluid is enabled to flow through the internal conduit, wherein the PTT extends to the PET; and

c. the PET system electrically coupled to the PTT, the PET comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and second electrode form a spark gap therebetween, the first electrode and the second electrode configured to generate an electric arc that generates electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves, and hydrodynamic waves.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tubular body is configured to conduct an electrical current from the PPS to the PET.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the PET is mechanically suspended by the PTT.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the PTT is configured to adjust the relative position of the PET within the well to operate the PET at various measured depths and/or specific azimuthal positions.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the PTT is mechanically configured to provide axial force and torque for deployment, positioning, and rotation of the PET.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a tubular cap mechanically coupled to the PTT, wherein the tubular cap is coupled to the fluid flow system, such that the tubular cap enables the fluid to flow into the internal conduit.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an induction apparatus disposed between the PPS and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the PTT extends from outside the well to the PET system.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electric arc is a magnetohydrodynamic plasma spark (MPS).

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves, and hydrodynamic waves modify adjacent geological formation.

12. A method of generating an electric arc within a well drilled into a geological formation, the method comprising:

a. charging and storing a predetermined amount of energy within a surface-based pulsed power source system (PPS), wherein the PPS is disposed outside the well;

b. discharging the predetermined amount of energy from the PPS;

c. transmitting the predetermined amount of energy through an electrical power transmission tubular (PTT) to a downhole positioned plasma emitter tool (PET) located within the well, wherein the PTT is electrically coupled to the PPS, the PTT comprises a tubular body configured to conduct an electric current from the PPS to the PET, the tubular body defining an internal conduit configured to receive fluid from a fluid flow system;

d. receiving the predetermined amount of energy by the PET, wherein the PET comprises a first electrode and a second electrode configured to form a spark gap therebetween, wherein at least one of the first electrode and second electrode is electrically coupled to the PTT; and

e. generating an electric arc between the first electrode and second electrode so as to produce electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves, and hydrodynamic waves.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising adjusting the relative position of the PET within the well by the PTT to operate the PET at various measured depths and/or specific azimuthal positions, wherein the PET is mechanically suspended by the PTT.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the PTT is mechanically configured to provide axial force and torque for deployment, positioning, and rotation of the PET.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the PTT further comprises a tubular cap mechanically coupled to the PTT, wherein the tubular cap is coupled to the fluid flow system, such that the tubular cap enables the fluid to flow into and through the internal conduit.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating a magnetic field pulse via an induction apparatus disposed between the PPS and at least one of the first electrode and second electrode.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the electromagnetic waves, acoustic waves, and hydrodynamic waves modify adjacent geological formation.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the electric arc is a magnetohydrodynamic plasma spark (MPS).