Method and System for Subsurface Resource Production

• US 20170175505A1
• Filed: 01/26/2015
• Published: 06/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Green Chemistry Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Curlett IP LLC
• Inventors: CURLETT, Harry Bailey
• Granted Patent: US 10,641,073 B2
• Time in Patent Office: 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. An apparatus for generating at least one electric arc within a well drilled into a geological formation, the apparatus being an open electrical pulsed power circuit (OEC) comprising:

a. at least one surface based pulsed power source system (PPS) not deployed within the well; and

b. at least one electrically connected electrical power transmission tubular (PTT) that is capable of transmitting electrical power surges and that can retain, convey, position, and/or re-position at least one downhole tool within the well; and

c. at least one plasma emitter tool (PET) system, retaining at least one pair of electrodes, and is electrically and mechanically interconnected to the PTT; and

d. the PET electrodes forming at least one spark gap between them; and

e. at least one of the electrodes is the live electrode (LE) that is electrically connected to the PTT; and

f. at least one of the electrodes being an electrically grounded electrode (GE); and

g. collectively the components thereby forming an OEC.

2-123. -123. (canceled)