Method and apparatus to deliver energy in a well system

• US 8,047,285 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Randolph Smith
• Original Assignee: David Randolph Smith
• Inventors: Smith, David Randolph
• Primary Examiner(s): Bates; Zakiya W.
• Application Number:
  US11/760,749
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 166/260
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/103 Down-hole by-pass valve arrangements, i.e. between the inside of the drill string and the annulus valves specifically for maintaining circulation of drilling fluid while connecting or disconnecting tubular joints E21B21/019
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/008 using chemical heat generating means
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/02 Fluid rotary type drives
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 4/06 Down-hole impacting means, e.g. hammers boring rams E21B11/02
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/124 Adaptation of jet-pump systems
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/24 using heat, e.g. steam injection

Abstract

The subject matter relates to an apparatus for insertion of a conduit into a well system bore to introduce a reactant fluid over a subterranean catalyst to initiate decomposition of the reactant fluid which resultant energy release may be utilized to perform work or perform heating of the subterranean environment. The energy released from the catalytic reaction and subsequent combustion of fuels may also be used for cutting, welding, powering pumps, compressors, turbines, generators, or to heat well system fluids, pipes, subterranean reservoir fluids, subterranean solids, and completion devices in the well system.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a conduit having a surface connection on a proximal end and at least one reaction chamber on a distal portion of said conduit, said conduit disposed in a well system;

a sensor located on said conduit between a distal end and the proximal end;

a source of a peroxide coupled to said conduit and said reaction chamber;

a data line extending from said sensor to the surface connection;

a catalyst disposed within the reaction chamber; and

at least one energy focusing orifice, said energy focusing orifice providing an outlet for the reaction chamber.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is disposed within said reaction chamber after said conduit is disposed in the well system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is disposed within said reaction chamber before said conduit is disposed in the well system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reaction chamber further comprises at least one bypass allowing a fluid to flow through the conduit without contacting the catalyst in a reaction chamber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reaction chamber is disposed in a side pocket mandrel.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one side pocket mandrel is connected to a second conduit extending to a surface location.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second conduit connected between the surface connection and the reaction chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit is disposed inside a larger diameter second conduit.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor is disposed within the conduit.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises a continuous tube.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises stainless steel.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises at least 50% nickel.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conduit comprises a cold worked tube.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one unidirectional fluid check valve disposed within said conduit.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the conduit includes at least one orifice in fluid communication with a bore of the conduit.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 said peroxide is hydrogen peroxide.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a source of fuel coupled to said reaction chamber.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fuel comprises methanol.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fuel comprises diesel.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fuel comprises methane.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fuel comprises oil.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the fuel comprises sugar.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one abrasive solid source in fluid communication with the conduit.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one fuel inlet port on the reaction chamber.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one electrical conductor wire line sensor attached to the conduit.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the at least one electrical wire line sensor is a gamma ray recorder.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the at least one electrical wire line sensor is a casing collar locator.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the at least one electrical wire line sensor is a density neutron tool.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one electrical conductor disposed within the conduit.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising at least one ignition source connected to the electrical conductor.

31. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one optical fiber disposed within the conduit.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising an optical time domain reflectometry device providing a light source to the optical fiber and interrogating a backscattered light parameter with the optical fiber for distributive temperature monitoring at a surface location.

33. An apparatus comprising:

a conduit disposed in a well system, said conduit having a surface connection on a proximal end and at least one reaction chamber on a distal portion;

a sensor located on the conduit between a distal and proximal ends;

a source of a peroxide coupled to said conduit and said reaction chamber;

a data line extending from said sensor to the surface connection; and

a proportioning apparatus in fluid communication with said conduit; and

at least one jet disposed on an outer surface of the reaction chamber and in fluid communication therewith.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising a catalyst disposed in the reaction chamber.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising a catalyst tank in fluid communication with the proportioning apparatus.

36. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising a fuel tank in fluid communication with the proportioning apparatus.

37. The apparatus of claim 33 further comprising a water tank in fluid communication with the proportioning apparatus.

38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the at least one jet is disposed adjacent a well system.

39. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a conduit within the well system, said conduit having at least one reaction chamber on a distal portion;

injecting a fluid from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in the reaction chamber, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy, said fluid comprising a peroxide; and

selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from the reaction chamber with at least one orifice.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid is an oxidant.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the fluid comprises hydrogen peroxide.

42. The method of claim 39 where the fluid is a blend of at least two fluids, wherein at least one of the fluids reacts and decomposes over the catalyst and at least one of the other fluids reacts with a product formed by the catalytic decomposition of the first fluid.

43. The method of claim 39 further comprising injecting a fuel into the reaction chamber through the conduit.

44. The method of claim 39 further comprising injecting a fuel into the reaction chamber through a second conduit disposed within the well system and extending from the surface location.

45. The method of claim 43 or 44 wherein the fuel comprises methanol.

46. The method of claim 43 or 44 wherein the fuel comprises diesel.

47. The method of claim 43 or 44 wherein the fuel comprises methane.

48. The method of claim 43 or 44 wherein the fuel comprises oil.

49. The method of claim 43 or 44 wherein the fuel comprises sugar.

50. The method of claim 39 further comprising providing at least one unidirectional fluid check valve within the conduit between the reaction chamber and the surface location.

51. The method of claim 39 further comprising disposing an electrical conductor within the conduit, said electrical conductor extending from the surface location to a sensor attached to the conduit.

52. The method of claim 39 further comprising deploying at least one optical fiber within the well system.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising creating with optical time domain reflectometry a temperature profile along a length of the well system using a distributed temperature survey device and the optical fiber.

54. The method of claim 53 further comprising determining a depth of the conduit by correlating a previously run electrical log showing well depth and temperature to said temperature profile of the well system.

55. The method of claim 53 further comprising:

releasing a portion of the released energy from the reaction chamber into a fluid stream flowing in the well system to heat said stream;

tracking a velocity of the energized well fluid using the temperature profile; and

estimating a fluid flow measurement in the well system by using the fluid velocity and a known volume of the well system.

56. The method of claim 39 further comprising selectively releasing the released energy on a turbine, said turbine powering at least one stage of a pump.

57. The method of claim 39 further comprising selectively releasing the released energy on a turbine, said turbine powering at least one stage of a compressor.

58. The method of claim 39 further comprising using the released energy to power a work extraction device disposed in the well system.

59. The method of claim 39 further comprising heating a second fluid present in the bore of the well system with a portion of the released energy.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the second fluid is a well fluid.

61. The method of claim 59 wherein the second fluid is a drilling fluid.

62. The method of claim 59 wherein the second fluid is a stimulation fluid.

63. The method of claim 39 further comprising drilling a plug disposed within the well system with a turbine drill bit disposed on a distal end of the conduit, said turbine drill bit at least partially powered by a portion of the released energy.

64. The method of claim 39 further comprising displacing the conduit in the well system while selectively releasing the released energy.

65. The method of claim 39 further comprising:

disposing an optical fiber within the well system;

providing an optical time domain reflectometry device at a surface location, said optical time domain reflectometry device providing a light source to the optical fiber; and

interrogating and recording a backscattered light parameter with the optical fiber in a time domain to create a temperature profile along a length of the optical fiber with the optical time domain reflectometry device.

66. The method of claim 39 further comprising forming a weldment with the released energy contained in the reaction chamber.

67. The method of claim 39 further comprising adding an abrasive material to the fluid.

68. The method of claim 39 further comprising injecting a recovery fluid from the surface location through the conduit into contact with the catalyst, said recovery fluid recovering at least a portion of the catalyst'"'"'s catalytic characteristics.

69. The method of claim 68 wherein the recovery fluid is an acid.

70. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a conduit with at least one reaction chamber connected thereto into the well system through a dynamic hydraulic packoff on a proximal end of the well system;

measuring a well characteristic with at least one sensor attached to the conduit;

measuring a position of a portion of the conduit in the well system;

correlating the position of the portion of the conduit with a location of interest in the well system;

connecting the conduit at a surface location to at least one pump;

connecting the pump to a fluid reservoir; and

pumping the fluid through the conduit and into an entry port on at least one of the reaction chambers, said fluid reacting with a catalyst in the reaction chamber to release energy in the reaction chamber, said fluid comprising a peroxide.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein the fluid comprises hydrogen peroxide.

72. The method of claim 70 further comprising pumping a fuel into the reaction chamber from the surface location.

73. The method of claim 70 further comprising selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from at least one orifice on said reaction chamber.

74. The method of claim 70 further comprising disposing at least one of the orifices adjacent a location of interest in the well system and selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy.

75. The method of claim 74 further comprising disposing at least one of the orifices adjacent a second location of interest in the well system and selectively releasing a second portion of the released energy.

76. The method of claim 74 wherein an adjacent surface of the well system is perforated with the portion of the released energy.

77. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a conduit with a plurality of reaction chambers disposed therein within the well system, at least one of the reaction chambers including an entry port in fluid communication with the conduit and an exit port in fluid communication with a bore of the well system;

injecting a fluid from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in at least one of the reaction chambers, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy, said fluid comprising a peroxide; and

selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from at least one of the exit ports.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the conduit further comprises at least one unidirectional fluid check valve in the conduit between the entry port on one of the reaction chambers and the surface location.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein the fluid comprises hydrogen peroxide.

80. The method of claim 77 further comprising lifting a well fluid within the bore of the well system with the portion of selectively released energy.

81. The method of claim 77 further comprising cleaning a section of the bore of the well system with the portion of selectively released energy.

82. The method of claim 77 further comprising correlating the depth of at least one reaction chamber with a location of interest in the well system.

83. The method of claim 77 wherein at least one of the reaction chambers further comprises a jet pump in fluid communication with the exit port.

84. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

providing a well system including a section of a formation in fluid communication with the well system;

disposing a catalyst in the well system;

propping open at least a portion of a formation with said catalyst; and

injecting a fluid from a surface location through a conduit into the portion of the formation, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy, said fluid comprising a peroxide.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the fluid comprises hydrogen peroxide.

86. The method of claim 84 further comprising heating a portion of the formation with the released energy.

87. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a first conduit with a reaction chamber attached thereto within the well system, said reaction chamber including an entry port in fluid communication with a second conduit extending from a surface location and an exit port in fluid communication with a bore of the first conduit;

injecting a fluid through the second conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in the reaction chamber, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy, said fluid comprising a peroxide; and

selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from the exit port into the bore of the first conduit.

88. The method of claim 87 wherein the first conduit further comprises a plurality of reaction chambers attached thereto.

89. The method of claim 87 further comprising lifting a well fluid within the bore of the first conduit with a portion of the selectively released energy.

90. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

injecting a media into the well system;

disposing at least one reaction chamber on a distal portion of a conduit into the well system adjacent a location of interest in a formation;

injecting a fluid from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in at least one of the reaction chambers, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy, said fluid comprising a peroxide;

selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from an exit port on the reaction chamber at the location of interest in the formation; and

fusing the media to the location of interest with the released energy.

91. The method of claim 90 further comprising disposing the reaction chamber adjacent a second location of interest in the formation and fusing the media to the second location of interest by selectively releasing a second portion of the released energy.

92. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a conduit within the well system, said conduit having a reaction chamber disposed on a distal portion thereof;

injecting a fluid from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in the reaction chamber, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy, said fluid comprising a peroxide; and

drilling a formation by selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from the reaction chamber through a downward facing jet attached to and in fluid communication with the reaction chamber as the conduit is downwardly displaced.

93. The method of claim 92 further comprising producing a fluid from the formation through said conduit after drilling.

94. The method of claim 92 further comprising releasing a second portion of the released energy from a reverse thrust jet mounted on said conduit during drilling.

95. The method of claim 92 further comprising lifting a well fluid within a bore of the well system with a portion of the energy selectively released from an exit port of a second reaction chamber disposed on said conduit, said second reaction chamber having an entry port in fluid communication with said conduit and an exit port in fluid communication with the bore of the well system.

96. The method of claim 95 wherein said conduit further comprises at least one unidirectional fluid check valve disposed therein between the surface location and the entry port.

97. The method of claim 92 further comprising repeating the disposing, injection, and drilling steps with a second conduit containing a downward facing jet.

98. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

providing a conduit having a reaction chamber disposed on a distal portion;

injecting a fluid from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in the reaction chamber, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy, said fluid comprising a peroxide;

disposing the reaction chamber adjacent a plug previously disposed within the well system; and

heating the plug with the released energy to deform said plug.

99. The method of claim 98 wherein the heating is radiant heating.

100. The method of claim 98 wherein the plug comprises lead.

101. The method of claim 98 wherein the plug comprises brass.

102. The method of claim 98 wherein the plug comprises tin.

103. The method of claim 98 wherein the plug comprises a chamber containing a second fluid that expands when exposed to a level of energy to deform said plug.

104. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a conduit within the well system, said conduit having a reaction chamber on a distal portion;

connecting a proportioning apparatus to a source of a fuel, a source of a fluid, said fluid comprising a peroxide, and a proximal end of the conduit;

injecting a mixture of the fuel and fluid through the conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in the reaction chamber, said catalyst reacting with the mixture to release energy; and

selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from at least one orifice in fluid communication with the reaction chamber.

109. A method as in any one of claims 104-108 wherein the fluid comprises hydrogen peroxide.

105. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a conduit within the well system, said conduit having a reaction chamber disposed on a distal portion;

connecting a proportioning apparatus to a source of a catalyst, a source of a fluid, said fluid comprising a peroxide, and a proximal end of the conduit;

injecting a mixture of the fluid and catalyst through the conduit and into the reaction chamber, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy; and

selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from at least one orifice in fluid communication with the reaction chamber.

106. The method of claim 105 further comprising varying a ratio of the fluid and catalyst mixture with the proportioning apparatus.

107. The method of claim 105 further comprising connecting the proportioning apparatus to a source of a fuel and injecting a mixture of the fluid, catalyst, and fuel into the reaction chamber.

108. The method of claim 107 further comprising varying a ratio of the fluid, catalyst, and fuel mixture with the proportioning apparatus.

110. An apparatus comprising:

a continuous conduit with a reaction chamber attached to a distal portion and a proximal end attached to a reel by a hydraulic swivel at a surface location, said continuous conduit disposed in a well bore and having at least one unidirectional fluid check valve disposed therein and said hydraulic swivel in fluid communication with the continuous conduit;

an injector head removably sealing the continuous conduit to a well system during conduit displacement without pressure loss in the well system, said well system comprising a hydraulic pack off removably sealing an outer diameter of the continuous conduit to the well bore, a lubricator sealingly engaged to a blow out preventer, said blow out preventer sealingly engaged to a well head, said well head sealingly engaged to the well bore;

a pump in fluid communication with said continuous conduit;

said pump connected to a fluid tank, said fluid tank having a fluid comprising a peroxide;

a data transmission, receiving, and collection apparatus;

at least one sensor attached to the continuous conduit; and

a data transmission line disposed in the continuous conduit and connected to said sensor and said data transmission, receiving, and collection apparatus.

111. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a conduit within the well system, said conduit having a reaction chamber on a distal portion; and

injecting a fluid comprising a peroxide from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with a catalyst naturally occurring in the well system, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy.

115. A method as in any one of claim 111, 112, 113, or 114 wherein the fluid is a mixture of fluids from a proportioning apparatus.

112. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing in the well system a conduit having a surface connection on a proximal end and a sand screen disposed on a distal portion, said sand screen at least partially constructed of a catalyst; and

injecting a fluid comprising a peroxide from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with the catalyst, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy.

113. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing in the well system a conduit having a surface connection on a proximal end, a sand screen disposed on a distal portion, and a catalyst disposed between an outer diameter of the conduit and an inner diameter of the sand screen; and

injecting a fluid comprising a peroxide from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with the catalyst, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy.

114. A method for selectively releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing in the well system a conduit having a surface connection on a proximal end and a sand screen disposed on a distal end;

disposing a gravel pack between an outer diameter of the sand screen and an inner diameter of the well system, said gravel pack including a catalyst; and

injecting a fluid comprising a peroxide from a surface location through the conduit and into contact with the catalyst, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy.

116. An apparatus comprising:

a conduit disposed in a well system having a surface connection on a proximal end and a sand screen disposed on a distal portion, said sand screen at least partially constructed of a catalyst, said conduit coupled to a source of a fluid comprising a peroxide;

a sensor located on said conduit between said proximal and a distal ends; and

a data line extending from said sensor to the surface connection.

117. An apparatus comprising:

a conduit disposed in a well system having a surface connection on a proximal end and a sand screen disposed on a distal end, said conduit coupled to a source of a fluid comprising a peroxide;

a catalyst disposed between an outer diameter of the conduit and an inner diameter of the sand screen;

a sensor located on said conduit between said proximal and said distal ends; and

a data line extending from said sensor to the surface connection.

118. An apparatus comprising:

a conduit disposed in a well system having a surface connection on a proximal end and a sand screen disposed on a distal end, said conduit coupled to a source of a fluid comprising a peroxide;

a gravel pack disposed between an outer diameter of the sand screen and an inner diameter of the well system, said gravel pack including a catalyst;

a sensor located on said conduit between said proximal and said distal ends; and

a data line extending from said sensor to the surface connection.

119. A method for positionally releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a continuous conduit into the well system from a reel, said continuous conduit having at least one reaction chamber on a distal portion;

injecting a fluid comprising a peroxide from a surface location through the continuous conduit and into contact with a catalyst disposed in the reaction chamber, said catalyst reacting with the fluid to release energy;

selectively releasing at least a portion of the released energy from the reaction chamber with at least one orifice providing an outlet for the reaction chamber; and

moving the continuous conduit within the well system.

120. The method of claim 119 wherein the steps of selectively releasing and moving are simultaneous.

121. A method for positionally releasing energy in a well system comprising:

disposing a continuous conduit from a reel into the well system having at least one catalyst bed previously disposed therein;

injecting a fluid comprising peroxide from a surface location through the continuous conduit and into contact with the at least one catalyst bed to release energy in the well system; and

moving the continuous conduit within the well system.