Method and apparatus for performing laser operations downhole
First Claim
1. A method for performing a laser operation in a wellbore, comprising:
- isolating a selected location in the wellbore;
displacing a fluid in the wellbore using a laser-compatible medium, the fluid being displaced from the isolated location in the wellbore to another location in the wellbore;
positioning a laser head proximate the laser-compatible medium;
passing a laser beam from the laser head via the laser-compatible medium to perform the laser operation;
actuating a first and a second isolation member to isolate the selected location;
and displacing the fluid after actuating the first and the second isolation member;
isolating the fluid using the first and the second isolation members before displacing the fluid in the wellbore with the laser-compatible medium; and
displacing the isolated fluid using a discharge line that has an end that discharges into the wellbore.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure, in on aspect, provides a method for performing a laser operation in a wellbore that includes displacing a wellbore fluid with a laser-compatible medium proximate a location in the wellbore where a work is desired to be performed; positioning a laser head proximate the laser-compatible medium; and passing a laser beam via the laser-compatible medium to the location for performing the laser operation. In another aspect, the disclosure provides a laser apparatus for performing a laser operation at a worksite having a fluid that includes a laser power unit that supplies laser energy to a laser head placed proximate the worksite; a fluid displacement unit that displaces at least a portion of the fluid adjacent the worksite with a laser-compatible medium; and a controller that operates the laser head to pass the laser beam to the worksite through the laser-compatible medium. In another aspect, the disclosure provides an imager associated with the laser apparatus that provides images of the worksite.
39 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for performing a laser operation in a wellbore, comprising:
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isolating a selected location in the wellbore; displacing a fluid in the wellbore using a laser-compatible medium, the fluid being displaced from the isolated location in the wellbore to another location in the wellbore; positioning a laser head proximate the laser-compatible medium; passing a laser beam from the laser head via the laser-compatible medium to perform the laser operation; actuating a first and a second isolation member to isolate the selected location; and displacing the fluid after actuating the first and the second isolation member; isolating the fluid using the first and the second isolation members before displacing the fluid in the wellbore with the laser-compatible medium; and displacing the isolated fluid using a discharge line that has an end that discharges into the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A laser apparatus for performing a laser operation at a worksite in a wellbore having a fluid, comprising:
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a laser power unit configured to supply laser energy to a laser head placed proximate the worksite having a casing; a fluid displacement unit configured to displace at least a portion of the fluid adjacent the worksite to another location that is isolated from the worksite in the wellbore using a laser-compatible medium; and a controller configured to operate a laser beam at the worksite through the laser-compatible medium; and an isolation member configured to isolate the worksite; and a discharge line configured to convey the fluid from the isolated worksite. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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14. A laser apparatus for performing a laser operation at a worksite in a wellbore having a fluid, comprising:
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a laser power unit configured to supply laser energy to a laser head placed proximate the worksite, the work site having a casing; a fluid displacement unit configured to displace at least a portion of the fluid adjacent the worksite to another location in the wellbore that is isolated from the worksite in the wellbore using a laser-compatible medium; a controller configured to operate a laser beam at the worksite through the laser-compatible medium; and a first and a second isolation member configured to isolate the selected location, wherein the fluid displacement unit is configured to displace the fluid out of the selected location after the first and the second isolation member are actuated, the selected location being in the casing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification