Systems and conveyance structures for high power long distance laser transmission

• US 8,662,160 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2011
• Issued: 03/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foro Energy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Foro Energy, Inc.
• Inventors: DeWitt, Ronald A., Zediker, Mark S., Faircloth, Brian O., Grubb, Daryl L., McKay, Ryan P., Gray, William C., Moxley, Joel F., Rinzler, Charles C., Underwood, Lance D., Deutch, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS
• Application Number:
  US13/210,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20120068086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 166/65.7, 166/77.1, 175/11, 175/15, 175/16, 175/57, 175/162, 219/121.7, 219/121.72, 385/100, 372/4
• US Class Current: 166/77.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 10/60 characterised by conduits or nozzles for drilling fluids for roller bits E21B10/18; for percussion drill bits E21B10/38
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 29/00 Cutting or destroying pipes, packers, plugs or wire lines, located in boreholes or wells, e.g. cutting of damaged pipes, of windows; Deforming of pipes in boreholes or wells; Reconditioning of well casings while in the ground
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 37/00 Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells E21B21/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 41/00 Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/14 Drilling by use of heat, e.g. flame drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/15 of electrically generated heat
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44 Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables cables incorporating electric conductors and optical fibres where features relating to the optical fibres are not of interest H01B11/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/04 Arrangements for thermal management

Abstract

There is provided a mobile high power laser system and conveyance structure for delivering high power laser energy to and for performing high power laser operations in remote and difficult to access locations. There is further provide such systems with high power laser, handling equipment and conveyance equipment that are configured to avoid exceeding the maximum bending radius of high power optical fibers used with the conveyance structures. There are also provided embodiments of the conveyance structures having channels, lines and passages for delivering materials such as fluids.

Claims

1. A mobile high power laser system comprising:

a. a base;

b. the base having a laser housing, an operator housing and a handling apparatus;

c. a chiller, a storage tank, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam being associated with the laser housing;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber, a passage, a line and a support structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than or substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

2. A mobile high power laser system comprising:

a. a base;

b. the base having a laser housing, an operator housing and a handling apparatus;

c. a chiller, a storage tank, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam being associated with the laser housing;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber, a passage, a line and a support structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than or substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the support structure of the conveyance structure defines an outer surface for the conveyance structure and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

3. A mobile high power laser system comprising:

a. a base;

b. the base having a laser housing, an operator housing and a handling apparatus;

c. a chiller, a storage tank, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam being associated with the laser housing;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber, a passage, a line and a support structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than or substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the high power optical fiber is at least partially contained within the support structure and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

4. A mobile high power laser system comprising:

a. a base;

b. the base having a laser housing, an operator housing and a handling apparatus;

c. a chiller, a storage tank, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam being associated with the laser housing;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber, a passage, a line and a support structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than or substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the high power optical fiber and the line are inside of the support structure and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for s suppressing non-linear effect.

5. A mobile high power laser system comprising:

a. a base;

b. the base having a laser housing, an operator housing and a handling apparatus;

c. a chiller, a storage tank, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam being associated with the laser housing;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber, a passage, a line and a support structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than or substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is from about 800 nm to about 2100 nm and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

6. The mobile high power laser system of claim 5, comprising a plurality of lines, a plurality of high power optical fibers, and a plurality of support structures.

7. A high power laser system comprising:

a. a mobile platform;

b. a laser housing associated with the mobile platform;

c. a chiller, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

d. at least 1,000 feet of a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber and a protective structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a core having a diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than about 3% less than the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 500 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

8. A high power laser system comprising:

a. a mobile platform;

b. a laser housing associated with the mobile platform;

c. a chiller, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

d. at least 1,000 feet of a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber and a protective structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a core having a diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than about 3% less than the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the conveyance structure comprises a support structure defining an outer surface for the conveyance structure and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 500 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

9. The mobile high power laser system of claim 8, wherein the high power optical fiber is at least partially contained within the support structure.

10. The mobile high power laser system of claim 8, wherein the high power optical fiber and the line are inside of the support structure.

11. A high power laser system comprising:

a. a mobile platform;

b. a laser housing associated with the mobile platform;

c. a chiller, and a laser capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

d. at least 1,000 feet of a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber and a protective structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a core having a diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. an optical block having a radius of curvature, wherein the optical block radius of curvature is greater than about 3% less than the radius of curvature of the high power optical fiber;

wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is from about 800 nm to about 2100 nm and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 500 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

12. The mobile high power laser system of claim 11, wherein the conveyance structure comprises a plurality of lines, a plurality of high power optical fibers, and a plurality of support structures.

13. A high power laser system comprising:

a. a mobile platform;

b. a laser housing associated with the mobile platform;

c. a laser system capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber and a protective structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. the conveyance structure associated with a handling apparatus for holding and deploying the conveyance structure, wherein the handling apparatus is configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the optical fiber at a radius that is greater than, equal to, or within 5% less than the minimum bend radius;

wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

14. A high power laser system comprising:

a. a mobile platform;

b. a laser housing associated with the mobile platform;

c. a laser system capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber and a protective structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. the conveyance structure associated with a handling apparatus for holding and deploying the conveyance structure, wherein the handling apparatus is configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the optical fiber at a radius that is greater than, equal to, or within 5% less than the minimum bend radius;

wherein the conveyance structure comprises a support structure defining an outer surface for the conveyance structure and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

15. The mobile high power laser system of claim 14, wherein the high power optical fiber is at least partially contained within the support structure.

16. A high power laser system comprising:

a. a mobile platform;

b. a laser housing associated with the mobile platform;

c. a laser system capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

d. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber and a protective structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a minimum bend radius; and

,

e. the conveyance structure associated with a handling apparatus for holding and deploying the conveyance structure, wherein the handling apparatus is configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the optical fiber at a radius that is greater than, equal to, or within 5% less than the minimum bend radius;

wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is from about 800 nm to about 2100 nm and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 500 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.

17. The mobile high power laser system of claim 16, wherein the conveyance structure comprises a passage.

18. The mobile high power laser system of claim 16, wherein the conveyance structure comprises a plurality of lines, a plurality of high power optical fibers, and a plurality of support structures.

19. A high power laser system comprising:

a. a mobile platform;

b. a laser housing associated with the mobile platform;

c. a laser system capable of generating at least a 20 kW laser beam;

d. a laser chiller;

e. a conveyance structure comprising a high power optical fiber and a support structure, wherein the high power optical fiber has a core having a diameter of at least about 300 μ

m, and a minimum bend radius;

f. a means for suppressing Stimulated Brillioun Scattering; and

,

g. the conveyance structure associated with a handling apparatus for holding and deploying the conveyance structure, wherein the handling apparatus is configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the conveyance structure at a radius that is equal to or greater than the minimum bend radius.

20. The high power laser system of claim 19, comprising an optical block.

21. The high power laser system of claim 20, wherein the conveyance structure comprises a data or control line and a passage.

22. The high power laser system of claim 19 comprising a lubricator, a sheave associated with the lubricator, a second sheave associated with the lubricator.

23. The high power laser system of claim 22, wherein the conveyance structure comprises a data or control line and a passage.

24. The high power laser system of claim 19, comprising a coiled tubing injector.

25. The high power laser system of claim 24, wherein the conveyance structure comprises a data or control line and a passage.

26. The high power laser system of claim 19, comprising an optical block, wherein the optical block is configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the conveyance structure at a radius that is greater than or equal to the minimum bend radius.

27. The high power laser system of claim 19 comprising a lubricator, a first sheave associated with the lubricator, a second sheave associated with the lubricator, wherein the injector is configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the conveyance structure at a radius that is greater than or equal to the minimum bend radius.

28. The high power laser system of claim 19, comprising a coiled tubing injector, wherein the first sheave and the second sheave are configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the conveyance structure at a radius that is greater than or equal to the minimum bend radius.

29. The high power laser system of claim 19, comprising a coiled tubing injector, wherein the first sheave and the second sheave are each configured to maintain the radius of curvature for the conveyance structure at a radius that is greater than or equal to the minimum bend radius.

30. The high power laser system of claim 19, wherein the conveyance structure comprises a data or control line and a passage.

31. A high power laser system deployed at a well site, the system comprising:

a. a high power laser system capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

b. a chiller;

c. a conveyance structure deployment device;

d. an optical block;

e. a conveyance structure having a distal end and a proximal end and comprising a high power optical fiber having a minimal bend radius;

f. a lubricator;

g. wherein the proximal end of the conveyance structure is optically associated with the high power laser and associated with the deployment device;

wherein the conveyance structure is at least practically held by the deployment device and extends from the deployment device to the optical block and extends from the optical block to and into the lubricator, thereby defining a conveyance structure deployment path;

wherein the lubricator is in communication with a well at the well site and,

h. the conveyance structure deployment path does not exceed the minimum bend radius for the optical fiber;

wherein the conveyance structure comprises;

a data line, a passage, a support structure and a protective structure and wherein the high power laser system comprises a means to suppress a non-linear effect.

32. A high power laser system deployed at a well site, the system comprising:

a. a high power laser system capable of generating at least a 10 kW laser beam;

b. a chiller;

c. a conveyance structure deployment device;

d. an optical block;

e. a conveyance structure having a distal end and a proximal end and comprising a high power optical fiber having a minimal bend radius;

f. a lubricator;

g. wherein the proximal end of the conveyance structure is optically associated with the high power laser and associated with the deployment device;

wherein the conveyance structure is at least practically held by the deployment device and extends from the deployment device to the optical block and extends from the optical block to and into the lubricator, thereby defining a conveyance structure deployment path;

wherein the lubricator is in communication with a well at the well site and,

h. the conveyance structure deployment path does not exceed the minimum bend radius for the optical fiber;

wherein the wavelength of the laser beam is from about 800 nm to about 2100 nm and wherein the conveyance structure is at least 5,000 feet, the optical fiber comprises a core having a core diameter of at least about 300 μ

m and the high power laser system comprises a means for suppressing a non-linear effect.