Methods for enhancing the efficiency of creating a borehole using high power laser systems
First Claim
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1. A method of enhancing the efficiency of forming a borehole using a high power laser having at least about 10 kW of power, the method comprising:
- a. a plurality of steps defining a critical path to complete a borehole,b. advancing a high power laser beam transmission fiber into a borehole;
i. the transmission fiber comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a length of at least about 1000 feet extending between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being advanced down the borehole;
ii. the transmission fiber comprising a means for suppressing nonlinear scattering phenomena arising from the transmission of at least about a 10 kW laser beam within the transmission fiber;
c. providing a high power laser beam having a power of at least about 10 kW to the proximal end of the transmission fiber;
d. transmitting the laser beam down the length of the transmission fiber so that the beam exits the distal end; and
,e. directing the laser beam to a location associated with the borehole and thereby performing a step;
f. wherein, the laser performed step, in part, shortens the critical path to complete the borehole.
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Abstract
Methods for utilizing 10 kW or more laser energy transmitted deep into the earth with the suppression of associated nonlinear phenomena to enhance the formation of Boreholes. Methods for the laser operations to reduce the critical path for forming a borehole in the earth. These methods can deliver high power laser energy down a deep borehole, while maintaining the high power to perform operations in such boreholes deep within the earth.
526 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of enhancing the efficiency of forming a borehole using a high power laser having at least about 10 kW of power, the method comprising:
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a. a plurality of steps defining a critical path to complete a borehole, b. advancing a high power laser beam transmission fiber into a borehole; i. the transmission fiber comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a length of at least about 1000 feet extending between the distal and proximal ends, the distal end being advanced down the borehole; ii. the transmission fiber comprising a means for suppressing nonlinear scattering phenomena arising from the transmission of at least about a 10 kW laser beam within the transmission fiber; c. providing a high power laser beam having a power of at least about 10 kW to the proximal end of the transmission fiber; d. transmitting the laser beam down the length of the transmission fiber so that the beam exits the distal end; and
,e. directing the laser beam to a location associated with the borehole and thereby performing a step; f. wherein, the laser performed step, in part, shortens the critical path to complete the borehole. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of enhancing the efficiency of forming a borehole using a high power laser having at least about 10 kW of power, the method comprising:
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a. a plurality of steps defining a critical path to complete a borehole, b. advancing a high power laser beam transmission cable into a borehole having a depth of at least about 1,000 feet, the transmission cable comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a length extending between the distal and proximal ends, wherein the distal end is advanced into the borehole; c. propagating a high power laser beam, having a power of at least about 10 kW, into the proximal end of the transmission cable; d. transmitting the laser beam down the length of the transmission cable so that the beam exits the distal end; e. suppressing nonlinear scattering phenomena arising from the transmission of the high power laser beam; f. directing the laser beam to a surface in the borehole; g. directing the laser beam to a location associated with the borehole and thereby performing a step; and
,h. wherein, the laser performed step, in part, shortens the critical path to complete the borehole. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for reducing the critical path for forming a borehole by using a high power laser to perform laser operations in the borehole, the method comprising:
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a. a plurality of steps on a critical path to complete a borehole, b. associating a high power optical fiber with a borehole; c. propagating a high powered laser beam from a high power laser source into the high power optical fiber; d. transmitting the laser beam through the high power optical fiber to a location associated with a step on the critical path; e. suppressing a nonlinear scattering phenomena arising from the transmission of the high powered laser beam; and
,f. delivering at least 10 kW of laser power to the location associated with the step on the critical path;
thereby performing the step;
wherein the critical path to complete the borehole is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification