Oilfield laser operations using high power long distance laser transmission systems

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.

1 - 132 . (canceled) 
     
     
         133 . A method of performing a high power laser operation in an oil or gas field using a mobile high power laser system configured for and capable of performing oil or gas field laser operations, the method comprising:
 a. delivering a laser beam, comprising a power of not less than 10 kW and having a wavelength in the range of about 800 nm to about 2100 nm, from a mobile high power laser system to perform a laser operation in an oil or gas field;   b. the mobile high power laser system comprising:
 i. a laser cabin, the laser cabin housing a high power laser capable of generating the laser beam; 
 ii. a conveyance structure having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; wherein, the conveyance structure comprising: a high power optical transmission fiber, for transmitting the laser beam from the laser; a core having a diameter of not less than about 300 μm and having a length of not less than about 0.5 km, a first support structure having a length of not less than 0.5 km; a second support structure having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; a data or control line having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; and a passage defined by both the first and second support structures, the passage having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; and, 
 iii. a means for handling the conveyance structure. 
   
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 133 , wherein the laser operation comprises a decommissioning operation. 
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 133 , wherein the laser operation comprises cutting and removal of a tubular. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein the laser operation is above the surface of the earth. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein the laser operation is above the surface of the earth. 
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein the laser operation is below the surface of the earth. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein the laser operation is below the surface of the earth. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein the laser operation is above the surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein the laser operation is above the surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein the laser operation is below the surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 135 , wherein the laser operation is below the surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         144 . A method of performing a high power laser operation in an oil or gas field using a mobile high power laser system configured for and capable of performing oil or gas field laser operations, the method comprising:
 a. delivering a laser beam comprising a power of not less than 20 kW from a mobile high power laser system to perform a laser operation in an oil or gas field;   b. the mobile high power laser system comprising:
 i. a laser cabin, the laser cabin housing a high power laser capable of generating the laser beam; a conveyance structure having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; an outer support structure, an inner support structure, a data or control line, and a passage defined by the inner and the outer support structure; and, 
 ii. a means for handling the conveyance structure. 
   
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 144 , wherein the laser operation is selected from the group consisting of decommissioning, workover, pipe cutting, milling and competitions. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 144 , wherein the laser operation is above the surface of the earth. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 145 , wherein the laser operation is above the surface of the earth. 
     
     
         148 . The method of  claim 144 , wherein the laser operation is above the surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         149 . The method of  claim 145 , wherein the laser operation is below the surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         150 . A method of performing a high power laser operation in a borehole in an oil or gas field using a mobile high power laser system configured for and capable of performing oil or gas field laser operations, the method comprising:
 a. delivering a laser beam, comprising a power of not less than 10 kW and having a wavelength in the range of about 800 nm to about 2100 nm, from a mobile high power laser system at a depth within a borehole in an oil or gas field to perform a laser operation in the borehole;   b. the mobile high power laser system comprising:
 i. a laser cabin, the laser cabin housing a high power laser capable of generating the laser beam; 
 ii. a conveyance structure having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; wherein, the conveyance structure comprising: a high power optical transmission fiber, for transmitting the laser beam from the laser; a core having a diameter of not less than about 300 μm and having a length of not less than about 0.5 km, a first support structure having a length of not less than 0.5 km; a second support structure having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; a data or control line having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; and a passage defined by both the first and second support structures, the passage having a length of not less than about 0.5 km; and, 
   iii. a means for handling the conveyance structure.   
     
     
         151 . The method of  claim 150 , wherein the laser operation is selected from the group consisting of decommissioning, workover, pipe cutting, milling and competitions. 
     
     
         152 . The method of  claim 150 , wherein the laser operation is performed at a depth of not less than 0.5 km. 
     
     
         153 . the method of  claim 151 , wherein the laser operation is performed at a depth of not less than 0.5 km. 
     
     
         154 . The method of  claim 150 , wherein the laser operation is performed at a depth of not less than 1 km. 
     
     
         155 . the method of  claim 151 , wherein the laser operation is performed at a depth of not less than 1 km. 
     
     
         156 . The method of  claim 150 , wherein the laser operation is performed at a depth of not less than 1.5 km.