High power laser hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tools systems and methods

Abstract

There are provided high power laser perforation, hydraulic fracturing systems, tools and methods for the stimulation and recovery of energy sources, such as hydrocarbons, from a formation. These systems, tools and methods provide predetermined laser beam energy patterns, to provide for the down hole volumetric removal of custom geometries of materials, sealing of perforations, reperorations, refractures and other downhole actives.

1 .- 29  (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method of stimulating a well, the method comprising: positioning a laser perforating tool in the borehole at a location in a formation; delivering a plurality of high power laser beams, each having not less than 10 kW of power, in a plurality of predetermined laser beam patterns; the laser beam patterns position at the location and extending along a length of the borehole, wherein the position of the laser beam patterns is based at least in part upon a stress plane in the formation; whereby each laser beam creates a discrete volumetric removal having a predetermined shape defining a laser perforation; and, flowing a fracturing fluid under pressure down the borehole, through the laser perforation and into the formation, whereby the formation is hydraulically fractured. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns is predetermined at least in part to reduce near borehole tortuosity. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns is predetermined at least in part to reduce near borehole tortuosity and the position of the laser beam patterns is based at least in part to reduce near well bore tortuosity. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns is at least in part reduces near borehole tortuosity. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns is at least in part essentially eliminates near borehole tortuosity. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the position of the laser beam patterns at least in part essentially eliminates near borehole tortuosity. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns is at least in part essentially eliminates the adverse flow characteristics associated with near borehole tortuosity. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the position of the laser beam patterns at least in part essentially eliminates the adverse flow characteristics associated with near borehole tortuosity. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns is predetermined at least in part to reduce near borehole tortuosity and the position of the laser beam patterns is based at least in part to reduce near well bore tortuosity. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the location along the borehole is at not less than 5,000 feet measured depth depth and the laser beam has a power of not less than 10 kW. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the laser perforating tool comprises a tractor section, and a laser cutting head section. 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the laser perforating tool comprises a tractor section, a laser cutting head section, and a means to axially extend the laser cutting head section; and the means to axially extend the laser cutting section comprises a motor a controller and an advancement screw. 
     
     
         51 . (canceled) 
     
     
         52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . (canceled) 
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns at least in part essentially eliminates the adverse flow characteristics associated with near borehole tortuosity. 
     
     
         66 . A method of stimulating a well, the method comprising: positioning a laser beam delivery head in the borehole at a location in a formation, the location being at a measured depth of not less than 5,000 ft; delivering a plurality of high power laser beams, each having at not less than 10 kW of power, in a plurality of predetermined laser beam patterns; the laser beam patterns positioned at the location and extending along a length of the borehole, wherein the position of the laser beam patterns is based at least in part upon a stress plane in the formation; whereby each laser beam creates a discrete volumetric removal having a predetermined shape defining a laser perforation; and, flowing a fracturing fluid under pressure down the borehole, through the laser perforation and into the formation, whereby the formation is hydraulically fractured. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the stress plane is a preferred stress plane. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the identified stress comprises a preferred stress plane and at least one volumetric removal follows the preferred stress plane. 
     
     
         69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . (canceled) 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein at least one volumetric removal follows the stress plane. 
     
     
         73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein at least one volumetric removal is positioned in and parallel with the preferred stress plane. 
     
     
         75 . (canceled) 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the fracturing fluid is slick water. 
     
     
         77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a proppant. 
     
     
         79 . (canceled) 
     
     
         80 . (canceled) 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the location in the borehole is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the borehole has a TVD of not less than 5,000 ft, a MD of not less than 15,000 ft and a substantially horizontal section having a length of not less than 5,000 ft. 
     
     
         83 . (canceled) 
     
     
         84 . (canceled) 
     
     
         85 . (canceled) 
     
     
         86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . (canceled) 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein at least one volumetric removal is in the shape of a disc having a volume removed of not less than 1 cubic inches. 
     
     
         89 . (canceled) 
     
     
         90 . (canceled) 
     
     
         91 . (canceled) 
     
     
         92 . (canceled) 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein at least one volumetric removal is in the shape of a disc having a volume removed of not less than 7 cubic inches. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the volumetric removals are in the shape of a disc, each disc having a volume removed of not less than 7 cubic inches. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein for each volumetric removal the volume removed is not less than 7 cubic inches. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein for each volumetric removal the volume removed is not less than 50 cubic inches. 
     
     
         97 . (canceled) 
     
     
         98 . (canceled) 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 82 , wherein the volumetric removal is in the shape of a disc having a volume removed of not less than 100 cubic inches. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the plurality of volumetric removals comprises at least four discrete shapes. 
     
     
         101 . (canceled) 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the plurality of volumetric removals comprises at least six discrete shapes. 
     
     
         103 . (canceled) 
     
     
         104 . (canceled) 
     
     
         105 . (canceled) 
     
     
         106 . (canceled) 
     
     
         107 . (canceled) 
     
     
         108 . (canceled) 
     
     
         109 . (canceled) 
     
     
         110 . (canceled) 
     
     
         111 . (canceled) 
     
     
         112 . (canceled) 
     
     
         113 . (canceled) 
     
     
         114 . (canceled) 
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein at least of one of volumetric removal is in the shape of a rectangular slot. 
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the volumetric removals are each in the shape of a rectangular slot. 
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein at least one volumetric removal is in the shape of a rectangular slot having a volume removed of not less than 100 cubic inches. 
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein at least one volumetric removal is in the shape of a rectangular slot having a volume removed of not less than 150 cubic inches. 
     
     
         119 . (canceled) 
     
     
         120 . (canceled) 
     
     
         121 . (canceled) 
     
     
         122 . (canceled) 
     
     
         123 - 179 . (canceled) 
     
     
         180 . A method of laser hydraulic fracturing a well, the method comprising: positioning a laser perforating tool in the borehole at a location in a formation; delivering a plurality of high power laser beams each having not less than 10 kW of power in a plurality of predetermined laser beam patterns, the laser beam patterns position at the location and extending along a length of the borehole, wherein the position of the laser beam patterns is based at least in part upon a stress plane in the formation; whereby each laser beam creates a discrete volumetric removal having a predetermined shape defining a laser perforation; and, flowing a fracturing fluid under pressure down the borehole, through the laser perforation and into the formation, whereby the formation is hydraulically fractured. 
     
     
         181 . The method of  claim 180 , wherein each laser perforation defines an opening in a casing in the borehole, wherein each opening is a circle, and wherein the diameters of each opening vary by no more than 2%. 
     
     
         182 . The method of  claim 180 , wherein each laser perforation defines an opening in a casing in the borehole comprising an opening edge, wherein each opening is a circle, and wherein each opening edge is essentially burr free. 
     
     
         183 . The method of  claim 180 , wherein each laser perforation defines an opening in a casing in the borehole comprising an opening edge, wherein each opening is a circle, and wherein each opening edge is essentially smooth. 
     
     
         184 . (canceled) 
     
     
         185 . (canceled) 
     
     
         186 . (canceled) 
     
     
         187 . (canceled) 
     
     
         188 . (canceled) 
     
     
         189 . (canceled) 
     
     
         190 . (canceled) 
     
     
         191 . (canceled) 
     
     
         192 . A method of stimulating a well, the method comprising: positioning a laser hydraulic fracturing assembly in the borehole at a location in a formation; delivering a plurality of high power laser beams, each having not less than 10 kW of power, in a plurality of predetermined laser beam patterns; the laser beam patterns positioned at the location and extending along a length of the borehole, wherein the position of the laser beam patterns is based at least in part upon a stress plane in the formation; wherein the shape of the laser beam patterns is predetermined at least in part to reduce near borehole tortuosity; and, whereby each laser beam creates a discrete volumetric removal having a predetermined shape defining a laser perforation. 
     
     
         193 . (canceled) 
     
     
         194 . (canceled) 
     
     
         195 . (canceled) 
     
     
         196 . (canceled) 
     
     
         197 . (canceled) 
     
     
         198 . (canceled) 
     
     
         199 . (canceled) 
     
     
         200 . (canceled) 
     
     
         201 . (canceled) 
     
     
         202 . (canceled) 
     
     
         203 . (canceled) 
     
     
         204 . (canceled) 
     
     
         205 . A method of laser stimulating a well, the method comprising: positioning a laser perforating tool in the borehole at a location in a formation; delivering a plurality of high power laser beams each having not less than 10 kW of power in a plurality of predetermined laser beam patterns, the laser beam patterns position at the location and extending along a length of the borehole, wherein the position of the laser beam patterns is based at least in part upon a stress plane in the formation; and, whereby each laser beam creates a discrete volumetric removal having a predetermined shape defining a laser perforation. 
     
     
         206 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein each laser perforation defines an opening in a casing in the borehole, wherein each opening is a circle, and wherein the diameters of each opening vary by no more than 2%. 
     
     
         207 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein each laser perforation defines an opening in a casing in the borehole comprising an opening edge, wherein each opening is a circle, and wherein each opening edge is essentially burr free. 
     
     
         208 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein each laser perforation defines an opening in a casing in the borehole comprising an opening edge, wherein each opening is a circle, and wherein each opening edge is essentially smooth. 
     
     
         209 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein near borehole tortuosity is essentially not present. 
     
     
         210 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein near borehole tortuosity is not present. 
     
     
         211 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein shock sensitive instruments are positioned downhole during laser beam delivery and provide information regarding downhole conditions. 
     
     
         212 . The method of  claim 205 , wherein shock sensitive instruments are positioned downhole during laser beam delivery and provide information regarding the perforations. 
     
     
         213 . (canceled) 
     
     
         214 . (canceled) 
     
     
         215 . (canceled) 
     
     
         216 - 222 . (canceled)