Patent Application
20240117723
This disclosure generally relates to enhanced oil recovery in particular using directed microwave and radio frequency radiation with dual well systems.
Producing heavy oil, such as oil with a viscosity over 5000 cP, can be difficult. In some cases, reducing the viscosity of the oil mobilizes the oil and increases the rate of oil recovery from formations with heavy oil. Steam injection is a common method for heavy oil mobilization.
This specification describes systems and methods for mobilizing heavy oil using directed microwave and radio frequency waves to heat the heavy oil and reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil. For example, microwave and radio frequency waves can be used to stimulate wells to allow natural gas, petroleum, and brine to flow more freely. Using electromagnetic waves can be advantageous because it can reduce heat loss, reduce the surface footprint of the machinery, and reduce the use of water (e.g., to make steam for stimulating wells). A dual well can be used to produce oil more effectively, e.g., by increasing reservoir contact and targeting the desired oil zones, which can save energy. An example of a dual well is a well with at least two laterals, (a first used to produce oil from the formation and a second receiving a downhole tool to mobilize the heavy oil, e.g., by directing microwave and radio frequency waves at the oil).
In an aspect, a system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation includes a main wellbore, a first lateral extending off the main wellbore, the first lateral configured to produce hydrocarbons from the subsurface formation to a ground surface through the main wellbore, a second lateral extending off the main wellbore, tubing extending down the main wellbore into the second lateral, and a tool attached to the tubing, the tool including a support structure with a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical shape, the support structure including one or more latching mechanisms, expandable packers mechanically coupled to the support structure, the expandable packers being radially expandable to secure the tool within the second lateral, an electromagnetic source mechanically coupled to the support structure and operable to generate electromagnetic radiation, and an antenna communicatively coupled to the electromagnetic source and operable to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, the antenna being at least partially disposed within the expandable casing.
In some implementations, the first lateral is located further from the surface than the second lateral.
In some implementations, the tubing comprises multiple first laterals.
In some implementations, the multiple first laterals are each located further from the surface than the second lateral.
In some implementations, at least one of the first laterals is located closer to the surface than the second lateral.
In some implementations, the electromagnetic source generates electromagnetic radiation having frequencies in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
In some implementations, the antenna is mechanically rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the support structure.
In some implementations, the antenna is capable of electronically steering the electromagnetic radiation.
In some implementations, the tool is attached to the tubing such that hardware for the tool can be stored within the tubing.
In an aspect, tool for transmitting electromagnetic radiation within a wellbore in a hydrocarbon formation includes a support structure with a longitudinal axis and having a cylindrical shape, the support structure including one or more latching mechanisms, expandable packers mechanically coupled to the support structure, the expandable packers being radially expandable to secure the tool within a lateral of the wellbore, an electromagnetic source mechanically coupled to the support structure and operable to generate electromagnetic radiation, and an antenna communicatively coupled to the electromagnetic source and operable to transmit the electromagnetic radiation, the antenna being at least partially disposed within the expandable casing and rotatable to steer the electromagnetic radiation.
In some implementations, the electromagnetic source generates electromagnetic radiation having frequencies in the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
In some implementations, the antenna is mechanically rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the support structure.
In some implementations, the antenna is capable of electronically steering the electromagnetic radiation.
Advantageously, this disclosure describes methods and systems for stimulating wells in hydrocarbon formations. Using electromagnetic waves to simulate the wells can be advantageous because it can reduce heat loss, the surface footprint of the required machinery, and the amount of water used (e.g., to make steam for stimulating wells). A dual well can be used to produce oil more effectivity, e.g., by increasing reservoir contact and targeting the desired oil zones.
This disclosure describes methods and systems for stimulating wells in hydrocarbon formations. The disclosure is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed subject matter in the context of one or more particular implementations. Various modifications to the disclosed implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined in this application may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the described or illustrated implementations, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed in this application.
The details of one or more embodiments of these systems and methods are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of these systems and methods will be apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.
The support structure 110 has a cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis and is sized for placement within a wellbore. In some embodiments, the support structure 110 includes steel. Additionally, or alternatively, the support structure 110 can include other materials suitable for placement within a wellbore. In some embodiments, the support structure 110 includes vulcanized rubber (such as Ebonite), super alloys, titanium, aluminum, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonates, polyamides, and so forth. The latches 111 are mechanical fasteners capable of joining two (or more) surfaces while allowing for their separation. For example, the latches 111 can press against the walls of a wellbore with enough force such that the tool 100 is secured in place within the wellbore. As another example, the latches 111 can be paired with receivers inside a wellbore to secure the downhole tool 100 in place within the wellbore
The electromagnetic source 130 is mechanically coupled to the support structure 110. The electromagnetic source 130 is operable to generate electromagnetic radiation. In the downhole tool 100, the electromagnetic source is at least partially enclosed within the support structure 110. The electromagnetic source 130 includes a magnetron. A magnetron is a vacuum tube capable of generating microwaves using the interaction of a stream of electrons with a magnetic field while moving past a series of open metal cavities known as cavity resonators. The frequency of the microwaves produced can be determined by the magnetron's physical dimensions. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic source 130 includes a klystron, which is a thermo-ionic electron tube that can generate microwaves and/or radio waves by controlling the speed of a stream of electrons into a cavity resonator. The electromagnetic source 130 can include other devices capable of generating microwave radiation such as, for example, traveling-wave tubes (TWT), gyrotrons, field-effect transistors, tunnel diodes, Gunn diodes, IMPATT diodes, and masers. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic source 130 includes an electronic oscillator capable of generating radio waves. In these embodiments, the electromagnetic source 130 can generate electromagnetic radiation having frequencies in the microwave range (300 gigahertz (GHz)-300 megahertz (MHz)) and/or frequencies in the radio range (300 GHz-3 kilohertz (kHz)). In some embodiments, the electromagnetic source 130 is not enclosed within the support structure 110.
The directional antenna 131 is communicatively coupled to the electromagnetic source 130. The directional antenna 131 has a length of about 5 centimeters (cm). In some embodiments, the directional antenna 131 has a length between 1 cm and 20 cm. However, in some embodiments, the directional antenna 131 is manufactured to be longer than 20 cm or shorter than 1 cm. The length can be based on design and practical considerations. For example, the size of the casing 120 can dictate the length of the antenna.
The directional antenna 131 is operable to transmit electromagnetic radiation in the microwave and/or radio wave frequencies. The directional antenna 131 is a rubber duck antenna. However, some tools 100 have other types of antennas. For example, in some embodiments, the directional antenna 131 is a sleeve dipole, a patch antenna, a whip antenna, or a printed circuit inverted F antenna (PIFA). In some embodiments, the directional antenna 131 is a directive antenna. For example, the directional antenna 131 can be a dish antenna, a horn antenna, a slot antenna, a dielectric lens antenna, and/or a flat microstrip antenna. The directional antenna 131 is a mechanically steerable beam antenna. A mechanically steerable antenna is an antenna that uses actuators and rotatable structures such as gimbals to change the physical orientation of the antenna and steer the output beam of the antenna. Additionally, or alternatively, the directional antenna 131 is an electronically steerable antenna, such as a phased array antenna or switched-beam array antenna. In some embodiments, the directional antenna 131 is an omnidirectional antenna.
The centralizer 140 is mechanically coupled to the support structure 110 and the casing 120. The centralizer 140 operates to maintain the downhole tool 100 in a central location with respect to the walls of the wellbore when the downhole tool 100 is located within the wellbore and advanced into the wellbore. In some embodiments, the centralizer 140 includes bowstrings, spring-loaded linkages, and/or floating spring mechanisms to maintain the downhole tool 100 in a centralized position within the wellbore. In some embodiments, the centralizer 140 includes an actuator to expand the centralizer from an unactuated position to an actuated position. In some embodiments, the centralizer 140 includes sensors to detect the orientation of the downhole tool 100 in the wellbore. In some embodiments, the centralizer 140 is actuated in response to the detected orientation of the downhole tool 100.
The casing 120 is cylindrical in shape and includes one or more ceramic materials. The casing 120 is sized to allow movement of the downhole tool 100 in a wellbore. The casing 120 is mechanically coupled to the support structure 110. The casing 120 is configured to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the support structure 110. However, in some embodiments, the casing 120 is fixed statically to the support structure 110. The casing 120 at least partially encloses the directional antenna 131. In some embodiments the casing 120 encloses more or less of the electromagnetic source 130 than the support structure 110. The casing 120 is completely made of one or more ceramic materials. However, as discussed later with reference to
The casing 120 is expandable. The casing 120 includes one or more hydraulic mechanisms, such as hydraulic pumps, that cause the casing 120 to expand. Additionally, or alternatively, the casing 120 includes one or more mechanical mechanisms, such as expansion shafts and/or expansion anchors, which cause the casing 120 to expand. Manufacturing the casing 120 to include expansion capabilities can allow for easier advancement of the downhole tool 100 through a wellbore, while allowing the casing 120 to directly contact the walls of the wellbore once the downhole tool 100 is in a desired position within the wellbore. For example, the downhole tool 100, including the casing 120, can be advanced downhole a wellbore with the casing 120 in a compressed position such that the casing 120 is not contacting the walls of the wellbore. This configuration can reduce the likelihood of causing an undesirable amount of friction (for example, an amount of friction that would cause damage to the wellbore and the casing 120, and/or an amount of friction that would make it difficult to advance the downhole tool 100 through the wellbore). Once the downhole tool 100 is located in a desired position within the wellbore, the expansion mechanisms of the casing 120 can be actuated to cause the casing 120 to contact the walls of the wellbore.
As indicated earlier, the directional antenna 131 can be operated to direct transmission of electromagnetic radiation. In embodiments where the casing 120 completely consist of ceramic materials, such as the embodiment shown in
The motor 150 is mechanically coupled to the casing 120. The motor 150 is operable to rotate the casing 120 about the longitudinal axis of the support structure 110. The motor 150 is positioned at a distal end of the casing 120 with respect to the electromagnetic source 150. However, in some embodiments, the motor 150 is positioned at other locations of the casing 120, such as the proximal end of the casing 120 with respect to the electromagnetic source 150. In some embodiments, the motor 150 is at least partially enclosed within the casing 120. However, in some embodiments, the motor 150 is completely external to the casing 120. Rotation of the casing 120 by the motor 150 can facilitate more control of the orientation of the heating zones 121.
The reinforced plug 161 includes steel. Additionally, or alternatively, the reinforced plug 161 can include other materials suitable for placement within a wellbore. In some embodiments, the reinforced plug 161 includes vulcanized rubber (such as Ebonite), super alloys, titanium, aluminum, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonates, polyamides, and so forth. The reinforced plug 161 is sized and shaped to be secured at an end of the casing 120. In some embodiments, the reinforced plug 161 is size and shaped such that mechanical forces keep the reinforced plug 161 within the casing 120 and the reinforced plug 161 provides a sealing effect at an end of the casing 120. However, in some embodiments, the reinforced plug remains external to the casing 120 and is fixed to the end of the casing 120 by using, for example, one or more latching mechanisms. The reinforced plug can act to prevent damage to an end of the casing 120 and contain the electromagnetic radiation (and heat) within the casing 120.
The casing 120a is cylindrical in shape and is sized to allow movement of the downhole tool 100 in a wellbore. The casing 120a is mechanically coupled to the support structure 110. The casing 120a is configured to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the support structure 110. However, in some embodiments, the casing 120a is fixed statically to the support structure 110. The casing 120a at least partially encloses the antenna 131. In some embodiments, the casing 120a encloses at least a portion of the electromagnetic source 130. The casing 120a includes one or more ceramic strips 122. Each of the one or more ceramic strips 122 include one or more ceramic materials. The ceramic materials can be one of several materials that can absorb electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the ceramic materials include activated carbon. In some embodiments, the ceramic materials include clay. The portions of the casing 120a other than the ceramic strips 122 include steel. Additionally, or alternatively, these portions include other materials suitable for wellbore operations such as, for example, vulcanized rubber (such as Ebonite), super alloys, titanium, aluminum, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonates, and polyamides.
The casing 120a is expandable. The casing 120a includes one or more hydraulic mechanisms, such as hydraulic pumps, that cause the casing 120a to expand. Additionally, or alternatively, the casing 120a includes one or more mechanical mechanisms, such as expansion shafts and/or expansion anchors, which cause the casing 120a to expand.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular implementations. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented, in combination, or in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations, separately, or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although previously described features may be described as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.
Particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Other implementations, alterations, and permutations of the described implementations are within the scope of the following claims as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. While operations are depicted in the drawings or claims in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed (some operations may be considered optional), to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking or parallel processing (or a combination of multitasking and parallel processing) may be advantageous and performed as deemed appropriate.
Accordingly, the previously described example implementations do not define or constrain the present disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
