Intervention combinations to boost well performance in geothermal systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12435705-B2
Application number	US-202418678978-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 30, 2024
Priority date	May 30, 2023
Publication date	Oct 7, 2025
Grant date	Oct 7, 2025

Abstract

Methods are provided for extracting thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir having at least one feature extending therethrough, which involve drilling or accessing a production well that intersects the at least one feature, wherein the at least one feature provides a flow path of pressurized geothermal fluid into the production well. Well log data can be analyzed to determine position of the at least one feature in the production well. One or more interventions, or combinations of interventions, can be performed to open the feature or otherwise enhance the flow rate of pressurized geothermal fluid carried by the feature into the production well. The intervention(s) can be performed on multiple features that connect to the production well. The method can also be applied to multiple production wells.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for extracting thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir having a feature that extends through the geothermal reservoir, the method comprising:
analyzing subsurface data to determine an intersection of the feature with a production well in the geothermal reservoir, wherein the feature provides a flow path of geothermal fluid into the production well;
performing a first intervention at a position in the production well that corresponds to the intersection, wherein the first intervention comprises perforating by combusting a propellant to generate a combustion wave towards the intersection and is configured to increase a first flow rate of the geothermal fluid from the feature into the production well; and
performing a second intervention at the position in the production well, wherein the second intervention comprises stimulating.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the geothermal fluid comprises at least one of hot water and brine.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first intervention comprises perforating by directing a high-velocity fluid towards the intersection, wherein the high-velocity flow comprises abrasive particles.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first intervention comprises perforating by emitting high-energy electromagnetic radiation towards the intersection, wherein the high-energy electromagnetic radiation comprises a high-voltage impulse greater than 100 kV or a high-power laser greater than 10 kW.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second intervention comprises stimulation by injection of a high-pressure frac fluid into the feature to hydraulically fracture formation and open the feature.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second intervention comprises stimulation by injecting an acid-based treatment fluid into the feature, wherein the treatment fluid dissolves rock to create wormholes that are fluidly connected to the feature.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second intervention comprises stimulation by mixing exothermic reagents that undergo an exothermic chemical reaction at the intersection.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second intervention comprises stimulation by spallation of a high-velocity fluid jet towards the intersection, wherein a temperature difference between the high-velocity fluid jet and a formation at the intersection induces thermal stresses configured to open the feature.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second intervention comprises stimulation by injection of a treatment fluid towards the intersection, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a solvent configured to dissolve detritus in the production well.

10. A method for extracting thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir having a feature that extends through the geothermal reservoir, the method comprising:
analyzing subsurface data to determine an intersection of the feature with a production well in the geothermal reservoir, wherein the feature provides a flow path of geothermal fluid into the production well;
performing a first intervention at a position in the production well that corresponds to the intersection, wherein the first intervention comprises detonating a colliding tool to interface with a formation about a circumference of the production well, and the first intervention is configured to increase a first flow rate of the geothermal fluid from the feature into the production well;
setting a packer at a measured depth above the intersection; and
performing a second intervention at the position in the production well, wherein the second intervention comprises stimulating.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second intervention comprises stimulation by injecting an acid-based treatment fluid into the feature, wherein the treatment fluid dissolves rock to create wormholes that are fluidly connected to the feature.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first intervention comprises cutting the production well with a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool comprises a milling tool or an expandable reamer.

13. The method of claim 12 , comprising performing a third intervention at the position, wherein the first intervention comprises milling a tubular completion component to open an aperture through the tubular completion component to the feature, and the third intervention comprises perforating the feature, wherein the third intervention is performed between the first intervention and the second intervention.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first intervention comprises directing a high-velocity fluid towards the intersection, and the second intervention comprises stimulation by injection of a high-pressure frac fluid into the feature to hydraulically fracture formation and open the feature.

15. A method for extracting thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir having a feature that extends through the geothermal reservoir, the method comprising:
analyzing subsurface data to determine an intersection of the feature with a completed open wellbore portion of a production well in the geothermal reservoir, wherein the feature provides a flow path of geothermal fluid into the production well;
performing a perforating intervention at a position in the production well that corresponds to the intersection, wherein the perforating intervention is configured to increase a first flow rate of the geothermal fluid from the feature into the production well;
setting a packer at a measured depth above the intersection;
performing a stimulating intervention at the position in the production well; and
performing a third intervention at the position, wherein the third intervention comprises underreaming the production well, wherein the third intervention is performed before the perforating intervention and the stimulating intervention.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the perforating intervention comprises directing a high-velocity fluid towards the intersection, wherein the high-velocity flow comprises abrasive particles, and the stimulating intervention comprises injecting an acid-based treatment fluid into the feature, wherein the treatment fluid dissolves rock to create wormholes that are fluidly connected to the feature.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the perforating intervention comprises detonating a colliding tool, and the stimulation intervention comprises injection of a high-pressure frac fluid into the feature to hydraulically fracture formation and open the feature.

18. A method for extracting thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir having a feature that extends through the geothermal reservoir, the method comprising:
analyzing subsurface data to determine an intersection of the feature with a production well in the geothermal reservoir, wherein the feature provides a flow path of geothermal fluid into the production well;
performing a first intervention at a position in the production well that corresponds to the intersection, wherein the first intervention comprises perforating by emitting high-energy electromagnetic radiation towards the intersection, wherein the high-energy electromagnetic radiation comprises a high-voltage impulse greater than 100 kV or a high-power laser greater than 10 KW, and the first intervention is configured to increase a first flow rate of the geothermal fluid from the feature into the production well; and
performing a second intervention at the position in the production well, wherein the second intervention comprises stimulating.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the second intervention comprises stimulation b

Assignees

• Schlumberger Technology Corp

Inventors

• Khan Abdul Muqtadir
• Johnson Ashley Bernard
• Deville Benoit
• Aviles Isaac
• Hassig Fonseca Santiago
• Christie Richard L

Classifications

• Y02E10/10

  Geothermal energy · CPC title

• E21B43/27

  by use of eroding chemicals, e.g. acids · CPC title

• E21B29/002

  Cutting, e.g. milling, a pipe with a cutter rotating along the circumference of the pipe · CPC title

• E21B43/26

  by forming crevices or fractures · CPC title

• F03G4/072 Primary

  Controlling or monitoring · CPC title