Abstract: A method for improved borehole completion. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing a section of casing entirely and cutting a notch through the cement and into the surrounding rock formation, wherein the notch optimally comprise a symmetric triangle terminating in a sharp point oriented perpendicular to the casing axis. Flow may be further optimized by extending the notch as far as practical into the rock matrix to increase the effective diameter of the wellbore and increase the length of the intersection between the fracture and the wellbore.

Abstract: Materials for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry. In one embodiment, the materials comprises a tip screen-out mixture, which comprises water; a hydrophilic polymer of anionic polyacrylamide, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is hydrolized at least in part; and one or more crosslinking agents selected from a group of compounds consisting of polyvalent metal cations.

Abstract: A method for generating self-propped hydraulic fractures. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting three fluid stages sequentially, each with successively higher viscosity, comprising a pad, a sealing slurry, and a displacement fluid which may be referred to as a sweep. Compositions of each of the three fluid stages are provided, each of which may be selected based upon characteristics of the formation being treated or upon one or more characteristics of the desired fracture.

Abstract: Compositions are provided for preventing or alleviating loss of fluids from natural or artificial reservoirs formed in subterranean geological formations and methods for deployment of said compositions. The compositions can be delivered to the subterranean reservoirs in any number of steps and are comprised of rock surface adhesion promoter(s), particles that may consist of solids, gels and liquids, crosslinking agent(s) and a liquid medium. The method of the invention uses the composition of the invention in preventing or alleviating loss of fluid stored in a reservoir existing in a subterranean formation. In the method, the composition is preferably provided in a series of weighted or unweighted “pills” for introduction into the reservoir. Such a series may include from one to any number of consecutive treatments. Multiple pills or treatments may be used if needed.

Abstract: Methods for developing geomechanical pumped energy storage systems whereby energy is stored as mechanical energy by injecting a working fluid into a formation and producing the working fluid from the formation while generating power or performing work. The method is particularly adapted to storage of large amounts of energy such as in grid-scale electric energy systems. The formation may exhibit overpressure conditions, may comprise isolated stratigraphic or structural traps of reasonable size, or may comprise depleted oil and gas assets repurposed for storing energy.

Abstract: A method for generating self-propped hydraulic fractures. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting three fluid stages sequentially, each with successively higher viscosity, comprising a pad, a sealing slurry, and a displacement fluid which may be referred to as a sweep. Compositions of each of the three fluid stages are provided, each of which may be selected based upon characteristics of the formation being treated or upon one or more characteristics of the desired fracture.

Abstract: An injector generator for use in geomechanical pumped storage systems includes a power end and a fluid end. The fluid end has one or more fluid chambers each having a fluid inlet and outlet that are controlled by rotary valves. The fluid end can function as a pump or as a motor driven by fluid pressure from the geomechanical storage formation.

Abstract: Energy may be stored by injecting fluid into a fracture in the earth and producing the fluid back while recovering power and/or desalinating water. The method may be particularly adapted to storage of large amounts of energy such as in grid-scale electric energy systems. The fracture may be formed and treated with resin so as to limit fluid loss and to increase propagation pressure. The fluid may be water containing a dissolved salt or fresh water and a portion or all of the water may be desalinated using pressure in the water when it is produced.

Abstract: Energy may be stored by injecting fluid into a fracture in the earth and producing the fluid back while recovering power and/or desalinating water. The method may be particularly adapted to storage of large amounts of energy such as in grid-scale electric energy systems. The fracture may be formed and treated with resin so as to limit fluid loss and to increase propagation pressure. The fluid may be water containing a dissolved salt or fresh water and a portion or all of the water may be desalinated using pressure in the water when it is produced.

Abstract: A method for improved borehole completion. In one embodiment, the method comprises removing a section of casing entirely and cutting a notch through the cement and into the surrounding rock formation, said notch optimally comprising a symmetric triangle terminating in a sharp point oriented perpendicular to the casing axis. Flow may be further optimized by extending the notch as far as practical into the rock matrix to increase the effective diameter of the wellbore and increase the length of the intersection between the fracture and the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into a well to generate one or more hydraulic fractures in a subsurface rock formation and then substantially draining any fluids from the one or more hydraulic fractures. The method may further comprise injecting a hydrophilic polymer and one or more crosslinking agents into the well to subsequently form low-density hydrogels which may then screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures. A working fluid may then be injected into the well to increase fracture width of the one or more hydraulic fractures without substantially increasing fracture length. In an alternative embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer may be fully crosslinked by the one or more crosslinking agents and injected as pre-formed particle gels (PPGs) which may also screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures.

Abstract: A method for modeling geomechanical subsurface pumped energy storage systems. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying a mechanical model developed for storage lens behavior during flowback (production), shut-in, and inflation (storage) stages. The model couples elastic deformation of the lens with Darcy-Weisbach fluid flow spanning the laminar to turbulent regimes, and includes an energy-based inlet boundary condition governing fluid flow rate out of the lens and up to the Earth's surface. The model also introduces pressure-dependent leakoff of fluid to the surrounding rock and the impact of intact rock bridges, which can arise from the lens having multiple petals or lobes, on lens compliance.

Abstract: A method for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into a well to generate one or more hydraulic fractures in a subsurface rock formation and then substantially draining any fluids from the one or more hydraulic fractures. The method may further comprise injecting a hydrophilic polymer and one or more crosslinking agents into the well to subsequently form low-density hydrogels which may then screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures. A working fluid may then be injected into the well to increase fracture width of the one or more hydraulic fractures without substantially increasing fracture length. In an alternative embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer may be fully crosslinked by the one or more crosslinking agents and injected as pre-formed particle gels (PPGs) which may also screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures.

Abstract: A method for generating self-propped hydraulic fractures. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting three fluid stages sequentially, each with successively higher viscosity, comprising a pad, a sealing slurry, and a displacement fluid which may be referred to as a sweep. Compositions of each of the three fluid stages are provided, each of which may be selected based upon characteristics of the formation being treated or upon one or more characteristics of the desired fracture.

Abstract: A wireline width measuring apparatus and associated method which may be used to measure static and dynamic fracture width in fractures used for energy storage, water injection, or hydrocarbon production. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a depth of the formation fracture, determining the depth of the bottom of the wellbore, positioning a caliper tool string comprising a caliper apparatus at the bottom of the wellbore, wherein the caliper apparatus is positioned at a depth capable of measuring movement of a window cut into a casing of the wellbore at the depth of the formation fracture, inflating the fracture by injecting a fluid into the fracture, uninflating the fracture by producing the fluid from the fracture, and measuring movement of the window cut into the wellbore while the fracture is inflated and uninflated.

Abstract: An injector generator for use in geomechanical pumped storage systems includes a power end and a fluid end. The fluid end has one or more fluid chambers each having a fluid inlet and outlet that are controlled by rotary valves. The fluid end can function as a pump or as a motor driven by fluid pressure from the geomechanical storage formation.

Abstract: Compositions are provided for preventing or alleviating loss of fluids from natural or artificial reservoirs formed in subterranean geological formations and methods for deployment of said compositions. The compositions can be delivered to the subterranean reservoirs in any number of steps and are comprised of rock surface adhesion promoter(s), particles that may consist of solids, gels and liquids, crosslinking agent(s) and a liquid medium. The method of the invention uses the composition of the invention in preventing or alleviating loss of fluid stored in a reservoir existing in a subterranean formation. In the method, the composition is preferably provided in a series of weighted or unweighted “pills” for introduction into the reservoir. Such a series may include from one to any number of consecutive treatments. Multiple pills or treatments may be used if needed.

Abstract: A system and method for geothermal resource development which comprises generating a plunging fracture at a wellbore using a dense fracture fluid. In one embodiment a compliant elastic material may be pushed to the propagating tips of fractures where they screen out the fracture tip and stop fracture propagation. The method may further comprise injecting additional fluid to increase the net pressure in the fracture, thereby increasing the width of the fracture. The system may further comprise providing a heat exchanger disposed about the bottom of the wellbore or providing an apparatus for circulating water into the fracture in order to address natural convection occurring in the fracture.

Abstract: A method for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into a well to generate one or more hydraulic fractures in a subsurface rock formation and then substantially draining any fluids from the one or more hydraulic fractures. The method may further comprise injecting a hydrophilic polymer and one or more crosslinking agents into the well to subsequently form low-density hydrogels which may then screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures. A working fluid may then be injected into the well to increase fracture width of the one or more hydraulic fractures without substantially increasing fracture length. In an alternative embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer may be fully crosslinked by the one or more crosslinking agents and injected as pre-formed particle gels (PPGs) which may also screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures.

Abstract: A method for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into a well to generate one or more hydraulic fractures in a subsurface rock formation and then substantially draining any fluids from the one or more hydraulic fractures. The method may further comprise injecting a hydrophilic polymer and one or more crosslinking agents into the well to subsequently form low-density hydrogels which may then screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures. A working fluid may then be injected into the well to increase fracture width of the one or more hydraulic fractures without substantially increasing fracture length. In an alternative embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer may be fully crosslinked by the one or more crosslinking agents and injected as pre-formed particle gels (PPGs) which may also screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures.