Patents by Inventor Andrew CURTIS-SMITH

Andrew CURTIS-SMITH has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240110731
    Abstract: Closed loop wellbore configurations with unrestricted geometry for accommodating irregular or challenging thermal gradients within a thermally productive formation are disclosed. A working fluid is utilized in the loop for extraction of thermal energy there from. The loop and the unrestricted geometry are achieved using magnetic ranging of independent drilling operations which intersect from an inlet well and outlet well to form an interconnecting segment. In conjunction with the directional drilling, conditioning operations are incorporated to condition the rock face, cool the entire system, activate the wellbore for treatment to optimize thermal transfer inter alia. The significant degree of freedom in wellbore configuration is further optimized by the absence of mechanical impediments such as casing or liners in the heat transfer areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Toews, Paul Cairns, Derek Riddell, Andrew Curtis-Smith, Jonathan Hale
  • Patent number: 11852384
    Abstract: Closed loop wellbore configurations with unrestricted geometry for accommodating irregular or challenging thermal gradients within a thermally productive formation are disclosed. A working fluid is utilized in the loop for extraction of thermal energy there from. The loop and the unrestricted geometry are achieved using magnetic ranging of independent drilling operations which intersect from an inlet well and outlet well to form an interconnecting segment. In conjunction with the directional drilling, conditioning operations are incorporated to condition the rock face, cool the entire system, activate the wellbore for treatment to optimize thermal transfer inter alia. The significant degree of freedom in wellbore configuration is further optimized by the absence of mechanical impediments such as casing or liners in the heat transfer areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Toews, Paul Cairns, Derek Riddell, Andrew Curtis-Smith, Jonathan Hale
  • Publication number: 20220372838
    Abstract: Wellbore synthesis techniques are disclosed suitable for use in geothermal applications. Embodiments are provided where open hole drilled wellbores are sealed while drilling to form an impervious layer at the wellbore/formation interface. The techniques may be chemical, thermal, mechanical, biological and are fully intended to irreversibly damage the formation in terms of the permeability thereof. With the permeability negated, the wellbore may be used to create a closed loop surface to surface geothermal well operable in the absence of well casing for maximizing thermal transfer to a circulating working fluid. Formulations for the working and drilling fluids are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Toews, Paul Cairns, Peter Andrews, Andrew Curtis-Smith, Jonathan Hale
  • Patent number: 11242726
    Abstract: Wellbore synthesis techniques are disclosed suitable for use in geothermal applications. Embodiments are provided where open hole drilled wellbores are sealed while drilling to form an impervious layer at the wellbore/formation interface. The techniques may be chemical, thermal, mechanical, biological and are fully intended to irreversibly damage the formation in terms of the permeability thereof. With the permeability negated, the wellbore may be used to create a closed loop surface to surface geothermal well operable in the absence of well casing for maximizing thermal transfer to a circulating working fluid. Formulations for the working and drilling fluids are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Eavor Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Toews, Paul Cairns, Peter Andrews, Andrew Curtis-Smith, Jonathan Hale
  • Publication number: 20220003459
    Abstract: Closed loop wellbore configurations with unrestricted geometry for accommodating irregular or challenging thermal gradients within a thermally productive formation are disclosed. A working fluid is utilized in the loop for extraction of thermal energy there from. The loop and the unrestricted geometry are achieved using magnetic ranging of independent drilling operations which intersect from an inlet well and outlet well to form an interconnecting segment. In conjunction with the directional drilling, conditioning operations are incorporated to condition the rock face, cool the entire system, activate the wellbore for treatment to optimize thermal transfer inter alia. The significant degree of freedom in wellbore configuration is further optimized by the absence of mechanical impediments such as casing or liners in the heat transfer areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: MATTHEW TOEWS, PAUL CAIRNS, DEREK RIDDELL, ANDREW CURTIS-SMITH, JONATHAN HALE
  • Publication number: 20210325089
    Abstract: Wellbore synthesis techniques are disclosed suitable for use in geothermal applications. Embodiments are provided where open hole drilled wellbores are sealed while drilling in sequenced operations with utilization of phase change materials to form an impervious layer at the wellbore/formation interface in high temperature applications. The techniques may be chemical, thermal, mechanical, biological and are fully intended to irreversibly damage the formation in terms of the permeability thereof. With the permeability negated, the wellbore may be used to create a closed loop surface to surface geothermal well operable in the absence of well casing for heat transfer surfaces for maximizing thermal transfer to a circulating working fluid. Formulations for the working and drilling fluids are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: MATTHEW TOEWS, MICHAEL HOLMES, JONATHAN HALE, ANDREW CURTIS-SMITH, PETER ANDREWS, PAUL CAIRNS, ARIEL TORRE
  • Publication number: 20210003320
    Abstract: Operational protocol sequences for recovering energy from a thermally productive formation are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: MATTHEW TOEWS, BAILEY SCHWARZ, DEREK RIDDELL, PAUL CAIRNS, JOHN REDFERN, ANDREW CURTIS-SMITH, JONATHAN HALE, PETER ANDREWS
  • Publication number: 20200011151
    Abstract: Wellbore synthesis techniques are disclosed suitable for use in geothermal applications. Embodiments are provided where open hole drilled wellbores are sealed while drilling to form an impervious layer at the wellbore/formation interface. The techniques may be chemical, thermal, mechanical, biological and are fully intended to irreversibly damage the formation in terms of the permeability thereof. With the permeability negated, the wellbore may be used to create a closed loop surface to surface geothermal well operable in the absence of well casing for maximizing thermal transfer to a circulating working fluid. Formulations for the working and drilling fluids are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew TOEWS, Paul CAIRNS, Peter ANDREWS, Andrew CURTIS-SMITH, Jonathan HALE