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: The present device and technique relates to measuring geological formation permeability, such as by injection/withdrawal of conductivity-permeability doped fluid and measuring the magnetic permeability and/or conductivity of the surrounding formation. Before, during and/or after injection or withdrawal, pluralities of electromagnetic measurements of the radial distribution of magnetic permeability and/or conductivity of the surrounding formation may be made. The rate of change of the radial distribution of magnetic permeability and/or conductivity of the formation is generally directly proportional to the permeability of the surrounding formation. In implementations, magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity can be measured independently in time domain or frequency domain, such that the magnetic permeability mapping is not disturbed by other confounding electromagnetic parameters.

Abstract: The present device and technique relates to measuring geological formation permeability, such as by injection/withdrawal of conductivity-permeability doped fluid and measuring the magnetic permeability and/or conductivity of the surrounding formation. Before, during and/or after injection or withdrawal, pluralities of electromagnetic measurements of the radial distribution of magnetic permeability and/or conductivity of the surrounding formation may be made. The rate of change of the radial distribution of magnetic permeability and/or conductivity of the formation is generally directly proportional to the permeability of the surrounding formation. In implementations, magnetic permeability and electrical conductivity can be measured independently in time domain or frequency domain, such that the magnetic permeability mapping is not disturbed by other confounding electromagnetic parameters.

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: 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: A variable-frequency light source is configured to emit a light beam and modulate a frequency of the light beam. A fiber optic cable is attached to the variable frequency light source. The fiber optic cable is configured to receive the light beam at an inlet and pass the light beam to an exit. Multiple optical detectors are attached to the fiber optic cable. Each of the optical detectors is configured to detect a specified frequency of light that is backscattered through the fiber optic cable. An actuation mechanism is attached to the fiber optic cable. The actuation mechanism is configured to deform the fiber optic cable in response to a stimulus.

Abstract: An apparatus for condensing water and producing electricity. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of fabricated tubes, wherein the tubes may be filled with and enclose hydrogen, helium, or combinations thereof, and wherein the tubes may be bonded together lengthwise in a circular assembly to provide a cylindrical structure comprising a central bore. Further, the apparatus may comprise and a ground structure, wherein a lower portion of the cylindrical structure may be tethered to the ground structure.

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 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 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: 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 variable-frequency light source is configured to emit a light beam and modulate a frequency of the light beam. A fiber optic cable is attached to the variable frequency light source. The fiber optic cable is configured to receive the light beam at an inlet and pass the light beam to an exit. Multiple optical detectors are attached to the fiber optic cable. Each of the optical detectors is configured to detect a specified frequency of light that is backscattered through the fiber optic cable. An actuation mechanism is attached to the fiber optic cable. The actuation mechanism is configured to deform the fiber optic cable in response to a stimulus.

Abstract: Coated nanoparticles include nanoparticles with a cationic coating, such that the nanoparticles have a net-positive charge. The cationic coatings may be selected from an amino acid, a polysaccharide, a polyamine, an acrylate polymer, a dendrimer, a copolymer, a histone, a protein, an ester, or combinations thereof. The coated nanoparticles may be incorporated into methods for improving an amount of oil recovered during enhanced oil recovery. The methods may include introducing an aqueous drilling fluid comprising coated nanoparticles to a carbonate reservoir and injecting drilling fluid comprising the coated nanoparticles into the carbonate reservoir to displace oil in the carbonate reservoir and thereby enhance the oil recovery.