Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for stimulating hydrocarbon bearing formations using a downhole laser tool.

Abstract: This application relates to tools, systems, and methods for stimulating hydrocarbon bearing formations using energy from sonoluminescence.

Abstract: A two-stage microinverter for coupling a PV panel to a power grid includes a DC/DC converter stage having an input for coupling to the PV panel and a DC/AC inverter stage that has an output for coupling to the grid, with at least one DC link capacitor between the DC/DC converter and DC/AC inverter stage. A synchronous controller that includes a loop compensator coupled to a mixer is between an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a phase-locked loop (PLL) for coupling to an output voltage from the grid. The ADC receives a DC link voltage from the DC link capacitor. An output of the PLL is for controlling a timing of sampling by the ADC of the DC link voltage so that the ADC samples the DC link voltage when an AC component of a ripple voltage on the DC link voltage intersects an average value of the DC link voltage.

Abstract: Tools, processes, and systems for in-situ fluid characterization based on a thermal response of a fluid are provided. The thermal response of a downhole fluid may be measured using a downhole thermal response tool and compared with thermal responses associated with known fluids. The properties of the downhole fluid, such as heat capacity, diffusivity, and thermal conductivity, may be determined by matching the thermal response of the downhole fluid with a thermal response of a known fluid and using the properties associated with the known fluid. The composition of the downhole fluid may be determined by matching the viscosity of the downhole fluid to the viscosity of known fluid. A downhole thermal response tool for cased wellbores or wellbore sections and a downhole thermal response tool for openhole wellbores or wellbore sections are provided.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for in-situ heating fluids with electromagnetic radiation are provided. An example tool includes a housing operable to receive a fluid flowed through a flow line and a heater positioned within the housing. The heater includes a number of tubular members configured to receive portions of the fluid and an electromagnetic heating assembly positioned around the tubular members and configured to generate electromagnetic radiation transmitted to heat the tubular members. The heated tubular members can heat the portions of the fluid to break emulsion in the fluid. Upstream the heater, the tool can include a homogenizer operable to mix the fluid to obtain a homogenous fluid and a stabilizer operable to stabilize the fluid to obtain a linear flow. Downstream the heater, the tool can include a separator operable to separate lighter components from heavier components in the fluid after the emulsion breakage.

Abstract: An example laser tool that operates within a wellbore is configured to combine a purging medium and a laser beam. The laser tool includes an integrator configured to receive the laser beam from a laser head and to combine the laser beam and the purging medium. A conduit is configured to generate a laminar flow from the purging medium and to produce an output that includes the laminar flow and the laser beam. The output is directed by the conduit towards a target within the wellbore. At least part of the laser tool is configured for rotation to cause the output to rotate during application of the output to the target.

Abstract: An example tool for fracturing a formation includes a body having an elongated shape and fracturing devices arranged along the body. Each fracturing device includes an antenna to transmit electromagnetic radiation and one or more pads that are movable to contact the formation. Each pad includes an enabler that heats in response to the electromagnetic radiation to cause fractures in the formation.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions and methods for enhancing fracturing operation. In some embodiments, the present application includes compositions and methods that are used to minimize clustering of proppants or introduce proppants into narrow fractures. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods involve magnetic proppants.

Abstract: Tools, processes, and systems for in-situ fluid characterization based on a thermal response of a fluid are provided. The thermal response of a downhole fluid may be measured using a downhole thermal response tool and compared with thermal responses associated with known fluids. The properties of the downhole fluid, such as heat capacity, diffusivity, and thermal conductivity, may be determined by matching the thermal response of the downhole fluid with a thermal response of a known fluid and using the properties associated with the known fluid. The composition of the downhole fluid may be determined by matching the viscosity of the downhole fluid to the viscosity of known fluid. A downhole thermal response tool for cased wellbores or wellbore sections and a downhole thermal response tool for openhole wellbores or wellbore sections are provided.

Abstract: An example method includes stimulating a wellbore using a plasma tool configured to operate in the wellbore. The method includes introducing the plasma tool into the wellbore and generating one or more first laser beams. The method includes directing the one or more first laser beams to one or more first points outside of the downhole unit and inside a volume of fluid at least partially confined by an acoustic mirror. The one or more first laser beams may create a plasma bubble at a first point resulting in one or more shock waves in the volume of fluid. The method includes deforming the acoustic mirror to produce, from the one or more shock waves, one or more destructive reflected waves directed to one or more second points outside of the downhole unit.

Abstract: A downhole tool can be advanced downhole a wellbore. The downhole tool can include an electromagnetic source, a directional antenna, and a casing. The casing can either completely or partially consist of ceramic materials. The directional antenna can be oriented to direct electromagnetic radiation generated by the electromagnetic source towards the ceramic materials of the casing. In response to receiving the electromagnetic radiation, the ceramic materials can absorb the electromagnetic radiation, which can cause the ceramic materials to rapidly increase in temperature.

Abstract: An example plasma tool is configured to operate within a wellbore of a hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. The plasma tool includes a laser head that includes one or more optical components. The laser head is configured to receive one or more laser beams at the one or more optical components and to output the one or more laser beams via the one or more optical components. The plasma tool includes a laser beam generator to generate the one or more laser beams. The laser beam is configured to induce a plasma in a volume of fluid. The plasma is for producing shock waves in the volume of fluid. The plasma tool includes a deformable acoustic mirror that confines the volume of fluid at least in part. The deformable acoustic mirror is configured to receive the shock waves to produce destructive reflected waves in the volume of fluid.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for in-situ heating fluids with electromagnetic radiation are provided. An example tool includes a housing operable to receive a fluid flowed through a flow line and a heater positioned within the housing. The heater includes a number of tubular members configured to receive portions of the fluid and an electromagnetic heating assembly positioned around the tubular members and configured to generate electromagnetic radiation transmitted to heat the tubular members. The heated tubular members can heat the portions of the fluid to break emulsion in the fluid. Upstream the heater, the tool can include a homogenizer operable to mix the fluid to obtain a homogenous fluid and a stabilizer operable to stabilize the fluid to obtain a linear flow. Downstream the heater, the tool can include a separator operable to separate lighter components from heavier components in the fluid after the emulsion breakage.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method includes imaging a casing, completed wellbore, or open wellbore. An integrity problem is with the casing, completed wellbore, or open wellbore is determined based on the imaging. A placement zone for a filler, a filler amount, and filler parameters for the integrity problem is determined. The filler in the filler amount is injected in the placement zone. The filler is solidified at the placement zone.

Abstract: An example system includes a laser tool configured for downhole movement. The laser tool includes an optical assembly configured to shape a laser beam for output. The laser beam may have an optical power of at least one kilowatt (1 kW). A housing contains the optical assembly. The housing is configured for movement to direct the output laser beam within a wellbore. The movement includes rotation of the laser tool around a longitudinal axis of the housing and tilting the housing relative to a longitudinal axis of the wellbore. A control system is configured to control at least one of the movement of the housing or an operation of the optical assembly to direct the output laser beam within the wellbore.

Abstract: A multi-input power DC-DC converter includes a first and second bridge circuit for receiving power from a first and second electric power source. The first bridge circuit includes a first power switches with a first switch output node in between, and a second bridge circuit for receiving power from a second electric power source including second power switches with a second switch output node in between. At least one of the first and second electric power source is a photovoltaic (PV) panel. A single LLC resonant tank coupled to both the first and second output node is configured together with a transformer including a secondary winding and a primary winding that provides a magnetizing inductance which provides a second inductance for the single LLC resonant tank. A rectifier is coupled to the secondary winding.

Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore that traverses a formation, the method comprising the steps of inserting a one-stage drilling tool into the wellbore, the one-stage drilling tool comprising a laser head configured to produce a drilling beam, a completion sheath configured to line the wellbore, and a centralizer configured to support the completion sheath within the wellbore, operating the laser head to produce the drilling beam, wherein the drilling beam comprises a laser, wherein the drilling beam has a divergent shape comprising a base at a distance from a front end of the laser head and an apex proximate to the front end of the laser head, wherein a diameter of the base of the drilling beam is greater than a diameter of the one-stage drilling tool, and drilling the formation with the drilling beam, wherein the laser of the drilling beam is operable to sublimate the formation.

Abstract: An example laser tool includes a laser head to output a laser beam and a robotic arm that is articulated and that is connected to the laser head. The robotic arm includes segments that are connected by flexible joints to enable movement of the laser head in six degrees of freedom. A control system is configured to control the robotic arm to direct output of the laser beam.

Abstract: An example tool for fracturing a formation includes a body having an elongated shape and fracturing devices arranged along the body. Each fracturing device includes an antenna to transmit electromagnetic radiation and one or more pads that are movable to contact the formation. Each pad includes an enabler that heats in response to the electromagnetic radiation to cause fractures in the formation.

Abstract: An example tool for fracturing a formation includes a body having an elongated shape and fracturing devices arranged along the body. Each fracturing device includes an antenna to transmit electromagnetic radiation and one or more pads that are movable to contact the formation. Each pad includes an enabler that heats in response to the electromagnetic radiation to cause fractures in the formation.