Abstract: A method to produce in-situ steam comprising the steps of producing a laser beam in a steam generator segment positioned in a wellbore in a formation; introducing the laser beam to an activated carbon container, where the activated carbon container comprises activated carbon; increasing a temperature of the activated carbon with the laser beam to produce a hot activated carbon; introducing water to the activated carbon container through a water supply line; producing steam in the activated carbon container when the water contacts the hot activated carbon; increasing pressure in the activated carbon container as steam is produced until a pressure set point of an inter-container valve is reached; releasing steam through the inter-container valve to a steam container; increasing a pressure in the steam container until a release set point of one or more release valves is reached; and releasing steam through the release valve to the formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing steam in-situ, the apparatus comprising an activated carbon container configured to hold activated carbon; a water supply fluidly connected to the activated carbon container, the water supply configured to provide water directly to the activated carbon container; an inter-container valve fluidly connected to the activated carbon container, the inter-container valve configured to let steam flow from the activated carbon container to a steam container; the steam container fluidly connected to the inter-container valve, the steam container configured to hold the steam that flows from the activated carbon container; and one or more release valves fluidly connected to the steam container, the one or more release valves configured to release steam from the steam container.

Abstract: A method of using a hybrid tool to perforate a formation comprising the steps of deploying a hybrid tool into a wellbore positioned in the formation; activating a laser beam from the swivel laser head of the hybrid tool; and drilling a tunnel with the laser beam, Followed by, reducing a power of the laser; operating the laser beam at the heating power such that a first spherical heat zone expands from the first point; and drilling a second span of tunnel extending from the first point to a second point. Finally, reducing the power of the laser beam to the heating power; operating the laser beam at the heating power to increase the temperature at the second point such that a second spherical heat zone expands from the second point; and detonating the shaped charged aligned with a targeted perforation path with detonating cord.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for directional drilling through hydrocarbon bearing formations using a downhole laser tool. The technologies can be used to steer or direct a drill bit or drill string to a new drilling direction in the formation through controlled activation of a laser beam discharged from a laser head mounted on a drill string or drill bit.

Abstract: A nested anti-resonant nodeless hollow core fiber (NANF) enables transmission of multi-kilowatt, continuous wave (CW) light beams operating in wavelengths between 1050 nm and 1100 nm provided by single mode lasers. Such a NANF has little loss over kilometer ranges, and can be employed in long distance subsurface applications, such as in the petroleum industry.

Abstract: An optical fiber has corrugations on an outer surface to dissipate a portion of an input light beam, allowing the remaining portion of the light beam to be coupled to the optical fiber. By dissipating the portion of input light, damage to the optical fiber by uncoupled light is reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing in-situ steam comprising a rotational joint, the steam generating tool comprising an optics unit configured to shape and manipulate laser energy delivered to the optics unit through the fiber optic cable to produce a laser beam, an optical cover, an activated carbon case configured to contain activated carbon, the activated carbon case comprising a laser end configured to allow the laser beam to pass while containing the activated carbon, a reinforced end configured to stop the laser beam while containing the activated carbon, wherein the laser beam travels from the optical cover to the laser end of the activated carbon case through the activated carbon case and ends at the reinforced end, and activated carbon, an outer case, wherein an annulus is formed between the outer case and the activated carbon case, and water supply pipes configured to carry water to the annulus.

Abstract: A method for monitoring hydrate formation in an interior of a tube may include deploying a first hydrate controller device at a first location on an exterior surface of the tube. The method may include deploying a second hydrate controller device at a second location on the exterior surface of the tube. The method may include transmitting, by the first hydrate controller device, first acoustic signals towards the interior of the tube. The first acoustic signals may include a first frequency value and a first amplitude value associated to a transmission power level. The method may include receiving, by the second hydrate controller device, the first acoustic signals. The method may include measuring, by the second hydrate controller device, a reception power level of the first acoustic signals.

Abstract: Some implementations of the present disclosure provide a method that includes: irradiating a target surface with a process beam during a drilling process; in response to irradiating with the process beam, receiving a signal beam that contains light scattered from the target surface as well as light radiating from the target surface; splitting the signal beam into a first portion on a polarization arm and a second portion on a non-polarization arm; performing, on the polarization arm, a first plurality of polarization-dependent intensity and spectrum measurements of the first portion; performing, on the non-polarization arm, a second plurality of intensity and spectrum measurements of the second portion; and based on applying one or more machine learning techniques to at least portions of (i) the first plurality of polarization-dependent intensity and spectrum measurements, and (ii) the second plurality of intensity and spectrum measurements, determining a classification of the target surface.

Abstract: A laser system for freeing downhole equipment includes a laser tool having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the downhole equipment and a means for generating a ring-shaped collimated laser beam. The laser system further includes a work string with the inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the downhole equipment. The laser tool is installed on the work string and the work string is lowered around the downhole equipment. Upon lowering the work string to a position in which the laser tool is located proximate to an obstruction of the downhole tool, the laser tool emits the ring-shaped collimated laser beam so as to clear out an annulus space between the downhole equipment and a wellbore wall in order to free the downhole equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spatially orienting a subterranean pressure pulse to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The apparatus includes an injection body with a fixed shape, where the injection body is operable to hold an exothermic reaction component prior to triggering an exothermic reaction of the exothermic reaction component, and where the injection body maintains the fixed shape during and after triggering of the exothermic reaction component. The injection body includes a chemical injection port, where the chemical injection port is operable to feed components of the exothermic reaction component to the injection body. The injection body includes a reinforced plug, where the reinforced plug is operable to direct a pressure pulse generated by the exothermic reaction component within the injection body to a perforation to generate a spatially-oriented fracture, where spatial orientation of the spatially-oriented fracture is pre-determined.

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: 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: A laser cutting tool includes: an optical assembly that includes a laser generator that emits an laser beam; a reflector disposed longitudinally downstream of the laser generator; a reflector reflecting the laser beam emitted from the optical assembly; a focus lens disposed laterally beside the reflector; and a timer for controlling the tool to operate for at least one predetermined amount of time. The focus lens focuses the laser beam after it passes through the reflector.

Abstract: Some embodiments may be directed to a drilling tool for drilling in a formation. This drilling tool may include an optical fiber having a laser input end and a laser output end and a laser source optically connected to the laser input end. Further, the drilling tool may include an activating agent conduit having an activating agent inlet and an activating agent outlet and an activating agent source connected to the activating agent inlet that supplies an activating agent. Finally, the drilling tool may include a drill head. In some embodiments, the drill head may include a nozzle connected to the activating agent outlet that discharges the activating agent on an area of the formation, and a laser head optically connected to the laser output end and arranged to lase at least a portion of the area of the formation having the activating agent.

Abstract: A laser tool apparatus includes a tool body; a fiber optic cable disposed in the tool body, the fiber optic cable including a laser head that emits a laser beam; a reshape optic disposed coaxially downstream of the fiber optic, the reshape optic reshaping the laser beam emitted from the laser head; and a flexible cable attached to the reshape optic. The flexible cable flexibly orients the laser beam at a desired angle within a borehole.

Abstract: A laser cutting tool includes: an optical assembly that includes a laser generator that emits an laser beam; a reflector disposed longitudinally downstream of the laser generator; a reflector reflecting the laser beam emitted from the optical assembly; a focus lens disposed laterally beside the reflector; and a timer for controlling the tool to operate for at least one predetermined amount of time. The focus lens focuses the laser beam after it passes through the reflector.

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for stimulating hydrocarbon bearing formations using a hybrid downhole tool that uses a high power laser and chemicals.

Abstract: An example laser tool is configured to operate within a wellbore of a hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. The laser tool includes one or more optical transmission media as part of an optical path originating at a laser generator configured to generate a laser beam having an axis. The laser tool includes an optical element for receiving the laser beam from the one or more optical transmission media and for output to the hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. The laser tool includes a purging head for removing dust or vapor from a path of the laser beam. The purging head is for discharging two or more purging gas streams. The purging head may include a coaxial flow assembly and a helical flow assembly. A coaxial purging gas stream may flow in a direction parallel to the axis. A helical purging gas stream may flow in a helical pattern around and substantially along the axis.

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.