Abstract: A method and system for restoring flow capacity to a submerged fluid conduit comprising a laser light apparatus to generate blue laser light to be impinged on the fluid conduit. The method and system include a frequency multiplier (15) for converting infrared laser light from a laser light generator (14) to blue laser light having a higher transmissivity in seawater. The frequency multiplier may be disposed on a submergible vehicle (2). In one embodiment, a non-submerged infrared laser light generator (14) supplies, via optical conduits (21), laser light to a submerged frequency multiplier (15) on the vehicle (2). Blue laser light, at a wavelength in the range of 440-500 nm, is emitted through an optical window and through seawater to impinge on the surface of the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A method to remove an alkaline earth metal salt scale deposits from a pipe comprises introducing a laser head (4) into a pipe (1), isolating a pipe section to be cleaned (8) adjacent to a scale deposit (2) on an interior wall of a pipe using a packer (6), filling the section of the pipe to be cleaned (8) with gas to displace laser-obstructing materials, activating a laser element in the laser head (4) to heat a surface layer of the scale deposit (2) above a thermal decomposition temperature, and washing the thermally decomposed scale deposit (2) with water. The thermally decomposed scale deposit (2) becomes at least partially soluble and removable as a result of being heated.

Abstract: A method of controlling the environment intermediate a laser head and a targeted portion of a bore wall to remove solid material at the wall includes running an umbilical into the bore to position the head, irradiating the targeted portion of the wall using laser light, sensing a light spectrum resulting from irradiation of the solid material, comparing the sensed light spectrum to a light spectrum corresponding to favorable irradiation of the solid material, adjusting the rate of introduction of a laser-compatible material to displace laser-incompatible materials from the laser light path to obtain more favorable irradiation of the solid material. The method enable the conservation of the source of the laser-compatible material or improved irradiation of the solid material for solid removal by using the laser to cut, heat, fracture or melt the solid material.

Abstract: A method to condition a portion of a wall surrounding a borehole section drilled in a formation fluid-bearing formation comprising locally injecting a gas to displace working fluid from a laser path adjacent a drill head, providing an underbalanced pressure at the portion of the borehole section to be conditioned, impinging laser light on the portion of the wall to be conditioned to melt a component of the formation material in the portion of the bore wall to be conditioned, and drawing fluid from the formation through the solidifying component of the material to create fluid flow passageways to facilitate the flow of fluid from the formation into the borehole section. Injected gas may be provided to the drill head through a conduit within an umbilical that includes a plurality of optical fibers to transmit laser light to the drill head.

Abstract: A system to extend a lateral bore section using laser light comprises a first umbilical connected to a deflection member having a drive gear, a lateral exit port and at least one deployable seal intermediate a proximal end and the lateral exit port, and a second umbilical having an exterior movable by the drive member through a pathway of the deflection member ending at the lateral exit port to controllably advance a drill head connected to a leading end of the second umbilical. Optical fibers of the second umbilical transmit laser light from a surface end to optical elements in the drill head that condition laser light for heating a targeted portion of a bore wall. The first umbilical positions the deflection member within a primary bore section, and the second umbilical is controllably advanced to extend a lateral bore by the drive gear of the deflection member.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system to remove debris generated by using laser light to extend a bore section comprises a body connected to an umbilical and a plurality of coolant injection ports arranged about an inlet to a debris removal passage through the body. The umbilical is used to position the body adjacent a bore wall in a bore section to be extended, laser light is emitted from the apparatus to melt at least a component of a formation material in which the bore is to be extended and to generate globules of melted formation components. A gas is injected into the bore section to disrupt and to sweep at least some of the molten material from a laser path into the debris removal passage as an injected stream of coolant within the passage intercepts the remnants of globules of molten material as they accelerate in the debris removal passage.