Abstract: Methods of dissociating and recovering methane from solid hydrate deposits are provided. A method for recovering methane from a methane hydrate includes at least applying electromagnetic radiation to the methane hydrate to dissociate the methane-water bond. Further provided is an apparatus for dissociating methane from a methane hydrate. The apparatus includes at least: an electromagnetic spectrum power source; a probe connected to the electromagnetic spectrum power source; an antenna connected to the distal end of the probe is capable of focusing a radiated beam into a target area of a methane hydrate; and a control system in communication with and capable of controlling the electromagnetic spectrum power source, the probe, and the antenna.

Abstract: A drilling apparatus for drilling boreholes in an underground formation includes a tool body that can be positioned in a borehole where drilling is to take place. The apparatus further includes a gas cutting torch having a nozzle, a supply of a cutting gas connected to the gas cutting torch. In some embodiments, the gas cutting torch and supply of cutting gas may be connected by an umbilical link. The tool body may be advanced through the borehole as drilling takes place. In some embodiments, the tool body may be advanced via a tractor device that forms part of the tool body or attached to the tool body.

Abstract: A method and a device to thermally fragment rock for excavation of vertical and directional boreholes in rock formations, preferentially hard rock, using highly exothermic reactions. Exothermic reactions are initiated directly in the pressurized, aqueous environment of a water-based drilling fluid preferably above the critical pressure of water (221 bar). After reaction onset temperatures within the reaction zone exceed the critical temperature for water (374° C.) providing supercritical conditions, which favor the stabilization of the reaction, e.g. a supercritical hydrothermal flame. Since reactions can be run directly in a water-based drilling fluid, the method proposed here allows high density drilling action as in conventional rotary drilling. A part from the hot reaction zone of the proposed reaction can be brought directly to the rock surface in case of hard polycrystalline rock, where high temperatures are required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wellbore perforation in which a laser beam at a downhole location of a wellbore is directed to a target area of a wellbore wall to be perforated. The laser beam is guided through a longitudinally extensible nozzle onto the target area and a purge fluid is introduced into the longitudinally extensible nozzle, thereby longitudinally extending the nozzle toward the target area. The purge fluid in the longitudinally extensible nozzle is passed through a purge fluid outlet of the nozzle onto the target area, thereby removing debris from the target area generated by the laser beam.

Abstract: A method for fracturing a solid material is disclosed. The method comprises boring at least one bore hole in the solid material, the bore hole having a bottom and an open top. Reactive materials capable of an exothermic reaction to produce a liquid and a gas are introduced into the bore hole. The bore hole is then sealed at the open top. The exothermic reaction is then initiated to produce the liquid and the gas. The pressures generated by the liquid and gas in the bore hole result in fracturing of the solid material.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

Abstract: A system for forming a wellbore includes a drill tubular. A drill bit is coupled to the drill tubular. One or more cutting structures are coupled to the drill tubular above the drill bit. The cutting structures remove at least a portion of formation that extends into the wellbore formed by the drill bit.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting methane gas from methane hydrate. The method includes heating the methane hydrate with a laser apparatus. The laser apparatus includes a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser. The laser is guided to a working end of a tool with a fiber optic bundle. The tool is guided to heat the methane hydrate with the laser, which emanates from a beam expander at the working end of the tool. The tool can be modified for removing obstructions of methane hydrate in pipelines. Also, the tool can be modified for extracting methane from mined methane hydrate, which is in a container. The characteristics of diode lasers or diode-pumped solid state lasers such as efficiency, size, nature of operation, environmental impact and durability, make methane gas extraction from methane hydrate economically feasible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for making in situ thermal property determinations utilizing a heat source employed in wellbore stabilization procedures, well drilling, or well perforating, for example. In particular, using a heat source, such as a laser driller, to enable formation temperature measurements. Based on these measurements, thermal properties of the formation may be inferred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing fluid flow into a wellbore in which an apparatus having at least one laser energy output is lowered into the wellbore and the at least one laser energy output is directed at a wall of the wellbore. At least a portion of the wall is heated using the at least one laser energy output, whereby flow of a fluid into the wellbore is initiated and/or- enhanced.

Abstract: Slicing machine having a handle to be driven manually to generate command pulses. By revolving the handle, a feedtable is moved at the operator's command, enabling the positioning of a semiconductor material at the right position to start slicing. The thickness of the first wafer cut off from the material as well as other wafers, has a predetermined thickness, so that no wafer is wasted.

Abstract: Subterranean generation of heat as a source of energy optionally accompanied by the production of minerals. In subterranean formations of minerals that are capable of undergoing an enthalpic degradation, such degradation is artificially accelerated by several orders of magnitude. To this end a bore hole is drilled down to the desired formation and accelerated enthalpic degradation is made to occur by a suitable ignition. For the extraction of energy the bore hole is flushed with water and the resulting steam is withdrawn. In one embodiment, one and the same bore hole is used for charging water and withdrawing steam. In another embodiment the bore holes are arranged pairwise, one bore hole of each pair serving for ignition and introduction of water and the other serves for the withdrawal of steam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making holes in coal seams in a coal mining system in which hot working gas is employed to impinge on the coal under high pressure and speed in order to disintegrate it and particularly for making inclined or horizontal holes which connect vertical drill holes which lead from the surface to the coal seam and through which the medium for gasifying the coal underground is blown in. The vertical drill holes which lead from the coal seam to the surface are used for blowing out gasification gases which are produced by the operation as well as for delivering the hot working gas. With the method of the invention, a gasification medium of high temperature and pressure is advantageously produced directly at the locations where the disintegrated coal is gasified, the disintegrated coal being formed by a rocket combustion process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making holes in coal seams in a coal mining system in which hot working gas is employed to impinge on the coal under high pressure and speed in order to disintegrate it and particularly for making inclined or horizontal holes which connect vertical drill holes which lead from the surface to the coal seam and through which the medium for gasifying the coal underground is blown in. The vertical drill holes which lead from the coal seam to the surface are used for blowing out gasification gases which are produced by the operation as well as for delivering the hot working gas. With the method of the invention, a gasification medium of high temperature and pressure is advantageously produced directly at the locations where the disintegrated coal is gasified, the disintegrated coal being formed by a rocket combustion process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for perforating a well casing and surrounding formation are disclosed. The perforating apparatus includes a laser source for projecting a high intensity laser beam transversely through the well bore and surrounding formation and a nozzle assembly for injecting exothermically reactive gas along the path of the laser beam. The gas stream shields the output lens of the laser while accelerating the rate of laser beam penetration. The laser beam is actuated as the exothermic gas is discharged through the nozzle during a penetrating cycle, and the laser beam is interrupted while the exothermic gas is discharged during a melt ejection cycle following the penetrating cycle. When the laser tool is used for perforating materials such as concrete, stone and sand which do not react exothermically with the gas, a fluxing agent is discharged into the flow path of the nozzle and is entrained by the exothermically reactive gas during the penetrating cycle.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the invention apparatus and a method for boring holes through carbonaceous deposits.The method involves the step of introducing combustion-supporting gases such as air under pressure through the apparatus installed in a well hole opposite the area to be bored. The apparatus comprises inner and outer flexible tubes with flexible, jointed armour and a directional nozzle which permits it to be bent and change attitude as necessary. The adjacent carbonaceous interface after being ignited is maintained in this condition by the combustion-supporting gas which is supplied under pressure. As the combustion proceeds, the pressure expels the combustion products and the gas injector is advanced along the channel it has previously formed.

Abstract: A method of mine-less connection of wells for underground gasification by the filtrational fire connecting technique is intended primarily for forming a single unitary gasification channel for underground gasification of coal, oil shale and oil-bearing beds. In the disclosed method of connecting wells or boreholes drilled for underground gasification, the coal bed is ignited in one of the wells situated in the direction of formation of the unitary gasification channel. After a center of combustion has been set in this well, an air blast is directed at a permanent flow rate into the well with which the connection is to be effected. The pressure of the air blast charged into the well is measured, and when the pressure drops considerably, an air blast is charged for connection purposes into the next successive well in the direction of formation of the gasification channel.

Abstract: A technique is described for igniting the oil shale rubble pile in an in situ oil shale retort. A gas-air burner is lowered through a hole to a plenum over the oil shale to be ignited. An excess of air is passed through the hole and around the burner so that it is kept cool as the flame from it impinges on the rubble pile and the air also provides oxygen for combustion of carbonaceous material in the shale. Preferably the burner is in a cylindrical housing having a refractory exit nozzle at its lower end so that a hot flame is ejected downwardly. Air is brought to the inlet of the nozzle through an outer feed tube in the housing and coaxial therewith. Combustible gas is introduced through an inner axial feed tube which terminates short of the inlet end of the nozzle in a mixing chamber. A mixing orifice is provided between the mixing chamber and the nozzle for thorough mixing of the gas and inhibition of travel of the flame back into the burner.