A geothermal heat mining system can operate within a single primary borehole in a geothermal reservoir. A primary fluid loop can include a cold working fluid line leading into the primary borehole and a hot working fluid line coming out of the primary borehole. A secondary fluid loop can be located down the primary borehole, where the secondary fluid loop is in thermal contact with the geothermal reservoir. A downhole heat mining device can control a rate of heat transfer from the secondary fluid loop to the primary fluid loop by selectively controlling fluid flow through the primary fluid loop, the secondary fluid loop, or both.

Methods and systems for producing thermal or electrical power from geothermal wells. Power is produced from a working fluid circulating in a closed loop within a geothermal well. Geothermal steam or brine at depth transfers heat at higher temperature than at the surface to the working fluid. The working fluid is then used to produce power directly or indirectly. The geothermal production fluid may be stimulated through use of gas lifting or submersible pumps to assist in bringing such fluids to the surface or through the use blockers to encourage the downhole steam advection and brine recirculation through the resource in a connective loop. The working fluid may be compatible with existing direct heat or power generation equipment; i.e., water for flash plants or hydrocarbons/refrigerants for binary plants.

A geothermal system transfers heat between the earth and a target. The system includes a containment vessel having an interior volume and a valve being selectively opened and closed to supply a first fluid to the interior volume of the containment vessel so that heat is transferred between the earth and the first fluid. An interior heat exchange line is located in the interior volume of the containment vessel. A second fluid is located in the heat exchange line to transfer heat between the first fluid and the target. A pump for circulates the second fluid through the interior heat exchange line. The system also includes a low temperature activated switch configured to open the valve in response to a temperature of the first fluid in the interior volume of the containment vessel dropping below a preset temperature, and a high temperature activated switch configured to open the valve in response to the temperature of the first fluid in the interior volume of the containment vessel rising above a preset maximum value.

A geothermal system transfers heat between the earth and a target. The system includes a containment vessel having an interior volume and a valve being selectively opened and closed to supply a first fluid to the interior volume of the containment vessel so that heat is transferred between the earth and the first fluid. An interior heat exchange line is located in the interior volume of the containment vessel. A second fluid is located in the heat exchange line to transfer heat between the first fluid and the target. A pump for circulates the second fluid through the interior heat exchange line. The system also includes a low temperature activated switch configured to open the valve in response to a temperature of the first fluid in the interior volume of the containment vessel dropping below a preset temperature, and a high temperature activated switch configured to open the valve in response to the temperature of the first fluid in the interior volume of the containment vessel rising above a preset maximum value.

A geothermal well with communicating vessels, formed of an internal piping transferring an inflow down to a level of the depth of the well, and an external piping coaxial to the internal piping and with a diameter that permits ascent of the fluid upward from the distal end of the well, wherein a flange on the internal piping engages a collar connected to the external piping via spacers, wherein detection sensors generate information on oscillations of the pipings, wherein an automatic safety valve avoids overpressures, and a driven regulation valve generates information on fluid pressure, and wherein software monitors fluid circulation within the well and operates the inlet pump and the regulation valve to dampen the oscillations and prevent microseisms.

A geothermal power plant and method of operating a geothermal power plant in which control over the creation and growth of fractures in the geothermal formation is achieved. A downhole pressure gauge (14) with a high data acquisition rate is located in the injection or production well. Pressure changes in the well are recorded as a pressure trace and transmitted to the surface as data. The data is analysed to determine fracture parameters of the geothermal formation. The pump rate of the well is then varied in response to the calculated fracture parameter(s).

A geothermal heat mining system can operate within a single primary borehole in a geothermal reservoir. A primary fluid loop can include a cold working fluid line leading into the primary borehole and a hot working fluid line coming out of the primary borehole. A secondary fluid loop can be located down the primary borehole, where the secondary fluid loop is in thermal contact with the geothermal reservoir. A downhole heat mining device can control a rate of heat transfer from the secondary fluid loop to the primary fluid loop by selectively controlling fluid flow through the primary fluid loop, the secondary fluid loop, or both.

A geothermal heat mining system can operate within a single primary borehole in a geothermal reservoir. A primary fluid loop can include a cold working fluid line leading into the primary borehole and a hot working fluid line coming out of the primary borehole. A secondary fluid loop can be located down the primary borehole, where the secondary fluid loop is in thermal contact with the geothermal reservoir. A downhole heat mining device can control a rate of heat transfer from the secondary fluid loop to the primary fluid loop by selectively controlling fluid flow through the primary fluid loop, the secondary fluid loop, or both.

Guidance methods for guiding the drilling, of wells while reducing trajectory drift. Each drilled well incorporates signalling devices which are used together or in a selected sequence to guide additional well drilling. With the progressive addition of the signalling devices spacing, positioning and connection of wells, particularly multilateral wells, is focused and precise.

Guidance methods for guiding the drilling, of wells while reducing trajectory drift. Each drilled well incorporates signalling devices which are used together or in a selected sequence to guide additional well drilling. With the progressive addition of the signalling devices spacing, positioning and connection of wells, particularly multilateral wells, is focused and precise.