An optically powered system for rapid, focused heating and melting of water ice. The optical wavelength is chosen to fall in a range where transmissivity through liquid water is higher than through ice. An alternative embodiment of the invention further comprises a length of fiber optic tether between source and output to allow for motion of the melt head. A further embodiment includes probing the ice using various sensing modalities exploiting the presence of the fiber in the ice, searching for biomarkers and characterizing the radiation/light environment for subsurface habitability, including photosynthetic potential and radiation environment as a source for energy.

An optically powered system for rapid, focused heating and melting of water ice. The optical wavelength is chosen to fall in a range where transmissivity through liquid water is higher than through ice. An alternative embodiment of the invention further comprises a length of fiber optic tether between source and output to allow for motion of the melt head. A further embodiment includes probing the ice using various sensing modalities exploiting the presence of the fiber in the ice, searching for biomarkers and characterizing the radiation/light environment for subsurface habitability, including photosynthetic potential and radiation environment as a source for energy.

A laser head apparatus that enables switching between a laser beam and a purging stream. The laser head apparatus includes a bracket that provides for translation and rotation of the laser optics and purging nozzle. The laser optics and purging nozzle are located on opposite sides of the bracket and may be rotated to different rotational positions around a center axis of the bracket and translated to different linear positions along a length of the bracket. Methods of removing material using the laser head apparatus to between a laser beam and a purging stream are also provided.

New systems and methods capable system for drilling are disclosed. An example system can include a vertically-moving platform supporting a gyrotron capable of transmitted electromagnetic energy down a waveguide such that, as the vertically-moving platform moves downward, energy transmitted by the gyrotron through the waveguide will progressively drill a borehole in the earth.

New systems and methods capable system for drilling are disclosed. An example system can include a vertically-moving platform supporting a gyrotron capable of transmitted electromagnetic energy down a waveguide such that, as the vertically-moving platform moves downward, energy transmitted by the gyrotron through the waveguide will progressively drill a borehole in the earth.

The disclosure relates to an electrocrushing drilling fluid with an electrocrushing drilling base fluid including a non-polar oil, water, and glycerin. The base fluid may further include a polar oil and an alkylene carbonate. The electrocrushing drilling fluid may further contain at least one additive. The electrocrushing drilling fluid may have a dielectric constant or dielectric strength of at least a set amount, an electric conductivity less than a set amount, or a combination of these properties. The disclosure further relates to an electrocrushing drilling system containing the electrocrushing drilling fluid and an electrocrushing drill bit.

The disclosure relates to an electrocrushing drilling fluid with an electrocrushing drilling base fluid including a non-polar oil, water, and glycerin. The base fluid may further include a polar oil and an alkylene carbonate. The electrocrushing drilling fluid may further contain at least one additive. The electrocrushing drilling fluid may have a dielectric constant or dielectric strength of at least a set amount, an electric conductivity less than a set amount, or a combination of these properties. The disclosure further relates to an electrocrushing drilling system containing the electrocrushing drilling fluid and an electrocrushing drill bit.

A system includes a drill pipe, a fiber optic housing, a laser housing, a conduit, and a fiber optic cable. The drill pipe extends from a surface location into the wellbore. The fiber optic housing is connected to the drill pipe. The laser housing is connected to the fiber optic housing and houses a laser. The drill bit, the laser housing, the fiber optic housing, and the drill pipe are configured to rotate. The conduit extends through the drill pipe, the fiber optic housing, the laser housing, and the drill bit. The fiber optic cable is housed in the fiber optic housing, is disposed within the conduit, and extends from the surface location to the laser located in the laser housing. The laser emits a laser beam into the wellbore. Rotation of the laser housing rotates the laser beam in a circular plane perpendicular to the wellbore.

A system includes a drill pipe, a fiber optic housing, a laser housing, a conduit, and a fiber optic cable. The drill pipe extends from a surface location into the wellbore. The fiber optic housing is connected to the drill pipe. The laser housing is connected to the fiber optic housing and houses a laser. The drill bit, the laser housing, the fiber optic housing, and the drill pipe are configured to rotate. The conduit extends through the drill pipe, the fiber optic housing, the laser housing, and the drill bit. The fiber optic cable is housed in the fiber optic housing, is disposed within the conduit, and extends from the surface location to the laser located in the laser housing. The laser emits a laser beam into the wellbore. Rotation of the laser housing rotates the laser beam in a circular plane perpendicular to the wellbore.

Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.