Patent classifications
F03G4/02
Systems for Generating Energy from Geothermal Sources and Methods of Operating and Constructing Same
The present disclosure describes a system and a method for generating energy from geothermal sources. The system includes an injection well and a production well extending underground into a rock formation, a first lateral section connected to the injection well and a second lateral section connected to the production well, the first and second lateral sections connected with a multilateral connector, defining a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith. The downhole well loop cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation. The downhole well loop to receive working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation. The system also includes a pump to circulate working fluid, a turbine system to convert the flow of working fluid into electricity, and a cooler.
Systems for Generating Energy from Geothermal Sources and Methods of Operating and Constructing Same
The present disclosure describes a system and a method for generating energy from geothermal sources. The system includes an injection well and a production well extending underground into a rock formation, a first lateral section connected to the injection well and a second lateral section connected to the production well, the first and second lateral sections connected with a multilateral connector, defining a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith. The downhole well loop cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation. The downhole well loop to receive working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation. The system also includes a pump to circulate working fluid, a turbine system to convert the flow of working fluid into electricity, and a cooler.
System and method for harvesting geothermal energy from a subterranean formation
A system and method of harvesting geothermal energy in a subterranean formation includes providing an injection wellbore that extends into the subterranean formation, positioning a plurality of selectively opening sleeves in the injection wellbore spaced apart the subterranean formation, providing at least one producing wellbore that extends into the subterranean formation in a predetermined location proximate to the injection wellbore, and fracturing the subterranean formation in a plurality of locations proximate to the plurality of selectively opening sleeves to enhance a fluid pathway between the injection wellbore and the at least one producing wellbore. Fluid is injected down the injection wellbore at a first temperature, and the fluid is produced from the at least one producing wellbore at a second temperature higher than said first temperature.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
A geothermal power system is disclosed. The system comprises a downhole turbine configured to operate within a wellbore and a downhole electrical generator configured to be driven by the turbine. A channel facilitates flow of a working fluid through the turbine. The channel has a feed portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction away from the surface and a return portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction towards the surface. A surface structure is in fluid communication with the feed portion and the return portion to circulate the working fluid through the channel.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING ELECTRICITY USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
A geothermal power system is disclosed. The system comprises a downhole turbine configured to operate within a wellbore and a downhole electrical generator configured to be driven by the turbine. A channel facilitates flow of a working fluid through the turbine. The channel has a feed portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction away from the surface and a return portion allowing the working fluid to flow in a direction towards the surface. A surface structure is in fluid communication with the feed portion and the return portion to circulate the working fluid through the channel.
Systems for generating energy from geothermal sources and methods of operating and constructing same
The present disclosure describes a system and a method for generating energy from geothermal sources. The system includes an injection well and a production well extending underground into a rock formation, a first lateral section connected to the injection well and a second lateral section connected to the production well, the first and second lateral sections connected with a multilateral connector, defining a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith. The downhole well loop cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation. The downhole well loop to receive working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation. The system also includes a pump to circulate working fluid, a turbine system to convert the flow of working fluid into electricity, and a cooler.
Systems for generating energy from geothermal sources and methods of operating and constructing same
The present disclosure describes a system and a method for generating energy from geothermal sources. The system includes an injection well and a production well extending underground into a rock formation, a first lateral section connected to the injection well and a second lateral section connected to the production well, the first and second lateral sections connected with a multilateral connector, defining a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith. The downhole well loop cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation. The downhole well loop to receive working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation. The system also includes a pump to circulate working fluid, a turbine system to convert the flow of working fluid into electricity, and a cooler.
WELLBORE FOR EXTRACTING HEAT FROM MAGMA BODIES
Wellbore for extracting heat from magma and a corresponding method. The method includes the steps of drilling a borehole from a surface and towards a magma chamber; supplying a drilling fluid to an interface between a drill bit and a terminal end of the borehole during drilling; terminating the drilling in response to the borehole achieving a predetermined depth; and supplying a thermodynamic fluid into the borehole to maintain the borehole while completing the wellbore. The drilling fluid lifts cuttings out of the borehole and quenches magma to form a solid phase material that can be cut by the drill bit.
Flow control for geothermal well
Systems and methods for harvesting geothermal energy use temperature-based flow control to optimize the extraction of thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir. In one example, a thermal transport fluid is flowed into a wellbore traversing a thermal reservoir of a formation. Flow of the thermal transport fluid into and out of the thermal reservoir is dynamically controlled at each of a plurality of injection and/or return locations in response to a downhole parameter such as temperature. For example, flow may be controlled so that the flow into the thermal reservoir is greater at the injection locations where the temperature is hotter and that the flow out of the thermal reservoir is greater at the return locations where the temperature is hotter. The thermal transport fluid produced from the return locations is then conveyed to surface to extra the thermal energy.
Flow control for geothermal well
Systems and methods for harvesting geothermal energy use temperature-based flow control to optimize the extraction of thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir. In one example, a thermal transport fluid is flowed into a wellbore traversing a thermal reservoir of a formation. Flow of the thermal transport fluid into and out of the thermal reservoir is dynamically controlled at each of a plurality of injection and/or return locations in response to a downhole parameter such as temperature. For example, flow may be controlled so that the flow into the thermal reservoir is greater at the injection locations where the temperature is hotter and that the flow out of the thermal reservoir is greater at the return locations where the temperature is hotter. The thermal transport fluid produced from the return locations is then conveyed to surface to extra the thermal energy.