IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,173,593
Granted Patent B2
US 12,173,593 · App. 18/136,169 · Granted Dec 24, 2024

Downhole apparatus and system for electric-based fracturing

Inventors: Ammar Alali (Cambridge, MA); Mehrdad Mehrvand (Somerville, MA)
Assignee: Eden GeoPower, Inc.
E21B43/26E21B17/028E21B43/2401
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,173,593
App. No.
18/136,169
Granted
Dec 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Downhole tools, systems, and methods for electric-based fracturing are disclosed. A downhole tool for electric-based fracturing may include an outer enclosure, an insulator chamber disposed at least partially within the enclosure, and an electrode disposed at least partially within the insulator chamber. The electrode may extend out from the insulator chamber and the enclosure, and may be configured to transfer electric energy to an exterior environment surrounding the downhole tool. The insulator chamber may be configured to thermally and electrically insulate at least a portion of the electrode from the exterior environment.

Claims (39)

1. A downhole tool for electric-based fracturing, the downhole tool comprising:

an outer enclosure;

an insulator chamber disposed at least partially within the enclosure and comprising a top plate, a cylindrical body, and a bottom plate; and

an electrode disposed at least partially within the insulator chamber, the electrode extending out from the insulator chamber and the enclosure, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer electric energy to an exterior environment surrounding the downhole tool,

wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and disassembled, and wherein the outer enclosure is configured to withstand a temperature of at least 300° C. and a pressure of at least 2000 psi.

2. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and/or disassembled with non-conductive screws.

3. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the outer enclosure is formed from a corrosion resistant material.

4. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

5. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

6. The downhole tool of claim 1 , wherein the electrode includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the electrode includes a flange.

7. The downhole tool of claim 6 , wherein the flange is configured to support a weight of the electrode.

8. The downhole tool of claim 6 , wherein the flange is received by a shoulder of the insulator chamber.

9. A method of electric-based fracturing, the method comprising:

transmitting electricity from a surface power source along a high voltage cable to an electrode of a downhole tool within a well, wherein at least a portion of the electrode is thermally and electrically insulated from a surrounding environment of the well, wherein the electrode is at least partially within an insulator chamber comprising a top plate, a cylindrical body, and a bottom plate;

transferring at least a portion of the transmitted electricity from the electrode to the surrounding environment through an exposed portion of the electrode; and

heating the surrounding environment with the transferred electricity,

wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and disassembled, and wherein transmitting electricity includes transmitting electricity with a voltage of at least 30 kilovolts (kV) and/or a current of at least 40 amperes (A).

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled with non-conductive screws.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein transmitting electricity includes transmitting one or more selected from a group of continuous DC, continuous AC, and pulsed electric discharges.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

removing the downhole tool from the well;

disassembling the downhole tool; and

reassembling the downhole tool.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein disassembling the downhole tool comprises removing non-conductive screws from the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate of insulator chamber.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein reassembling the downhole tool comprises combining the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate of the insulator chamber with non-conductive screws.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the surrounding environment includes one or more selected from a group comprising sandstone, carbonate, shale, brine, petroleum, H 2 S, CO 2 , and water.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein transferring the transmitted electricity from the electrode to the surrounding environment comprises transferring a majority of the transmitted electricity from the electrode to the surrounding environment.

17. A downhole tool for electric-based fracturing, the downhole tool comprising:

an outer enclosure;

an insulator chamber disposed at least partially within the enclosure and comprising a top plate, a cylindrical body, and a bottom plate; and

an electrode disposed at least partially within the insulator chamber, the electrode extending out from the insulator chamber and the enclosure, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer electric energy to an exterior environment surrounding the downhole tool,

wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and disassembled, and wherein at least a portion of the insulator chamber is a substantially non-porous ceramic.

18. The downhole tool of claim 17 , wherein the top plate, the cylindrical body, and/or the bottom plate are configured to be assembled and/or disassembled with non-conductive screws.

19. The downhole tool of claim 17 , wherein the outer enclosure is formed from a corrosion resistant material.

20. The downhole tool of claim 17 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

21. The downhole tool of claim 17 , wherein the electrode extends out from the enclosure at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure.

22. The downhole tool of claim 17 , wherein the electrode includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the electrode includes a flange.

23. The downhole tool of claim 22 , wherein the flange is configured to support a weight of the electrode.

24. The downhole tool of claim 22 , wherein the flange is received by a shoulder of the insulator chamber.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2023
From: ALALI, AMMAR; MEHRVAND, MEHRDAD
To: EDEN GEOPOWER, INC.
Reel/Frame 064209/0430 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 17376809 · Jul 15, 2021
Related Publication 20230250714A1 · Aug 10, 2023
Cited By (2)
US 12,584,392 US 12,709,969