IP Library Granted Patent US 8,261,820
Granted Patent B2
US 8,261,820 · App. 12/631,780 · Granted Sep 11, 2012

Drilling and opening reservoirs using an oriented fissure

Assignee: Jimni Development LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,261,820
App. No.
12/631,780
Granted
Sep 11, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for increasing hydrocarbon production from a subsurface reservoir and/or sequestering waste material such as carbon dioxide by utilizing a connection between two well bores and a flexible linear cutting device, such as a segmented diamond wire saw, to form a fissure beginning at the connection of the well bores and extending along a specified the length of the well bores. Methods and systems relate to hydrocarbon production and/or waste sequestration, including for extracting or recovering oil or gas from coal beds or tar sands.

Claims (37)

1. A system for forming a subterranean fissure extending along and between a length of a first and a second bore, comprising:

first bore having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end forming a wellhead;

second bore having proximal and distal ends;

a first connection defined between the first bore and the second bore;

a cutting device extending through the first connection and adapted to define the fissure;

at least one guide, the cutting device guided by the at least one guide; and

a third bore forming a first intersection with at least one of the first and second bores, and wherein the at least one guide is positioned at the first intersection.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection is defined by a second intersection formed by the first bore and the second bore.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second intersection is located at the respective distal ends of the first bore and the second bore.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection is defined by a channel defined between the first bore and second bore.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first connection is defined by the third bore intersecting the first and second bores.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the at least one guide is positioned at the first connection.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the at least one guide is positioned in a target zone.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide includes a pulley.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising downhole equipment to position the at least one guide using at least one of the second and third bores.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the downhole equipment includes a pipe string for positioning the at least one guide.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the downhole equipment includes a cable for positioning the at least one guide.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the third bore forms a second intersection with one of the first bore and second bore at a point between the first intersection and the proximal end of the respective one of the first bore and second bore.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second bores is adapted to deliver waste material to the fissure, thereby sequestering the waste material in a target zone in which the fissure is located.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fissure is oriented in a plane different from the plane in which co-located natural and hydro-fractures would propagate.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fissure is oriented in a plane to facilitate displacement of the adjacent rock in a desired direction.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fissure is oriented to initiate a fracture in a desired direction.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the second bore forms a wellhead.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the second bore forms a second intersection with the first bore at a point between the first connection and the proximal end of the first bore.

19. A system for forming a subterranean fissure extending along and between a length of a first and a second bore, comprising:

the first bore having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end forming a wellhead;

the second bore having proximal and distal ends;

a first connection defined between the first bore and the second bore;

a cutting device extending through the first connection and adapted to define the fissure; and

a third bore, and wherein the first connection is defined by the third bore intersecting the first and second bores.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the proximal end of the third bore forms a first intersection with one of the first bore and second bore at a point between the first connection and the proximal end of the respective one of the first bore and second bore.

21. The system of claim 19 , wherein one of the first and second bores is adapted to deliver waste material to the fissure, thereby sequestering the waste material in a target zone in which the fissure is located.

22. The system of claim 19 , wherein the fissure is oriented in a plane different from the plane in which co-located natural and hydro-fractures would propagate.

23. The system of claim 19 , wherein the fissure is oriented in a plane to facilitate displacement of the adjacent rock in a desired direction.

24. The system of claim 19 , wherein the fissure is oriented to initiate a fracture in a desired direction.

25. The system of claim 19 , wherein the proximal end of the second bore forms a wellhead.

26. The system of claim 19 , wherein the proximal end of the second bore forms a first intersection with the first bore at a point between the first connection and the proximal end of the first bore.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2011
From: COLEMAN, JAMES K., II; HESTER, NORMAN C.
To: JIMNI DEVELOPMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 026735/0437 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 11614307 · Dec 21, 2006
Provisional Application 60758523 · Jan 12, 2006
Related Publication 20100078220A1 · Apr 1, 2010