WO2007136485A2 - Procédé et un appareil d'extraction de méthane utilisant des diode laser ou des laser à solide pompé par diode laser - Google Patents

Procédé et un appareil d'extraction de méthane utilisant des diode laser ou des laser à solide pompé par diode laser Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007136485A2
WO2007136485A2 PCT/US2007/009491 US2007009491W WO2007136485A2 WO 2007136485 A2 WO2007136485 A2 WO 2007136485A2 US 2007009491 W US2007009491 W US 2007009491W WO 2007136485 A2 WO2007136485 A2 WO 2007136485A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
laser
methane
diode
methane hydrate
tool
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2007/009491
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English (en)
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WO2007136485A3 (fr
Inventor
Kiran Ramanlal Magiawala
Jeffrey Lee Sollee
Michael Gordon Wickham
Steven Wayne Fornaca
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Northrop Grumman Corp
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Northrop Grumman Corp
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Publication of WO2007136485A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007136485A2/fr
Publication of WO2007136485A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007136485A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B36/00—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
    • E21B36/006—Combined heating and pumping means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
    • E21B41/0099—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00 specially adapted for drilling for or production of natural hydrate or clathrate gas reservoirs; Drilling through or monitoring of formations containing gas hydrates or clathrates
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
    • E21B7/14—Drilling by use of heat, e.g. flame drilling

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for methane extraction, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for extracting methane from methane hydrate using high-energy diode lasers or solid state lasers that are pumped with diode lasers.
  • COIL oxygen-iodine energy transfer laser
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a vertical methane gas extraction operation using a high energy semiconductor laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a semiconductor laser according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic block diagram of a self-cleaning beam expander of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a vertical methane gas extraction operation using a high energy semiconductor laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a semiconductor laser according to a further embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 A is a cross sectional schematic view taken along the plane indicated by line 3 A-3 A in FIG. 3 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a horizontal drilling operation using a semiconductor laser tool for extracting methane gas from a methane hydrate deposit
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing removal of a methane hydrate obstruction in a gas pipeline with a high energy laser tool that employs a high energy semiconductor laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a semiconductor laser;
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a laser drill forming a bore in a methane hydrate formation
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing a laser tool heating methane hydrate stored in a container.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing a fiber-coupled diode laser.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram showing a fiber laser that is pumped by fiber-coupled diode lasers.
  • the present disclosure concerns a method and apparatus for extracting methane gas from methane hydrate.
  • the method includes heating the methane hydrate with a laser beam of a high energy diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser to release methane gas from the methane hydrate.
  • the end of the tool is placed in the methane hydrate, and the laser is guided with an optic fiber to the end of the tool.
  • the laser beam is produced with a diode laser, which is more efficient.
  • the laser can be operated in a pulsed mode or a continuous mode.
  • the invention includes a method of removing a methane hydrate obstruction in a gas pipeline by heating the methane hydrate with a laser beam of a diode laser or a laser that is pumped with a diode laser to change the phase of the obstruction.
  • the invention includes a method of boring through a methane hydrate formation to access a natural gas pocket that is located beneath the methane hydrate formation.
  • the boring method includes forming a bore hole through the methane hydrate with a laser beam of a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser and placing a conventional drill in the bore hole to drill beneath the methane hydrate formation to form a second bore, which leads into the gas pocket.
  • the invention includes an apparatus for extracting methane from methane hydrate.
  • the ' apparatus includes an extraction tool; a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser; and an optic fiber for leading a laser beam generated by the laser to a working end of the extraction tool.
  • the apparatus may further include a conduit for conducting extracted methane from a methane formation toward a proximal end of the extraction tool.
  • the apparatus may further include a beam expander for expanding the laser beam before the laser beam strikes the methane hydrate.
  • the apparatus may further include apparatus for forming an air curtain adjacent to a lens of the beam expander so that the lens is self-cleaning.
  • the apparatus may further include an air passage for delivering air to the air curtain.
  • the extraction tool may include a water cooling passage for cooling the optic fiber.
  • the extraction tool may be supported by a platform, which carries the high energy diode laser or diode-pumped solid state laser, its power source and thermal management system.
  • FIG. 1 shows a methane extraction apparatus performing a vertical extraction operation in a body of water 101.
  • a platform 102 is located at the water level of the body of water 101, such as the ocean. Beneath a crust 107, which forms the floor of the body of water 101 is a layer, or strata, of methane hydrate 108.
  • An electric power plant 103 is located on the platform 102.
  • a high-power laser 104 (diode laser or solid state laser that is pumped by a diode laser) is located on the platform as shown.
  • FIG. 1 shows an extraction operation on water, the extraction can take place on dry land or ice with a drilling rig (not illustrated) that includes equipment similar to that located on the platform 102.
  • a laser extractor tool 113 Extending from the platform 102 to the methane hydrate strata is a laser extractor tool 113, which includes a laser light-carrying optic fiber bundle 109, a laser head assembly 114 and a conduit 105, for transporting gas mixture 112 (methane and steam) to the platform 102.
  • the extractor tool 113 is formed by concentric pipes, as shown.
  • the conduit 105 is formed between the inner surface of an outer pipe and the outer surface of an inner pipe.
  • the gas mixture 112 is delivered to a gas separator apparatus 106, which separates methane from steam and stores the separated methane in gas, liquid or solid form, as desired.
  • apparatus for cooling the fiber bundle is incorporated in the laser tool 113.
  • the laser head 114 can include a self-cleaning beam expander 110 from which an expanded laser beam 111 is projected.
  • the laser beam 111 interacts with the solid methane hydrate 108 and causes a phase change. That is, the laser beam 111 heats the methane hydrate 108 and converts the methane hydrate into steam and methane gas.
  • the beam expander 110 increases the diameter of the laser beam, which increases the area of the methane hydrate 108 to be heated, which facilitates large scale production of methane gas.
  • the methane hydrate is located below a crust 107 of the earth.
  • a bore is drilled through the crust 107 with a conventional drill (not illustrated).
  • the well can then be capped until the extractor tool 113 is inserted.
  • the extractor tool 113 may be equipped to break a cap on a capped bore; however, such equipment is not illustrated.
  • FIG. 2 shows the self-cleaning laser beam expanderl 10 in more detail.
  • the fiber bundle 109 is coupled to the beam expander 110 as shown.
  • At a light exit lens of the beam expander 110 is an air curtain 204.
  • the laser 104 is a high-power semiconductor laser, or diode laser, which is very efficient. In this application, “high power” means approximately one hundred kilowatts or more.
  • the laser 104 can be a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser. Such lasers are particularly suitable for methane extraction from methane hydrate because of their extended on-time (time of continuous operation), durability, efficiency, size, power requirements, and maintenance and supply requirements.
  • diode lasers or solid state lasers that are pumped with diode lasers are approximately a few years, which is favorable for methane gas extraction, and diode lasers or solid state lasers that are pumped with diode lasers require only electricity to operate, which is favorable for methane gas extraction.
  • diode lasers or solid state lasers that are pumped with diode lasers do not produce waste materials at the work site. Therefore, diode lasers or solid state lasers that are pumped with diode lasers have little environmental impact on drilling sites.
  • diode lasers or solid state lasers that are pumped with diode lasers make them particularly suitable for extracting methane from methane hydrate.
  • methane extraction from methane hydrate was generally considered to be uneconomic.
  • the present method and apparatus is considered likely to render methane extraction from methane hydrate a commercially viable operation.
  • the laser beam of the methane extraction apparatus is a diode laser.
  • Diode lasers currently have an efficiency of approximately 55-80%. Such relatively high efficiencies are required for economic methane gas production.
  • the efficiency discussed herein is the so-called wall-plug efficiency, which is the energy in the output beam divided by the energy input to the laser.
  • solid state laser pumped with a diode laser refers to a laser that uses a gain medium that is a solid, rather than a liquid or a gas, and is pumped with laser diodes.
  • a gain medium that is a solid, rather than a liquid or a gas, and is pumped with laser diodes.
  • lasers have efficiencies of approximately 10-20%.
  • a fiber laser is one type of solid state laser that is pumped with diode lasers.
  • the optical fiber core serves as the medium.
  • fiber lasers have an efficiency of approximately 30-35%.
  • solid state laser includes diode lasers, fiber lasers, and rod or slab lasers.
  • Diode lasers are generally considered separately from diode-pumped lasers.
  • the terms "diode laser” and “diode-pumped laser” refer to separate types of lasers. That is, in this application, the term “diode laser” excludes diode-pumped lasers.
  • the laser 104 is a diode laser, which more efficient than lasers that are pumped by diode lasers. Assuming an average overall efficiency of an electricity generator to be approximately 40%, the ratio of energy in extracted methane to energy input is expected to be approximately 3 to 5 for a diode laser. Co- generating power plants, which generate both power and heat, have higher overall efficiencies (50-70%) and would improve the energy ratio.
  • Diode lasers or diode-pumped solid state lasers require no supplies of chemicals or fuel other than electricity, which can be produced at the drilling site.
  • the electricity can be generated from a fraction of the methane gas produced by the well or from another energy source.
  • a COIL requires chemical supply tanks, which greatly increase the size and cost of the platform and associated equipment.
  • a diode laser or a diode-pumped solid state laser requires only electricity and is thus more compact and less costly.
  • a drilling rig that uses a diode laser or a diode-pumped solid state laser is more cost effective and can tip the balance of an operation that would otherwise he economically unsound toward commercial viability.
  • COILs for example, can operate for only short periods of a few minutes, which is insufficient for economic gas production.
  • a diode laser or a diode-pumped solid state laser can operate for sustained periods that render methane extraction by the method disclosed above economically sound.
  • the laser 104 will be operated in either of a pulsed mode and a continuous mode.
  • the pulsed mode may be advantageous for breaking ice, which is the naturally occurring state of methane hydrate.
  • the beam parameter product (BPP) of a laser beam is defined as the product of beam radius (measured at the beam waist) and the beam divergence half- angle (measured in the far field).
  • the usual units are mm mrad (millimeters times milliradians).
  • the BPP is often used to specify the beam quality of a laser beam: the higher the beam parameter product, the lower the beam quality.
  • the beam quality is not an important consideration in heating methane hydrate. Thus, high beam quality (low BPP) is not required, which reduces the costs.
  • FIGS. 3 and 3A show a vertical extraction tool 302 including an air conduit 309 and a water cooling passage 308.
  • an extraction is shown in a body of water 301.
  • the extraction tool 302 includes a conduit 306 for carrying extracted methane and steam toward a platform, which is not illustrated in Fig. 3 but is like the platform shown in FIG. 1.
  • Beneath a crust 305 is a layer of methane hydrate 304.
  • An expanded laser beam 303 heats the methane hydrate 304 to release steam and methane gas.
  • optical fibers 320 are located within a cooling passage 308 of the extraction tool 302. Cooling water is pumped into the cooling passage 308 through an input passage 307. The cooling water is discharged through an output passage 310.
  • the locations of the input passage 307 and output passage 310 are arbitrarily selected and are not necessarily as shown.
  • the apparatus of FIG. 3 includes a beam expander 203 as shown in FIG. 2. Located within the cooling passage 308 is the air conduit 309 for supplying air to the self-cleaning expander 203. As shown in FIG. 2, the air, which is under pressure, is used to form an air curtain 204 for cleaning an outer surface or lens of the beam expander 203.
  • FIG.4 shows a horizontal drilling operation that on a body of water 401.
  • a horizontal extraction tool 402 extends from the platform and through an opening in the crust of the earth 405.
  • the distal end of the horizontal extraction tool 402 is located in a layer of methane hydrate 404.
  • An expanded laser beam 403 converts the methane hydrate 404 into steam and methane gas as in the method illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • a mixture of steam and methane hydrate is conducted through a conduit in the horizontal extraction tool 402 to a separator, as in the method of FIG. 1.
  • the horizontal drilling method is advantageous in that the tool 402 can be moved along the length of the layer of methane hydrate 404 by extending the tool 402 in the horizontal direction to increase production.
  • horizontal movement extends the reach of the tool 402 within a horizontal layer of methane hydrate 404 to increase the efficiency of gas production.
  • a laser tool 502 can be used to remove a methane hydrate blockage, or formation, 504 in a natural gas pipeline or a methane gas and steam carrying pipeline 501.
  • methane hydrate formations 504 can cause obstructions in such pipelines.
  • the laser tool 502 includes a beam expander 203 like that shown in FIG. 2. A laser beam is directed to the beam expander through optic fibers (not illustrated in FIG. 2). Through an opening in the pipeline 501 (not illustrated) the tool 502 is guided to an obstruction of methane hydrate.
  • the expended laser beam 503 is then used to heat the methane hydrate 504, which converts the methane hydrate to steam and methane gas thus removing the obstruction.
  • the laser used in this embodiment is a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped by a diode laser.
  • a laser head drill 602 can be used to form a bore in a layer of methane hydrate 604 so that a conventional well drill can reach a pocket of natural gas 610 that is located below the methane hydrate layer 604.
  • the laser head drill 602 incorporates a laser light-carrying fiber bundle, and a laser head assembly that includes a self-cleaning beam expander, like that shown in Fig. 2.
  • the laser head drill 602 includes a conduit for carrying methane gas and steam away from a bore 606.
  • the laser beam 603 heats the methane hydrate 604 and converts the solid methane hydrate 604 to methane gas and steam, which is carried away through the conduit in the laser head drill 602.
  • the laser used in this embodiment is a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped by a diode laser..
  • a conventional drill is used to form a bore through a first crust layer 605.
  • the laser head drill 602 is deployed in the bore formed by the conventional drill to form the bore 606 through the methane hydrate layer 604.
  • a conventional drill is used again to bore through a second crust layer 607 to reach the pocket of natural gas 610.
  • a laser tool 702 can be used to extract methane gas from methane hydrate 704 that has been mined and is located in a container 701.
  • the laser tool 702 is preferably movable horizontally and vertically to optimize the reach of the tool 702.
  • the expanded laser beams 703 heat the methane hydrate 704 to release methane gas 705 from an opening in the container 701, as shown.
  • the laser used is a diode laser or a solid state laser that is pumped with a diode laser.
  • the laser tool 702 includes a bundle of optic fibers for carrying the laser beam from the laser to a beam expander at the distal end of the tool 702.
  • Water 706 will collect in the container 701 as a result of the heat from the laser beams 703.
  • a separator may not be required to separate steam from the methane gas 705. Since methane gas is lighter than steam, it will collect at the top of the container 701. Also, since methane gas exits the container through the opening in the container, it is not necessary to form a conduit in the laser tool 702 for conducting methane gas.
  • Fig. 8 shows a diode laser, which is the preferred type of laser for the laser 104 or the source laser of any of the illustrated embodiments.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates a known fiber-coupled diode laser module 812.
  • the electrical power plant 103 is coupled to the laser module 812 by a cable 810.
  • Fig. 8 shows only two laser diode bars 816 any number of laser diode bars 816 may be arranged in the laser module 812 depending on the circumstances and output needs.
  • one cooling channel 814 which carries coolant, is associated with each laser diode bar 816.
  • any number of cooling channels may be arranged in various configurations as long as heat is transferred from the diode laser bars.
  • a pair of lenses 818 direct laser light to coupling and conditioning optics 820.
  • the coupling and conditioning optics can include a containing lens, half-wave plates, beam compression prisms, a polarization beam combiner, and spatial filters.
  • a fiber port coupler 822 couples the coupling and conditioning optics 820 to a fiber 824.
  • Laser light 826 emanates from the end of the fiber 824.
  • a bundle of fibers 824 may be employed.
  • Fig. 9 shows an alternative known fiber laser that may be used as the laser 104 in Fig. 1 or as the source laser in any of the illustrated embodiments.
  • a master oscillator laser 910 which may be any of several types of known lasers, is coupled to an optical fiber 912.
  • a fiber-coupled diode laser pump 914 is coupled to a light coupler 916, as illustrated.
  • Within the laser pump 914 is an array of diode laser modules, such as that illustrated in Fig. 8, each of which is coupled to one of the illustrated optical fibers extending between the laser pump 914 and the light coupler 916.
  • an active fiber 918 Downstream from the light coupler 916 is an active fiber 918 that is being pumped by the fiber-coupled diode laser modules. Further downstream from the active fiber 918 are beam shaping optics 924. Laser light 926 emanates from the beam shaping optics 924 or a fiber coupled to the beam shaping optics 924.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)
  • Lasers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un procédé et un appareil d'extraction de méthane gazeux d'hydrate de méthane. Le procédé consiste à placer dans appareil laser comportant une diode laser ou un laser à solide pompé par diode laser. Le laser est guidé sur l'extrémité de travail d'un outil par un faisceau de fibres optiques. L'outil est guidé de manière à chauffer l'hydrate de méthane par le laser qui émane d'un expanseur de faisceau situé à l'extrémité de travail de l'outil. L'outil peut être modifié afin d'éliminer les obstructions restantes d'hydrate de méthane dans les pipelines; il peut également être modifié pour extraire du méthane d'hydrate de méthane de gisements présent dans des réservoirs. Les caractéristiques des diodes laser ou des lasers à solide pompés par diode laser telles que: l'efficacité, la taille, la nature de l'opération, l'impact sur l'environnement et la durabilité, rendent cette extraction économiquement faisable.
PCT/US2007/009491 2006-05-16 2007-04-19 Procédé et un appareil d'extraction de méthane utilisant des diode laser ou des laser à solide pompé par diode laser Ceased WO2007136485A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US80040806P 2006-05-16 2006-05-16
US60/800,408 2006-05-16
US11/493,897 US20070267220A1 (en) 2006-05-16 2006-07-27 Methane extraction method and apparatus using high-energy diode lasers or diode-pumped solid state lasers
US11/493,897 2006-07-27

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WO2007136485A2 true WO2007136485A2 (fr) 2007-11-29
WO2007136485A3 WO2007136485A3 (fr) 2008-11-13

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