Creating Sweet Spot in Tight and Unconventional Reservoirs Utilizing High Power Laser Technology

Abstract This paper presents the methods used to create sweet spots in tight formation and unconventional reservoirs utilizing proven methods of high-power laser technology. High power laser is already deployed successfully in the field. The technology is revolutionizing several upstream operations. The innovative technology was able to perforate a well create sweet spot without affecting the substrate integrity and damage. The development of the first high power laser field system is based on several years of research and tool iteration, integrating optical, mechanical and sensing components in one tool that is configured to manipulate the beam at different orientation. The principle of the technology is to deliver the laser beam into the targeted formation, including tight formation, the controlled heat creates micro and macro cracks, dissociate, dehydrate and collapse minerals, resulting is enhancement in the permeability and creating sweet spot. Laser generator is located at the surface and the beam is transmitted via fiber topics cable to the tool downhole. The technology can be applied in both open and cased hole, the first industrial high power laser perforation technology was successfully deployed in a cased well, laser technology can be applied in all rock types regardless their strength and mineralogy. In the cased hole, the downhole laser tool successfully penetrated through casing, cementing and formation, the candidate well is water disposal, and the objective is to improve the injectivity. The success of the operation was validated by field measurements including injectivity test, caliper and sonic logs, and downhole camera. The high power laser generator is located at the surface, and the beam is delivered via fiber optics cable to the target downhole. The innovative technology was successfully deployed in different applications in the field with remarkable results, the technology is compact, versatile and sustainable it is a none explosive and waterless based technology, small footprint, and cost effective. The bean can be controlled very precisely to a specific target in any direction, as the technology is stress independent.