Sono tool and related systems and methods
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorSameeh Issa Batarseh
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Abstract
This application relates to tools, systems, and methods for stimulating hydrocarbon bearing formations using energy from sonoluminescence.
Claims26
A tool for delivering energy generated by sonoluminescence to a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the tool comprising:
- an elongate body configured for placement within the wellbore;
- one or more cavity containers disposed along a length of the tool and at least partially disposed within the elongate body, where each of the one or more cavity containers comprises:
- a cavity defined by a housing;
- a liquid port configured to introduce a liquid into the cavity;
- a gas port configured to introduce one or more gases into the cavity;
- one or more acoustic transducers disposed adjacent to the cavity and configured to generate a sound wave to induce sonoluminescence in the cavity;
- and
- one or more acoustic mirrors disposed adjacent to the cavity and configured to reflect and direct the generated energy from the induced sonoluminescence toward the formation.
A tool for delivering energy generated by sonoluminescence to a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the tool comprising:
- an elongate body configured for placement within the wellbore;
- a liquid port disposed in the elongate body and configured to receive a liquid from a source of liquid;
- a gas port disposed in the elongate body and configured to receive one or more gases from a source of gas;
- a liquid nozzle disposed in the elongate body and configured to introduce a liquid into a cavity within the formation;
- a gas nozzle disposed in the elongate body and configured to introduce one or more gases into the cavity;
- one or more acoustic transducers disposed on the elongate body and configured to generate a sound wave;
- and
- one or more acoustic mirrors disposed on the elongate body and configured to reflect and direct the sound wave towards the cavity to induce sonoluminescence in the cavity.
A system for delivering energy from sonoluminescence to a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the system comprising:
- a plurality of capsules;
- and
- means for delivering the capsules down the wellbore, where each capsule comprises:
- a housing that defines a cavity;
- one or more acoustic transducers disposed adjacent to the cavity and configured to generate a sound wave to induce sonoluminescence in the cavity;
- and
- one or more rupture disks disposed within the housing and configured to break and release the generated energy from the induced sonoluminescence.
A method for delivering energy from sonoluminescence to a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the method comprising the steps of:
- introducing a cavity defined by a housing of a cavity container into the wellbore via a tool;
- injecting a liquid into the cavity through a liquid port disposed adjacent to the cavity;
- injecting one or more gases into the cavity through a gas port disposed adjacent to the cavity;
- activating one or more acoustic transducers disposed adjacent to the cavity to generate a sound wave to induce sonoluminescence in the cavity;
- and
- directing the generated energy toward the formation with one or more acoustic mirrors disposed adjacent to the cavity.
A method for delivering energy from sonoluminescence to a wellbore in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the method comprising the steps of:
- delivering a plurality of capsules to the wellbore, where each of the plurality of capsules comprises:
- a housing that defines a cavity,
- one or more acoustic transducers disposed adjacent to the cavity, and
- one or more rupture disks disposed within the housing;
- activating the one or more acoustic transducers to generate a sound wave to induce sonoluminescence in the cavity;
- and
- breaking the one or more rupture disks to release the generated energy from the induced sonoluminescence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.