High power laser perforating and laser fracturing tools and methods of use

A method of enhancing fluid communication between a borehole and a formation in the earth, the method comprising:

• a. positioning a high power laser tool in a predetermined location within a borehole in a formation;
• b. the laser tool in optical communication with a source of a high power laser beam, wherein the laser beam has a power from 10 to 40 kW;
• c. delivering the high power laser beam in a predetermined laser beam delivery pattern to the formation;
• wherein, the laser beam delivery pattern comprises a plurality of laser beam perforation patterns;
• d. wherein the location and shape of the laser beam perforation patterns is based at least in part on geological properties of the formation;
• and,
• e. whereby the laser beam delivery pattern creates a custom geometry in the formation enhancing fluid communication between the borehole and the formation.

The well of claim 10, wherein the well is made by the method comprising:

• a. obtaining data about the geological properties of the formation containing the hydrocarbon reservoir;
• b. obtaining a hydraulic fracturing plan for the formation;
• c. inserting a high power laser tool into a borehole, and advancing the laser tool to a predetermined location within the borehole;
• d. placing the laser tool in optical and control communication with a high power laser delivery system;
• e. based, at least in part, on the formation data and the hydraulic fracturing plan, determining a laser energy delivery pattern;
• wherein, the laser energy delivery pattern comprises a plurality of laser perforations for predetermined locations in the formation;
• f. the laser delivery system and laser tool delivering the laser energy delivery pattern to the predetermined location within the borehole;
• and,
• g. hydraulic fracturing the formation based, at least in part, upon the hydraulic fracturing plan;
• h. whereby, the laser energy creates the custom geometry in the formation enhancing the hydraulic fracturing of the formation and thereby, enhancing the fluid communication between the borehole and the hydrocarbon reservoir in the formation.

The method of claim 10, wherein the well is made by the method comprising:

• a. positioning a high power laser tool in a predetermined location within the borehole in the formation;
• b. the laser tool in optical communication with a source of a high power laser beam, wherein the laser beam has a power from 10 to 40 kW;
• c. delivering the high power laser beam in a predetermined laser beam delivery pattern to the formation;
• wherein, the laser beam delivery pattern comprises a plurality of laser beam perforation patterns;
• d. wherein the location and shape of the laser beam perforation patterns is based at least in part on geological properties of the formation;
• and,
• e. whereby the laser beam delivery pattern creates the custom geometry in the formation enhancing fluid communication between the borehole and the formation.