Systems and methods for steam fracking
US12065918B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2022 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/2405
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Systems and methods for steam fracking may provide for fracking at a lower cost, providing faster cycles, higher pressure, and more perforation, thereby making a safer system and less expensive method. A high-energy spark initiator may be maneuvered into a horizontal drill hole where a petroleum-bearing formation is fractured for trapped petroleum to flow out through cracks and into the horizontal borehole and pumped to the surface for collection. The horizontal borehole may be flooded with slickwater which may submerge the spark initiator. A high-energy electric charge may be sparked across the contacts on the spark initiator, followed by a high energy steam explosion caused by the heat of the spark. This may heat the water in the borehole near the initiator into high-pressure live steam which forces slickwater into the formation's cracks, opening the cracks wider where the slickwater sand will pack into cracks to hold them open.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.