Patent · US Active

Geothermal energy production

US8839857B2 · kind B2 · utility

52Cited by
21References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 14, 2010
Grant dateSep 23, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/10
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method of geothermal energy production can include injecting water into a formation, and then automatically decreasing resistance to flow through at least one valve in response to the water changing phase in the formation. A geothermal well system can include a tubular string disposed in a production wellbore, the tubular string including at least one valve, water which flows from an injection wellbore into a formation surrounding the wellbore, and then flows from the formation into the production wellbore as steam, and resistance to flow through the valve decreasing automatically in response to presence of the steam in the production wellbore. Another method of geothermal energy production can include injecting water into a formation from an injection wellbore, the water changing phase in the formation, and then automatically decreasing resistance to fluid flow through at least one valve in response to presence of steam in a production wellbore.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.