High Power Laser Technology Toward the Downhole Applications: The Effect on Permeability

Abstract

AbstractIn response to the high oil and gas demand, new sustainable technologies were developed and evolved to improve the production. Among those new technologies is the high power laser technology. Laser technology attracted the industry due to its unique properties and the potential to revolutionize the oil and gas industry in many applications. Such applications include; drilling, perforation, descaling, pipe cutting, casing-casing annulus remedy, and fracture initiation.This paper will discuss the effect of high power laser operations on the permeability during the utilization of this method for oil and gas applications. The interaction between the high power laser and the formation induces high thermal energy to the geological structure of the reservoir that will influence the permeability of the formation.Different types of experimental work examine the consequences of high power laser on permeability. Several research studies are conducted on different rock samples; the samples include carbonate, sandstone, and shale. The high power laser induces thermal energy, which affects the physical structure of the rock sample by altering the physical and chemical properties of the rock. Such changes include decomposition reaction, dehydration, clays collapse, and micro-cracking. Various lab techniques are used for analysis and characterization, including thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and permeability measuring machine. The lab work showed improvement in permeability in most rock samples that are treated with high power laser energy. High power laser technology is a friendly environmental method for downhole oil and gas applications. The paper demonstrated that the technology is non-damaging and enhances the flow properties in the well. Improving the production by enhancing the permeability.