Method for laser drilling subterranean earth formations
- Morgantown, WV
Laser drilling of subterranean earth formations is efficiently accomplished by directing a collimated laser beam into a bore hole in registry with the earth formation and transversely directing the laser beam into the earth formation with a suitable reflector. In accordance with the present invention, the bore hole is highly pressurized with a gas so that as the laser beam penetrates the earth formation the high pressure gas forces the fluids resulting from the drilling operation into fissures and pores surrounding the laser-drilled bore so as to inhibit deleterious occlusion of the laser beam. Also, the laser beam may be dynamically programmed with some time dependent wave form, e.g., pulsed, to thermally shock the earth formation for forming or enlarging fluid-receiving fissures in the bore.
- Research Organization:
- MERC/ERDA
- Assignee:
- Unites States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3977478
- OSTI ID:
- 862629
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
laser
drilling
subterranean
earth
formations
efficiently
accomplished
directing
collimated
beam
bore
registry
formation
transversely
suitable
reflector
accordance
highly
pressurized
gas
penetrates
pressure
forces
fluids
resulting
operation
fissures
pores
surrounding
laser-drilled
inhibit
deleterious
occlusion
dynamically
programmed
time
dependent
wave
form
pulsed
thermally
shock
forming
enlarging
fluid-receiving
time dependent
collimated laser
wave form
earth formations
earth formation
pressure gas
laser beam
subterranean earth
drilling operation
laser drilling
fluids resulting
efficiently accomplished
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