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Saudi Aramco’s EXPEC Advanced Research Center (EXPEC ARC) has developed a new perforation method using laser technology, making Saudi Aramco the first to introduce in-situ laser perforation to the petroleum industry, according to a company announcement.
Perforation of a well is an essential step for hydrocarbon fluids to flow from the reservoir rock into the wellbore and onward to the surface. Perforations are holes made through the steel casing wall and cement into the rock formation.
Laboratory results have demonstrated that laser perforation generates thermal stresses that fracture a well’s surrounding rock, thus increasing permeability around the perforations, facilitating easier intake of hydrocarbons. An immediate application of laser perforation includes facilitating hydraulic fracturing in open-hole horizontal wells (oriented fracturing), which can greatly enhance the wells’ production capability.
Laser technology has significant advantages over the conventional perforation technology, in that there is no compaction in the rock. A high-energy laser beam can vaporize rock formation and create a perforation with a permeable wall surface.
“The successful lab laser perforation of casing and rock samples has brought us closer to deploying laser energy in-situ for well perforation and fracture initiation. The in-situ laser perforation will also set the groundwork for further research and applications in petroleum engineering, including laser drilling” said Company’s Production Technology Team chief technologist.
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