US 12,291,951 B2
System and method for enhanced geothermal energy extraction
Todd W. Benson, Dallas, TX (US); John S. Burkhart, Dallas, TX (US); Christopher A. Lane, Rockwall, TX (US); James D. Franks, Louisville, KY (US); and Gunther H. H. von Gynz-Rekowski, Montgomery, TX (US)
Assigned to Hunt Energy, L.L.C., Dallas, TX (US)
Filed by Hunt Energy, L.L.C., Dallas, TX (US)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/488,856.
Application 18/488,856 is a continuation of application No. 18/127,302, filed on Mar. 28, 2023, granted, now 11,828,147.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/476,399, filed on Dec. 21, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/357,966, filed on Jul. 1, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/354,452, filed on Jun. 22, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/337,954, filed on May 3, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/325,504, filed on Mar. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0044232 A1, Feb. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 43/243 (2006.01); E21B 17/18 (2006.01); E21B 41/00 (2006.01); E21B 43/247 (2006.01); E21B 47/06 (2012.01); E21B 47/10 (2012.01)
CPC E21B 43/243 (2013.01) [E21B 17/18 (2013.01); E21B 41/0085 (2013.01); E21B 43/247 (2013.01); E21B 47/06 (2013.01); E21B 47/10 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for managing a production of thermal energy underground, the method comprising:
providing a circulation fluid within a circulation conduit positioned within a borehole in a formation to expose the circulation fluid to heat from a thermal zone in the formation;
providing a combustion fluid into the formation at a first location of a plurality of locations via a delivery conduit positioned within the borehole, wherein the formation contains a combustible material that, when combusted by the combustion fluid, provides heat to the thermal zone;
providing the combustion fluid into the formation at a second location of the plurality of locations only after a defined event occurs; and
monitoring a temperature of the circulation fluid after the circulation fluid is retrieved from the thermal zone via the circulation conduit, wherein the defined event occurs when the temperature passes a threshold.