US 12,305,621 B2
Systems for generating energy from geothermal sources and methods of operating and constructing same
Curtis Cook, Calgary (CA); Neal Gartner, Calgary (CA); Shane Engelking, Cochrane (CA); and Jeff Peterson, Calgary (CA)
Assigned to Roda Energy Corporation, Calgary (CA)
Filed by Roda Energy Corporation, Calgary (CA)
Filed on Jun. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/332,902.
Prior Publication US 2024/0410292 A1, Dec. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. F03G 4/02 (2006.01); E21B 36/00 (2006.01); E21B 41/00 (2006.01); F03G 4/00 (2006.01); F24T 10/13 (2018.01); E21B 33/14 (2006.01); E21B 47/06 (2012.01); F01D 15/10 (2006.01); F24T 50/00 (2018.01)
CPC F03G 4/029 (2021.08) [E21B 36/003 (2013.01); E21B 41/0035 (2013.01); F24T 10/13 (2018.05); E21B 33/14 (2013.01); E21B 47/06 (2013.01); F01D 15/10 (2013.01); F03G 4/00 (2021.08); F05D 2220/76 (2013.01); F24T 50/00 (2018.05)] 63 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for generating energy from geothermal sources, the system comprising:
a common well segment extending underground into a rock formation, the common well segment having an upper end and a lower end;
an insulated injection pipe extending underground into the rock formation, a portion of the insulated injection pipe being co-located with the common well segment, the insulated injection pipe fluidly isolated from the common well segment;
an injection well extending further underground from the lower end of the common well segment, the injection well having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the injection well fluidly connected to the insulated injection pipe;
a production well extending further underground from the lower end of the common well segment, the production well having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the production well fluidly connected to the common well segment;
a first lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the injection well;
a second lateral section connected to and extending away from a location along the production well;
a multilateral connector joining the first lateral section and the second lateral section;
each of the common well segment, the injection well, the production well, the first and second lateral sections being cased in steel and cemented in place within the rock formation;
the insulated injection pipe, the injection well, the first lateral section, the multilateral connector, the second lateral section, the production well and the common well segment cooperating with each other to define a pressure-tested downhole well loop within the rock formation and in a heat transfer arrangement therewith, the pressure-tested downhole well loop being configured to receive a working fluid capable of undergoing phase change between liquid and gas within the pressure-tested downhole well loop as a result of heat transferred from the rock formation;
a pump fluidly connected to the insulated injection pipe, the pump being configured to circulate the working fluid through the pressure-tested downhole well loop;
a turbine system fluidly connected to the common well segment, the turbine system being operable to convert mechanical energy generated from the flow of working fluid, into electricity; and
a cooler fluidly connected between the pump and the turbine system for cooling the working fluid.