US 12,331,622 B2
Hydraulic geofracture energy storage system and associated methods
Howard K. Schmidt, Cypress, TX (US); and Aaron H. Mandell, Framingham, MA (US)
Assigned to Quidnet Energy Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by Quidnet Energy Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/518,201.
Application 18/518,201 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/481,108, filed on Sep. 21, 2021, granted, now 11,927,085.
Application 17/481,108 is a continuation of application No. 16/889,522, filed on Jun. 1, 2020, granted, now 11,125,065, issued on Sep. 21, 2021.
Application 16/889,522 is a continuation of application No. 16/188,786, filed on Nov. 13, 2018, granted, now 10,669,471, issued on Jun. 2, 2020.
Application 16/188,786 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/336,424, filed on Oct. 27, 2016, granted, now 10,125,035, issued on Nov. 13, 2018.
Application 15/336,424 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/318,742, filed on Jun. 30, 2014, granted, now 9,481,519, issued on Nov. 1, 2016.
Application 14/318,742 is a continuation in part of application No. 12/853,066, filed on Aug. 9, 2010, granted, now 8,763,387, issued on Jul. 1, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/232,625, filed on Aug. 10, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2024/0084683 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 43/26 (2006.01); F15B 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/26 (2013.01) [F15B 1/04 (2013.01); B01D 2313/367 (2022.08)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for storing and producing energy, comprising:
injecting resins, particulates, or chemicals suspended in a fluid down a well to a fracture in a rock matrix, thereby causing an apparent fracture toughness of the fracture to become artificially increased;
pumping a working fluid down the well to the fracture to flow to a tip of the fracture;
storing the working fluid in the fracture as mechanical energy; and
before leakoff of the working fluid from the fracture, reducing pressure in the well so as to produce a portion of the working fluid up the well and allowing pressure of the produced working fluid to produce power.