US 12,442,252 B2
Systems and methods for drilling geothermal wells
Todd W. Benson, Tulsa, OK (US); and Angus Lamberton Jamieson, Inverness (GB)
Assigned to Helmerich & Payne Technologies, LLC, Tulsa, OK (US)
Filed by Helmerich & Payne Technologies, LLC, Tulsa, OK (US)
Filed on May 14, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/663,313.
Application 18/663,313 is a continuation of application No. 17/823,485, filed on Aug. 30, 2022, granted, now 12,018,564.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/240,034, filed on Sep. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/260,797, filed on Aug. 31, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0301753 A1, Sep. 12, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 7/04 (2006.01); E21B 7/18 (2006.01); E21B 29/00 (2006.01); E21B 44/00 (2006.01); F03G 4/00 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 7/046 (2013.01) [E21B 7/18 (2013.01); E21B 29/002 (2013.01); E21B 44/00 (2013.01); F03G 4/00 (2021.08)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
15. A method of generating energy, comprising:
drilling a geothermal well comprising:
a first borehole drilled to a geothermal target, the first borehole comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first borehole defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the first portion has a first diameter, wherein the second portion has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and wherein the second portion is below the first portion;
a second borehole comprising a first portion and a second portion,
wherein a first end portion of the first portion of the second borehole is slide drilled to curve downwardly and outwardly from the first borehole, wherein the first portion of the second borehole extends downwardly and outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the first borehole, wherein the first portion of the second borehole is in fluid communication with the first borehole, wherein a second end portion of the first portion of the second borehole is slide drilled to define a curve, wherein the second end portion of the first portion extends downwardly,
wherein a first end portion of the second portion of the second borehole is slide drilled to extend downwardly and towards the longitudinal axis of the first borehole, wherein the second end portion of the first portion of the second borehole and the first end portion of the second portion of the second borehole together form a curved portion of the second borehole, wherein the second end portion of the second borehole is slide drilled to curve downwardly and towards the first borehole, and wherein the second portion of the second borehole is in fluid communication with the first borehole;
a casing positioned in at least a portion of the first borehole, wherein the casing is located below the first end portion of the first portion of the second borehole, wherein the casing has a third diameter smaller than the second diameter, wherein the casing forms an annulus between the casing and the first borehole such that the casing defines a fluid pathway between the casing, the second borehole, and the annulus, and wherein the fluid pathway allows flow of a fluid through the casing in a direction opposite to the flow of the fluid through the second borehole and the annulus;
pumping fluid through the fluid pathway such that the fluid travels down through the casing and up through the second borehole and the annulus, wherein the fluid is heated as the fluid travels along at least a portion of the fluid pathway; and
generating energy using a generator adapted to receive the heated fluid exiting the annulus.