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Laser Beams to drill for oil
Laser Beams, a new and inn-ovative method, is going to change the way we extract gas, oil, water and subsurface minerals. High-powered lasers have the potential to revolutionise drilling technology, particularly for the oil and gas extraction industry. This has generated keen interest between drilling services firms and other firms of similar nature, as lasers would be much cheaper, much faster and much more environment friendly than conventional drilling techniques. John Trefny, President, Colorado School of Mines, said, "The laser initiative reaffirms mines cutting-edge research capabilities and its impact on issues critical to the world's development."
Although this technology is lab tested but Colorado School of Mines researchers are confident enough to produce a prototype of laser drill within the next two years. While donating the laser technology patents to Colorado School of Mines University, Gene Partlow, vice president, Boeing Intellectual Property Business said, "Boeing is pleased to contribute technology that has the potential to reduce the effects drilling has on both natural ecosystems and local communities."
The advantages laser drilling has over conventional methods are vivid. Laser drill costs could be at least 10 times lower and up to several hundred times less than wells drilled with rotary rigs. For example, a typical, 10,000-foot gas well in Wyoming's Wind River Basin costs about $350,000 to drill, laser drilling would drop the cost to $ 35,000 or lower. Laser drills' footprint occupies less surface space around 100 square feet or even less with some models. The laser rigs could be transported to drilling sites in one semi-trailer load. Lasers could be programmed for precise well diameters and depths.
Laser Beams to drill for oil
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