Coretest Systems, Inc.

Potter Drilling, Inc.

Jared M Potter

Thomas W Wideman

Donald Dreesen

Douglas N Sweet

Robert M Potter

Methods and apparatus for spalling a material, for example to thermally drill a wellhole, are provided. Such methods may include directing a fluid having a temperature greater than about 500&#xb0; C. above the ambient temperature of the material and less than about the temperature of the brittle-ductile transition temperature of the material to a target location on the surface of the material, wherein the fluid produces a heat flux of about 0.1 to about 50 MW/mat an interface between the fluid and the target location, and thereby creating spalls of the material.

Methods and apparatus for thermal drilling

A compression cell for rock or soil core samples applies and restores lithostatic or overburden pressure to core samples extracted from wells drilled deep into the earth. A method of applying lithostatic pressure to a core sample is disclosed along with the apparatus which effects the application. The cell construction that maintains the litho static pressure and the process of utilizing the cell and sample under essentially deep earth ambient conditions are set forth.

Overburden rock core sample containment system

A pressure control assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a pressure transducer for detecting upstream pressure. A diaphragm is used to regulate flow through the assembly, and is forced into a closed position by pressure from a fluid column. The pressure on the fluid column is controlled by a piston driven by a step motor. The step motor is activated in response to signals from the pressure transducer.

Growing community of inventors

Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Jared M Potter