Earth loop heat exchange methods and systems

Abstract

A method and system for drilling creating a wellbore which, in at least certain aspects, includes positioning a drilling apparatus at a desired location at the earth surface, the drilling apparatus having rotating and hammering apparatus for simultaneously rotating and hammering a dual tubular string into the earth, the dual tubular string with an outer casing string spaced apart by an annular space from an inner drill pipe string, both the outer casing and inner drill pipe string being hollow, a drill bit secured to a lowermost end of the inner drill pipe string and, optionally, a casing drill apparatus secured at a lowermost end of the casing string, drilling through the earth to form the wellbore by simultaneously rotating and hammering the dual tubular string with the drilling apparatus; and, in certain aspects, installing a geothermal heat loop and grouting the space around it.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for making a wellbore extending down into earth from an earth surface, the method comprising 
 positioning a drilling apparatus at a desired location at the earth surface, the drilling apparatus comprising rotating and hammering apparatus for simultaneously rotating and hammering a dual tubular string into the earth, the dual tubular string comprising an outer casing string spaced apart by an annular space from an inner drill pipe string, both the outer casing and inner drill pipe string being hollow, a drill bit secured to a lowermost end of the inner drill pipe string and a casing drill apparatus secured at a lowermost end of the casing string,    drilling through the earth to form the wellbore by simultaneously rotating and hammering the dual tubular string with the drilling apparatus, and    installing a thermal transfer loop in the wellbore.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 forcing compressed air with compressed air apparatus down an interior of the inner drill pipe string and up into the annular space to carry drilled cuttings to the earth surface.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 with automatic tubular handling apparatus automatically providing pieces of both casing and drill pipe as drilling commences to lengthen, respectively, the casing string and the inner drill pipe string.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 removing the inner drill pipe string following drilling of the wellbore down to a desired depth.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 grouting with grout material around the thermal transfer loop in the wellbore.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising 
 the thermal transfer loop having a lowermost end and the method further comprising 
 positioning said lowermost end about a foot from a bottom of the wellbore.  
 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising 
 pumping the grout material into the casing string to encompass the thermal transfer loop.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising 
 with vibrating apparatus for vibrating the casing to densify the grout material.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising 
 removing the casing string from the wellbore.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising 
 adding additional grout material into the wellbore as the casing string is removed from the wellbore.  
 
     
     
         11 . A method for making a wellbore extending down into earth from an earth surface, the method comprising 
 positioning a drilling apparatus at a desired location at the earth surface, the drilling apparatus comprising rotating and hammering apparatus for simultaneously rotating and hammering a dual tubular string into the earth, the dual tubular string comprising an outer casing string spaced apart by an annular space from an inner drill pipe string, both the outer casing and inner drill pipe string being hollow, a drill bit secured to a lowermost end of the inner drill pipe string and a casing drill apparatus secured at a lowermost end of the casing string,    drilling through the earth to form the wellbore by simultaneously rotating and hammering the dual tubular string with the drilling apparatus,    forcing compressed air with compressed air apparatus down an interior of the inner drill pipe string and up into the annular space to carry drilled cuttings to the earth surface,    with automatic tubular handling apparatus automatically providing pieces of both casing and drill pipe as drilling commences to lengthen, respectively, the casing string and the inner drill pipe string,    removing the inner drill pipe string following drilling of the wellbore down to a desired depth,    inserting a heat exchange earth loop into the wellbore through an interior of the casing string,    feeding grout material into the casing string to encompass the heat exchange earth loop, and    removing the casing string from the wellbore.    
     
     
         12 . A system for drilling a wellbore, the system comprising 
 a drilling apparatus positionable at a desired location at an earth surface, the drilling apparatus comprising rotating and hammering apparatus for simultaneously rotating and hammering a dual tubular string into the earth,    the dual tubular string comprising an outer casing string spaced apart by an annular space from an inner drill pipe string, both the outer casing and inner drill pipe string being hollow,    a drill bit secured to a lowermost end of the inner drill pipe string,    a casing drill apparatus secured at a lowermost end of the casing string,    and a thermal transfer loop insertable into the wellbore.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising 
 compressed air apparatus for forcing compressed air down an interior of the inner drill pipe string and up into the annular space to carry drilled cuttings to the earth surface.  
 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising 
 automatic tubular handling apparatus for automatically providing pieces of both casing and drill pipe as drilling commences to lengthen, respectively, the casing string and the inner drill pipe string.  
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising 
 the drilling apparatus is track mounted.  
 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising 
 grout feeding apparatus for feeding grout material into the casing string to encompass the thermal transfer loop.  
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising 
 vibrating apparatus for vibrating the casing to densify the grout material.  
 
     
     
         18 . A system for drilling a wellbore, the system comprising 
 a drilling apparatus positionable at a desired location at an earth surface, the drilling apparatus comprising rotating and hammering apparatus for simultaneously rotating and hammering a dual tubular string into the earth,    the dual tubular string comprising an outer casing string spaced apart by an annular space from an inner drill pipe string, both the outer casing and inner drill pipe string being hollow,    a drill bit secured to a lowermost end of the inner drill pipe string,    a casing drill apparatus secured at a lowermost end of the casing string,    compressed air apparatus for forcing compressed air down an interior of the inner drill pipe string and up into the annular space to carry drilled cuttings to the earth surface,    automatic tubular handling apparatus for automatically providing pieces of both casing and drill pipe as drilling commences to lengthen, respectively, the casing string and the inner drill pipe string,    thermal transfer loop insertion apparatus for inserting a thermal transfer loop into a wellbore made by the drilling apparatus,    grout feeding apparatus for feeding grout material into the casing string to encompass the thermal transfer loop, and    vibrating apparatus for vibrating the casing to densify the grout material.