IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i13p3334-d1687327.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Pulsed Power Plasma Stimulation: A Comprehensive Review and Field Insights

Author

Listed:
  • Son T. Nguyen

    (Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Mohamed E.-S. El-Tayeb

    (Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza 3725121, Egypt)

  • Mohamed Adel Gabry

    (Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Mohamed Y. Soliman

    (Petroleum Engineering Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

Abstract

Pulsed Power Plasma Stimulation (3PS) represents a promising and environmentally favorable alternative to conventional well stimulation techniques for enhancing subsurface permeability. This comprehensive review tracks the evolution of plasma-based rock stimulation, offering insights from key laboratory, numerical, and field-scale studies. The review begins with foundational electrohydraulic discharge concepts and progresses through the evolution of Pulsed Arc Electrohydraulic Discharge (PAED) and the more advanced 3PS systems. High-voltage, ultrafast plasma discharges generate mechanical shockwaves and localized thermal effects that result in complex fracture networks, particularly in tight and crystalline formations. Compared to conventional well stimulation techniques, 3PS reduces water use, avoids chemical additives, and minimizes induced seismicity. Laboratory studies demonstrate significant improvements in permeability, porosity, and fracture intensity, while field trials show an increase in production from oil, gas, and geothermal wells. However, 3PS faces some limitations such as short stimulation radii and logistical constraints in wireline-based delivery systems. Emerging technologies like plasma-assisted drilling and hybrid PDC–plasma tools offer promising integration pathways. Overall, 3PS provides a practical, scalable, low-impact stimulation approach with broad applicability across energy sectors, especially in environmentally sensitive or water-scarce regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Son T. Nguyen & Mohamed E.-S. El-Tayeb & Mohamed Adel Gabry & Mohamed Y. Soliman, 2025. "Pulsed Power Plasma Stimulation: A Comprehensive Review and Field Insights," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-35, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3334-:d:1687327
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/13/3334/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/13/3334/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rafał Moska & Krzysztof Labus & Piotr Kasza, 2021. "Hydraulic Fracturing in Enhanced Geothermal Systems—Field, Tectonic and Rock Mechanics Conditions—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.
    2. Zhiqiang Xie & Dongya Han & Jiangteng Li & Kaihui Li, 2024. "A State-of-the-Art Review of Hydraulic Fracturing in Geothermal Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-39, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mohsen Fallah Vostakola & Babak Salamatinia & Bahman Amini Horri, 2022. "A Review on Recent Progress in the Integrated Green Hydrogen Production Processes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-41, February.
    2. Zhiqiang Xie & Dongya Han & Jiangteng Li & Kaihui Li, 2024. "A State-of-the-Art Review of Hydraulic Fracturing in Geothermal Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-39, December.
    3. Bo Hu & Xiangqi Hu & Chenggeng Lin & Guangzhen Du & Tianxing Ma & Kaihui Li, 2023. "Evolution of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Granite after Thermal Treatment under Cyclic Uniaxial Compression," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-22, September.
    4. Rafał Moska & Krzysztof Labus & Piotr Kasza & Agnieszka Moska, 2023. "Geothermal Potential of Hot Dry Rock in South-East Baltic Basin Countries—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Diego Paltrinieri & Paolo Favali & Francesco Italiano & Patrizio Signanini & Carlo Caso & Fabrizio B. Armani, 2022. "The Marsili Seamount Offshore Geothermal Reservoir: A Big Challenge for an Energy Transition Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-16, March.
    6. Krzysztof Labus & Rafał Moska & Małgorzata Labus, 2025. "Potential Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Western Poland—Petrothermal and Geochemical Issues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Rafał Moska & Krzysztof Labus & Piotr Kasza, 2025. "Impact of Rock Elastic Properties on Fracture Geometry in Potential Enhanced Geothermal Systems in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-25, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3334-:d:1687327. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.