Granular electrical connections for in situ formation heating
US8087460B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02C20/40
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for heating a subsurface formation using electrical resistance heating is provided. In one aspect, the method includes creating a passage in the subsurface formation between a first wellbore located at least partially within the subsurface formation, and a second wellbore also located at least partially within the subsurface formation. An electrically conductive granular material is placed into the passage so as to provide electrical communication between the first wellbore and the second wellbore. Electrically conductive members are provided in the first wellbore and second wellbore so as to form an electrically conductive flow path comprised of the electrically conductive members, the granular material, and a power source. An electrical current is established through the electrically conductive flow path, thereby resistively heating at least a portion of the conductive members which in turn heats the subsurface formation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.