Inline downhole heater and methods of use
US8265468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0391
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A well bore fluid is heated to prevent paraffin build-up or lower the viscosity of asphaltenic crude in the production line by an electrical heating element lowered into a pre-determined subterranean location. The heating element is controlled by a control unit that is connected to a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor, which detects temperature and pressure in the vicinity of the heating element and modifies an electric power source to deliver sufficient electric power to the electric heating element to keep the paraffin or other alkanes in a liquefied state. By modifications, the same heater can be used to generate steam in a well bore for the same purposes or to heat oil in a tank battery to prevent solidification of high molecular weight constituents in the crude.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.