Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation with electrical conductors
US8881806B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49083
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A system for treating a subsurface formation includes a wellbore at least partially located in a hydrocarbon containing formation. The wellbore includes a substantially vertical portion and at least two substantially horizontal or inclined portions coupled to the vertical portion. A first conductor is at least partially positioned in a first of the two substantially horizontal or inclined portions of the wellbore. At least the first conductor includes electrically conductive material. A power supply electrically excites the electrically conductive materials of the first conductor such that current flows between the electrically conductive materials in the first conductor, through at least a portion of the formation, to a second conductor at least partially positioned in a second of the two substantially horizontal or inclined portions of the wellbore. The current resistively heats at least a portion of the formation between the two substantially horizontally oriented or inclined portions of the wellbore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.