Method of recovering hydrocarbons within a subsurface formation using electric current
US9644466B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V3/02
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of recovering hydrocarbons includes forming a first electrode by creating a first hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a first electrically conductive material into the first hydraulic fracture; forming a second electrode by creating a second hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a second electrically conductive material into the second hydraulic fracture; electrically connecting a first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode; electrically connecting a second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode; and heating the subsurface formation between the first electrode and the second electrode by transmitting an electrical current via the first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode and via the second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode and by flowing the electrical current from the first electrode to the second electrode. The electrical current substantially includes a frequency between 60 Hertz and 500 Kilohertz.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.