Mitigating the effects of subsurface shunts during bulk heating of a subsurface formation
US9739122B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V3/02
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Systems and methods for mitigating the effects of subsurface shunts during bulk heating of a subsurface formation are disclosed. The methods may include electrically connecting, and concurrently applying, first, second, and third alternating voltages to respective first, second, and third electrode assemblies within the subsurface formation. The first, second, and third alternating voltages may have the same frequency and respective first, second, and third phase angles. The second phase angle may be different than the first phase angle, and the third phase angle may be different than the second phase angle. The methods may include, upon determining a presence of a subsurface shunt between the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, electrically connecting the first electrode assembly to the second alternating voltage and applying the second alternating voltage to the first and second electrode assemblies while applying the third alternating voltage to the third electrode assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.