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Title: Temperature limited heater with a conduit substantially electrically isolated from the formation

Abstract

A system for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. A conduit may be located in an opening in the formation. The conduit includes ferromagnetic material. An electrical conductor is positioned inside the conduit, and is electrically coupled to the conduit at or near an end portion of the conduit so that the electrical conductor and the conduit are electrically coupled in series. Electrical current flows in the electrical conductor in a substantially opposite direction to electrical current flow in the conduit during application of electrical current to the system. The flow of electrons is substantially confined to the inside of the conduit by the electromagnetic field generated from electrical current flow in the electrical conductor so that the outside surface of the conduit is at or near substantially zero potential at 25.degree. C. The conduit may generate heat and heat the formation during application of electrical current.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Bellaire, TX
  2. Palo Alto, CA
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Shell Exploration and Production Company
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1012618
Patent Number(s):
7559367
Application Number:
11/585,302
Assignee:
Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10G - CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS
E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING
DOE Contract Number:  
ACO5-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Vinegar, Harold J, and Sandberg, Chester Ledlie. Temperature limited heater with a conduit substantially electrically isolated from the formation. United States: N. p., 2009. Web.
Vinegar, Harold J, & Sandberg, Chester Ledlie. Temperature limited heater with a conduit substantially electrically isolated from the formation. United States.
Vinegar, Harold J, and Sandberg, Chester Ledlie. Tue . "Temperature limited heater with a conduit substantially electrically isolated from the formation". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1012618.
@article{osti_1012618,
title = {Temperature limited heater with a conduit substantially electrically isolated from the formation},
author = {Vinegar, Harold J and Sandberg, Chester Ledlie},
abstractNote = {A system for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. A conduit may be located in an opening in the formation. The conduit includes ferromagnetic material. An electrical conductor is positioned inside the conduit, and is electrically coupled to the conduit at or near an end portion of the conduit so that the electrical conductor and the conduit are electrically coupled in series. Electrical current flows in the electrical conductor in a substantially opposite direction to electrical current flow in the conduit during application of electrical current to the system. The flow of electrons is substantially confined to the inside of the conduit by the electromagnetic field generated from electrical current flow in the electrical conductor so that the outside surface of the conduit is at or near substantially zero potential at 25.degree. C. The conduit may generate heat and heat the formation during application of electrical current.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 2009},
month = {Tue Jul 14 00:00:00 EDT 2009}
}

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