Method and apparatus for combating encroachment by in-situ treated formations

Patent · Tue Mar 18 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5513602

Dowling, D J; Palmer, H A

In radio frequency heating of oil shale or tar sand formations in-situ wherein a central conductor and a coaxial shield are employed down hole, a method is described of combating the encroachment of the heated formation, comprising applying relative motion to the central conductor periodically for removing the encroaching formation. In radio frequency heating of oil shale or tar sand formations in situ, in combination with an applicator for electromagnetic propagation of radio frequency energy into the formation, the applicator comprising a central conductor extending a predetermined distance beyond the end of a coaxial shielding conductor, and a radio frequency generator is described for supplying the radio frequency energy to the applicator. The improvement described here consists of means associated with the central conductor for moving it relative to the formation whereby encroachment by the formation may be prevented.

• Assignee: Texaco, Inc., White Plains, NY
• Patent Number(s): US 4576231
• OSTI ID: 5513602
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 13 Sep 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
OIL SANDS
HEATING
IN-SITU PROCESSING
OIL SHALES
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
ELECTROMAGNETISM
RF SYSTEMS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MAGNETISM
MATERIALS
PROCESSING
040401* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- In Situ Methods
True & Modified