skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: In situ conversion process utilizing a closed loop heating system

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1013656

An in situ conversion system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is described. The system includes a plurality of u-shaped wellbores in the formation. Piping is positioned in at least two of the u-shaped wellbores. A fluid circulation system is coupled to the piping. The fluid circulation system is configured to circulate hot heat transfer fluid through at least a portion of the piping to form at least one heated portion of the formation. An electrical power supply is configured to provide electrical current to at least a portion of the piping located below an overburden in the formation to resistively heat at least a portion of the piping. Heat transfers from the piping to the formation.

Research Organization:
Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
Assignee:
Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)
Patent Number(s):
7,575,052
Application Number:
11/409,556
OSTI ID:
1013656
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (10)

An Analog Computer for Studying Heat Transfer During a Thermal Recovery Process journal December 1955
The Characteristics of a Low Temperature In Situ Shale Oil conference April 2013
Evaluation of downhole electric impedance heating systems for paraffin control in oil wells journal January 1992
Analysis of oil shale and petroleum source rock pyrolysis by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry: comparisons of gas evolution at the heating rate of 10.degree.C/min journal May 1991
Electrical Heating With Horizontal Wells, The Heat Transfer Problem conference April 2013
New Books journal November 1953
Operating Laboratory Oil Shale Retorts In An In-Situ Mode conference April 2013
Kinetics of oil generation from Colorado oil shale journal June 1978
Direct Production of Low Pour Point High Gravity Shale Oil journal March 1967
Methods and Energy Sources for Heating Subsurface Geological Formation, Task 1: Heat Delivery Systems report January 2003