Well production method using microwave heating

Patent · Tue Jan 27 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:7062670

Wilson, R

This patent describes a method for stimulating the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluid from a subterranean geologic formation in the earth which contains both a hydrocarbonaceous fluid and a non-hydrocarbonaceous fluid which has a higher electrical conductivity than the hydrocarbonaceous fluid. The formation is penetrated by at least one wellbore, and microwave heating is employed in at least one wellbore to heat the formation and hydrocarbonaceous fluid contained therin to enhance the flow of the hydrocarbonaceous fluid into at least one wellbore for recovery of same at the surface of the earth. The improvement described here comprises displacing at least a portion of the non-hydrocarbonaceous fluid which is in the formation near the wellbore away from the wellbore and further into the formation, the amount of non-hydrocarbonaceous fluid displaced being that which is effective to substantially reduce the overall electrical conductivity of the formation and its contained fluids in a finite volume around the wellbore. This increases the effectiveness of the microwave heating in the finite volume and stimulates the movement of the hydrocarbonaceous fluid in the portion of the formation from which the non-hydrocarbonaceous fluid has been displaced.

• Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co., Los Angeles, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4638863
• OSTI ID: 7062670
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 25 Jun 1986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
OIL WELLS
MICROWAVE HEATING
PETROLEUM
THERMAL RECOVERY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
HYDROCARBONS
WELL STIMULATION
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEATING
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production