Subsurface connection methods for subsurface heaters

Patent · Tue Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2010

OSTI ID:1005339

Vinegar, Harold J ^[1]; Bass, Ronald Marshall ^[2]; Kim, Dong Sub ^[3]; Mason, Stanley Leroy ^[4]; Stegemeier, George Leo ^[2]; Keltner, Thomas Joseph ^[5]

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1. Bellaire, TX
2. Houston, TX
3. Sugar Land, TX
4. Allen, TX
5. Spring, TX

A system for heating a subsurface formation is described. The system includes a first elongated heater in a first opening in the formation. The first elongated heater includes an exposed metal section in a portion of the first opening. The portion is below a layer of the formation to be heated. The exposed metal section is exposed to the formation. A second elongated heater is in a second opening in the formation. The second opening connects to the first opening at or near the portion of the first opening below the layer to be heated. At least a portion of an exposed metal section of the second elongated heater is electrically coupled to at least a portion of the exposed metal section of the first elongated heater in the portion of the first opening below the layer to be heated.

• Research Organization: Shell Exploration and Production Company
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)
• Patent Number(s): 7,860,377
• Application Number: 11/409,559
• OSTI ID: 1005339
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English