Multilateral Open Transmission Lines for Uniform EM Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic heating of hydrocarbon formations often results in non-uniform heating, leading to local overheating and reduced efficiency, as well as inefficiencies due to heating of overburden and underburden areas that do not yield oil production.
Innovation Solution
The use of multilateral open transmission line conductors with primary and secondary arms, where the secondary arms are electrically isolatable and can be operated actively or passively to control the electromagnetic field distribution, allowing for more uniform heating and reduced radiation loss in non-target areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional EM radiators are used to heat hydrocarbon formations, then EM energy can be coupled to the formation to reduce viscosity and mobilize bitumen, but non-uniform heating occurs leading to local overheating and reduced system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line is divided into multiple segments with electrically isolatable connections, allowing independent control of heating zones. Each segment can be activated or deactivated to achieve uniform heating distribution across the hydrocarbon formation, preventing local overheating while maintaining overall heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically adjustable electrical connections that can switch between connected and isolated states. This dynamic control allows the heating pattern to be adjusted in real-time to match production needs, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and maximizing energy efficiency by heating only productive zones.
2Temperature
If EM radiators heat the entire formation including overburden and underburden, then comprehensive heating is achieved, but energy is wasted in areas that do not yield oil production
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the transmission line can be independently controlled to provide localized heating. By activating only those segments corresponding to productive hydrocarbon zones and deactivating segments over non-productive overburden or underburden areas, the system achieves targeted heating that maximizes oil recovery while minimizing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating the entire formation uniformly, the system applies partial heating action only to productive zones. The electrically isolatable connections enable selective activation of transmission line segments, providing sufficient heating coverage for oil production while avoiding excessive heating in non-productive areas.
3Temperature
If transmission line conductors are configured with primary and secondary arms, then electromagnetic field distribution can be controlled for more uniform heating, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission line conductor is segmented into primary and secondary arms with electrically isolatable connections. This segmentation provides geometric control over electromagnetic field distribution to achieve uniform heating, while the modular structure allows for manageable complexity through standardized connection points that can be independently controlled.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more uniform heating of hydrocarbon formations, enhancing oil production by focusing energy on productive zones while minimizing heating of non-productive areas, thus improving the overall efficiency of the electromagnetic heating process.
Implementation Method 1
Electromagnetic (EM) heating can be used for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons from underground reservoirs
Implementation Method 2
the application of EM energy to heat hydrocarbon formations can reduce viscosity and mobilize bitumen and heavy oil
Implementation Method 3
the transmission line conductors being excitable by the alternating current to propagate a travelling wave within the hydrocarbon formation
Implementation Method 4
A producer well is typically located below or at the bottom of the underground reservoir to collect the heated oil, which drains mainly by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The apparatus includes an electrical power source; at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating alternating current; at least two transmission line conductors positioned in the hydrocarbon formation; at least one waveguide for carrying the alternating current from the at least one electromagnetic wave generator to the at least two transmission line conductors; and a producer well to receive heated hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation. The transmission line conductors are excitable by the alternating current to propagate a travelling wave within the hydrocarbon formation. At least one of the transmission line conductors include a primary arm and at least one secondary arm extending laterally from the primary arm. The at least one secondary arm includes at least one electrically isolatable connection for electrically isolating at least a portion of the secondary arm.