Heaters with exposed metal sections, which are coupled by materials to facilitate connection when melted and cooled or when exploded

• Main Authors: MASON, STANLEY LEROY, KIM, DONG SUB, VINEGAR, HAROLD J, KELTNER, THOMAS J, CARL, FREDERICK GORDON, STEGEMEIER, GEORGE LEO, BASS, RONALD MARSHALL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 24.12.2010
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; CURRENT COLLECTORS; EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; ELECTRICITY; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; LINE CONNECTORS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

A system for heating a subsurface formation is disclosed. The system includes a first elongated heater in a first opening in the formation and a second elongated heater in a second opening in the formation. The first elongated heater includes an exposed metal section in a portion of the first opening, which is below a layer of the formation to be heated, with the exposed metal section being exposed to the formation. The second elongated heater in a second opening in the formation, which connects to the first opening at or near the portion of the first opening below the layer to be heated. The system further includes an electrical coupling, which couples at least a portion of an exposed metal section of the second elongated heater 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. The electrical coupling comprises a container configured to be coupled to an end portion of at least one of the heaters. The end portion is below the layer to be heated. The container comprises an electrical coupling material configured to facilitate, when melted and then cooled, an electrical connection between the first elongated heater and the second elongated heater. The electrical coupling may alternatively comprise an explosive element configured to be coupled to an end portion of at least one of the heaters. The end portion is below the layer to be heated, and the explosive element is configured to facilitate, when exploded, an electrical connection between the first elongated heater and the second elongated heater.