Solution mining systems and methods for treating hydrocarbon containing formations

• Main Authors: DE ROUFFIGNAC, ERIC PIERRE, VINEGAR, HAROLD J, SCHOELING, LANNY GENE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 29.04.2009
• Subjects: EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MINING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

A system for heating stratum containing hydrocarbon includes a conduit tube locating in the opening of the stratum. Electric conductors are located in the conduit tube. The electric conductors form a heater, which is electrically isolated with the stratum, thereby reducing the electric loss onto the stratum; the electric conductors are electrically connected with conduit tubes at the end of conduit tubes or adjacent to the conduit tube, thereby the electric conductors are in series electrically connected with the conduit tubes. When the current is supplied to the system, the current flows in the electric conductor in a direction, which is fundamentally opposite to the direction current flowing in the conduit tube. The flow of electrons is limited in the conduit tube by the electromagnetic field produced by the current flow in the electric conductor, thereby the external surface of the conduit tube under 25 EDG C is fundamentally at or adjacent to zero potential. The conduit tube is configured to generate heat and heat the stratum when the current is supplied to the system.