Insulated conductor temperature limited heater for subsurface heating coupled in a three-phase wye configuration
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heating system for a subsurface formation is described. The heating system includes a first heater, a second heater, and a third heater placed in an opening in the subsurface formation. Each heater includes: an electrical conductor; an insulation layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and an electrically conductive sheath at least partially surrounding the insulation layer. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the sheath at a lower end portion of the heater. The lower end portion is the portion of the heater distal from a surface of the opening. The first heater, the second heater, and the third heater are electrically coupled at the lower end portions of the heaters. The first heater, the second heater, and the third heater are configured to be electrically coupled in a three-phase wye configuration.
244 Citations
706 Claims
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1-677. -677. (canceled)
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678. A heating system for a subsurface formation, comprising:
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a first heater, a second heater, and a third heater placed in an opening in the subsurface formation, wherein each heater comprises;
an electrical conductor;
an insulation layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor;
an electrically conductive sheath at least partially surrounding the insulation layer;
wherein the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the sheath at a lower end portion of the heater, the lower end portion being the portion of the heater distal from a surface of the opening;
the first heater, the second heater, and the third heater being electrically coupled at the lower end portions of the heaters; and
the first heater, the second heater, and the third heater being configured to be electrically coupled in a three-phase wye configuration. - View Dependent Claims (679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688)
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689. A method for installing a heating system, in a subsurface formation, comprising:
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locating a first heater on a first spool, a second heater on a second spool, and a third heater on a third spool at a location of an opening in the subsurface formation, wherein each heater comprises;
an electrical conductor;
an insulation layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and
an electrically conductive sheath at least partially surrounding the insulation layer; and
wherein the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the sheath at a lower end portion of the heater, the lower end portion being the portion of the heater distal from a surface of the opening;
uncoiling each of the first heater, the second heater, and the third heater as the heaters are being installed in the opening in the subsurface formation;
coupling each of the heaters as the heaters are installed in the opening in the subsurface formation; and
electrically coupling the heaters in the three-phase wye configuration. - View Dependent Claims (690, 691, 692, 693, 694)
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695. A heating system, comprising:
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a first heater, a second heater, and a third heater, wherein each heater comprises;
a ferromagnetic member;
an electrical conductor electrically coupled to the ferromagnetic member, the electrical conductor configured to provide a first heat output below the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic member, and the electrical conductor configured to conduct a majority of the electrical current passing through the cross-section of the heater at about 25°
C.; and
the heater automatically provides a second heat output approximately at and above the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic member, the second heat output being reduced compared to the first heat output;
a plurality of electrical insulators, wherein each electrical insulator surrounds one of the heaters; and
a conduit surrounding the heaters and the electrical insulators, the conduit electrically insulated from the heaters by one or more electrical insulators, and the conduit configured to inhibit formation fluids from entering the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704)
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705. A composition comprising hydrocarbons, wherein the hydrocarbons are produced from a subsurface formation heated by a heating system comprising:
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a first heater, a second heater, and a third heater placed in an opening in the subsurface formation, wherein each heater comprises;
an electrical conductor;
an insulation layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor;
an electrically conductive sheath at least partially surrounding the insulation layer;
wherein the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the sheath at a lower end portion of the heater, the lower end portion being the portion of the heater distal from a surface of the opening;
the first heater, the second heater, and the third heater being electrically coupled at the lower end portions of the heaters; and
the first heater, the second heater, and the third heater are configured to be electrically coupled in a three-phase wye configuration.
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706-1065. -1065. (canceled)
Specification