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Radio frequency technology heater for unconventional resources

  • US 20070187089A1
  • Filed: 01/19/2007
  • Published: 08/16/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of heating at least a part of a subsurface hydro carbonaceous earth formation, comprising forming a borehole into or adjacent to said formation, placing elongated coaxial inner and outer conductors into the borehole with said inner and outer conductors electrically connected to each other at a depth below the top of said formation, connecting an AC power source to at least said outer conductor to produce heat in at least one of said conductors, said AC output having a controlled frequency, said outer conductor comprising a standard oil well component made of a ferromagnetic material that conducts current from said AC power source in only a surface region of the conductor due to the skin effect phenomenon, and dissipating more heat from portions of said conductors that are within the depth range of said formation than from other portions of said conductors.

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