Downhole steam generation system and method

• US 20080017381A1
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nicholas Baiton
• Original Assignee: Nicholas Baiton
• Inventors: Baiton, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US11/806,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017381A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/305.1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/04 using electrical heaters
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2401 by means of electricity

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a device, system and method for generating steam downhole. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical steam generation system that enables efficient production of downhole steam without the heat and pressure losses realized by surface steam generation equipment.

Claims

1. A method of creating in situ steam in a well for hydrocarbon recovery comprising the steps of:

positioning a downhole electrical steam generating system in the well adjacent a hydrocarbon bearing formation;

continuously forming downhole steam within the well from in situ water; and

,

maintaining a high intra-well pressure to promote hydrocarbon recovery.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein the electrical steam generating system is conveyed to the hydrocarbon bearing formation by coiled tubing.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein the high intra-well pressure is maintained by adding water to the injection well from the surface.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the high intra-bore pressure is maintained by a sealed wellhead.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein steam is generated in an injection well and hydrocarbons are recovered from a recovery well.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein steam is generated in the well and hydrocarbons are simultaneously recovered from the well.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein at least two generation systems are operatively connected together to enable steam generation at separate locations within the well.

8. A downhole steam generation system for hydrocarbon recovery comprising:

a housing having openings operatively containing an electrical immersion heater,

a connector system for connecting the electrical immersion heater to an electrical cable, and,

a surface power unit for delivering electrical power to the electrical heater through the electrical cable.

9. A downhole steam generation system as in claim 8 wherein the housing is adapted for operative connection to coiled tubing.

10. A downhole steam generation system as in claim 9 wherein the electrical cable is contained within the coiled tubing.

11. A downhole steam generation system as in claim 10 wherein the electrical immersion heater includes a thermocouple operatively connected to the surface power unit for controlling the surface temperature of the immersion heater.

12. A downhole steam generation system as in claim 8 wherein the housing and connector system enable two or more downhole steam generation systems to be operatively connected together across one or more sections of coiled tubing to enable simultaneous steam production at one or more locations within the well.