Extraction of hydrocarbons in situ from underground hydrocarbon deposits
First Claim
1. A method of extracting hydrocarbons in situ from a selected portion of an underground hydrocarbon deposit such as oil shale, comprisingforming a quasi-toroidal conductor arrangement in the deposit substantially to envelope the said selected portion,applying alternating current of selected voltage, amperage and frequency to the conductor arrangement to heat the selected portion by induction heating to a temperature sufficient to vaporize a portion of at least one of the hydrocarbon constituents thereof, andextracting a portion of at least one released hydrocarbon constituent of the deposit by means of a conduit extending from the deposit in the vicinity of the selected portion thereof to the earth'"'"'s surface.
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Abstract
A method of extracting hydrocarbons in situ from an underground hydrocarbon deposit such as oil shale. A selected part of the deposit is heated by one or more electrical induction coils arranged in a quasi-toroidal configuration to temperatures high enough to drive off hydrocarbon fractions as gases or vapors, which are then collected and utilized in surface operations or recovered for transportation or temporary storage. The deposit may optionally be heated through a coking and cracking stage. Any remaining hydrocarbons may be burned in situ and the combustion gases utilized for energy. Steam may be obtained by injecting water into the heated shale after extraction of the hydrocarbons.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of extracting hydrocarbons in situ from a selected portion of an underground hydrocarbon deposit such as oil shale, comprising
forming a quasi-toroidal conductor arrangement in the deposit substantially to envelope the said selected portion, applying alternating current of selected voltage, amperage and frequency to the conductor arrangement to heat the selected portion by induction heating to a temperature sufficient to vaporize a portion of at least one of the hydrocarbon constituents thereof, and extracting a portion of at least one released hydrocarbon constituent of the deposit by means of a conduit extending from the deposit in the vicinity of the selected portion thereof to the earth'"'"'s surface.
Specification