Well completion for electrical power transmission

• US 4,484,627 A
• Filed: 06/30/1983
• Issued: 11/27/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company Incorporated (BP PLC)
• Original Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company Incorporated (BP PLC)
• Inventors: Perkins, Thomas K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suchfield, George A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Starinsky, Michael
• Application Number:
  US06/509,839
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 166/248, 166/65 R, 166/65 M, 166/66, 166/60, 166/DIG. 1, 166/242, 219/277, 219/278
• US Class Current: 166/248
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 17/003 with electrically conducting or insulating means E21B17/028 and E21B17/023 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2401 by means of electricity

Abstract

There is provided a well completion for electrical alternating current power transmission that minimizes power losses and related corrosion problems. Casing is used both as the electrode and conductor. Most of the conductor portion is made of nonmagnetic metal, for example aluminum, and is electrically insulated both exteriorly and interiorly. The insulation extends below the point where the nonmagnetic metal ends. Tubing is used to produce or inject fluids. The upper end of the conductor-electrode may be surrounded by a nonmagnetic surface string which is also electrically insulated.

Claims

1. A well completion for electrical power transmission to subsurface electrode for applying heat to a subsurface formation comprising:

(a) a metal first casing string extending from near the surface of the earth downward at least to a predetermined point where an electrode is to be located, said first casing string being divided into an upper casing portion and a lower casing portion, said upper casing portion being a nonmagnetic metal;

(b) first outer electrical insulation on the exterior surface of said upper casing portion and a part of said lower casing portion;

(c) first inner electrical insulation covering most of the interior surface of said upper casing portion and a part of said lower casing portion;

(d) an inner tubing string extending from surface of the earth downward inside said first casing string through at least a part of said lower casing portion, said tubing string being adapted to conduct fluids between the surface and a predetermined subsurface point; and

(e) an alternating current power source electrically connected to said first casing string.

2. The well completion of claim 1 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.

3. The well completion of claim 1 wherein a packer means is located below said upper casing portion and said inner electrical insulation is an electrically nonconducting packer fluid in the annulus between said tubing string and the portion of said casing string above said packer means.

4. The well completion of claim 3 wherein the upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.

5. The well completion of claim 1 wherein a second casing string extends from near the surface of the earth downward at least to predetermined subsurface point, said second casing string surrounding said first inner string, first outer electrical insulation on the exterior surface of said second casing string and second inner insulation covering most of the interior surface of said second casing string.

6. The well completion of claim 5 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.

7. The well completion of claim 5 wherein a packer means is located below said upper casing portion and said inner electrical insulation is an electrically nonconducting packer fluid in the annulus between said tubing string and the portion of said casing string above said packer means.

8. The well completion of claim 7 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.

9. The well completion of claim 5 wherein said second inner insulation is comprised of cement.

10. The completion of claim 9 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.

11. The well completion of claim 9 wherein a packer means is located below said upper casing portion and said inner electrical insulation is an electrically nonconducting packer fluid in the annulus between said tubing string and the portion of casing string above said packer means.

12. The well completion of claim 11 wherein said upper casing portion is comprised of aluminum.

13. A method for completing a well for transmitting electrical power into a subsurface area comprising:

(a) lowering a metal lower casing string downward into the earth;

(b) connecting said lower casing string to a nonmagnetic metal upper casing string and lowering said upper casing string and said lower casing string downward into the earth at least to a first point where an electrode is to be located;

(c) covering most of the exposed exterior surface of an upper portion of said lower casing string with an electrical insulation as said lower casing string is being lowered into the earth;

(d) covering most of the exposed exterior surface of said upper casing string with electrical insulation as said upper string is lowered into the earth;

(e) lowering a tubing string with a packer downward from the surface of the earth into and through said upper casing string and into said lower casing string;

(f) setting said packer at a point inside said lower casing string below the lowest point of said upper casing string;

(g) adding an electrically nonconductive liquid to the annulus between said tubing and said casing above said packer; and

(h) connecting an alternating current power source to said upper casing string.

14. In the method of claim 13 wherein said upper casing string is comprised of aluminum.

15. In the method of claim 13 wherein before step (a) a nonmagnetic metal outer surface casing string is lowered down into the earth to a predetermined point and most of the exposed exterior surface of said surface casing string is covered with electrical insulation as said surface casing string is lowered into the earth.

16. In the method of claim 15 wherein said upper casing string is comprised of aluminum.

17. In the method of claim 15 wherein cement is placed inside said surface casing string.

18. In the method of claim 17 wherein said upper casing string is comprised of aluminum.