Method of protecting an RF applicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for protecting an RF applicator during the in situ RF retorting of an oil shale stratum, from a borehole traversing the oil shale stratum comprising the steps of:
- lining with a liner at least that portion of the borehole traversing the oil shale stratum with a non-conductive high temperature material of sufficient thickness to protect the RF applicator from expansion of the oil shale stratum, andcementing said liner in place with a high temperature, non-conductive cementing material.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method which protects an RF applicator during the in-situ RF retorting of a hydrocarbon stratum from a borehole which traverses the hydrocarbon stratum including lining that portion of the borehole traversing the hydrocarbon stratum with a non-conductive high temperature material.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for protecting an RF applicator during the in situ RF retorting of an oil shale stratum, from a borehole traversing the oil shale stratum comprising the steps of:
-
lining with a liner at least that portion of the borehole traversing the oil shale stratum with a non-conductive high temperature material of sufficient thickness to protect the RF applicator from expansion of the oil shale stratum, and cementing said liner in place with a high temperature, non-conductive cementing material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of retorting an oil shale stratum with an RF energy comprising the steps of:
-
drilling a borehole through the earth formation so as to traverse the oil shale stratum, lining the borehole in the vicinity of the hydrocarbon stratum with a non-conductive high temperature refractory material having sufficient thickness to protect an RF applicator from expansion of the oil shale stratum, inserting an RF applicator into the borehole, and energizing the RF applicator with RF energy in a manner so that the RF applicator radiates the RF energy into the oil shale stratum. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. Apparatus for protecting an RF applicator during the in-situ retorting of an oil shale stratum from a borehole traversing the oil shale stratum comprising:
-
means lining at least that portion of the borehole traversing the oil shale stratum for protecting the RF applicator from expansion of the oil shale stratum while permitting the RF applicator to provide RF energy into the oil shale stratum, and means for holding said protecting means in place. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification