Insulated conductor temperature limited heaters
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
- a heater well extending from a surface of the earth through an overburden of the formation and into a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation;
an electrical conductor located in the heater well and extending from the surface and into the hydrocarbon containing layer, the electrical conductor being configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output during application of AC to the electrical conductor such that heat transfers from the electrical conductor to hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer to at least mobilize some hydrocarbons in the layer;
wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the heater provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature;
an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and
a sheath at least partially surrounding the electrical insulator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A heater may include an electrical conductor. Applying alternating current to the electrical conductor may resistively heat the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may at least partially surround a non-ferromagnetic material. The heater may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. An electrical insulator may at least partially surround the electrical conductor. A sheath may at least partially surround the electrical insulator.
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Citations
66 Claims
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1. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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a heater well extending from a surface of the earth through an overburden of the formation and into a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation; an electrical conductor located in the heater well and extending from the surface and into the hydrocarbon containing layer, the electrical conductor being configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output during application of AC to the electrical conductor such that heat transfers from the electrical conductor to hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer to at least mobilize some hydrocarbons in the layer; wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the heater provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature; an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and a sheath at least partially surrounding the electrical insulator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 61, 62)
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24. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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a heater well extending from a surface of the earth through an overburden of the formation and into a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation; an electrical conductor located in the heater well and extending from the surface and into the hydrocarbon containing layer, the electrical conductor being configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output during application of AC to the electrical conductor such that heat transfers from the electrical conductor to hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer to at least mobilize some hydrocarbons in the layer; wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic alloy at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the heater provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the ferromagnetic alloy comprises nickel; an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and a sheath at least partially surrounding the electrical insulator. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 63, 64)
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47. A method of heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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providing AC to an electrical conductor located in a heater well extending from a surface of the earth through an overburden of the formation and into a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation, wherein providing the AC produces an electrically resistive heat output from the electrical conductor, the electrical conductor comprising an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material, and wherein an electrical insulator at least partially surrounds the electrical conductor, and a sheath at least partially surrounds the electrical insulator; wherein the electrical conductor is configured to provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature during use; and allowing heat to transfer from the electrical conductors to hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer to at least mobilize some hydrocarbons in the layer. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 65, 66)
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Specification